RIVENDELL AUTOMATION

[ChiefOperator]

All-

A few months ago I posted, asking whether anyone was using the Rivendell Automation system and, if so, whether the user could critique the system. At that time, some replied that they were aware of the system, but not using it at all, or they were testing the system, but not using it for on-air playback.

I'm curious whether anyone is now on-air (or production) with this system and whether the user could give a critique.

I ask because this looks like a possible solution for a small AM that's looking to upgrade.

Thanks!

 

[RadioMan203]

While Rivendell was one worthy of my consideration you may wish to consider StationPlaylist.

My recent review was published in the June 7th issue of Radio World and is also available on their website:

http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0051/t.6496.html

For under $400 for the high-end configuration I would think it would fit into most any station's budget.

 

[menotti1]

how easy is the station playlist to voice track, will it do the wet voicetracking or the dry.heard good things about the program but no exposure to it.sounds right tho for limited budgets...

 

[RadioMan203]

how easy is the station playlist to voice track, will it do the wet voicetracking or the dry.heard good things about the program but no exposure to it.sounds right tho for limited budgets...

It doesn't do wet voicetracking but it has some many features I couldn't cover it all in my review. You can do time announce, artisit specific liners that pair up with tracks either by artist or artist and title. The only thing that some have seen as a negative is that it doesn't marry to external music scheduling, but if you use the companion scheduler it's a moot point. They have a limited demo on their web site which is worth a test drive. I've been very, very happy as unlike my old Digital Jukebox software this thing has never left me high and dry with dead air. Ross and crew have done a fantastic job on StationPlaylist, which is why I wrote the review.

 

[RadioMan203]

BTW: The reason I never pursued Rivendell more than a cursory look was because I had some many other Windows-based apps I needed to work with so it made little sense to adopt another operating system. For those looking to get out from under Microsoft's thumb it sounds like a switch to Rivendell would be good once you concur the learning curve.

 

[Robert Bass]

You might also want to look at OtsStudio from OtsLabs. It will play WAV and MP3's for sure. There is a separate scheduling and logging module you can also purchase, for creating schedules. You can also interface most music scheduling software programs to work with OtsStudio. OtsStudio has automatic Daylight Saving Time adjustments, and allows for a live input for network feeds, etc.

R

 

[ChiefOperator]

Thanks for your replies. One post mentioned that he didn't use Rivendell because he was using other Windows apps. Couldn't you just network a Windows machine to the Rivendell system?

Thanks!

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for your replies. One post mentioned that he didn't use Rivendell because he was using other Windows apps. Couldn't you just network a Windows machine to the Rivendell system?

Thanks!

Yes you can. If you are using your automation computer for any other application other than the automation program, you are asking for trouble. Just run the Windows stuff on another computer and network it to the automation system. It shouldn't make any difference what operating system the automation software uses. In fact, if the automation system requires you to know anything about the OS, then perhaps it isn't as user friendly as it ought to be. I've never tried Rivendell, but It certainly has a lot of features and reportedly is easy to use.