Audio Board
The audio board, also referred to as the console, is the primary interface between you and the on-air signal. Everything that goes out over the air comes through the board. For this reason, anyone who wants to be a WKNC DJ must demonstrate proficiency by passing a board test.
Each audio source (microphone, CD, AudioVault, etc.) is assigned to a channel. Also called faders or pots (short for potentiometer), the channel contains a number of controls. Beginning at the bottom of the channel there is a pair of buttons labeled START and STOP. Think of these as on and off switches for the channel. Once the START button is pressed, the fader for the channel becomes active and is used to control the desired volume level of the source audio. The START button can also be used to “auto fire” the CD players. That means if there is a CD cued up in the player and you hit the START button for that channel the CD will start playing automatically. You can also manually start the CD players by hitting the play button.
Above the fader on every channel (except the microphone channels) is a red button labeled CUE. When CUE is active on a channel, the audio for that channel will be played through the small cue speaker mounted in the console to the right of the meters. The volume of the cue audio is controlled using the fader knob labeled CUE located on the right-hand side of the board (above the control for headphone volume). The volume of the cue audio is unaffected by the channel faders or the START/STOP buttons. However, if a channel is in cue when that channel’s START button is pressed, it will be removed from cue. Cue is useful when you need to sample an audio source before putting it on air. Also keep in mind that whenever a channel is in cue, the headphones are dedicated to the cue audio. Therefore, before you do a break you will need to take all channels out of cue.
Above the CUE button for each channel is a series of three buttons labeled PROG, AUD, and UTIL. These buttons determine the bus onto which the source audio for that channel will be applied. Borrowing the definition from Dolphin Audio, “A bus is basically a path in which you can route one or more audio signals to a particular destination.”
The program (PROG) bus carries our on-air signal that is routed to the transmitter. Beware that any channel on the program bus WILL GO OUT ON THE AIR! The audition (AUD) bus serves as a backup for the program bus in the event of a failure but is more commonly used as a record bus. This bus is routed to the record input of the on-air computer. The utility (UTIL) bus is routed to the telephone hybrid, or the audio that a caller will hear. Most of the time this means only the studio microphones will be in utility.
You can select which bus you want to listen to using the buttons found above the CUE volume knob introduced earlier. There are two external audio inputs you can select to monitor in addition to the three busses discussed. The first of these external inputs, labeled AIR MONITOR, allows you to listen to the signal that is coming out of our transmitter. This is what you would hear if you were listening to the radio. The second external input is the program bus, which is the audio coming from the board. Ideally, those signals are the same. However, if our transmitter goes off the air or we have an EAS test or alert (which bypasses the audio board) you would never know if you were only listening to program. For that reason you should always listen to the air monitor.
Above the bus select button for each channel are two more buttons, one labeled A and one labeled B. This allows two inputs to be assigned to the same channel, although only one input can be used at a time. At WKNC, the last three channels on the board (those closest to the monitor controls) are programmed to have multiple inputs. When you want to use one of these channels, make sure the proper input is selected.
The audio board’s meterbridge contains three pairs of left-right LED meters for PGM, AUD and UTIL. Only the PGM meter needs to be active. Keep your eyes on the meters to try a keep a balanced audio level. Peaks may pass into the red but should NEVER reach the top of the meter! This causes painful clipping and will make us sound bad. On the other hand, a level that is too low will make our station sound weak. Strive for a level that sits between 0 and +3 on the meter for both music and voice.
Timer controls are located on the board to the right, with the timer display on the right-hand side of the meterbridge. Make sure the AUTO button is illuminated. This will force the timer to restart every time a channel’s START button is pressed. However, the timer can be restarted at any time by simply pressing then RESET button. If, for some reason, the timer is not counting, then the timer must have been stopped by someone hitting the S/S button. The timer can be resumed again by pressing the S/S once. The HOLD button will freeze the timer display, but not the timer itself.
