M2 - First Draft

Omniya Tajni

M2: Explain the processes and technologies involved in producing a radio broadcast

The process and technologies involved in producing a radio broadcast is very important as it allows the broadcast to be recorded efficiently and safely. The set-up of a radio station is important as each piece of equipment is important and vital for the process of the radio broadcast to be successful. The equipment used in a radio broadcast consists of:

1.    Workstation (desk and chair): This is very important as they need to allow all the individuals to move about easily and due to the fact that most presenters are sitting down a lot during the recording of the radio, they need to make sure that they have a good support in their positioning and a correct height desk. Even if the presenter tries to adjust the heightening of their chair or move their position it could affect the sound of the production, therefore it is important that the desk and chairs are set out well and properly, for safety reasons as well as disruption.

2.    Microphones: In most radio shows; they consist of either more than one host or interviews. Having a microphone as a single direction mic is important as it is created to pick up the voice speaking directly into it. If the hosts are having a conversation or there is an interview, listeners may notice the different muffle or static sound that is usually created by the microphone, therefore having a single direction mic allows the listeners to only hear the voice that is speaking directly to the microphone clearly.

3.    Headphones are vital in a radio broadcast in different ways. If there was an interview taking place the headphones will allow the presenters and guests to hear one another and see whether they are being heard clearly, especially if its rehearsed so then if something doesn’t sound right the producer will know what is needed to fix before the radio broadcast goes live. Sometimes hosts may receive instructors from their producers so having headphones is also vital as it allows the hosts to listen to the instructions given.

4.    Mixing desk is also including during a radio broadcast station. A mixing desk is a console where sound signals are mixed during recording or broadcasting. This allows for each microphone to be controlled individually and sometimes volume may need to be adjusted for individuals, especially those with a quiet soft voice, this is done in order for the sound to be the same as the other individual so the listeners don’t notice the change or difference in the sound levels and allow the radio broadcast to flow efficiently.

5.    Speakers are important in a radio broadcast as it allows the technicians to hear what the listeners would supposedly hear. This is important so if there are any technical difficulties or problems the technicians would be able to solve the problem before the radio broadcast is on air.

In order to create a radio programme, there are software’s that are used in order to allow it to flow and make sense especially if it’s for a pre-recorded radio segment, or just in general in order to allow the production to run smoothly and not to make a mistake while on air.

Cartwall is an organisation system used in radio stations. It is jingle player that offers a wide range of instant audio buttons, it allows the radios DJ to easily find the appropriate jingles, promos and music needed for the radio broadcast. Myriad is an example of a radio software. Cartwall allows DJs to create playlists to play automatically or manually operated, regardless of this it’s a good software to use as it prevents from any disruptions happening on air, due to it being pre-programmed and ready.

A software that I am using in this picture is called Myriad, this is a radio software that uses a Cartwall organising system. The boxes in the software is a different piece of recorded sound and each of the boxes would usually have a clock so that the programme knows when to play each recording. This is important because it allows the radio team to manage the time they decide to do something before the radio show finishes or when they need to play certain things on a specific time, such as the news.

Just like in other media products, it is important that a radio also follows the production process (pre-production, production and post-production). In the pre-production process of a radio broadcast there is usually an idea that is created, which will then lead to the planning process and a final script being created. Scripts aren’t created word for word because it is not expected what will happen or what will come up in a conversation, especially in an interview unless it is rehearsed, the script is created just to give an overview of what will consist of the particular broadcast in order to allow all members of the production as well as the listeners an efficient flow in how it will sound like. Documentation is also important for radio products especially with permission for voices and songs, if this is not followed the radio broadcast could lead in to a disruption. The production of the radio broadcast is the live broadcast itself, however, sometimes some radio companies do rehearsals, to make sure everything is followed as planned and if there were any last minute problems the production team would be there to fix it before it goes live/on air. Post-production is vital if the radio product is pre-recorded, because anything recorded will need to be edited to a standard and flow with any live broadcasting.

Overall, the process and technologies involved in producing a radio broadcast is important and anything that isn’t followed could lead to a huge disruption to the radio product as a whole.