May 2001 RAP
May 2001 Highlights
Feature: You LIKE to Listen, Don't You?
By Tom Richards
Were kindred souls on a quest for others who've been blessed or is it
cursed with that precious, elusive quality, "creativity."
Face it, were creative types; somehow slightly different than others. So
many people have so little understanding about what we do; even those we
work with, sometimes even ourselves.
So when we find someone who actually does get it, were captivated -- "hey,
here's someone who speaks my language!" And you're eager to hear his stuff.
After all, do you suppose that when Sting got those "hundred million bottles
washed up on the shore," he didn't read them? Inconceivable! When you crave
audio production, you devour it. Yet, some of radios top imaging guys claim
they don't listen to their competition. Why?
Interview: Rich Conway, WCCC-FM, Hartford, Connecticut
By Jerry Vigil
This months RAP Interview visits the 46th ranked market in the U.S. where
WCCC-FM, Marlin Broadcastings only Hartford station, sits comfortably as the
markets top rocker in the midst of clusters of stations owned by Clear
Channel, Infinity, and others. At the production helm is Rich Conway who
brings a style of imaging to WCCC aimed at setting the station apart from
the others by giving the audience more than "movie drops, statics, and
bangs." Its the concept of radio as a theatre, and the stage is alive at
WCCC.
Test Drive: Deck 3 from BIAS
By Steve Cunningham
Last month we took a look at Tascam's US-428, which ships with a "light"
version of BIAS Deck software for the Mac. This month we take a look at the
full version of Deck, including a preview of the upcoming version 3. Deck is
a complete multitrack editor that lets you record tracks, monitor them while
recording others, adjust the level and EQ of what you've recorded, and mix
down your recording to a stereo master file. Its often referred to as "ProTools
for the rest of us," and with good reason.
Radio Hed: How To Get 'Em to Take Action
By Jeffrey Hedquist
What is the goal of your radio commercial? What do you want your audience
to do? After you get their attention so they'll listen and then include
enough cues from their lifestyle so that they'll stay with you, and provide
enough seeds for their imagination so that they'll co-create your story,
then what?
Production Libraries: Audio Architecture from TM Century
By John Pellegrini
TM Century is one of the biggest music production houses in the world.
You can hear their music all over the place, from radio to television,
films, cable, Internet heck they've probably figured out a way to do audio
for print by now. They offer jingles, both custom and prepackaged,
production libraries, imaging libraries, even music and comedy services for
specific radio formats. I can think of very few companies of this type that
offers as many services for the electronic media, and none offering more.
One of the reasons why they're so successful is quality, especially
regarding the production music. TM Century has some of the best composers
and musicians in the business working for them, and as a result, their
product is first rate.
Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Where Do You Shop for
Production Supplies?
By Jerry Vigil
Q It Up: Are you in charge of budgeting for and/or
ordering production supplies for your studios -- CDRs, cassettes, DATs,
labels, etc? Where do you shop for supplies? Do you use a local company? Do
you shop online? Who do you use and why do you use them--convenience, price,
service? Please feel free to add any other helpful comments you might have
about stocking and maintaining supplies at your studios.
Tips & Techniques: Guidelines for Commercial Delivery
Via MP3
By Richard Stroobant
The last year or so has seen a major change in how radio stations receive
commercials. As you are probably aware, there has been a substantial
increase in commercials being delivered to radio stations via email using
mp3 technology instead of DGS or reel-to-reel. For the most part, there have
been no real "guidelines" set forth for anyone to follow. (We have recently
received spots at our station that were encoded at only 92 kbps. It sounded
REALLY bad!!) We also had a production house ask us if they could send 24
commercials on ONE mp3 file. (Good luck downloading that if someone still
has a 28.8 modem).
As a result of this and other issues that have arisen in the last 12 months
because of this change in delivery, ALL of the Calgary radio stations have
met and developed the following simple "standard guidelines for MP3
commercial delivery."
...And Make It Real Creative:
By Trent Rentsch
Probably one of the biggest compliments that anyone ever gave me was when
they told me that one of my commercials was "true to life." It seemed that
the invented situation in the commercial mirrored what had actually gone on
in his home the first morning he heard the spot. It was a connection that
impressed him enough to call and compliment me on how the dialogue was so
real, so easy to relate to -- funny, but real. I will never forget that
phone call from my Dad, "Ha! Ha! YOU did that?" "Yep." "Funny!"
2000 RAP Awards: Winners Announced!
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