Each audio source (CD player, microphone, newsroom, etc.) is designated its own channel on the console and for each channel there are a number of controls. Closest to the console operator is a pair of buttons, one yellow button labeled STOP and one red button labeled START. The STOP button is labeled with the name of the audio source for that channel. This button disables the source audio from being placed on any of the three audio busses (discussed later). The START button enables the source audio to be placed on a bus and activates, or “fires,” the source. All audio sources can be “fired” from the console except for sources in other studios such as the newsroom. These sources must be fired from their respective studio. Once the START button is pressed, the fader for the channel becomes active and is used to control the desired volume level of the source audio.
AudioVault
Broadcast Electronics’ AudioVault is WKNC’s automation program. It allows us to operate the radio station 24/7/365 regardless of whether a DJ is present. AudioVault is not, however, an excuse to miss your air shift. A live DJ is always preferred to automation. The part of AudioVault the DJs work with is called AVAir.
AVAir has two modes of operation: automation and live. When in automation mode, the computer will operate according to the set schedule without interruption. The second mode is live mode, also called manual assist. This means that AudioVault is running, but it is being controlled by a live operator with the ability to start, stop and rearrange audio elements. DJs use AudioVault in live mode. To switch between modes, click on the third button on the left-hand side of the screen. When it reads “Auto” you are in automation mode. Click it once and it will read “Live,” switching you to live mode. Click it a second time and you are back in Auto mode.
Start with AudioVault in Auto mode. Across the top of the screen on the right-hand side are three elements. The first is the current time and date. The next box shows you the total time of scheduled content remaining before AudioVault will stop. When you are in Auto mode, it will typically read around 20 minutes. After each element is played it will be replaced with the next scheduled element, which is what allows us to be on the air without a live DJ. The third box shows you how much “intro time” you have remaining. The intro time is the number of seconds between when a song begins and when the vocals begin. DJs can use this box as a tool to help them talk over the instrumental introduction of a song, ending their air break before the vocals begin. The box will mostly read three dashes, which means you do not have any intro time remaining on the song or other element.
There are also three elements below the intro time box. The first reads “Fade.” Selecting this will cause the current element to fade out and the next element to begin playing. The second box is the amount of time remaining on the current element. The third box is one of the most important parts of AudioVault – the Auto Segue button. When switching from live mode back into automation mode, Auto Segue is what tells the computer to initiate the automation function. You MUST engage the Auto Segue button when you enter Auto mode, or else when the current element stops the next one will not start and we will have dead air. You can tell if Auto Segue is engaged by comparing the total time scheduled box (between the date/time and intro time box) and the box that shows how much time is left on what is currently playing. If they are the same, AudioVault will stop when the countdown hits zero. Click Auto Segue and the button will turn a different shade of yellow and the total time scheduled will increase.
To the right (AV Decks)
When AudioVault is in live mode, the DJ is allowed to control what elements will play by placing them in a deck on the right-hand side of the screen. Each deck is assigned to a channel on the audio board – AV1, AV2 or AV3. Once loaded into a deck, the button on the right-hand side of the deck should read “Start.” That means the deck is cued and ready to go. Each deck includes three lines of information about the element. The first line has the elements cart number and title. The cart number is what the music and program directors use to actually schedule the song or DA/PSA/promo/etc. The title is the title of the song or other element. Donor announcements should always begin with DA, public service announcements with PSA and promos with PR to help you easily identify them. The second line lets you know to what channel the deck has been assigned (AV1, AV2 or AV3) and the artist. Songs will list the performer and other elements will list the creator/producer. The last line will read something like “:15/3:30/fade.” The first number is the intro time, in this case meaning there is 15 seconds from when the music begins until when the vocals begin. The second number is the length of the element. The last indicator is how the element ends. This will typically read fade (it fades out), quick fade (it fades out quickly), long fade (it fades out for a while) or cold (it ends abruptly). If you plan on talking after a song with a cold ending, make sure you are ready on the microphone, as you will not have the ending music bed to aid the transition from music to voice.
