radio automation

[jo-nathan]

Do not run Simian, that piece of junk will crash on you at least once a day. Since you probably can't afford Prophet, I would suggest trying to get your hands on a copy of CartWorks. WZKR/Meridian uses it and they're 80% sat. Talked the PD and he says it's no problem for him at all. It sound flawless on the air too. Also, I believe WHOC and WWSL in Philadelphia still use it and, like ZKR, it sounds flawless. You would never know the station was on the bird.

If someone tries to sell you Simian, RUN!

Jonathan

 

[knowbetter]

Is there not a system out there today that likes SATELLITE? Every system I've looked at has a more difficult time dealing with satellite than the old DOS systems which worked well with satellite. Sure, I understand that most of us are voice-tracking, but many of us are using satellite during off-hours so that we at least are live in case something big happens in the news.

The old systems, and I'll put the Digilink up as an example, accepted closures, didn't feed two audio sources at once, auto-filled the breaks, fired liners, offered simple jock changes and clock changes, could be programmed a week in advance without having to worry about whether the log loaded at midnight, provided play logs, etc.

The biggest issue with Digilink, aside from the fact that the proprietary boards had to be reseated on occasion, and the fact that they weren't made for voice-tracking, was the inability to do wav files and digital audio file import.

You can usually find Digilinks on ebay, and WHIZ in Zanesville had a few Digi2's in their junk room... if all you want is satellite, thy those.

Has anyone used the Digilink Extreme? It offers many of the features of the old Digilinks, on a Windows platform.

No, but i suspect it is a slightly updated version of digilink free, that they charge for

Also, what exactly is the issue with multiple stations? Seems like if you've got five stations operating independently but on a LAN, you should have the ability to pull or push files to the individual stations from a production unit by using an import folder. If you're storing everything for a station on a local drive, why do you need a server? You certainly don't want to have to load files from the server just before they air.

Digilink (free and probably Extreme) plays all of it's files from a single subdirectory, the older ones treated the entire drive array as a single directory, they seemed to sort by filename, so it's not what we might think of todays as a server arrangement, it would be more similar to "peer to peer" file storage, you have the ability to get and place a file.

I didn't have a problem with this, since you have the entire station on the working machine...which is a lot safer. (even prophet, and most other automations do this to some degree, preloading hours, or maybe days.

As far as reading the various posts, there is someone out there who doesn't like every system available. I have to conclude that we all base our opinions on individual experiences. If we own a product and it worked for us, we like it. If we had a problem, we globalize it. I gues we should have a Consumer Reports for broadcast software.

Just my random thoughts, and I'm looking for input from you folks who have done this.

yep, pick the right tool for the job you want to do

 

[TomT]

Most of my problems with Simian turn out to be:

1. Operator error (machine did exactly what someone told it to do, not what they thought they told it to do); and

2. Windows craziness.

 

[greenie]

Have used Wavestation / Simian for years and years and I just don't have any problems. I don't even have windows issues. I agree, simian does eactly what you tell it to do and any problems I've had, have been operator error, bad commands, leaving the time events or triggers off etc etc. If you set it up the way they want you to, it works very well. We use it in a newstalk format with lots of satellite feeds as well as live local morning talk shows. I prefer to use Wavecart when "live" and we go with Simian in the automation hours.

 

[level42]

While I have made Nexgen and Simian work with satellite formats just fine, it's much more complicated than the older DOS systems (i.e. Phantom, SMARTS, etc...). Phantom is the most user friendly to me...From opening the box to being on the air loaded: 1 hour. The thing runs like a top, and really sounds great. What is doesn't play well with is Voice Tracking and Music Scheduling. That's where Nexgen and Simian, etc... excel. My main hesitations with buying a new Phantom would be the lack of features for future use, and the dwindling support.
I did an early Nexgen 101 setup and was very disappointed. It was very buggy, and there were lots of "hidden" costs. Basically, you pretty much ended up buying every module, and some they don't even advertise just to make the whole thing work. On top of that, out of the box, it would only support a Broadcast Tools 4.2 switcher...which didn't work for us since we had 5 satellite sources...and the thing was, due to a bug, it would only actually support 3 sources on the 4.2 switcher! To Nexgen's credit, they worked hard to fix the errors and finally got us running, but it was the WRONG choice for a satellite driven format. It was a constant fight to keep it running smoothly. We ended up getting full-blown Nexgen Digital, which has been relatively problem-free. I would like to hear some reports from folks using the new Prophet 101...is it stable? Can it actually support an 8 source switcher? How is it with handling contact closures? The first version had so many limitations, it was virtually impossible to make the closures work. I would hope they've fixed all that by now.

I've done a few Simian setups, but have never been thrilled by a tech support department that just keeps telling me to check their web forum. Simian can be a bit cranky to setup, but once it's done properly it usually runs fine with the exception of Windows and Operator errors.

I personally think Nexgen Digital is a great product with great support, but if the budget didn't allow, I'd find a used Phantom or Smartcaster for a satellite only format.

--
Chris Hall
RF Specialties of GA/Reel Audio Broadcast Engineering
800-476-8943 (office)
229-228-4875 (fax)
229-403-9795 (cell)
[email protected]
www.rfspec.com
www.reelaudio.net

 

[jboydingram]

Thanks everyone...and if the FCC has it's way, we will be manned 24 hours a day anyway! Check out their latest proposals on their website...it is supposed to make radio more responsive in emergencies...but it appears it will curtail full time operations in many small market stations.....please read and comment. Thanks JBI

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I will be highly surprised if the final version is as draconian as the current proposal.

