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Automation Advice Needed

N

ncfradio

Guest
Have a friend looking for an inexpensive automation to operate with ESPN Radio. Looking for advice on software and i/o hardware needed to operate the network. Little to no music on the station. Just mainly needed for ad insertion, etc., and switching in and out of the network. He doesn't have the budget for buying one of the "big guys" systems. Thanks in advance for your help. ;)
 
For the basics, I think many on here would refer you to Station Playlist or Player 101. I wouldn't disagree. I'm starting to really like mAirList and have installed a system recently, but that system's cost may be a little too much.

Another "diamond in the rough" is Jockmaster by Charlie Davy, who often contributes to the boards. It's a new system but looks promising. And it's promotional cost is only $160, I believe. I've used other software by Charlie and have always been quite impressed.And I really like the fact that he is very serious about his products and always willing to help. Good support is definitely part of the equation.

http://www.charliedavy.co.uk/jockmaster.php

For switchers, BTools is pretty much the standard, but your friend could use a simple relay if he is going to use only one ESPN feed. Roll your own or have a look at the simple RDL products.
 
Just buy Simian. It's supported. There are many people out there that have had exposure to it & can tell you how to handle special requirements. Doesn't require that you be a computer expert, or do the R & D for some software developer operating out of his garage.

Broadcast Tools makes a program switcher that will handle a number of sources and trigger inputs.
If they are running ESPN be prepared; they will probably get into live sports broadcasts from other satellite sources. Our local ESPN affiliate carries college football & basketball, NFL, NBA, and major league baseball broadcasts--all off different satellite feeds.
 
I'll have to concur with Tom here. Of all the automation systems I work with, Simian has got to be the easiest and most user friendly thus far. I have never had a problem getting technical support from them because for the most part I have not needed it. I have used the user forum they have set up to answer 99% of my questions. The other 1% I was able to figure out on my own. and it's not being build by some dude in his garage in his spare time.
 
I will suggest he look into Simian. Thanks for the advice!
 
For ESPN (on XDS) it takes only one input on a switcher. Everything playes off the one XDS audio channel.
Stacking NetCues on a single relay can reduce the number of them down to something like 6 closures into your automation (if you don't bother with the rain delay closures).

Keep the Main Channel Local Break, Legal ID, & Liners and the Alternate Channel/SpecialS chedule Legal all on seperate relays!
Just the way XDS works. Some like the Legal ID are always active even when Alternate programming is on.

OK to put all the GAME breaks & End of games on the same relay or split the End of game on its own depending on how your automation handles special schedules.

ESPN GAME Local Break (Main & Alternate Channel)
ESPN End of Game (Main & Alternate Channel)
ESPN ALTERNATE Channel GAME Legal ID
ESPN MAIN Legal ID (also use for games on Main channel)
ESPN Main Local Break
ESPN Main Local REJOIN Liner

Add a couple more if you can use the MLB Rain Delay closures.

ESPN MLB Game Rain Delay START (go back to normal schedule)
ESPN MAIN MLB Game Rain Delay REJOIN (go to the game schedule)
 
If you have a console where the channels can be switched off and on remotely you can use an external relay board to do your feed switching, instead of the Broadcast Tools switcher.

I have an AC station, with the main programming from Dial Global. However, we air Delilah at night (Premiere Radio) and two shows from Tom Kent on the weekends (Citadel/Cumulus satellite). On top of that we take a 1 minute cast from Fox News at the top of the hour (off the Premiere XDS) ; and a weekly sports scoreboard show from a regional news network (Comstream receiver). Five dedicated faders, in case you've lost count.

Simian will also support the Broadcast Tools 32 input trigger board, (the normal device they sell, from Measurement Computing, supports 24 trigger lines). With the music networks I need all these different trigger inputs since the net-cues are coming from four different receivers, and the music shows use a number of extra triggers for liners and drop-ins.

As I mention above, if the ESPN station becomes successful (and I wish them all the luck) they'll want to add other feeds from live broadcasts of pro and college teams in your area. Major college football and basketball can be a sure moneymaker--years ago I owned part of a company that networked Ohio State basketball.

I still have a Starguide in use--for the Steelers. But that's on the classic rock station, and, since they don't "tone" the game day broadcasts, I use a live operator.
 
Go with Simian if it is a budget issue. Have a station running a mix of satellite and local programming and it does just fine. Closures come in on the BTools switcher and it switches sources. You can also have the audio come in through Simian and have it fade down the network feed for local spots and take closures on a USB adapter from measurement computing.

Don't cheap out on the sound card though. Spend the little bit extra and get an ASI card, in the end you'll be glad you did.

If the budget allows for more, Nexgen is my top choice.
 
Thanks for the nice plug, Chief - although I concur with the crowd: Simian would be the way to go in this instance 8)

PS: "Diamond in the rough", love it ;D
 
+1 for wireready, have 2 stations running it, both satellite, works great and easy to work with. Support is great when needed, however I've rarely needed them after a few calls to learn the system.
 
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