The current trend in facility design involves two major components to complete an on-air system. One element is the audio routing and mixing functions, which are becoming increasingly tied together. The other is the audio storage and playback system, commonly referred to as an automation system. From the humble beginnings as a way to provide unattended playback of scheduled material with various mechanical methods, today's automation systems are computer-based and provide much more than just audio playback.

What has long been called an automation system was at one time singular in function; it now actually handles various automated tasks. The primary function is content management: storage and playback of audio files on demand. Add to this the ability to load schedules and apply certain rules to fill time automatically and you describe nearly all the systems available today.

While audio storage and playback are still the key functions, an automation system has actually shifted its primary function to become a facility event controller. Through event triggers, such as contact closures, serial data strings and other control paths, the automation system is able to automatically record audio feeds or capture audio files and control external equipment such as audio processors, routing switchers and satellite receivers.

WAN, LAN, thank you ma'am

The need for interaction, control and insertion from a distance has become important, as have WAN-based media sharing and the ability to manage multiple stations from a central site.

Computers excel at storing and manipulating data, so affecting audio data is a natural function. However, new data needs have become important for stations. Program-associated data (PAD) — the basics of song title and artist name — are being used today to feed RBDS encoders and station websites with “now playing” information. This data will also be transmitted on an IBOC stream. With plans to provide radio receivers with more detailed displays, additional data can also be provided, such as an artist's concert dates and information about the performer. Similar added data can be applied to commercial audio files as well.

This data can be tied to audio files and delivered on a schedule through the automation system. The PAD information is likely already part of the stored audio file, so retrieving it for on-air delivery is not a complex matter. This data may be a part of the audio stream or a separate data stream.

The supplemental PAD, such as concert dates or artist news, can also be stored and retrieved as needed. Most systems already have the capability to provide live copy with any audio file. This live copy is simply stored data. Not to over simplify the idea, but data is data to a computer, regardless of whether it is fed to an in-studio monitor or made available to an RBDS stream.

Multi-channel audio is a developing technology for IBOC. There are currently two ways it is being developed. The Tomorrow Radio project, a joint effort between NPR, Harris and Kenwood, adds a supplemental audio channel (SAC) in addition to the main channel so that two program streams are created. Most automation systems can handle more than one program stream, although it is preferable to have a separate workstation to provide the second stream as backup. The other form of multi-channel audio of IBOC is surround sound. While still dealing with audio data, surround-sound files will have a different format than traditional mono or stereo files. Systems vary in this capability today, but it is something to keep in mind if your station is considering an IBOC roll-out with an eye to the leading technology.

