Configuration of Radio Stations and Media Centres A practical guide to procurement of technical equipment for Community Media initiatives In cooperation with DaniCom & Niels Worsoe
Table of Content 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................2 2 TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS ...................................................................................3 3 2.1 General Trends .....................................................................................................................3 2.2 The Modern Radio Studio .....................................................................
1 INTRODUCTION UNESCO and other organisations, which support media development activities in developing countries, receive a steady flow of requests for support to community radio and community TV initiatives. Most of these applications do actually deserve support, but administratively it is very cumbersome to perform reasonable assessments of the proposals and particularly the technical parts of the applications.
2 TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS 2.1 General Trends Only a decade ago, professional or semi-professional audio and video equipment was highly specialised – and very expensive! The professional portable tape recorders used by most national broadcasters would cost more than 5.000 US$ and the studio equipment was even more expensive. Community stations would have to work with the cheaper cassette recorders, but even a decent quality cassette recorder would cost more than 1.000 US$.
tape recorder, a microphone, a CD player or any other sound device. Today such an interface is basically a built-in feature in most of today’s PC motherboards or the more professional one’s are installed as a PCI card in the computer or could in some cases be a small box with a number of sockets for earphones, microphones etc. Prices vary but good quality in/external sound cards can be found at prices from 100-150 US$. Fig.
Still many cables with expensive plugs are used in a radio studio, but that is about to change. At the moment different companies are experimenting with using the Ethernet protocols in both the studio and transmission environment in order to avoid all the many different cables. Using Ethernet you just have one net cable with cheap plastic plugs between the different pieces of equipment (See www.telos.com). It has been possible for some time now to use digital mixers and digital cables.
The advantage of having a physical mixer is also that it will always be possible to broadcast even if the central computer breaks down – which it will do occasionally! Once the sound files are inside the computer, one will need editing software to process the recordings. There are several different brands, and some are designed primarily for stand-alone computers, while other programmes are more suitable for networking several workstations in a bigger radio station.
The only real disadvantage is that recordings from a consumer MD cannot be transferred directly to a computer although the sound is basically a computer file. The manufacturers are trying to limit illegal copying of music and this construction of the MD is one of the ways of complicating the copy process. Unfortunately it also complicates copying of people’s own recordings, so the reporters will have to play the recordings into the editing computer in real time.
moving parts that can break. This does not mean that they cannot break – because probably they will at some stage like all other electronic equipment. But they will not break as a direct result of working in dusty or humid conditions like the old analogue equipment has a tendency to do. The problematic side of modern digital equipment is that it is practically impossible to repair, if or when it breaks down.
The professional broadcasters do however also use the Mini DV format, which has become the standard video format for private users. A high-end DV camera operated by a professional camera man can produce footage, which live up to the highest profession standards and even amateurs can produce broadcast worthy material with this kind of small cameras.
The Village Radio Station is a station built around a small mixing console with a PC with simple and free "On-air" and editing software and a 30 watt FM Stereo Transmitter. This station operates on a daily basis with ability to transmit from a few hours daily to 24/7. The operating range is up to 25km. Price range up to 10.000 USD. The Community Radio Station is a station with one On Air and one Production Studio. 100 to 1.000 Watt FM Stereo Transmitter with an operating range up to 50 km.
3.1 The Micro Radio Station A radio station in its most simple form is a microphone connected to a transmitter, and there are hundreds of self-build kits for the ingenious technician. These primitive transmitters vary much in performance and technical standards, sop they will not be considered in this manual.
FM Walkman MICROPHONE HEAD PHONE FM Transmitter Audio Mixer Antenna Fig.12: Diagram of the Micro Radio Station, example 1 Example 2 In this example the Micro Radio Station is a PC with a built-in FM Transmitter PCI card. The output of the PCI card is connected to a so-called booster amplifier of 5-15 Watts, and the booster is connected to the Vertical FM Transmitting antenna via a cable. A headset (headphones and a microphone) is connected to the PC. Fig.
MICROPHONE Headset HEAD PHONE Computer With built-in PCI Card FM Transmitter Antenna FM Booster Amplifier Fig.14: Diagram of the Micro Radio Station, example 2 This PC Micro Radio Station is capable of broadcasting music and other sound files 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a smaller area with a coverage radius of approx. 5 km. 3.
