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Automation software

B

BobAltimari

Guest
Hello all. I beg your forgiveness, as I'm sure this comes up often. As I get ready to launch "Radio Free Worcester (PA)" I am weighing options as to software to use. I have a project computer and I would love to develop either my version of the "Variety Hits" format or "The Edge" (classic alternative). Any freeware/cheapware programs out there for those of us on a budget that anyone can recommend?<P ID="signature">______________
I've done it all...HOO HOO...tell 'em, Fred!
FOX News Alert: YOU SUCK!!! Ya like apples?</P>
 
For freeware, check http://www.mixtime.com. Become a beta tester and download their test version. For a freeware offering, it's quite good.

Many people use Winamp and a scheduling program like Amazing Clockwheel, www.riograndemud.com/clockwheel/. You build your schedule, then load it into Winamp for playback.

> Hello all. I beg your forgiveness, as I'm sure this comes up
> often. As I get ready to launch "Radio Free Worcester (PA)"
> I am weighing options as to software to use. I have a
> project computer and I would love to develop either my
> version of the "Variety Hits" format or "The Edge" (classic
> alternative). Any freeware/cheapware programs out there for
> those of us on a budget that anyone can recommend?
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Frank
East Hill Radio

Moderator, Community Radio USA, Seattle</P>
 
spacialaudio.com...get SAM.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> Go to www.arrakis-systems.com they have their automation and
> scheduling software on download for free.

If cheap includes a budget of $499, get Prophet's NexGen 101. It really is the best of the low cost automation programs, although you'll pay slightly more if you want options like voice tracking.

SAM is good at $199, and they have an easy-pay plan.

My favorite freebie is Sonicart from http://www.babyfishmouth.co.uk/ ...it's a virtual cart machine with scheduling features.

Arrakis is frustrating to use, IMHO.
 
> > Go to www.arrakis-systems.com they have their automation
> and
> > scheduling software on download for free.
>
> If cheap includes a budget of $499, get Prophet's NexGen
> 101. It really is the best of the low cost options,
> although you'll pay slightly more if you want options like
> voice tracking.
>
> SAM is good at $199, and they have an easy-pay plan.
>
> My favorite freebie is Sonicart from
> http://www.babyfishmouth.co.uk/ ...it's a virtual cart
> machine with scheduling features.
>
> Arrakis is frustrating to use, IMHO.
>

SAM is awful. You have to install MYSQL and all kinds of other junk. Was the first automation I used. It worked OK but setting it up and running it was a pain.

Digilink is ok and simple but it works better as a live assist then an automation system.

Direttore is the best. I find it to be the most useful, easy and helpful. Scheduleing, music rotation and all that is easy and it puts on a good station. I used it when I was doing part 15 last year. I "upgraded" to Direttore beta after spending time with Digilink. I was able to run 24 hours, have the ID at the TOH, VT, and do all kinds of stuff I never would have been able to do with anything else.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> > For the past two years I was using Windows Media Player. It came with the Windows XP software and cost nothing. You built each playlist and it sounded pretty good on the air. The only drawback was that this software, along with others like Winamp, did not delete the dead time on each CD, that being the silent period at the beginning and end of each cut you used. I had to literally edit out the silence with another software product, then reinstall the cut into Windows Media Player, just to make the format sound somewhat tight. It was a real pain.... That ALL that changed when I stumbled upon OTS Audio. There is a "freeware" version, but you were limited to the number of songs you could load into it, plus all the work you put into it was automatically deleted after 30 days. No way! I purchased the "bedroom version" of OTS Audio, loaded in the files...they need to be MP3s... and it worked great, right from the beginning. It mixes well and rids of all the dead air automatically... And it's only $29.00!!! I couldn't find my station on an analog readout radio among all those other stations here in the NY Metro Area because it sounded just like them! Get it! It's cheap! You'll have a great sound! And it works well. (Please hold those checks please since this is only an actual personal evaluation!)
 
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