Resource Guide

An overview of available automation systems

OS	Modes	Sound Cards	Third-party RAID support?	File Formats	Non-native file support?	Control Modes	PAD	Playback	Purchase	Support
AEQ	Mar4Win	www.aeq.es
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram	yes	*	*	S, E, C, E@sy	*	L	P	*
Features: Modules available for new editing, voice tracking, scheduling;
Arrakis	Digilink Extreme	www.arrakis-systems.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, 2, 3	yes	S, C	separate	L, S, N	P, L	T
Features: 16x3 switcher with built-in audio cards required for satellite operation; switcher also facilitates installation and separates PC functions from broadcast functions
Broadcast Electronics	Audiovault	www.bdcast.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram, Soundblaster	yes	W, B, 2, 3	yes	S, E, C	separate	L, S, N	P, L	U
Features: Includes integrated CD ripper; supports multiple sample rates and compression types simultaneously from a single audio channel
Broadcast Software International	Simian	www.bsiusa.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, B, 2, 3, TM Century, Dolby AC-2	*	S, C	*	L, N	P	T
Features: Spanish menus; programmable hot keys; rotating carts
Broadcast Software International	Wavecart	www.bsiusa.com
W	M	any	*	W, B, 2, 3, TM Century, Dolby AC-2	*	*	*	L	P	*
BTSG	Generation IV	www.btsg.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, B, 2, 3	yes	S, E, C, I/O boards	separate or imbedded	L, N	P,L	T
Features: Available as a full or modular system
Computer Concepts	Maestro	www.computerconcepts.biz
W	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, B, 2, 3, A, C, WMA	yes	S, E, C	separate	L, S, N	P	U, T
Features: Voice tracking via Internet; voice tracking in air studio while on-air; built-in air studio phone recorder-editor; Protégé is the a la carte version of Maestro
Dalet	Dalet Plus	www.dalet.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram, Soundblaster	yes	W, B, 2, 3, WMA	yes	S, C	separate	L	P	T
Features: Modular system design; redundant architecture
D.A.V.I.D.	Latitude	www.digasystem.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram, Lynx	yes	W, B, 2, 3, Dalet SND,MFX, WMA, Realaudio	yes	S, E, C	separate or imbedded	L, N	P	T
Features: Content Bridge exports and imports files; multi-tier rights management including personal desktop configuration; content distribution and exchange via WAN/MAN; Web-based remote reporter kit
Enco	DADpro32	www.enco.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram, Audioscience	yes	W, B, 2, 3, plays AC-2	yes	S, E, C	separate	L, N	P	U
Features: Command language to program complex tasks; conditional programming language for if-then-else administration; Customizable interface for screen colors and layout; security to enable or lock out features
Netia	Radio-Assist 7.5	www.netia.fr
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram, Sounblaster,M-Audio, Terratec, Soundmax, Yellowtec	yes	W, B, 2, 3	yes	*	separate or imbedded	L	L	T
OMT	Imediatouch	www.imediatouch.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, B, 2, 3	yes	S, E, C	separate	L	P	T
Features: Version 2.2 adds features to eliminate downtime with redundant databases
On Air Digital	Radio Suite	www.onairusa.com
L	M, L, F, S, T	Audioscience, Soundblaster	yes	W, B, 2, 3, A, ADPCM	yes	S, C	separate	L, N	P	U
Features: Includes Radio Suite Linux; software encoding and decoding; interfaces with all Windows-based editors, news systems, CD rippers
Pristine Systems	CDS32	www.pristinesys.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	Audioscience	yes	W, 2, 3, A, Dolby AC-2, Cart Chunk	yes	S, E, C	separate or imbedded	L, N	P	T
Features: Includes music scheduling, voice tracking, editor, RBDS text output, Website text output, audio browser software, audio grabber
Prophet Systems Innovations	Nexgen 101	www.prophetsys.com
W, L	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, B, 2, 3	yes	S, E, C	separate or imbedded	L, S, N	P	T
Features: Central database and storage can be on Linux; includes integrated automatic music scheduling; optional profanity control module; automatic hot sparring redundancy for on-air workstations; automatic program logging and archive module
Register Data Systems	The Phantom	www.registerdata.com
DOS	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	*	*	S, E, C	separate	L	P	U
RCS	Master Control	www.rcsworks.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	Digigram, Moto, M-Audio, Soundscape	yes	W, B, 2, Cart Chunk	yes	S, E, C	separate	L, N	L	T
Features: Living Log eliminates reconciliation; Internet Voice Tracking; Internet Proof Schedule; drag and drop files to editors; e-mail trouble alerts; Segue Editor; programmable Hot Keys
Scott Studios	SS32	www.scottstudios.com
W, L in beta	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, B, 2, 3, A, WMA, Cart Chunk	yes	S, E, C	separate	L, S, N	P	U, T
Features: Remote control of up to 48 systems via one Internet computer; remote control by DTMF, remote control by Pocket PC; voice tracking via Internet; voice tracking in air studio while on-air; timing adjustment with Audioscience sound card; built-in air studio phone recorder-editor; RBDS out can insert spots in text, weather, contests
Wireready	Controlready	www.wireready.com
W	M, L, F, S, T	any	yes	W, any supported by sound card	yes	S, E, C	separate or imbedded	L	P	T
Features: Integrated newsroom and wire capture system in same software; logic operations are independent of sound files and traffic logs; imports traffic and music schedules independently; audio file information is stored in the audio file; automation can distribute information via RBDS and update station websites; can find audio from backup sources including FTP and autofills if needed; can launch third-party applications

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Abbreviations

* - check with manufacturer

OS:

W - Windows 2000 or XP
L — Linux

Modes:

M — manual
L - live assist
F - full automation
S - Satellite
T - timed recording/playback

Formats:

W - WAV
B - BWF
2 - MP2
3 - MP3
A - Apt-x
C - Cart Chunk

Control:

S - serial
E - Ethernet
C - contact closures

Playback Modes:

L - from local sound card
S - from server sound card
N - over network to workstation sound card

Purchase:

P - full purchase
L - ongoing license fee

Support

U - free unlimited
T - tiered support based on contract terms

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