We would all do well to make sure the FCC and our congressmen hear from us on this issue before the comment deadline.

 

[radiorob2.0]

My Simian runs like a champ. As with any automation program I recommend rebooting every seven to ten days just to clear the air sorta speak. I have a second computer with a mirrored data hard drive and a demo version of Simian, it's a full back up machine by moving the dongle. I just start the back up computer and let it run while the main machine reboots. It only takes a few minutes so there is no need to move the key and it's seamless.

 

[jo-nathan]

Most of my problems with Simian turn out to be:

1. Operator error (machine did exactly what someone told it to do, not what they thought they told it to do); and

2. Windows craziness.

While I do respect your opinion, I must disagree with you. I had nothing but problems with Simian and it wasn't due to the computer (our engineer check it as well as another IT guy that I insisted be brought in) or operator error. Without fail, it would crash at midnight four out of seven days in the week and also at random times during the day. It was rebooted almost daily because of the constant crashing. I also had many incidents were my log would just disapear. THAT was a pain in a-double crooked letters.

 

[kyscott]

Most of my problems with Simian turn out to be:
1. Operator error (machine did exactly what someone told it to do, not what they thought they told it to do); and
2. Windows craziness.

While I do respect your opinion, I must disagree with you. I had nothing but problems with Simian and it wasn't due to the computer (our engineer check it as well as another IT guy that I insisted be brought in) or operator error. Without fail, it would crash at midnight four out of seven days in the week and also at random times during the day. It was rebooted almost daily because of the constant crashing. I also had many incidents were my log would just disapear. THAT was a pain in a-double crooked letters.

I don't think Simian was your problem. You might have had some hardware issues or driver issues. I have three clients running Simian and I don't have any problems out of it until the operator tries to do something stupid. One Simian is running a network feed from The Light as as long as the operators have programmed the logs correctly it fires breaks, liners and IDs flawlessly. The other two run music and voice tracks a majority of the day. They have no problems, either. Either your logs are not loaded right, you have a virus or you are having driver issues within windoze. However it's hard for me to believe your problems are Simian based.

 

[TomT]

We will not see 24/7 staffing. We will get a version of the "enhanced reporting" form being developed for TV, requiring a quarterly breakdown of all programming we run as to public affairs, local or net news, PSA's etc.
This will then be posted on the station's website so the professional extortionists & fat-*** bureaucrats can sit in their offices and complain that our music station is not doing as much public affairs and news as the government financed NPR station down the street.

Now back to our regular programming...

I wouuld tend to agree with KYScott. We run two satellite-fed stations 24/7 with a full-time staff of 5. GM (& one of the owners)/ Me (the other owner as CE), SM, PD, and office manager. The ability to load the commercial log directly into the system is crucial--the traffic/office manager just doesn't have time to hand-load the log. From about 7 PM on to 8 the next morning the station is unmanned. At present, with the office manager on maternity leave, the station is often unmanned during the day as well--the GM and SM are out making sales calls, & I do other things besides radio. The PD is a full time college student, he's 60 miles away as the crow flys--he checks on the system by go-to-my PC, and voices weather and school closings from his apartment (RE-16, Mackie mixer).

Programming isn't perfect, but it's the human factors that get us. Rarely the software. Such as the network guys hitting their triggers late or early. Or a part-timer who had trouble getting the right sequence for the midnight load of the next day's log. (Which, I will concede, is tricky.)

So, whether Simian or another system I would insist on the ability to import the commercial log directly into the system.

Wavecart--even if you go with another full automation system, I would buy Wavecart. (buy another sound card just for WAvecart to keep it real simple for the part-time board ops). Just had to fill in for a part-timer to run a tournament H.S. basketball game. A pleasure with Wavecart. Just like having a pair of five-spots and a stack of carts.

 

[FredRichards]

Is anyone running WireReady for news, talk, or music?

 

[RadioMan203]

Is anyone running WireReady for news, talk, or music?

I know of a local NPR station near me that's using it for their group of stations and it usually sounds pretty tight. I know they're doing things from live and delayed sat feeds in addition to locally originated programming. If you need more info drop me a PM and I'll give you the particulars on the station.

 

[RF Man]

I second the STOR Q system. It is very easy to interface with NextGen or as a stand alone system. It will also import Viero logs or any log in a text format. Not very well known but well built and user friendly.

We put in Storq from Waitt Radio Network about three months ago, and so far haven't had a problem. It's especially good for our all-satellite station (ESPN), compared to the Audio Vault system it replaced which was constantly messing up, not recording or updating, etc.

Our announcers had a few problems getting used to Storq for live operation, but all much prefer it to Audio Vault. Tech support has been better, too.

 

[sparks794]

Is anyone running WireReady for news, talk, or music?

I have a contract station running WireReady (DOS version). The operators love it. They run a live station however they use some live assist with it.

I know that they use it for playback at the same time that they are recording a local game and it is setup very well for their operation.

 

[FredRichards]

If you need more info drop me a PM and I'll give you the particulars on the station.

No, I don't need info. I've used it since the early 90s, and I'm now using the Windows version with an oldies format.

 

[menotti1]

During a recent processor install,i noticed the station was using wire ready.doing sat and live assist.VERY pleased with the system and J boyd should check it out at wire ready.com.you can buy the software and roll your own computer without having to pay a ton for asi cards.i checked the sight out ,very impressed.This was the first time i've seen it in use and the station owner says it's been rockin with no problems..