Radio automation

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The radio automation is a software which implements in their basic function to play audio files in the broadcast studio of Radio.

Playback surface

The playback interface usually includes:

  • Several playback windows (players) that are played via separate channels of one or more sound cards and rest on different faders on the mixer.
  • A playlist that contains the tracks in chronological order downwards. This playlist contains information such as the intro time of the track, a possibility to preview (the PFL on an unused channel or a specially designated pre-fader listening channel), start time of the next element (important for the correct timing of the Broadcast) and instructions for the moderator or broadcast technician.
  • An information field that contains all important information about the current hour. This can be, for example, the total time of the program elements, automatically started events, the operating mode of the studio ( on air , off air ) or the status of the software (full automation or assist mode).
  • A note field on which the software clearly communicates current information to the operator, for example the time until the end of the title or an autopilot event (usually 30 seconds before an action in a countdown ). The information field is usually clearly set off in color or implemented as a pop-up .
  • A browser that can be used to drag and drop files from the archive into the playlist or cart wall.
  • A cartwall, which can be permanently assigned with audio files and plays them back when triggered. As soon as a controller is operated, a file associated with it is played. Broadcasters use these cartwalls, for example, to play recurring elements (traffic, weather, or news packaging).
  • An automation mode control that allows the automatic blending of elements to be set in advance.

The equipment and the graphic design of the program interface vary greatly. The software manufacturers develop individual, very specific program versions for the broadcasters.

Planning surface

The planning interface supplies the data records that the playout interface receives. In it let yourself

  • Plan playlists in advance
  • Set automated events
  • Change the basic properties of the shipment
  • Create automatic transmission grids (these grids allow recurring events to be automated. In this way, it can be determined that a news jingle starts every hour at 30 seconds before the end of the hour, that a fader opens at a certain time, etc. The possible variations are large.)

One of the main functions of the planning interface, however, is the maintenance and creation of the data archive. Information (title, artist, intro time, outro time, date of creation, information field for moderation, related files (e.g. remixes) and playing time) are recorded in a database and associated with an audio file. The possible variations for the input fields and thus the structure of the database is very customer-specific and varies from transmitter to transmitter. The editor can expand and delete the archive and even intervene in the current program. Most important functions are protected by passwords.

Edit surface

Some radio automation systems offer integrated editing and editing programs. Most manufacturers, however, provide interfaces to other machining programs.

Technical

Radio automations are by no means just playback programs. They are based on a complicated server / client principle. A high level of availability and reliability (permanent playout 24 hours a day) are requirements as well as a high degree of modularity and possible variations which exactly match the customer's requirements. Occasionally the playout and user interface are on different computers, this increases the reliability. The codecs used are different. In addition to MPEG Audio Layer 2 and 3, the WAV and MUSICAM format are also used, although the latter is the standard MPEG Audio Layer 2 with the file extension ".MUS".

Common features:

  • Fader control of a digital mixer with motorized faders (the automation opens and closes the controls itself. This means that not only audio files but also external sources such as third-party programs, reporter lines or microphones can be controlled).
  • Data import from planning programs. Many broadcasters use computer-aided tools for their program planning that transmit their data (playlists, automation events, etc.) to the radio automation network via the network.
  • Data export, ( GEMA protocol, recording of music and word content, export of titles and artists to the homepage or the RDS )
  • Full automation (often used at night)
  • Regiocasting applications
  • Special control keyboards
  • Evaluation and transmission of control signals from the studio environment
  • Editors and planning tools