Industry News

The author of this tech tips commentary is director of sales engineering for RCS.

Zetta is a modern enterprise piece of radio automation software build by RCS, the worldwide leader in radio software, that can ingest mp3, wav and AAC files, convert them to a default audio format, automatically set the trim in, time out and segue points, and nondestructively normalize all audio with pitchless stretch and squeeze.

Needless to say, it’s a very powerful piece of software that can cater to any broadcaster.

So let’s dive into five things you may not have known that you can do in Zetta.

1.) Starting with customizing your Zetta user experience, did you know that users can have their own layouts, color schemes, attributes, and Library folders, and Administrators can control their staff with proper user right restrictions?

Configure Zetta the way you interpret Zetta. Create multiple layouts — one for on-air and another for production.

Users can define their own asset types (see above) or folders within the Library:

Configuration | System | Asset Types

as well as their own custom fields, like an “Outcue for Spots”:

Configuration | System | Custom Fields

For Administrators, define a user Role and Organization, then assign it to a specific User:

Configuration | Roles, Organization, Users

2.) What about integration? The majority of RCS products can make live, real-time updates within Zetta.

Users can automatically send their Aquira traffic log to Zetta with Aquira Sync, remotely broadcast live with Revma’s Conference App and keep your library and schedules in sync with 100% live GSelector Music Scheduling integration. Maximize your staff’s efficiency by adding audio, metadata and schedule changes — including live reconciliation, which are instantly reflected in GSelector or vice versa.

Users are no longer forced to make a change in automation and then repeat the process for your music scheduler.

3.) Zetta also allows markets to stay connected and share assets with Site Replication or Z-Cast. Simply put, think of Site Replication as a “pull,” in which users can share audio and metadata.

If Market A would like to be in sync with Market B, then we would configure Site Replication. If Market A merely wanted to send Market B certain audio, like spots, then they could utilize Z-Cast, which acts as a “push,” sending Market B Market A’s audio and metadata.

4.) As we continue to develop remote workflows, Zetta is equipped with Zetta2GO. It’s not an app or a download from an app store but a simple URL.

Zetta2GO allows users to continue to control the on-air product, broadcast live, add audio, make changes to the schedule and voice track from any device that has access to the Internet and proper securities, like a VPN.

Is your company limited on studio space? While in the office, quickly access Zetta2GO from any desk or have your production director work from home, importing mass audio files that are instantly available in your Library while your talent is safely broadcasting from the studio. Start with a Location:

Configuration | System | Location

and create a Zetta Auto Import folder:

Configuration | System | Auto Load

5.) Next, it’s time to talk about the cloud, specifically, Zetta Cloud Based Disaster Recovery.

Available now, create a next level of redundancy by automatically backing up your audio, metadata, schedules and SQL backups directly to the Cloud. Zetta Cloud is not a Virtual Machine, but rather designed using Amazon Web services, following best practices and securities.

When a disaster strikes — be it a natural disaster like a fire or flood or a malicious cryptoware attack —users can quickly pivot to Zetta Cloud and enable the sequencer from their phone, getting your product back on the air, allowing your staff to properly assess the situation.

Meanwhile, programmers can continue to control the air product, voice track and add new audio. When the disaster has passed, disable Zetta Cloud and return to normal operations.

Shortly, users will also be able to bypass their VPN, voice track from Zetta Cloud Based Disaster Recovery and the asset will properly land in your local Zetta Library.

Between user customizations, integration, market synergy, remote workflows and embracing the future of the Cloud, it’s easy to see why Zetta is a modern, flexible, and powerful piece of radio software.

Radio World welcomes product tips, best practices and other articles to help readers get the most out of their product investments. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post 5 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Do in Zetta appeared first on Radio World.

The author is with law firm Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, on whose blog this article originally appeared.

On Sept. 4, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission released a Public Notice laying out the procedures governing the filing of requests for waiver, reduction, deferral, and installment payment plans for the 2020 regulatory fees.

