do they (engineers, etc) do all this stuff to the music on SUPPOSEDLY LIVE TV SHOWS LIKE BRITTAN’S GOT TALENT, THE VOICE, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AND SO MANY MORE...
On a live broadcast or live-to-tape production, the video will be uncompressed HD and the live audio feed will be run thru a mixing console with EQ to correct for the acoustics of the venue. A moderate amount of compression is used to keep audio levels high and evenly balanced. This is the feed that goes out to the network operations center.
Inside the venue or studio there are engineers mixing the performances with a full compliment of audio gear; the same setup you would see when attending a concert. These engineers will mix the band or roll playback of the music for the performers. They work for the sound company and have rehearsed with the performers, singers, bands. They’re the guys applying the effects and compression.
So, the signal is sent out via satellite or land line, where more compression is added by each TV station, cable or satellite service.
I’ve worked on shows (mostly sporting events) where the audio sounds terrific thru our monitors in the truck or studio. I’ve later watched the program and heard how bad it sounds after it has been processed by the various broadcast facilities to get to the TV in the home.
An exception would be PBS airing concerts and other performances in high quality picture and sound. An opera or symphony would best be enjoyed by listening thru a home HiFi system.
