June 2002 RAP

The RAP CD

June 2002 Highlights

Feature: The Final Word on Copyrights

Recent queries from production folk regarding music copyright for commercial use have prompted me to once again do some research that finally gives direct proof on the copyright dilemma once and for all. The queries were all of the same nature, which is that some naive shmuck in the station organization, a salesperson, a GM, or in one case a corporate lawyer, all claimed that because the station pays licensing fees to ASCAP or BMI, then they are entitled to use the stations playlist music in commercials. This is absolutely false, and here is how you can prove it with certainty.

Interview: Chris Adams Ackerman, Clear Channel Sound Design, Boise, ID

Imagine a production department in a small market with annual revenues of $70,000 a year. That's right, a production department, not a radio station. Meet Chris Ackerman, Production Manager for Clear Channel Audio Design. Clear Channel Audio Design is basically the production department for Clear Channels Boise stations. But this is no ordinary radio production department. Chris, with nearly 40 years in radio and recording studios, has turned the department into a revenue generating business inside the radio stations facility, with clients paying for much more than just radio commercials. This months RAP Interview takes a look at how Clear Channel Audio Design came to be, how it works, and why it works.

Test Drive: VoxPro PC from Audion Labs

The venerable VoxPro editor has been around for several years now. Heck, it pre-dates consolidation, and the last time it was reviewed in these pages most DJs still worked live shifts. Much has changed since that review in June 1998 and its all good but the newest incarnation of VoxPro still maintains its streamlined interface and lightning speed.

Production 212: 3 of Dave's Little Production Secrets

"You want me to what?" (Me on the phone right after the last column came out.) "Let me get this straight, you want me to explain to the world all my dirty little production secrets? You mean." Well, why not? Oh, its not like they're inscrutable. Id imagine most folks with an IQ bigger than their hat size could figure it out if they really wanted to, but that's not why you subscribe to RAP Magazine, now is it? You subscribe to learn new stuff. Okay. Here goes.

Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Your Biggest Challenge

Q It Up: What is the greatest challenge you face on a regular basis as a Production Director (Commercial Production Director, Imaging Director, Creative Services Director, etc.) or as a producer at your station(s) or independent production facility, and how do you deal with this challenge? What advice would you give others with the same challenge?

Radio Hed: Daily Exercises

Creativity. Its like a muscle. You can increase its strength and flexibility by alternating activity and rest. Those of us who create advertising, especially radio advertising, are often asked to be instantly creative. Like an athlete who may be called upon to perform extraordinarily, with very little notice, keeping that muscle in shape is your best preparation.

Library Review: Revolt Imaging Library from Audio Farm

One of the greatest things about the digital revolution in the computer age is the incredible affordability of recording studio packages. Now anyone with the savvy and the musical ability can produce their own music. Yes, there are drawbacks to that statement, but the benefit is when you get people with true talent, the results can be highly rewarding.

...And Make It Real Creative:

Like many professionals, a Creatives job tends to follow them home at the end of the day. Ironically, to be constantly new and fresh, a Creative needs a break from the routine, a chance to experience the new, and the unique. In a perfect world that would mean 2 day work weeks and generous travel allowances from employers. But since most of our worlds consist of 1 or 2 weeks off a year, and hopefully a paycheck with enough left over after bills to put away for one real getaway a year, its important to really get away when we do.

Feature: If You're Green, You're Growing

Lately, I've been hearing voices. Keith David for AT&T and the US Navy, James Earl Jones for Verizon, Peri Gilpen for Wells Fargo, and Gene Hackman for Lowes. Wait a minute. They're all actors. Where are the radio people? How come these companies are using big-time Hollywood actors instead of real radio announcers with real radio voices? Because real radio announcers with real radio voices don't sound real. Ouch! That's gotta hurt.

RAP Forum: Downloading 1-hour Specials Off the Internet

...and just yesterday, a ONE HOUR special that we are to run this weekend was made available on an ftp site. No satellite feed, no CDR sent to us. It was only made available to us as MP3s on an ftp site. It took me over 1 hour and 15 minutes to download this monster, and then another hour to transfer it to a format we could play on the air.