As we explained in a blog post regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s Report and Order announcing the 2020 regulatory fee methodologies, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic the Commission has streamlined its procedures for requests for relief due to financial hardship.

Unfortunately, while filing for relief is easier, it appears that the bar remains high in order for regulatees to receive relief from their regulatory fee obligations. On the other hand, the Commission has lowered the bar for getting an installment plan and has waived the usual 10% down payment requirement.

Requests for waiver, reduction and deferral for financial hardship

As in past years, a request for waiver, reduction, or deferral of the 2020 regulatory fees based on financial hardship must be filed on or before the regulatory fee payment deadline – Sept. 25, 2020.

The request must be accompanied by (1) either full payment of the regulatee’s 2020 regulatory fee amount or a request to defer payment; and (2) financial documentation demonstrating the financial hardship of the regulatee.  In order to demonstrate financial hardship sufficient to justify the request, the regulatee must show that it lacks sufficient funds to pay its 2020 regulatory fees in full while maintaining service to the public.

Generally, financial documentation sufficient for grant of such requests include:  tax returns, a balance sheet and a profit and loss statement (audited if possible), 12-month cash flow projections, and a list of officers and highest paid individual employees with each person’s compensation.  In light of the pandemic, the Commission is loosening its interpretation of financial documentation and is also accepting banking and investment audit records, accounting ledgers and journals, and loan documents – including balances owed.

For individual regulatees (as opposed to businesses), the Commission is now accepting: wage statements; documents demonstrating non-wage income; real estate valuations and mortgage documents; bank, credit card, and loan statements; account numbers and balances for all cash accounts and investments; and monthly income and expense summaries.

As in the past, waiver requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and only granted where extraordinary circumstances warrant relief. The FCC has been exceedingly stingy in recent years, rarely, if ever, granting relief. We shall see if the pandemic creates sufficient circumstance to soften that position.

Requests for installment payment plans

Requests for installment payment plans for 2020 regulatory fees also must be filed by Sept. 25.  Such requests must include financial documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the regulatee cannot pay its 2020 regulatory fees in full by the deadline.  The Commission will work with regulatees on a case-by-case basis to determine what financial documentation is necessary to file such requests.

The Commission, however, will not grant installment payment plan requests unless the regulatee:  (1) executes an installment payment agreement; and (2) resolves all outstanding debt to the FCC – which may include:  full payment of the debt, payment of a reduced amount, curing all defaults under existing installment payment plans, and/or combining existing installment debt into the 2020 regulatory fee installment payment plan.  For granted installment payment plan requests, the FCC will ease its typical payment terms, including the reduction of the installment interest rate and waiver of the 10% down payment requirement.

Red Light Rule waiver

As we discussed in a previous article regarding the 2020 Regulatory Fee Report and Order, the Commission is waiving its “red light rule” to permit regulatees owning money to the FCC to file requests for waiver, reduction, deferral, and installment payment plans for 2020 regulatory fees.  In the Public Notice, however, the Commission notes that the waiver of the red light rule is limited to requests filed on the basis of financial hardship and installment payment plan requests – requests for waiver, reduction, and deferral filed on a basis other than financial hardship by regulatees on “red light” will be dismissed.

In order to grant appropriate requests for relief from 2020 regulatory fees for regulatees on “red light”, the regulatee must satisfactorily resolve all outstanding debt to the Commission – which may include:  full payment of the debt, payment of a reduced amount, curing all defaults under existing installment payment plans, and/or combining existing installment debt into the 2020 regulatory fee installment payment plan.

Filing of requests

All requests for relief from 2020 regulatory fee obligations may be combined into a single request and filed via email, along with the necessary supporting documents, to the following email address:  2020regfeerelief@fcc.gov.

Should you have any questions regarding requests for waiver, reduction, deferral, or installment payment plans for 2020 regulatory fees – or wish to make such a request – please contact your attorney.

The post FCC Releases Guidance on Requests for Fee Flexibility appeared first on Radio World.

iZotope has launched the latest edition of its long-running audio repair and enhancement software with the release of RX 8, introducing a variety of new features for recording, podcasting, post and broadcast pros. The company has also released RX Post Production Suite 5, and announced the upcoming launch of Music Production Suite 4.

