TECH CORNER

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Tech corner
Vancouver Co-op Radio 100.5 FM CFRO

Digital Manual

We are currently updating our documentation. If you need help, either contact the tech department or refer to the CD players manual.

• CD Player Manual

Microphones are extremely directional, meaning the way they pick up your voice depends greatly on how you are facing the mic. If your mic level is too low please consider these steps before assuming it is broken:

• Sit directly facing the mic so that your bottom lip is parallel with the capsule of the mic
• Sit no more than 6 inches away from the mic
• Speak clearly, don't mumble
• Assure that the fader is at a nominal level (no less than 0 no more than +10)
• Make sure your headphones are getting signal (trim knob labeled headphones on monitor module)
• Check your monitor module for proper routing (i.e.- you're sending to AUD and your output is PGM)

Again, microphones are extremely sensitive, setting a level to be perfect for the 300+ voices using this equipment on a weekly basis is not possible. The technical department has set the level to be the most consistent for the majority. If you find your mic is too loud or distorting please try these steps before filing an issue report:

• Try backing off the mic another 3 inches or so
• Try speaking off axis into the mic
• Put a wind sock onto the capsule of the mic
• Set the fader level so that the meters read between -5 & 0
• If the meter level is proper but it is still too loud turn down your headphones
• Speaking too loudly or shouting will cause distortion

If you are still having trouble after taking these steps, please file an issue report keeping in mind the practicality of setting a perfect level for all the different voices that walk though the doors of co-op.

There is no turntable in Cedar. We apologize for the inconvenience of the situation. If your show needs vinyl please use Arbutus until it is able to be replaced.

Due to the high number of broken/missing needles Co-op is no longer supplying them. If you use vinyl records on your show operators are now responsible for bringing their own.

If the turntable is not working, check below for a possible solution:

• If the turntable is not spinning please check that it is turned on and that there is no lock setting switched on the equipment.
• If there is no sound/pop/soft noise when you drop the needle, double check the channel strip on the console for proper level and routing as well as your monitor module for proper output monitoring.
• If the turntable is spinning and you are hearing sound/ soft noise when you drop the needle, try another record.

If you try another record and it is still not working please file an issue report.

The studio is used for both Arbutus & Cedar. It is an integral part of a radio station and it's important that it is functioning properly. If you are having trouble, please refer to the steps listed below:

• Assure you are sending the feed to the Studio (trim knob labeled Studio Feed on monitoring module)
• If the voices sound far away, make sure you have the correct mic turned on (they're colour coded)
• If your guest doesn't hear anything from their headphones, make sure they have the fader up on the headphone box in the studio
• If you start getting feedback while guest are in the studio ask your guest to turn down their headphones and send more signal to them from the studio feed.
• If the headphones are not producing a signal when the microphones are working, check and assure that the headphone box is turned on. There is a red light to indicate power being sent to the box. If the red LED is not lit check to see if the unit is plugged in.

If you still cannot get the studio to work, please file an issue report.

If you have guests in the studio but you need to cue up the next segment of the show while they are talking follow these steps:

• Assign the channel strip you are trying to cue (ex. CD Player) to CUE
• Engage the cue switch on said channel strip
• Set the level with the cue trim knob (on the monitor module)
• Whatever you are trying to cue will come through the built in speaker in the console. It will not come through your headphones/ monitors or through to the studio
• Once you are done cueing, disengage the cue switch and set the channel to PGM so it is ready to go on air

If you find yourself needing to play off of an outside device i.e. laptop, phone, recorder, read the steps below:

• In each control room there is a mini jack cable next to the guest headphones.
• Plug in from that.
• On the console  use the channel strip labelled A- MINI JACK

The mini jack cable is not yet connected in the studio.

*** This document needs updating ***

ONGOING CALLS:

SCREEN CALL:

• Watch for the flashing light on the phone link
• Press white line button on phone link
• Talk on white screening phone
• Extra step for this phone link: send the call to the “on-air” level – click on black line button

PLAY THROUGH THE BOARD:

• Set channel to PGM
• Hang up screening phone
• Turn the channel strip ON while keeping the fader down (now caller can hear everything else that is on air)
• Bring fader up
• Check levels
• Use board to take caller off air
• Normalize equipment (can send back to screening level and white phone to talk off air)

OUTGOING CALLS:

SCREEN CALL:

• Press white screening line
• Dial number
• Check quality of phone line!
• Put call on “on-air” level – press black line

PLAY THROUGH BOARD:

• Set channel to PGM
• Hang up screening phone
• Turn the channel strip ON while keeping the fader down (now caller can hear everything else that is on air)
• Bring fader up
• Check levels
• Use board to take caller off air
• Normalize equipment (can send back to screening level and white phone to talk off air)

To use the talk back system in the studio follow these steps:

• To engage the talk back system hold down the TB button on the monitor module (yellow button)
• Speak into the operator mic  do not turn your mic on
• Talk to your guest while holding down the TB button (yellow)

For your guest to speak back:

• Have your guest sit at mic 2 (mic 2 colour coded yellow)
• Assure that your guest knows which talkback button to press ( A or C) on the talkback box in the studio
• Have them hold down the talkback switch to speak to the control room

NOTE: When your guest is speaking back to the operator their voice will come through the built in CUE speaker. This means even if mic two (yellow) is turned on it will not go on air while they have the talkback button engaged.

To record your show or to do a pre recording using Audacity, just follow these easy steps:

1. Open Audacity on the computer
2. Set the tracks to record
3. Test level by watching the meters on the top right hand side of the screen
4. If you see red lines within the waveform, lower the fader of which you are recording from
5. Once you have recorded your show, save your project onto your USB flash drive and away you go

EDITING IN AUDACITY

If you are recording a pre-recorded show for later broadcast and you would like to change something (ex. you want a different outro song or you want to rephrase a statement), please follow these steps:

1. Select the section of audio you want to cut with your cursor
2. Use the cutting tool to delete that section of audio
3. Create another track to record the dub onto
4. Re-record your segment
5. Place a fade on each end of the cut audio region
6. Listen back for bad edits.

We do offer a basic training in using Audacity in our Core Training 4. We also organize workshops on the topic from time to time. Check our blog or our Facebook page for dates and updates.

If you want a copy of your show follow these steps below:

• Go to the Co-op radio website
• Find the show you want to listen to
• On the show page select listen to previous on the bottom left hand side of your screen
• Select the airing you want to download
• Click the green text labeled 'download audio file'
• Listen or save onto your computer or usb stick

If you can't download your show from the archives or if it's not convenient (yours is shorter or longer than 1 hour), use the logger.

If you want to know how to download from our in-station logger follow these steps:

• In your browser (ex. Safari, Firefox, Chrome) type in the IP 192.168.2.228 or click here
• Select the date and time for the show you want to download
• Follow the prompts on the webpage
• Listen away!  

The station has switched over to online booking. If you're having troubles booking a room follow these steps below:

• Go to the online booking page click here
• Choose the room you would like to book
• Choose the time for your booking
• If you would like to repeat your booking fill out a request form click here

If you don't see your booking once you've booked your room try refreshing the calendar page.

Here are some useful links for programmers & operators.:

• Mic'ing technique:

1. 1. Basics for speech click here
   2. Techniques for in studio performances click here
   3. Techniques for on location interviews click here

• Music resources:

1. 1. Bandcamp
   2. 8 tracks
   3. Grooveshark Alternatives
   4. Earmilk

• Skype how to:
• Audacity basics