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Automation Software

> > anyone for Wireready?
>
> I used an early version of Wireready some years ago. Worked
> well most of the time, but would occasionally freeze up for
> no apparent reason. I'm sure that improvements have been
> made over the years (and I'm sure it would have run better
> if we were running it on decent hardware...which we
> weren't). Knowing the owners I worked for at the time, it
> was probably at the bottom end of the price scale. As with
> any automation system, there are quirks you learn to work
> around...with Wireready it took well over a month for us to
> be able to import logs properly...lots of trial and error,
> as the owners "forgot" to pay the extra $ for tech support.
> Overall Wireready served us well for about five years. When
> the station was sold, the new owners threw the Wireready
> system in the dumpster and replaced it with Audiovault,
> which seems to me to have a steeper learning curve for the
> end user, but has much more flexibility and certainly is
> prettier to look at.
>
> Peace,
> User 11648
> Please, don't even get me started on that system.a station owner spent 20 k on wireready, mentioned that he wanted me to do voice tracking.told him sure we could probably do remote voice tracking.turns out wire ready didn't have a clue or even if their software could do that.with Nexgen 2 and ss32 you just goes into the log, lay down the voice tracks and you've done business.only thing that got WIRED was the station owner..most engs are very familiar with the systems MOST used in Broadcasting and can help with support wwhen you may not be able to get it right away from the vendor.hint hint..hell that system is new and i bet he could not get 4k for it....
 
Re: Google bought a cash cow!!!

It probably was a good deal for those who got in at the start. And by now you are probably familiar enough with the system to do your own maintenance/troubleshooting.

In our case, we had a smooth running system & the size of our market would probably not made the change cost effective.

I just wonder what will happen in the future with the separation of the software business from the brokered spot business.
 
I wouldnt call Simian great.

I find it slow and cumbersome across a network for certain tasks. The audio database it maintains using a utility called "soundhound" (that always runs in the background) is really just a Microsoft Access mdb file. It needs extra attention with compacting and refreshing or it grows out of control. Looking for an audio file quickly using "info edit", "event builder" or the file list on the on air screen is quirky if you have a large library of songs and spots.
The file list can be just plain wrong at times. You also need all staff members to be "Windows" literate or you'll find things not playing on the air correctly because a user didnt save a file to the correct machine, drive or folder. I know in a perfect world everyone should know what they are doing and any BSI support people lurking here would have their opinions saying I probably don't use their software correctly but it's all personal preference. Simplicity and being "weekender proof" (or "salesperson proof" or "old died in the wool morning guy proof" LOL)is important to me because my phone rings at 6 am when something is wrong. :)

Instead of monkeying around with Simian my votes go to

Air Traffic Control (also known as AirForce or Storq)

Wireready/Controlready









I'll throw in a 3rd vote for Simian....we've used it (and
> its predecessor WaveStation) for 5+ years now. It's easy to
> use, and pretty stable as long as you follow BSI's
> instructions EXACTLY. One of the cons to the system is
> exactly that - if your machine doesn't correspond very
> closely with BSI's recommendations, Simian will have
> problems.
>
> But for the price, it's a great system.
>
>
> > > Something to think about if you go with Simian, if you
> > have
> > > the funds, go ahead and go with the Audio Science sound
> > > card. BSI will probably give you a discount on one if
> you
> > > buy thier software and a card at the same time. They
> did
> > > for us. Simian does not work as good with some of the
> > cheap
> > > sound cards from my experience.
> > >
> >
> > I'll second this. Regardless of the system you buy, make
> > sure you go with a high quality sound card - stay away
> from
> > the onboard or cheap sound cards.
> >
> > As for systems... if you haven't looked at it already,
> check
> > out CDS32 from Pristine Systems. Price is reasonable, it
> is
> > easy to learn and the tech support is quite good.
> >
> > RFB
> >
>
 
> Instead of monkeying around with Simian my votes go to
> Air Traffic Control (also known as AirForce or Storq)

I just installed a STORQ (pronounced "stork") system at one of my stations (replacing a DCS). The installation went great - it worked perfect right out of the box. And the tech support is supurb. The whole thing, software + hardware, was just over $5000. And it came in a nice rack-mount case.