All three versions of RX 8 — Advanced, Standard and Elements — have notable updates. Exclusive to Advanced is the new addition of Spectral Recovery and Wow & Flutter. Spectral Recovery restores frequencies above 4 kHz, helping turn bandwidth-limited audio into clearer, more articulate recordings. Meanwhile, Wow & Flutter corrects pitch variations and fluctuations associated with tape, vinyl and optical transfers. Wow can be used to fix longer, sustained pitch drift, while Flutter is intended for use correcting pitch variances that occur at faster rates.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

New to both Advanced and Standard versions of RX 8 are Loudness Control and Guitar De-noise. Loudness Control loads preset loudness targets, helping users conform production audio to broadcast requirements, and monitor levels using the built-in numeric and history plot readouts for integrated, short-term and momentary loudness. Guitar De-noise aids in the removal of unintended sounds like electrical amp noise, string squeaks and the like.

All three versions now sport a 32 audio tab limit, and have the addition of horizontal scrolling built into the Spectrogram Display. Additionally, the Music Rebalance and Batch Processor features in both Advanced and Standard have been updated.

iZotope has also released RX Post Production Suite 5, which includes RX 8 Advanced, Dialogue Match, Neutron 3 Advanced, Nectar 3 (with Melodyne 5 essential), Insight 2, RX Loudness Control, Relay, Symphony 3D and Stratus 3D by Exponential Audio, and Tonal Balance Control 2, plus a one year all-access pass to Groove 3, a video training tool.

Additionally, the company announced that Music Production Suite 4 will ship this fall, which will include RX 8 Standard, Ozone 9 Advanced, Neutron 3 Advanced, Nectar 3 (with Melodyne 5 essential), Insight 2, NIMBUS by Exponential Audio, and Tonal Balance Control 2. Those that have purchased Music Production Suite 3 after Sept. 2, 2020 will receive a free upgrade to Music Production Suite 4.

All three versions of RX 8 are being released with reduced introductory pricing — Elements ($99); Standard ($299); and Advanced ($999). RX Post Production Suite 5 has an introductory price of $1,499.

Info: www.izotope.com

The post iZotope Releases RX 8 Audio Repair Software appeared first on Radio World.

The author is with Griffin Communications in Oklahoma City, Okla.

I saw Mark Persons’ two articles this year on “Best Practices for AM Directional Systems.”

I too have used silicone to lubricate contactors, but I found over the years that often it collected dirt and dust in the contacts and sometimes just didn’t seem to really fix the issue with sluggish contactors.

I was able to fix a particularly troublesome contactor by switching to a dry lubricant using graphite because it wouldn’t get “gummy” over time.

WD40, CRC and Blaster offer aerosol delivery of graphite dry lube. It delivers via liquid and then evaporates, leaving the dry lubricant behind.

Submit letters to the editor at radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Letter: Lubricating Contactors appeared first on Radio World.

Stan Walbert is CEO and marketing director of MultiCAM Systems. The company uses an AI algorithm to choose the best video camera presets based on who is speaking, then emulates how a human operator would switch. A longer version of this appeared in the Radio World ebook “AI Comes to Radio.”

Radio World: What does the term “artificial intelligence” mean for your company and its products for the radio market?

Stan Walbert: Radio stations are now considering themselves as “content creators,” and they need to be able to deliver content in the most interesting form for their audience. Nowadays that means video first, in an increasing number of cases.

Since people don’t have the resources to do everything by themselves, they need to rely on AI to help create natural-looking video that engages the audience. The AI must act as a human would do to make the content interesting. The shots must look natural. What stations really need to avoid is setting up something that is boring with very few shot angles, or something where the shots are jerky in movement.