It can be upgraded any time by using the existing equipment as the basic structure. You will just have to add more computers and/or more field recording equipment and maybe refine the software. In the recommended basic configuration the total price is approximately 7.800 US$. This price includes everything except a transmission mast. The basic set-up is a small analogue-mixing console equipped with loud speakers, headphones and microphones.
community radio stations, and it costs around 300 US$. For free CoolEdit Pro training see www.bbctraining.com. Fig.17: User interface of Adobe Audition Considering the limited budget for the Village Radio Station we recommend the Maycom MP3 Reporter kit with Compact Flash memory for interviews and recordings in the field (www.maycom.nl).
Latest development is the www.worldvibrations.com radio station in a box. An almost complete radio station built like a computer. Basically it is like any other custom built PC with radio station automation software. This WVRS need normal additional equipment like mixer, mics, headphones and speakers. However the WVRS is built and configured with integrated soft/hardware 100% for radio and is absolutely noiseless. WVRS is to be released the spring of 2004 at a price of 2.500 USD. Fig.
STUDIO TELEPHONE LINE CONTROL ROOM FM Transmitter DISTRIB AMP MICROPHONES Antenna AUDIO MIXER On Air P4 PC Portable MP3 Rec. HEADPHONES MICROPHONE LOUD SPEAKER HEADPHONE AMP WoldSpace Sattelite Receiver LOUD SPEAKER LOUD SPEAKER LOUD SPEAKER HEAD PHONE FM Receiver Community Radio Station Fig. 20: Diagram of the Community Radio Station Also in this configuration a PC with radio play-back and editing software is connected to the mixing console.
Reporter Kits for interviews and recordings in the field. Considering the modest budget for the Community Radio Station and the MP3 capacity of the PC software we recommend 4 units of MP3 Reporter kits with Compact Flash memory for interviews and recordings in the field (www.maycom.nl). It is easy to operate and edit on the MP3 recorder, and recordings can be transferred directly into the studio or the production computer.
The production facilities are centred around a small speaker studio, which is linked up both to the production studio on the one side and the combined control room/on-air studio on the other side The speaker studio has a window to both the on-air and the production studio in order to maximise communication during recording. PRODUCTION STUDIO MIC BOX B Patch Bay Telos CD CASETTE PC STUDIO ON AIR STUDIO CONTROL B A Rack OB LINK RECIEV.
3.4.2 The On-Air Studio The On-Air Studio has a standard mixing console with 4 microphone inputs plus 2 telephone and 6 stereo line input modules as well as control and talkback facilities between control room and studio. The studio is equipped with professional double CD players, cassette deck, 2 telephone hybrids, monitor speakers, FM Tuner, and Output Sound Processor. We have selected the renowned modular built AEQ BC 500 Mixing Console for this purpose.
the computers in the station and store the material in the central server. Then the programme host can find it at any time and play the programmes from the computer in the on-air studio. It should be noted that all these professional systems work only to its full potential in combination with professional sound boards from Digigram (www.digigram.com), Audio Science from www.bsiusa.com or Luna from www.creamware.com.
3.4.3 The Production Studio The production studio is designed for recording and editing of more complicated radio programmes than a normal PC editing platform can handle. It could be documentaries, music, radio dramas or discussions around a table in the speaker studio. The production studio could also be used for TV postproduction. Fig.
FM Transmitter For the Regional Radio Station we recommend a 2.000-watts stereo FM Transmitter from RVR, Italy. The transmitter is 220/110 volts mains supplied via an APC UPS handling 5000 VA for voltage safety. The transmitter is connected to an 8-bay omni-directional dipole broadcast antenna, which raises the total output gain by 10,2 dB bringing the actual output signal to the equivalent of 10.000 Watts ERP.
3.5 Special Radio Stations In remote rural areas or in regions hit by natural disasters or war the local infrastructure may be damaged or destroyed to an extent, which makes normal broadcasting impossible. For these purposes, a number of companies have developed different plug-and-play radio stations. One example is the Ramsey PXB35 “Radio Station In A Box”.
The Marantz PMD 670 recorder is a professional CompactFlash memory recorder. The optimum choice for those Radio stations willing to spend more money. In this manual we have selected this recorder or the Regional Radio Station. For details see www.marantz.com. A good professional bag for the Marantz is highly recommended since its vinyl case is not for professional fieldwork. Fig.30: Marantz PMD670P CompactFlash Recorder Fig.
