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techpuppy
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Posted: Sun Nov 30th, 2008 04:50 pm |
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Hi Everyone,
We're looking for automation software. Mainly it would be used for live assist programming. There are times when it could handle switching network programming to free up an operator to work on news or weather.
We've had several vendors propose various packages. The presentation for Google automation is impressive because of the ease in customizing its interface.
Some of the software just seems overpriced. I found a free alternative call Zara Radio. It seems to do everything the commercial products do such as scheduled events, network joins, switching program sources, playlists, time, temperature and humidity, and virtual carts.
Any recommendations from those of you using software on a daily basis? Are there likes and dislikes for what you're using? Am I overlooking important features?
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Kent Clark
Member
| Joined: | Sun Apr 8th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 98 |
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Posted: Mon Dec 1st, 2008 05:40 am |
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There is also a free open source automation program called Rivendell. I believe Salem is behind it and was planning to convert all of its stations to it eventually from the ENCO system they're presently using. I've never operated it myself. So, I can't speak for how well it works, but the screenshots of it look impressive. It apparently requires SuSE Linux. Although I use a Linux box myself, I've never used the SuSE distribution. However, SuSE Linux uses the Redhat Package Manager, and I've never had good luck with Redhat. So, that makes me a little nervous. My mileage has varied widely with the various Linux distributions.
At Mix 92.7, we use Wireready. It's okay for what we do with it (think of a cross between AudioVault and Scott Studios), but we don't run music on the hard drive or use any form of live assist. Cool 102.7 uses a DCS, which hasn't been supported for quite some time, and our stations in Sedalia use Maestro.
In addition to Wireready and DCS, I've used Scott Studios and AudioVault. AudioVault used to be really easy to use and learn, at least from a jock's perspective, but the older version of AV Air had some major reliability issues. I don't think I'd want to leave a station running AudioVault unattended for very long. I'm also not sure I'd recommend it if you aired very much automated satellite programming. Scott has always seemed like the most professional system to me, but I know quite-a-few people who have complained about the hot keys it uses. I never had much of a problem with it, but I believe you have something like 32 different hot keys, which you can customize.
The big drawback to the systems you're looking at is the cost. I'm not sure how you can get around that. KOPN in Columbia uses AV Air, and I have to wonder if they got a break from BE/Harris since they run on a shoestring budget. In addition to the fees involved in licensing the software and getting it set up, I believe you have to pay for a support contract. That can really eat you up, too.
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techpuppy
Member
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Posted: Sun Dec 7th, 2008 04:23 pm |
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Thanks for the information! It's still going to be a tough choice. Linux doesn't bother me as we have a nearby computer tech that loves it. He set up one of our networked computers using Linux and we always know it's the computer that doesn't crash, ever.
I have mixed feelings about using any automation. So many stations "sound" automated. I'll assume they use decent automation software but just don't take advantage of the features offered. I realize that may also mean that there isn't time to take advantage of the features.
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Kent Clark
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| Joined: | Sun Apr 8th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 98 |
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Posted: Sun Dec 7th, 2008 09:07 pm |
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I use Linux pretty religiously. In fact, I would argue that, on my Ubuntu Linux/Windows Vista dual boot machine, Ubuntu makes Vista look like a 1975 Dodge Dart! I haven't had the same luck with some of the other distributions, though. If you have a Linux guru at your disposal, and it sounds like you do, you definitely have a valuable asset.
With Rivendell, it looked like there may be a Windows version for download now. The website is http://www.rivendellaudio.org. There's also another open source automation system that's apparently in the works, but I don't know much about it. Also, it looks like Google/dMarc isn't marketing Scott Studios or Maestro anymore. They've apparently combined them into Google Radio Automation, and you've already seen that it looks pretty slick. I know someone who's sticking with SS32 for a little while, though, simply because he's afraid there may be some kinks that haven't been worked out of the new system yet.
I don't know if you've looked at it, but Cumulus-owned BSI may be an option for you, too. They have a system called Simian that's much cheaper than most of your larger systems. I don't know much about it, but I remember a couple of our engineers at Premier were worried about getting BSI after they found out Cumulus was buying us. One said he had to deal with Simian at another station and hated it with a passion, but that's the only thing I've heard about it.
I know what you mean about automated stations and how they often sound automated. Part of that is because you have to be smart about it and can't be talking about what a beautiful sunny day it is when you're not sure it won't be raining! Some of it is also because people either don't know how to use all of the various bells and whistles on the system, won't take the time to learn them, or just don't pay for them. In most cases, you don't get a complete automation system for a flat fee. You generally pay for the features you want. At Mix 92.7, for example, we don't have a live assist mode on Wireready. Wireready does, in fact, have one, and it looks fairly similar to AudioVault. However, we still run all of our music off of CD's, and we don't seem to have much of a desire to automate that feature.
