Why Automate?

Advantages of Radio Automation

Advances in the personal computer now allow a radio station to run more efficiently and cost effectively than was ever imagined 20, 10, or even 5 years ago. The station becomes more flexible while at the same time enhancing the quality for the audience.

Basic Components of a Digital Radio Automation System

Here are some of the ways an automation system can enhance a radio station:

• Automated radio gives you the option of doing a live assist at anytime you want; this gives the producer and announcer great flexibility in operating a station. As a song ends, simply fade it out and make a few "live" announcements. If after a live announcement you need to run an errand for a couple hours, go ahead--and put the station back on autopilot. This provides freedom and flexibility in operating a station.
• In the studio you will have a computer that has access to the stored sound files. It can play one file after the other so you can have unattended radio with no one there but the computer. This can reduce operating costs, because it takes less staff to run a station.
• Future programs and schedules (logs) can be developed on the automation system while the station is operating itself. In addition, station personnel can configure system settings on how they want a station to sound. It actually helps the staff concentrate on producing content and to transmit the content in a more professional sounding way. The book called "Proclaiming the Gospel" by Kenneth D. MacHarg is a good place to start when considering setting up and operating a Christian radio station. You can find the book at World Christian Missionary Resources.
• The automation system clock maps the sequence for every audio clip throughout every hour of every day, and what criteria it has to meet. For example start with a worship song, next an oldie, and then an instrumental. First you put music into the repertoire library, then you add information about every piece into a database, and as a result the scheduler can produce a play list for the station. It strictly follows the rules of the defined clocks. Your station is now consistent and efficient in how it sounds.
• Adding satellite capability creates a realm of possibilities for providing remotely-produced programs for the local audience. This allows a daily program to be downloaded, recorded, put into the schedule, and then played automatically. This program can also be auditioned, edited, or removed before it goes on the air. Programs produced on your station can also be sent to other network stations via satellite or the internet.
• Computerized automation also helps you to better monitor your station. The display on the computer provides a real time monitoring of what is being played. It can display volume levels, indicate at what point you are in the schedule and the duration left within the current audio clip. This capability provides valuable information to make the necessary last minute adjustments. The automation process also keeps detailed programming logs of previous days, weeks, and years. This capability allows the personnel to look back at program content to be able to better plan how to proceed in the future. These history logs are also very important when you need to show the government, advertisers, and recording producers what was played and when it was played.
• The automation tool also provides a practical way to move digitized sound into the station's repertoire. You can also connect your old analog devices (like a tape deck) to the automation system and record to a digital file. Then you can use an editor to cut, mix, and do a variety of other things to this digitized audio. You can also copy music from CDs or the internet giving you flexibility on where to get the program content.