Tech Issue; Music Programming Software questions

[Prais]

For 2 years, I have programmed a tv channel (video is information/audio is 1400 songs 1939-1980) on a closed circuit tv station at a nursing home.

That system uses ots software to program the music. It works flawlessly. The residents LOVE it. It mimics "Adult Standards" a bit.

I have 11 music catergories; male, hotmale, female, hotfemale, instrumental, beautiful, accent1, slow, glennmiller, country, sinatra. I'm about 2 weeks ahead, now.

It takes a half hour daiily, to have ots select the music for 24 hours and then, I massage the selection order a bit.

This really works well, but I'm always trying to improve. I'd like to add genre/tempo/energy/mood info to each song (imitating RCS Selector).

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to add genre/tempo/energy/mood info to the song database - or a different program that would accomodate those additional notes?

Thanks

 

[Sgeirk]

If you want to schedule music and output an m3u playlist, you may do that with a number of programs...music1 is a buyout for around $500, I think.

But "MusicGen" was a free program and can still be found online, including a key to get it up and working. It will output a variety of formats...but you may find it cumbersome to get to know.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I'm trying to read between the lines of the question that Prais asked. I get the idea he currently has some kind of software that builds a play list but it lacks the sophistication he would like to see applied to not only the choice of music but the order in which those choices are played.

After I left broadcasting, one of the things I pursued was The Computer. My signature became creating little ad-hoc systems that procured bits of data from the company mainframe and put out reports that the I.T. people either refused to create, or said it would take them 18 months to create. I really regret that I wasn't still tied to broadcasting during those years with the opportunity to participate in the development of broadcast automation.

Prais. Be a bit more specific. Itemize some results you would want to see from a software that you would acquire.

 

[Nostalgia]

Although not free, Station Playlist Studio or Station Playlist Creator would do what you want. They have those categories (genre, tempo) built into their music database along with the ability to add custom categories (glennmiller, instrumental). Since you arent dropping spots, voice tracks, ect in there you can probably get by with the standard, vs the Pro,(NOT the Lite) version. Easy to use and very good support. www.stationplaylist.com full disclosure: nothing to do with them, just a satisfied user on my commercial AM station)

 

[Prais]

Nostalgia, Thanks. I'll investigate.

GRC, I'm swamped w/people dying and lots of paperwork. I'll give you an answer that you deserve, soon. Thanks.

GRC, you might study "RCS Selector" - as this seems to be the modele I'd like (but not the price I'd like).

I need about 5 more catergories added to the OTS music database. Also, take a look at ots software. It's what I'm using now.

Thanks

 

[ChiefEngineer]

Selector offers a non commercial rate, about $30 a month.

OTS offers a video and audio program btw that you can play music videos too.

I have to say Digital Jukebox has a music scheduler built in that rivals Selector however I do not car for the log or reconcile section. I REALLY like pushing a schedule button and receiving an output of an entire day log! I don't even have to merge it. I can reconcile it or massage it but by placing last events in hour with least importance the categories disappear if the hour is too long.

Some use Simian and cart rotators. You can create a cart for every category, tempo, etc. With 1400 songs this seems possible,

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

I have to say Digital Jukebox has a music scheduler built in that rivals Selector however I do not car for the log or reconcile section. I REALLY like pushing a schedule button and receiving an output of an entire day log! I don't even have to merge it. I can reconcile it or massage it but by placing last events in hour with least importance the categories disappear if the hour is too long.

Quietly and neatly tucked into your post is the issue that brings havoc to people in all lines of work as they try to make peace with their computers. After leaving broadcasting, no matter what my job title or industry I spent a lot of time and energy taming computers and trying to help my fellow workers make peace with their computers.

Most of the discussions about audio automation in these threads come from people who have a hand in the programming content of the radio station. Opinions run high because the features of each automation software will both free you and constrain you when it comes to creating the particular sound you are seeking.

And now ChiefEngineer has reminded us that other people at the radio station are also affected by the programming system. What kind of log will it print? Does it provide an interface that will result in a billing system with integrity. (The nursing home system(s) operated by Prais may not need ANY billing facillity.)

Will the system generate what is needed to file and pay music royalty reports? Does it facilitate generating management reports to help understand the overall programming results including news, public service, and reporting of the content of live cut-ins. (Think of stations in Nashville, TN who sometime next month will want to go back and second guess how well they performed during the turbulent weather and the flooding. Just about any automation machine will 'fess up to what music it played, but will it tell you who stopped the machine long enough to go live, and did the machine DISCIPLINE the person who stopped it to enter information about the reason for the stoppage.

I wouldn't want to be the salesman trying to sell ME the automation software of my dreams.