Audio News for April 25, 2007

HD Radio is Finally Happening – HDTV has received all the attention and not many people know about HD Radio. First, it should be pointed out we’re speaking not of the two subscription digital satellite radio services – Sirius and XM – but of the terrestrial, free in-band digital transmissions now being offered by over 1200 FM and AM stations around the U.S. It’s the first real advance in terrestrial radio technology since FM radio was invented over 65 years ago. The main reason HD Radio has taken so long was the insistence of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and others that it be an in-band system – broadcasting on the same station frequency as the analog AM or FM.  Other countries are using an out-of-band system which is easier to implement. Canada and the UK have had digital radio for some years now.

The system uses digital data reduction of the signals just as does satellite radio, and it enables a station to offer multiple programming services if it wishes. Though not hi-res, the signal is free from multipath distortion, static and other artifacts of less-than-perfect analog reception. The HD does not stand for high definition, but for Hybrid Digital – meaning stations can continue their analog AM & FM at the same dial positions as the HD Radio casts.  AM stations are said to achieve FM-like sound and FM stations to have “CD-quality.” (Of course with any data reduction that’s not possible.)  There is also a text display showing song titles and other information for those stations that offer it.

You do have to have a new radio to receive HD Radio. Several manufacturers already have tabletop sets, and a few component makers are including HD Radio (as well as satellite radio) in some of their receivers. You can see a list of which local stations are transmitting HD Radio at www.hdradio.com  Here in the Portland, OR area 15 stations are already set up for HD Radio and that includes the smallest public radio stations.  The largest NPR affiliate even offers a second channel, programming rock.  More stations will eventually be offering up to two additional program streams.

Monterey Jazz Festival Launches CD Label – Tied in with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Jazz Festival this September, Monterey Jazz Festival Records will debut with a series of never-before-heard releases recorded live at past festivals. Future releases will draw from a library of more than 2000 hours of recorded concerts. The new label’s GM is Jason Olaine, former A&R director at Verve.  The CDs will be distributed by Concord Music Group.

Pianist Andrew Hill Dies – Noted Blue Note recording artist Andrew Hill has died of lung cancer. He was 75. Blue Note found Alfred Lion, who recorded his first Hill album in 1963, considered Hill “the next Thelonious Monk.”