Last edited on Sun Dec 7th, 2008 09:09 pm by Kent Clark
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techpuppy
Member
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Posted: Fri Jan 9th, 2009 10:08 pm |
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Hi Everyone,
I received an email about Linux based radio automation software. It may be of interest and he gave me permission to pass this information along.
Howdy,
I noticed your postings on the Missouri board concerning radio
automation and the responses you have been getting from Kent Clark. I
have a non-profit FM in Montana and after using Digital Juke Box
software I liked it and decided to write my own. I patterned it after
the Digital Jukebox but added a couple of items I wanted. I started in
the radio business in the early 60s sold my FM in 1976 and started
writing software in 1979. About 6 years ago I told my wife, we don't
have a boat or snowmobile so we might as well apply for a construction
permit. We got it and have had our FM on the air for about 4 years as a
service to the community as much as anything. The software runs on
Linux and does a lotta stuff. We are not in the radio automation
software business but have a computer system for livestock auction
market that is our bread and butter. Having mentioned that, we are
making our software available to anyone who can make use of it. The
only requirement is that you keep us informed as to how you are using it
(if you decide it would work for you), how it is working, and that you
throw us ideas as to how to enhance it. I noticed your communication on
the forum is a little old and you may have done something all ready but
it we can be of help please let us know. Our livestock
automation system uses Linux as well and we are dedicated Linux
promoters. It's a great mature operating system. Thanks!
Cheers - Al Sargent
KRWS - FM
Hardin, Mt. 59034
406.665.1832[code]
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cruiser
Member
| Joined: | Fri Mar 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: Thu Apr 16th, 2009 01:06 pm |
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I whole heartedly reccomend Nexgen from RCS. It's worth the money and does everything.
The support they offer is by far the BEST in the business. Worth their weight in gold.
http://rcsworks.com
Last edited on Thu Apr 16th, 2009 01:07 pm by cruiser
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Jamie Turner
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 5th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 201 |
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Posted: Thu Apr 16th, 2009 05:18 pm |
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I have to agree about NexGen. It's great for automation and it works well for live assist. It's the best I have used and I used it at Clear Channel and we have it at Meyercom. I would be happy to show you some tricks or put you in touch with our engineer.
If it's music scheduling you need, then I will suggest Music1 from Steve Warren. http://www.gomusic1.com. It does everything Selector does except charge you $3000/mo. You can do a flat buyout for $1k. Steve provides excellent customer service. We use M1 for HD2 and I highly recommend it.
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moradio
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| Joined: | Wed Mar 28th, 2007 |
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Posted: Sun Oct 25th, 2009 12:33 pm |
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Does anyone use Arrakis? What do you think? Been looking at it as a possibility for a station that I am likely buying that has an old DOS Smartcaster system, as the interface for it seems pretty archane for running a Music on Hard Drive operation, with Top of The Hour News and Missourinet off the bird...
Is anyone using the free ZaraRadio and Intelligent Music Scheduler software? How does it work out?
I also need to find some software for traffic/billing - Any suggestions? I played fairly extensively with BSI's whole suite of software: Natural Music, Natural Log, and Simian, and they all seem to work well together, but I am really going to be on a shoestring budget to where a monthly fee of $100 like the Arrakis would be a lot easier to swallow than a $3000 lump sum to buy the software I need.
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Jamie Turner
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Posted: Sun Oct 25th, 2009 08:53 pm |
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Good luck, moradio. Friends of mine at KELE in Mountain Grove use BSI and it works flawlessly. Digilink has changed since I last used it. I used the 1994 version in 2002 and wanted to smash it "Officespace"-style. Randy Raley and his team uses the new version at KFNS in Troy, MO.
Still a fan of Nex Gen and Music 1. You might try Sam. Spacial Audio has a deal where you can bundle Sam and M1 together and pay it off in monthly installments.
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moradio
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Posted: Sun Oct 25th, 2009 11:58 pm |
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Sorry to say Randy has already departed from KFNS, and seems like he could be soured on radio for good...
Been Playing with the free Intelligent Music Scheduler and ZaraRadio today...So Far, I really like it. I agree that BSI is rock solid...Randy Wachter uses it on all of his stations and they can go months without a glitch.
Jamie Turner wrote: Good luck, moradio. Friends of mine at KELE in Mountain Grove use BSI and it works flawlessly. Digilink has changed since I last used it. I used the 1994 version in 2002 and wanted to smash it "Officespace"-style. Randy Raley and his team uses the new version at KFNS in Troy, MO.
Still a fan of Nex Gen and Music 1. You might try Sam. Spacial Audio has a deal where you can bundle Sam and M1 together and pay it off in monthly installments.
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