Larry Fuss
 
We had the old Scott Studios AXS system. When we looked to change out automation systems, we demo'ed both the Audio Vault and the SS32 systems. We had almost signed on the dotted line for the Vault when we saw the SS32. It absolutely blew us away.I find the system very easy to learn and understand. That's important in a training situation like we're in. Also, everything's right in front of the DJ at once. You can run a touch screen or a traditional keyboard-mouse combo.The only knock I'd have is tech support. There are a couple of specific individuals that really don't know much working for them. I even e-mailed Dave Scott at one point. Other than that, they are easy to work with and were extraordinarily helpful at the set-up stage. I can't imagine living without the SS32 now.JON EASTERStation ManagerWBDG-FMIndianapoliswww.wayne.k12.in.us/bdwbdg
 
Chuck said:
Nobody has mentioned Captain Digital http://captain-digital.com/ , Dave Scott's latest offering. Is it vaporware, or is it real?
Click to expand...
We are very interested in Captain Digital and are comparing it with PSI 101. When Capt'n Digital first debuted their web site indicated that you could buy the software for $999.00, now the price has disappeared from the site. I emailed them last Friday to double check the price of $999.00 but have had no response as of yet.. Capt'n Digital looks good and very user friendly just hope that the price point remains affordable.
 
Whats the difference between Nexgen 101 and Nexgen Version 2.04.Our network has upgraded it 22 stations recently to Nexgen, or is in the process of, from RCS Master Control. The system is fantastic. Its miles better than Wavestation or On Air Digital UDS 2 (which I noticed no one mentioned). And also very stable, and the support team are champion. Voice-traking is the best I've used and it works very well in a networked situation, able to stretch and squeeze spot blocks so that they fit the network windows perfectly (or do they all do that these days? I know RCS didn't).Cheers
 