[Related: “AI Will Help the Industry Reinvent Itself”]

There is a big difference between dummy algorithms, macros and scripts, and AI. AI is the only one that can provide videos that make the show look natural. When you watch stations that use MultiCAM to create their visual experience, you will find you end up focusing on the video content and not the fact that it is “video for radio.” That is because of the AI, because it helps the station create something that you would normally need an entire camera crew and director to create.

Our stations are content creators, no matter what format they are providing. This technology gives radio stations a major “assist” into extremely well-produced video content.

RW: How is this different from other products or technologies on the market?

Walbert: There is no other product that uses AI for visual radio. MultiCAM is the only company that uses AI for visual radio. Our AI reproduces what directors are doing when they produce live videos. This is based on our experience of being in broadcast production for over 10 years; that is how we came up with the AI for this.

RW: Give an example of how the use of this AI changes the workflow for a typical user of your products.

Walbert: With MultiCAM radio, you can create entire programs without additional staff needing to be involved in any of the day-to-day workflow. This is groundbreaking technology because it allows radio stations to compete for content creation in both video and audio areas. In the past without our technology, there may have been a static camera shot or a few camera movements. The novelty of that wears off quickly.

In my opinion, what we are producing with automated almost works better than someone being there could. The reason for this is that AI allows the cameras to respond immediately; and frankly, no human could keep up with that. AI allows the station to avoid what we call “Aquarium visual radio.” This is where it is a static shot.

RW: Describe the development process.

Walbert: We spent a lot of time thinking about how we ourselves did this in our production work. For example, we would never as humans pick two shots with the same angle to follow each other. We emulated the rhythm of how a director would act, and we implemented that. We studied this extensively because we ourselves are from the broadcast production background, so we have looked at how these shots are made. We combined that with our knowledge of robotics and automation.

We are at the very beginning of where this technology can take this industry.

The post How AI Helps Create Natural-Looking Video appeared first on Radio World.

Broadcast Bionics Camera One is a new visualization system that the company says will enable radio stations to quickly and easily create live video streams and shareable video clips at an affordable price.

Camera One uses an HTML5 browser interface for setup and operation It offers automated camera switching, graphic generation, recording, streaming and sharing. Automated camera switching is governed with an algorithm that follows conversation.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

Graphics can be created automatically from social media messages, album art, and RSS feeds for news, travel and weather. Live streaming can be provided to YouTube Live, Facebook Live and Periscope.

The Camera One application runs on a PC or Virtual Machine, is easy to install, easy to maintain and extremely powerful to use. It is compatible with Blackmagic ATEM Mini (4 Cameras) and ATEM Television Studio (8 Cameras) Switchers.

Info: www.bionics.co.uk

The post Visualization From Broadcast Bionics appeared first on Radio World.

Codec maker Tieline is pointing to new FTP features for its ViA IP codec/recorder.

The company says that ViA can simultaneously record and play back audio files so that users can create a podcast on the go while live at a remote, or record a post-game show, including post-game interviews and sponsor messages. All in the field without entering or contacting the home studio, Tieline says.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

The ViA has an onboard SD card for recording and storing prerecorded segments, clips, music and more. It also has an onboard mixer.

The onboard FTP allows for direct uploading of recorded material straight to the studio or transmission hub.

Info: www.tieline.com

The post Tieline Pitches ViA for Podcasting appeared first on Radio World.

The IP-4c from 2wcom is a four-channel rackmount codec.

With multiple channels it can feed more targets than the typical two-channel codec. According to 2wcom besides a standard codec it can be a streaming/transcoding encoder working with new media targets such as a CDN; aid FM or web streaming; and a gateway for DVB transport with cable or satellite distribution. It can operate in unicast, multiple unicast or multicast modes.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

It supports major digital protocols such as AES67, Dante, Ravenna, WheatNet and Livewire+. Error correction schemes include Pro MPEG and streaming redundancy along with audio failover options.

For operation and transcoding G.711, G.722, MPEG1 Layer 2, MPEG2 Layer 3, AAC-ELDv2, Opus, Ogg Vorbis, PCM, Enhanced aptX are onboard. xHE-AAC and Dolby E and Digital plus are optional.