To preview an element before playing it on the air, first make sure it is loaded into an empty deck. If a song is currently playing from AV1, move the second element to AV2 or AV3 to preview it. Then, turn the fader for that channel completely down so the preview does not go out over the air. Then hit the P button. Use the four arrows to preview the introduction and ending the next element. When you are done previewing, make sure the deck reads Start so it is ready to be played and turn the fader back up to a normal level. Finally, each deck has an ampersand button (&) on the left-hand side. If an element is playing and you want the one in the deck after it to play automatically, click the & button so it turns green. This can work on multiple elements, but they must be all in a row (the & button won’t skip over empty decks).
To the left (Music Log and Tabs)
Now that you understand how the decks work, you need to put something in them. There are 15 tabs in view at any given time, depending on the loaded layout. Since we have more than 15 categories, you may need to load a new layout to access the tabs you need. To do this, click on MENU next to the Broadcast Electronics logo in the upper-left corner. Select FILE, then LOAD LAYOUT. (If you see a warning message, just click yes.) A pop-up box will appear on screen. Under NAME, select the name of the layout (Nighttime, Chainsaw/Punk, etc.) and UNCHECK the box that asks if you want to load system settings. When you hit the okay button the tabs will change.
The tab labeled LOG is for the Music Log described in the chapter on logs. The music log is exactly what would play if AudioVault continued in automation mode. The music log will contain all the music you need for the hour, as well as the scheduled DAs, PSAs, promos and auto content. Move any scheduled breaks from the music log into the decks, as well as any other music or auto content you want to play. Your music log may contain elements of four different colors. Donor announcements are colored green (as in money). Daytime Must Play songs are in orange. If you encounter an element in yellow, that means the element is out of date, such as a PSA for an event that has passed. If it is a DA, play it anyhow and notify the program director. For anything else, preview it first and then decide whether to replace it with something else. The final color you may encounter on the music log is red. Elements are colored red when they are scheduled to play, but no longer exist in AudioVault. If it doesn’t exist it cannot be played, so AudioVault will simply skip over any red elements.
Other tabs represent other categories of content, like specific music genres or auto content. The BED category contains instrumental music beds a DJ can use to during air breaks. The other tabs are self-explanatory.
Microphones
While the use of a microphone seems elementary, there are some important things to keep in mind to sound professional. First, never touch the microphone, especially while it is live! Make your adjustments using the mount before going live. It is annoying to your listener when they have to turn down the radio because of your mic noise. Second, never hit or tap your hand or any object on the counter top while a mic is live. While this isn’t really a problem for DJs, it is a common problem with guests, so brief them ahead of time. The shock mount on the main studio mic helps filter out some but not all of this type of noise.
Finally, the microphones used in the on-air studio are cardioids, so-named for the “heart-shaped” pattern of sound they pick up. They are very good at picking up sound in front of the microphone and deliberately reject sound from the rear. The closer you are to the microphone, the warmer and fuller your voice will sound because the low frequencies of your voice are being boosted more than the high frequencies.
CD players
Basic operation
- Push the POWER switch to turn on the unit. The display will indicate NO DISC.
- Insert a disc into the slot, label side up. After a disc is inserted, the total playing time and number of tracks will be displayed. Do not force the disc into the slot; the player will pull the disc when partially inserted.
- Press the SKIP key to select the desired track, then PLAY/PAUSE. The number of the current track is indicated on the display. To stop playback, press the STOP key. To pause, press the PLAY/PAUSE. The indicator light will blink, and the unit will enter playback standby mode. To resume playback, press PLAY/PAUSE again.
- To remove the disc, press the EJECT key. You can re-insert a disc into the slot by pressing the EJECT key or pull the disc and slot it in again.
Playback modes
There are four different playback modes. The mode selected is indicated on the display. You can also select the playback mode by pressing the CALL/Play Mode key on the front panel when the player is in SHIFT mode.