And do not forget to mark the cables with a numbers in the other end in order to save fowl-up time in set-up situations. Too many unprofessional recording units arrive in 20 different plastic bags and something is always missing. Microphones, microphone stands, cables and all other single items with no attachment in one end must have their specific and marked place in a flight case. And the boxes must have a detailed list of content inside.
Box number 5 Foldout tripod for pump-up mast Box number 6 RVR Antenna and antenna cable See Chapter 4 for detailed prices and types. JBL Control 1 Loudspeaker JBL Control 1 Loudspeaker UPS Multi Cable Denon Reciever Amp. Mackie Mixing Console Mixer Flight Case Laptop PC or Denon CompactFlash Recorder SHURE Wireless reciever 200 GB Firewire Ext.
Chapter 4 should only be considered as reference points. Please check out systems and prices in your own area since they can vary a lot worldwide. Many transmitter companies also manufacture FM Broadcasting antennas, while others only produce antennas. And some companies manufacture both antennas and masts, while some only make masts. When we use the word “masts” we talk about fixed masts and pump-up mast from 5 to 40 metres. Above this height, we use the term “towers”.
3.10 Portable Video Recording Systems (ENG) When the renowned film director Steven Soderberg (known from “Traffic” and “Ocean’s Eleven”) made the movie “Full Frontal”, much of this film was shut by Soderberg himself using a Canon XL-1 miniDV Camcorder which now costs 3.100 US$. Later all recorded material was transferred to a Mac G4 Macintosh computer for editing with the software Final Cut Pro, which costs 899 US$.
Wireless Microphone Systems Adding a wireless microphone system to the camcorder greatly enhances the options for getting good quality sound. A microphone fixed to the main character in your programme gives good and clear recording no matter where he/she moves. The wireless system is normally a so-called diversity system for best pick-up with the transmitter built-into the microphone or placed in a pocket size device.
3.10.2 Digital Camcorders The digital camcorders, which are interesting for community or regional media centres, come in three different systems: The DVC Pro format developed by Panasonic, the DVCAM from Sony and the mini DV format supported by all manufacturers. Today all systems in the relevant price range record on tapes, but hard disc recording is about to become just a common for video as is already the case for audio.
Panasonic DVC Pro system Most DVC Pro camcorders are in a price range, which is prohibitive for community media centres except the Panasonic AJ-D410AE DVCPRO Camcorder. It gives high quality digital component recordings at a price of 4.683 US$. Fig.41: Panasonic AJ-D410AE DVCPRO Camcorder Sony DVCAM system Sony developed the DVCAM system and there several good camcorders are available. The Sony DSR-PDX 10P DVCAM Camcorder at 2.263 US$ is the cheapest DVCAM on the market.
Other popular DV cameras from Panasonic are the new version of the best-selling DVX100E, the Panasonic AG-DVX100 AE mini DV camcorder with Leica optics at 3.860 US$, and the AGDVC200E DV Camcorder with Firewire output – price 3.340 US$ Fig.46: Panasonic AG-DVX100 AE mini DV Fig48.: JVC Studio DV CamcorderGY-DV550U Fig.47: AG- DVC200E DV Camcorder JVC also makes a variety of DV cameras (see list in Chapter 4.
3.11 Video Editing Systems on PC and Mac For postproduction/editing of video material there are several popular systems, but we will concentrate on video editing software for standard Windows PC’s and the Apple Mac computers. There are several software systems, and your choice will depend on your needs and your budget. All are digital non-linear editing systems, and for several years they have represented state of the art software in the price range below 999 US$.
3.11.2 PC Hardware Most modern standard computers are able to handle the video editing programmes, but we recommend a Dual TFT 17” Monitor Dell Dimension 8300 PC with a P4 2,8 Ghz Processor, Intel chipset and120Gigabyte Hard Disc installed with Matrox Paraphelia 750 VGA card. It should be noted that for absolute top performance most companies recommend a Dual processor PC from Dell or Hewlett-Packard with minimum 3.0 GHz Xeon P4 Processor.