Program synchronization is achieved with synchronization is achievable by NTP, PTPv2 (Precision Time Protocol) and 1PPS (1 Pulse Per Second).

The IP-4c can be remotely operated with a web interface. There is also a server software version for cloud networking operation. An FM tuner option is available for monitoring signal functions.

Info: www.2wcom.com

The post 2wcom IP-4c Has Many Faces appeared first on Radio World.

As the United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is important to hail the critical role that radio continues to play towards the achievement of sustainable development especially in Africa.

Indeed, radio in Africa is doing outstanding job of keeping people informed and engaged in different aspects of life including governance, development, social integration and peace.

Radio has been important in the implementation of a new set of global goals — Sustainable Development Goals that world leaders adopted in September 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly. These SDGs establish the framework for joint global action on poverty, inequality and climate change until 2030.

[Read: Africa’s Youth Making Waves on Radio]

Use of radio in the implementation of SDGs has improved engagement of people and different actors, and hastened the attainment of the goals.

In his message to mark the World Radio Day this year, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recognized radio as a powerful communication tool and low-cost medium that has played an important role in efforts to promote development and peace.

“Even in today’s world of digital communications, radio reaches more people than any other media platform, conveys vital information and raises awareness on important issues” the U.N. chief said, adding that “As we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, radio has a key role to play as a source of information and inspiration alike.”

Different studies show that radio is still the dominant mass medium in Africa with the widest geographical coverage and highest audience. At present, African’s news and information-seeking behavior seem to depend mainly on radio.

Indisputably, radio remains a major source of news and entertainment in Africa. Over the years, radio has proven itself as a developmental tool, particularly with the rise of community and local radio outlets that broadcast content that is popular and relevant to the listeners.

Radio is important for people in Africa. In some cases, radio broadcasting provides a vital lifeline — broadcasting news and new ideas and transmits essential information into people’s homes, villages, schools, hospitals and workplaces among others.

One of the best examples of how radio has been used especially for peace building is the Democratic Republic of Congo. The second-largest country in Africa had been mired in conflict for decades and is still recovering but thanks to efforts from different actors including a United Nations peacekeeping missions radio station that has been offering vital information about peace and development, the future is brighter.

Radio Okapi has millions of listeners and is widely credited for having helped unify the country, smoothing the political transition, and contributing substantially to citizens’ participation in elections and peace processes.

In this time of coronavirus crisis, Okapi has been providing education via radio — on-air classes aimed for the 22 million children stranded at home because of COVID-19.

As the UNICEF Representative in DRC Edouard Beigbeder noted and it is true, education is a right and a child’s place is in school so distance learning like what Radio Okapi is providing offers students the opportunity to enjoy this right.

In other parts Africa, radio programs have become an effective tool to help fight extreme poverty. Radio is used creatively for anything from education to campaigning to community building. It is a low-cost way to relay information to remote communities and vulnerable people.

In Mali community radio stations have been useful in efforts to enhance life in poor regions. Radio Daande Douentza, serving a semi-arid region where most of the population consists of poor farmers or herders, broadcasts and transmits announcements of development issues, education and community news along with entertainment.

According to Save the Children Fund, before Radio Douentza’s launch a mere 6% of the local farmers were marking trees and managing naturally occurring harvest varieties. Since the establishment of agricultural programming, that figure has climbed to 44% among the same group of farmers. Furthermore, radio announcements helped to bring about an increase in enrollment in literacy courses by 120%.

Tanzania has one of the most vibrant media landscapes. Radios has proved to be effective in providing access to developmental information, especially to the majority of the population who are not connected to the electric grid, those who do not own televisions, or those who lack access to mobile phones.

Community radio broadcasters like Lake FM, Hits FM, Ice FM and Mkoani FM provide opportunities for more inclusive sustainable development. They inform people about what is going on in their community and in the world.

Similarly, radio is still the most popular source of news and information in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas. According to Media Institute of Southern Africa in Zimbabwe, radio serves as a convenient information-sharing platform that is more popular and easily accessible than other media.

