While the main announcer or panel operator can control everything via the audio console, guests often need their own individual control for headphone levels, a cough mute and mic on/off. Headphone selection is often a very personal decision based on your preferences in comfort and frequency response. As a result, anyone in a studio needs headphones to hear what is going to air. Studio Monitor Speakers are automatically muted whenever a microphone is turned on.
By having a separate speaker for this, announcers can be sure their “preview” audio isn’t going to air. Cue/Preview SpeakerĪ separate speaker is often provided for the announcer hear all audio that isn’t going to air, such as the preview output from your audio console or the feed from your audio editor. Often, these are very high quality speakers so any abnormalities in sound quality can be detected. Studio Monitor Speakers provide an easy way to hear what’s going to air without headphones.
This helps you detect mono content, and spot any problems in source material that are likely to cause issues with the stereo image. Some radio stations also provide phase meters along side level meters. Often, you’ll have multiple meters showing the levels at different points in the signal chain. These allow the announcer or panel operator to see if their audio is too loud or too quiet at any given time. To ensure output of a station is somewhat consistent, radio studios contain different Level Meters. Most automation systems also contain a music database, hot keys (to play ad-hoc audio), an audio editor, segue editor (to change the mix between different elements), interfaces for website and RDS data, and a lot more. A separate person will often load all advertisements into the same log. All music played on a commercial radio station will be pre-programmed by the Music Director and loaded into the log. This is a sequential list of all audio files and commands that need to be played at certain times. These are specially designed computer programs that allow for continuous playback of audio, with a lot of granular control for Announcers and Programme Directors.Īt the heart of any Automation System is the “log”. The computer system that plays back music, spots (ads, promos, etc.) and sweepers (the little voice-overs played between songs) is called a Playout System or Automation Software.
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These arms often extend over the audio console, computer monitors, and other equipment – leaving plenty of table space free for equipment and paper. Studio microphones are often mounted on a special arm that keeps the microphone at the correct height. Common microphones include ElectroVoie RE20, Sennheiser MD421, and Rode Broadcaster. Broadcast microphones are designed a little differently to PA microphones, as issues such as feedback (the squealing sound that can come through speakers) isn’t an issue in a studio.Įxperienced audio announcers will often have a favourite microphone. MicrophoneĪ microphone captures sounds from the studio and turn it into electrical impulses. While analog audio consoles have the physical audio flow directly through the console’s circuitry, many radio stations now use Digital Audio Consoles – these are actually a remote control for a Mix Engine (often located in the rack room). When you turn a CD Player, Phone or Computer channel on, often it will “trigger” that input so it starts playing immediately. When you turn a microphone on or off, a radio console will mute any speakers and illuminate an “on air” light. Radio Audio Consoles are very different from a regular PA or Live Sound audio console, and are often more expensive than PA audio consoles as they are purpose-built for on-air talent ease of use. The fader (slider) attenuates or amplifies the incoming signal. This is the interface the radio announcer (or panel operator) uses to control what’s heard on air. Silence Detector & Compact Flash PlayerĪt the heart of any studio is the audio console (sometimes called a radio panel, sound panel, or sound desk).CD Players, DAT Machines, Mini Disc Players, & Turn Tables.If you think of something missing from this list, please post it in the comments below. Here’s a catalog of every piece of equipment you might find in a typical radio station. This comprehensive list should be useful to new engineers, or IT guys starting to work in a broadcast environment. If you’re new to radio, it can be hard to know every single piece of gear and understand how it fits into the air-chain.