My opinions based on the sytems I'm most familiar with (for what it's worth). It's been awhile since I've used some of these, so someone feel free to correct me if my cons have been corrected in the more recent versions.===================================================================================================================Simian (BSI)I like this little system. For the money it does a great job, but like someone said earlier, make sure you get the AudioScience card.Pros: It's vey flexible. You can pretty much do anything you can imagine with it. It's cheap. The user interface is easy to understand. It's pretty reliable (but a lot of any systems reliability factor depends on the hardware you're running it on).Cons: It's a little too flexible. You can really mess things up quickly if you're not careful. I've had great success with this system when it's setup and left alone (like in an automated situation), but some big problems in live situations from jocks accidently clicking something they shouldn't, etc. They really need to add some sort of a clock building program to bundle with it. If you're going to do anything for a talk or satellite station, it's easier to hand type your clocks in a text editor and import it them into Simian (music stations can build and maintain their clocks in their music scheduling programs). Big pain in the rear and you really have to pay attention to what you're doing. All in all, I'd recommend Simian to any station on a budget. I would suggest investing in another machine to serve as your "audio server". That gives you some redundancy in case of a control room machine hard drive failure. -------------------------------------------------------Scott Systems (SS32). I haven't used this system since 2002, but I don't **think** much is different now. Frankly I don't care for this system at all. So it has a touch screen and pretty buttons. Programming it is a pain in the rear. Heaven forbid you need to make changes to the current days log more than an hour out or you're trying to setup and test an automated program like Lia. You have to go into their log building program, make your changes, export them to the proper machine, then reload the log in the control room. What a pain...Pros: It has pretty buttons and it's easy for jocks to use for the most part. Pretty reliable, but hope your control room machine doesn't bite the big one because you're going to be screwed until you can get it repaired.Cons: Expensive. No true redundancy if your CR machine dies you're DOA. Get ready to learn how to use numerous programs which make up the Scott Studio suite of software (can you say COMMON INTERFACE!). Forget adding macros or commands to the active log, audio elements only please. You have to tell Scott which control room(s) to send audio to (Prophet had a setup like that once.. in 1994..). This system badly needs a server to go along with it. It's also not the most flexible system out there, although with a little computer programming knowledge you can make it do a few cool things..I guess if you like pretty buttons and touch screens, this is a great system... personally, I like for my automation system to work for me not the other way around.------------------------------------------------------------------------------AudioVault:Overall this is a solid system, but like Scott Studios the AV guys still haven't figured out how to package their system into a nice common interface and it is another system that tries to lock you into doing things a certain way.. I thought SS32 had a lot of programs to learn.. My goodness, AV has AVscheduler for your logs, AVair for your on air, AVsat for running satellite programs, AVprod for production, AVthis and AVthat.. Programming it is, for the most part, not that difficult but instead of building macros into their system for common functions you have to learn how to write command lines and if you want to change any settings in the system, you have to edit a text file. Although the on air screen is pretty simple for jocks to understand and use, AV is not a system for novices in the automation world to try to setup and keep running smoothly.Pros: Solid. Their audio cards are second to none. Flexible, but be prepared for some headaches while exploring its flexibility. On Air interface is easy to use.Cons: In addition to my gripes listed above, I think it's absolutely ridicilous how they setup their audio cards. All of their audio cards for not only production, but for every on air station, are housed in the server(s). Therefore, if one audio card goes out you have to take EVERYONE off the air in order to replace that one card. If you lose one of the servers, while you can still stay on the air, you have to manually reconfigure every machine in the building temporarily to work solely on the audio cards in the server that's still running.. Make sure you chain your logs together or you'll be screwed at midnight... ---------------------------------Prophet NextGenSecond to none IMO. Although I also believe NextGen took a few steps back from its predecessor CFS. I like the new interface, I like how easy it is to program and operate, building clocks is simpler than at anytime before, but it is still missing some of the features that made CFS stand out from all the others. For example; it's not as easy to find and insert music or spots anymore, it's not as easy to quick record into the log as it was and the phone call module really has some issues.This is still the best system out there though. The folks at Prophet get it. They get the fact that redundancy is important and nobody even comes close to Prophet in regards to redundancy and backups. If the server goes out, you've got 24 hours (or more) worth of audio installed on the local machine so you can keep going while the server is being repaired. If the control room machine goes out, you're still on the air because the audio server is actually playing the active log. If the audio server goes out, again you have the log backed up and enough audio for 24 hours on the local control room machine. Not to mention the drives on the server are mirrored. You virtually have zero down time with this system. Unless a tornado destroys every last computer in the building!!They also get the fact that radio people aren't computer programmers (unlike our friends at Scott or AV). You don't have to be a computer wiz to program this system. If you can read, you can program it because the verbiage is very user friendly. You don't have to edit any text files to change settings, you don't have to write a complicated command line to make the system execute a macro. Finally, the get the fact that it's much easier to train users on your system when you package everything into one nice common interface. Everything that you'll ever use within the system is accessible from a nice toolbar at the top of the screen. Wow, what a concept.. This is the most flexible system out there IMO, what you can do with it is limited only to your imagination. Once you've used NextGen (or CFS), it's really hard to go back to using anything else..-----------------------------------------------------------Pristine...Much better than it was 9 years ago I'm sure, but I wouldn't touch any Pristine product with a 10 foot pole due to past experiences. Maybe they've hired a few people that actually know something about radio since the last time I dealt with them. Someone else will have to give the pros and cons of this system. The last time I used it I vowed I'd never use it again.
 
Wow! Great reviews! I couldn't agree more about prophet. I've felt the same way about prophet ever since I worked with it. I miss it terribly.The bain of my existence right now is Maestro. Pro's: It's fairly stable and I believe the apt-x codec to be the best out there. And hey, it interfaces well with older DCS machines.Con's: Tech support is lacking. The main log/control room of the sytem is quite clunky. Changing a log on the fly is difficult. The various "modes" the system operates in are confusing...sat mode, cruise control, live assist. Perhaps this has changed, but the 3rd party software that you must buy to get features that are standard with other systems is poorly written and pricey.If you use Maestro as a simple live assist cart or cd replacement system, I suppose it's OK, voicetracking/ducking/level control is poor. Then again, prophet wrote the book on voicetracking. Lastly, whomever wrote the editing window for Maestro should be checked at the clinic... and copying audio within the system is quite the science fair.
 