Public, commercial and community broadcasting are all important because they can serve different audiences and needs. However, community radio stations are still to be licensed and legally recognized in Zimbabwe — there is strong case being made — for the licensing of community radio stations, to ensure that marginalized communities are effectively included in national conversations that take place on national publicly owned radio stations such as Radio Zimbabwe, Classic FM, Power FM, and National FM.

In Togo, where the media industry has been experiencing a boom since the 1990s, local radio stations have continued to be a powerful means of communication, particularly to smallholder farmers located in remote rural places.

In Benin, radio access has improved educational performance and literacy. Radio access, studies found, has a substantial effect on children’s educational performance. The literacy scores of school going children are significantly higher in villages with greater access to community radio.

Radio can enhance accountability and public provision. Citizens who are more informed about the benefits of public policies could use this knowledge to demand greater benefits from government. Greater radio access increases household exposure to information and about government provisions — the exposure potentially increases citizens demand for government services.

A key feature of media markets in northern Benin is the proliferation of community radio stations. These stations were established with the support of private and government donors to promote democracy and local collective action.

In Malawi, most people rely on radio as their primary source of news because they do not have access to television or newspapers. As such, radio has played a critical role in educating and informing rural communities across the country.

Also, radio stations like Nkhotakota and Mzimba have improved governance and development in Malawi. Radio programs have been instrumental in raising ordinary people’s awareness to existing problems and influencing them to do something about their situation.

As Canadian Journalists for Free Expression has remarked, radio continues to be a widely used medium for reporting both local and international news. Advances in technology may have led to the emergence of a broad range of media outlets and platforms, but it has also made the radio more accessible for populations that lack access to other means of information technology, which is why it is still very much relevant today.

Radio broadcasts can provide real-time information, 24 hours a day to provide the most recent updates to listeners. Stations have the ability to reach across borders and become a source of information where reliable news is scarce. When access to the internet is blocked and phone lines are cut, people can still search the airwaves for trustworthy sources. Even electricity is not a necessity with battery operated and hand-cranked radios available.

Radio is a vital lifeline for many people and it is integral to development. It is one of the most important channels through which people in Africa find information, knowledge and new ideas — imagine and solve problems.

Raphael Obonyo is a public policy analyst. He has served as a consultant with the United Nations and the World Bank. Also, he’s a writer and widely published in Africa and beyond. An alumnus of Duke University, he has authored and coauthored numerous books, including Conversations about the Youth in Kenya. Obonyo is a TEDx fellow and has won various awards.

The post Radio Promotes Development in Africa appeared first on Radio World.

The Society of Broadcast Engineers’ Ennes Educational Foundation Trust has awarded five scholarships for 2020. The recipients were chosen from applications received by July 1, 2020, from the previous 12 months.

The Harold E. Ennes Scholarship, Robert D. Greenberg Scholarship, John H. Battison Founder’s Scholarship and newly created Gino Ricciardelli Scholarship are awarded to individuals interested in pursuing or continuing an education in broadcast engineering and technology. The Youth Scholarship is specifically for a graduating high school senior interested in broadcast engineering as a career. Each scholarship awarded this year is for $2,500.

[Read: Wayne Pecena Re-Elected SBE President]

SBE President Wayne Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB, CBNE, said, “The SBE has an ongoing focus on education, and the Ennes Scholarships are yet another piece of the overall education effort. We look forward to seeing the great progress of these five budding engineers as they further their education goals with the assistance of the Ennes Educational Foundation Trust.”

Recipients of the scholarships are:

• Harold E. Ennes Scholarship — Chris Gamelin of Middletown, Conn.;
• Robert D. Greenberg Scholarship — Jon Sanelli of Albertson, N.Y.;
• John H. Battison SBE Founder’s Scholarship — Ismail Otu, CRO, CTO, Charlotte, N.C.;
• Gino Ricciardelli Scholarship — Sadie Levy, New York.;
• Youth Scholarship — Isaiah Dickson, Brookhaven, Pa.

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