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Feature:
Getting the Most Out of Your Listeners
By Steve Pigott
One of the essential rules in radio
imaging is not to let your production get stale. This, I know is easier
said than done, and sometimes its hard not to get stuck in formality.
How can you make your station sound different from the competition? Were
all constantly trying to re-invent the wheel and trying to come up with
something new, however there is one simple idea that is often forgotten:
Listener Endorsement.
Interview:
Terry Thompson, Waitt Radio, Omaha, Nebraska
By Jerry Vigil
If youve been in radio long enough, youve seen the transition from
the analog days to the digital era. Youve seen computers popping up in
practically every room in the station. Cart machines are history.
Typewriters and tape are a thing of the past for the most part. But are
you really using todays technology to its fullest? Terry Thompson
recently took the job as Production Director at Waitt Radios 8-station
cluster in Omaha, Nebraska (market rank #74). It didnt take Terry long
to discover that his 12-hour days were due in part to a lot of wasted
time, time which he reclaimed by implementing a production system designed
for efficiency. The results were dramatic. Terry outlines his system in
this months RAP Interview and even offers to help you do the same. And
check out his demo on the RAP CD for a sample of the caliber of work his
department is able to produce given the much needed extra time and
re-organization.
Test
Drive: BIAS SoundSoap Pro
By Steve
Cunningham
I do a fair amount of remote recording. Now while that
sounds exotic, it usually isnt anywhere close Im in a conference
room recording a group of business types having a roundtable discussion,
or in a furniture store interviewing the owner in the hopes of getting a
useable sound bite for a spot, or in some other equally pedestrian
environment. Unfortunately, background noise is a constant companion in
these situations. Refrigerators, air conditioners, noise from air movement
in the room, cell phones ringing (of course), noisy cables, and electrical
hum are just a few of the noise criminals that can plague an otherwise
great remote recording. Those background noises have got to go, but
without trashing whats left or leaving any nasty audio droppings in its
wake. Early last year I reviewed Waves Broadcast and Production bundle,
which includes their four Restoration plug-ins. This month we look at BIAS
SoundSoap Pro, a plug-in for both Mac and Windows that combines the four
basic noise-reduction processes into one plug.
Feature:
Starting a Business
By Neil Holmes
Starting a business? What is it going to
be? Not voiceovers or copywriting or music scheduling, but a sole
proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Heres a look at the
different forms of business. (Remember, laws vary from state to state, so
talk to a lawyer and accountant about the advantages of each for your own
situation.)
Radio Hed:
In Praise of Print
By Jeffrey Hedquist
Print is a wonderful advertising medium. Really. Im
including newspapers, magazines, direct mail letters, brochures, coupons,
doorknob hangers, postcards, matchbook covers, email and web sites in this
category. You can do things in print you cant do as effectively on
radio.
Production
212: Sound is Sound
By Dave Foxx
Being creative isnt always about writing a funny
scene or making a fabulous new sweep effect. Sometimes, its just
getting the point across in a promo or spot, in spite of the fact that the
writer gave you two minutes worth of copy. Sometimes it has more to do
with urging a cranky old workstation to perform beyond its normal
capabilities. Creativity is finding a way to do something out of the
ordinary. Most importantly, creativity does NOT reside in your console or
workstation.
Q It
Up: The RAP Network
Speaks
What path does your
production order travel?
This months Q It Up subject matter is related
to this months interview. We thought it would be interesting to hear
how other stations handle the production order.
Q It Up: What path does your station(s) production order travel?
Who originates it, where does it go, and where does it wind up? Describe
the paper trail, or the "paperless" trail if your system is on
computer. Tell us about any aspects of your system that you think are
particularly helpful for your situation.
(Have a question you'd like to see submitted to the RAP
Network? Email it to jv@rapmag.com.
Thanks!)
Feature:
Writing in Color
By Ric Gonzalez
Let me first say that I drive a Toyota. Camrys are
dependable stylish and roomy. They have power windows, power locks, power
seating adjustments and all the stuff other pricier luxury cars have. And
Ill also tell you that I like Miller Lite. Occasionally Ill have an
Irish beer like Harps or maybe a Rolling Rock. But most always I order a
Miller Lite. That said, I was getting dressed one Saturday morning and the
TV was on in the background. I dont even remember what station it was
on. But then I heard a pleasant sounding voice-over. It went something
like this, "Behind thema snippy matre d and a wilting Caesar
salad." He pauses for a bit and I hear silence and maybe some light
background music. I stopped shaving and stepped back to look at the
screen.
...And
Make It Real Creative:
By Trent
Rentsch
Yeah, weve grumbled about them over the years. Threw
our coffee mugs over them, ran red lights and endured speeding tickets
because of them, even cried in our beer over them. And yet, for all of the
teeth gnashing and tears, weve never really hit the target. Yes, of
course there are many enemies to our Creative! But no enemy is worse than
the one we face in the mirror every morning.
The
Monday Morning Memo:
Different Strokes for Different Folks
By Roy H. Williams
Ever wonder how some people can love an ad that you
hate with a purple passion? Even the best ads miss the mark by a mile with
at least half their target audience. Ads are like music; a distinctive
style and message that repulses some listeners will attract others like
bees to honey. These are the ads that work wonders. Worthless ads are the
ones crafted so as not to offend anyone.
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