Has anyone heard back yet from Dave Scott regarding "Captain Digital"I sent an email last week but still no response - maybe he's snowed under after NAB (or on holidays!) :)
 
Re: Automation Software - Captain Digital

Yes, I have the scoop on Captain Digital.... I think Scott jumped the gun a little bit when he launched the Captain Digital website. Dave is working out pricing and logistics, butCaptain Digital will not be sold as software only for $995.00 as previously advertised. Captain Digital will most likely return to market asa full blown system, complete with Dave's automated weather service and network switching hardware if you so desire. I was seriously looking at purchasing the software only because we have brand new PC's with new ASI cards installed, I don't need a turn-key system. It looks like I'm going to have to go with PSI101.. PS: Dave, if your lurking, release a software only version of Capt'n Digital. It will sell like hot cakes..
 
the usual BS from Scott.they advertised the price of 995.00 and by golly he needs to be a man and step up to the plate and honor the price..so scott man or puss, which will it be...just another good reason to own nexgen 2....nothing to building computers today...give us a break,please...turn loose of a software only version...
 
A software only version for $995 would blow the competition away.. if it indeed has all the features that his website states.BSI Simian needs some competition - they've had the low end of the market to themselves for too long and the product has stagnated. It's 2006 and Simian still has woefully inadequate (remote) VT abilities...Come on Dave, launch it for US $995 with a hardware dongle if you have to if you're worried about piracy - this approach seems to work with BSI Simian.
 
BofH said:
Come on Dave, launch it for US $995 with a hardware dongle if you have to if you're worried about piracy - this approach seems to work with BSI Simian.
Click to expand...
I'm going to drop Dave Scott an email to see if he would reconsider a software only version of Capt'n Digital. I guess it's worth a try..
 
Joshua Werner said:
This seemed to be the best board to ask about this on. Our college station is thinking about adding automation software next school year. I am just curious to get opinions on some programs for further consideration.
Click to expand...
Have you looked at Rivendell. http://www.salemradiolabs.com/rivendell/It is totally FREE. Does everything you need. If your school has a decent computer department they can get in volved with getting it up and running. Runs on Linux which is also free.Worth a lookStu
 
audiskman said:
I wouldnt call Simian great.

I find it slow and cumbersome across a network for certain tasks. The audio database it maintains using a utility called "soundhound" (that always runs in the background) is really just a Microsoft Access mdb file. It needs extra attention with compacting and refreshing or it grows out of control. Looking for an audio file quickly using "info edit", "event builder" or the file list on the on air screen is quirky if you have a large library of songs and spots.
The file list can be just plain wrong at times. You also need all staff members to be "Windows" literate or you'll find things not playing on the air correctly because a user didnt save a file to the correct machine, drive or folder. I know in a perfect world everyone should know what they are doing and any BSI support people lurking here would have their opinions saying I probably don't use their software correctly but it's all personal preference. Simplicity and being "weekender proof" (or "salesperson proof" or "old died in the wool morning guy proof" LOL)is important to me because my phone rings at 6 am when something is wrong. :)

Instead of monkeying around with Simian my votes go to

Air Traffic Control (also known as AirForce or Storq)

Wireready/Controlready
Click to expand...



Simian CAN work in network configurations where you have to share the BSI32 directory, the import, log and all other dirctories within the BSI32 directory to ALL computers using Simian. Yes you need to understand computernetworks or call the guys from IT. But after installing all this the porper way you got yourself a smooth running system. The only thing missing is a "non destructive editor' so you can make the audiofiles and jingles smoothly cross each other in a personal way.

Martijn
 
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