Radio Automation OptionsAaron Read / WEOS & WHWSTim Teeling / WLOY
More than just a computer and sound card…and why a Winamp playlist doesn't (usually) cut it !
STAYING ON THE AIR
WHEN NO-ONE’S THERE!
Housecleaning
CBI listserv: www.askcbi.orgOpening for Student position on
CBI executive board. E-mail app to [email protected] (must still be a student thru Dec.2011)
Fill out a feedback form, dammit!!
Why do you NEED automation? Listeners demand 24/7/365
operation Freedom to discipline airstaff Protect against 47 CFR 73.561
timeshare Enhance DJ operation (“live assist”) Reduce CD theft (to some degree)
Why is automation HATED?
Often done BADLYReduces diversitySounds like crap if done wrongTo do right = 1 hr work for every 3-8 hrs air
If done right it sounds nearly as good as live DJ’s. Sometimes better.
How much d’ya need?
Format: more varied = more workSize of music libraryAvailable labor (now and future)Hardware budget (now and
future)…the piper is always paid!
Paying the piper
Go cheap = bad idea Mission-critical! 24/7 for years! Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy!
Multiple, mirrored hard drives (RAID)Regular, off-site backupsBackup UPS/generatorRedundant hardware
OTOH – cost of failure?
What does each minute of dead air cost your station?
Commercial station can be $1000’s per minute. Could be less for you; what’s the ROI?
Holy #$%&!!! Why is BRAND X SYSTEM so EXPENSIVE!!! Testing / Compatibility Capabilities
Less relevant in today’s world Support / Help
NOT a magic wand! Service (upgrades, new OS, etc) $$$ does NOT always mean better!
Examples! I’m Totally Broke$0 aka FREE!Winamp Radio Scheduler
http://www.winamp.com/plugins/
details/138768http://www.wbrs.org/stuff/wrs
Freeware, old but serviceable.
I’m Merely a Cheap S.O.B.$100 - $1000 range Jockey Pro LT RadioLogik – WLOY case study Raduga MegaSeg Arrakis Digilink XTREME Many others…OTSjuke, Spacial
Audio, SAM, etc etc etc
I have some money…not much$1000 - $10000 rangeThis is an awkward placeBSI SimianWireready “Cheap” versions of AV, Enco
Exception: Enco for PRSS
We got phat bills$10,000 and upWhere the big boys playAudioVault, Enco, Prophet, Dalet,
WideOrbit, iMediaTouch, DAVIDExcellent systems, but overkill?WEOS/WHWS has Enco
Advantages / Disadvantages
Final Thoughts / Ask Questions Don’t look at your budget and say
“We can’t afford to do this.” Look at your needs and decide if you have to get more revenue/budget because you can’t afford not to do this!
Slides will be available atwww.friedbagels.com/cbi
Final Thoughts
Questions – tell us your situation, we’ll try and recommend a good place to start.
One last thing: don’t look at your budget and say “We can’t afford to do this.” Look at your broadcast needs and decide if you can’t afford not to do this…and then figure out how to raise funds or cut costs accordingly.
Aaron Read can be reached via the CBI listserv. Sign up at www.askcbi.org
Aaron’s blog : www.friedbagels.com/blog These slides available at : www.friedbagels.com/cbi/