- Normal (continuous) playback mode: no indication lamp
- Single playback mode: S is lit
- Program playback mode: PGM is lit
- Random playback mode: RANDOM is lit
Turntables
The turntables are fairly easy to operate. There is a knob on the face of the turntable that toggles its power on and off. Once the turntable is on and the record is cued with the needle, its function can be controlled by the console. WKNC does not permit staff to “scratch” or use any other DJ tricks with our needles. If you wish to do this, you must bring and use your own needles.
Studio Telephones
There are two phones in the control room. One phone is identical to all the other phones in the station and is used for business purposes. It is fine to answer and place calls with this phone; however, calls on this phone cannot be placed on-air or be recorded. For this reason, it is recommended that you use the Gentner phone located to the left of the console.
Each of the studio telephones contains four lines – our two request lines (515-2400 and 860-0881), our business line (515-2401) and our hotline (secret!). If the hotline rings, ANSWER IT. DJs are not required to answer the request lines and should remember answering the phone is always secondary to operating the audio board. Just don’t give out the request line numbers if you don’t feel like answering them. If someone calls on the request lines with a business-related call (pretty much anything other than a request or comment), tell him or her to hang up and dial the business line at 515-2401 to speak to someone on the executive staff. DJs don’t take messages – they DJ. The Gentner phone will also not allow you to place the call on hold and have someone pick it up on another phone, so the person must call back on the correct line. The final number is for the WKNC business line. Just ignore it. If it’s important and there is no one else in the studio, the caller can leave a message for the general manager. If it is really important, that person would have the hotline number and call you there.
Taking calls with the Gentner phone can be done in two different ways. You can take the call using the handset by lifting the receiver and then selecting the line you wish to answer or place a call on. To end the call, simply hang up the handset. You can also take calls hands-free using the console’s cue speaker and the main studio microphone. To do this, simply select the line you want to answer or place a call on without picking up the handset first. This will route the caller audio through the cue speaker on the console and you speak to the caller using the main studio microphone. Using this method makes it very easy to put a caller on-air. Remember that live phone calls are only used during dedicated talk shows. Since the caller’s audio is already being routed to the console, all you have to do is hit the START button on the console for the phone channel. This activates the fader so you can control the caller’s on-air audio. You can place a call on hold at any time by pressing the HOLD button on the phone. Putting a caller on hold is another method to place a caller on-air. Once on hold, the caller’s line indicator will flash red. At this point, hang up the handset (if you weren’t taking the call hands-free) and press the START button on the console’s phone channel (between the mics and CD players). Make sure the faders are turned up to an appropriate level, then put the caller on the air simply by pressing the button labeled NEXT on the Gentner phone.
Bulletin/White Board/Window
The bulletin board in the studio is where some important documents like the emergency action plan and executive staff office hours are kept. Try to take a look at it once a shift to see if there is anything of interest. The white board is where we list upcoming promotions, interviews and giveaways. Again, try to look at it once a shift to see what’s going on at the station so you can promote it during your show. Perhaps most importantly, the request lines are written at the top of the white board so if you completely blank on them during an air break you can just read them off the board. Finally, the window directly behind the DJ will contain the most current Wolfpack Sports schedules. Women’s basketball runs November through March and men’s baseball runs February through May/June, which pre-empts scheduled air shifts.
CD Racks
There are several CD racks mounted on the walls of the on-air studio, divided by format. Local music also has a separate section. These are the newest CDs and ones you are encouraged to listen to and play during your show. Keep them alphabetized as much as possible.
Library
Older CDs are placed in the WKNC music library, right across from the on-air studio. The library is divided into sections for each format, as well as smaller sections for specialty music programs. To request space in the CD library, ask the music librarian. Play CDs as you wish and always put a CD back in the appropriate space. During the training process you will find out the combination to the library door. It is important not to forget this combination and not to give it out to anyone who is not on WKNC staff. Prop the library door open if you must, but always always always close it when you have completed your air shift. If there is a DJ on after you, he or she can choose to prop it open again. The library door should never be open when no one is on the air.