Fig. 51: TFT Images from Matrox Dual head VGA Card AVID systems The Avid editing system is one of the most popular systems in the professional TV production field and it cost well beyond our limit of 999 US$. It is, however, in place to mention that Avid has marketed a light version for news reporters so they can record and edit material directly from a DV Camera into a Laptop PC.
The IMovie system is a standard software, which is included in the Mac G4 computer starting at 799 US$ including the computer. The Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro packages require a Mac G4 or preferably even a Mac G5. If you want top of the line, the MacG5 Dual processor is the choice – this is the fastest PC editing platform at all of all mentioned in this manual. A single processor Mac G5, with 2 TFT 17” monitors and Final Cut Express 2 can be found at 3.
4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICES This chapter contains detailed list of the proposed equipment for the various packages, but it is essential to stress once again that prices vary all the time, and some products disappear and others emerge. Thus, the lists must only be taken as suggestions – individual items can be freely interchanged with other similar equipment, which might be cheaper or easier to find in your local area. UNESCO MICRO RADIO STATION Example 1 www Brand www.behringer.com www.
UNESCO VILLAGE RADIO STATION www Brand www.yamaha.com www.behringer.com Yamaha Behringer www.behringer.com Behringer Behringer www.behringer.com www.altoproaudio.com Alto D&R www.d-r.nl www.soundblaster.com Creative www.behringer.com Behringer www.proelgroup.com Proel Cable Connector www.proelgroup.com www.dell.com Dell www.altoproaudio.com Alto www.apc.com www.worldspace.com www.worldspace.com APC WorldSpace WorldSpace www.maycom.nl Maycom www.behringer.com www.bswusa.
www.itelcast.com www.itelcast.com www.itelcast.com Itel Itel Itel www.apc.com APC APC CS 350 FM Stereo Transmitter Itel 30 watt transmitter Omni-directional Transmitting antenna Antenna cable 50 meters 1 1 1 1.700 120 300 1.700 120 300 UPS 350 VA 1 100 100 Total Transmitting system TOTAL VILLAGE STATION 40 2.220 7.
UNESCO COMMUNITY RADIO STATION www Brand Type Studio Equipment Mixing Console with w. studio switch, built-in tel. hybrid Studio 1" capsule condenser Microphone Qty. Price USD Total 1 4 3.100 120 3.100 480 1.000 35 144 100 130 45 2.000 210 144 100 130 180 275 275 1 1.200 100 2.400 100 9.119 1 1 300 50 300 50 350 4 4 4 470 90 75 1.880 360 300 2.540 1 1 1 1 4.900 1.021 300 100 4.900 1.021 300 100 6.321 18.330 www.aeq.com www.behringer.com AEQ Behringer BC 312 TSM 87 www.behringer.
UNESCO REGIONAL RADIO STATION www Brand Model No. www.aeqbroadcast.com www.rodemic.com www.denon.com www.denon.com www.telossystems.com www.proelgroup.com www.behringer.com www.behringer.com AEQ Roede Denon Denon BC-500 NT 1 DNC-630F DN-770R Telos Proel Behringer Behringer Telos one ST232, 23850 HPM 1000 HA 8000 www.behringer.com www.behringer.com www.verbatim.com www.neutrik.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.apc.
www.denon.com www.revox.com www.verbatim.com www.neutrik.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.apc.com www.dell.com Denon Revox Verbatim Neutrik Proel Proel Proel Proel APC Dell www.dell.com www.creamware.com www.audiovault.com www.3com.com www.minolta.com Dell Creamware BE 3COM Minolta www.behringer.com www.minolta.com www.apc.com Behringer Minolta APC www.matantz.com www.shure.com www.behringer.com www.portabrace.
www.altoproaudio.com www.shure.com www.shure.com Mackie Shure Shure DFX 12 BG 6.1 UT2458 www.dell.com www.maxtor.com www.denon.com www.jbl.com www.proelgroup.com Dell Maxtor Denon JBL Proel Inspiron 5100 Firewire HD DRA F100 CONTROL 1 www.proelgroup.com www.skb.com Proel SKB MC 1 FC 1 www.skb.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.apc.com SKB Proel Proel APC FC 2 FC 3 C1 CS 350 www.rvr.it www.clarkmasts.com www.clarkmasts.com www.skb.com www.proelgroup.com www.proelgroup.com www.
www.rvr.it www.rvr.it www.rvr.it www.apc.com RVR RVR RVR APC SU5000RMI5U 2.000 watts Stereo FM Transmitter, 10.000 Watts ERP RVR FM Stereo Transmitter 2000 Watts Antenna 8-bay Dipol system Including 150 m. 7/8 Cellflex cable and connectors UPS 5000 VA 5U Rackmount Total Transmitter 1 1 150 1 17.500 5.100 3.600 2.750 17.500 5.100 1.200 2.750 26.550 98.488 3.389 180 323 460 3.389 180 323 460 240 240 159 159 4.751 999 999 3.760 3.
