Investigate the technologies for multi-platform radio broadcasting - UNIT 14

BBC Radio 4.

When looking at the technology needed to a run a Radio Station, we know that every radio station has similar equipment but have different appearances. For example, below is a setup of a radio station by BBC Radio 4:

Some of the equipment that BBC Radio 4 use are:

• Microphone - Microphones are used by presenters so that the audience can hear them clearly about the content they are giving out. Presenters use the microphone to record the content so that they can place it on their radio station so that future audiences can catchup on listening the programmes.  
• Headphones - When presenters are on air, they typically use headphones to hear other presenters to understand and know what they are going to be discussing in the programme and listen to audiences depending on the type of programme it is. 
• Computer - Presenters will need a computer so that they can power their systems and be able to present their programme on a radio station to audiences. 
• Multiple Monitors - In the images above we can see that presenters have different number of monitors to keep track of their programme. Every monitor has different purposes for example, one monitor could be to look at social media channels of specific artists that they are presenting with or have a monitor playing music in the background. 
• Radio Broadcasting software - Every radio station will need to have a radio broadcasting software. By having a broadcasting software, it will allow the audiences to be able to access and listen to the programmes efficiently but it will also allow the presenters to know what is going to be presented throughout the day. 
• Digital cart wall - In the image, there is a digital cart wall. The digital cart wall is used to play different types of music, presenters have available. 

And many more.  

What is a digital cart wall?

A digital cart wall is a digital screen that has multiple audio tracks loaded and saved on their systems. Majority of radio stations use this to load all audio files that are needed for the radio station. When looking at BBC Radio 4 and how they use a digital cart wall, from researching, we can see that they collect the music that matches with what they are presenting on the day. Furthermore, when looking at this, we can see that they edit their audio to match the length they want it to last for. Also when looking at the setup of the radio station, they have multiple screens. They have multiple reasons for this, but they use one screen that has all the audio. they are going to use. 

What is a playlist?

A playlist is a list of songs chosen to be broadcasted on a radio show or a specific radio station. When looking at BBC Radio 4, we can see that they have multiple playlists of their own. This is so that they can match with what they are going to be presenting on that certain day. BBC Radio 4 shares their playlist on their website and app. This allows audiences to access them if they like the playlist. 

What is a digital play-out system? 

A digital play-out system is where radio stations put together all jingles, sounds, adverts and music on a digital system. A digital play-out system acts like a live-radio station but in reality is playing everything the radio station has put on the system. When researching BBC Radio 4 and I don't think they use a digital play-out system. This is because they don't need a digital play-out system as they don't need to act like a live-radio station as they are a live radio station. 

This is for Unit 14.