EXAMPLES OF TV/VIDEO EDITING SYSTEMS www.apple.com www.apple.com www.maxtor.com www.apple.com www.apple.com www.lge.com www.maxtor.com www.canopus.com www.matrox.com www.dell.com www.maxtor.com www.matrox.com www.dell.com www.maxtor.com Apple Apple Maxtor Apple Apple LG Electronics Maxtor Canopus Apple Final Cut Express Video edit Final Cut Express 2, Software Laptop PC Power Book Firewire HD + HD 2 x 200 GB + Firewire box Total USD 299 1.700 410 2.
www.pinnaclesys.com Pinnacle Dell www.dell.com Maxtor www.maxtor.com Pinnacle DeLuxe System Video edit Studio AV/DV DeLuxe, Software, PCI card, breakout box PWS 360 2,8 GHz P4. 2 x 17"TFT Monitor DVD RW. Audigy Firewire HD + HD 2 x 200 GB + Firewire box Total USD 376 2.800 410 3.586 www.pinnaclesys.com Pinnacle HP www.hp.com Maxtor www.maxtor.
Digital Video Cameras www.sony.com www.sony.com www.sony.com www.sony.com www.sony.com www.sony.com www.sony.com www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.jp www.canon.com www.canon.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.
www.walkart.net www.walkart.net www.cool-lux.com www.frezzi.com www.Lowel.com www.smithvictor.com www.bescor.com www.antonbauer.com Swit Swit Cool Lux Frezzolini Lowel Smith Victor Bescor Anton Bauer www.schactler.com www.vinten.com www.libec.co.jp www.manfrotto.com www.sony.com www.slik.com www.slik.com www.velbon.com www.velbon.com Schactler Vinten Libec Manfrotto Sony Slik Slik Velbon Velbon www.sony.com www.sony.com www.jvc.com www.jvc.com www.panasonic.co.jp www.panasonic.co.
List of Radio Station Products and Manufacturers www Brand www.altoproaudio.com www.behringer.com www.alesis.com www.mackie.com www.behringer.com www.aeq.es www.alice.uk www.d-r.nl www.sonifex.com www.audioarts.com www.autogram.com www.arrakis.com www.seemaudio.com www.studer.ch www.yamaha.com www.fostex.com www.tascam.com www.roland.com www.axeldigital.com www.aev.
PA Systems www.califone.com www.bswusa.com www.fender.com www.fender.com www.proelproaudio.com www.fbt.com www.bswusa.com Califone Mackie Fender Fender Proel FBT JBL www.d-r.nl. www.telos.com www.sonifex.com www.jk-audio.com D&R Telos Sonifex JK Audio www.akg.com www.shure.com www.rode.com www.behringer.com www.audiotechnica.com www.sennheiser.com www.electrovoice.com www.sony.com www.beyer.com AKG Shure Inc. Rode Behringer Audio Technica Sennheiser Electrovoice Sony Beyer www.akg.com www.sennheiser.
www.behringer.com www.tcelectronics.com www.altoproaudio.com www.innovonics.com www.ramseykits.com www.verinica.co.uk www.orban.com www.apple.com www.dell.com www.hp.com www.compaq.com www.creative.com www.ibm.com www.asus.com www.msi.com www.united.com www.sony.com www.denon.com www.tascam.com www.panasonic.co.jp www.fostex.com www.superscope.com www.studer.ch www.revox.com www.akai.com www.tascam.com www.stanton.com www.denon.com www.technics.
www.digidesign.com Digital Portable Field Recorders FlashDisc FlashDisc FlashDisc DAT, Minidisc muiltitrack Minidisc Minidisc PCM CIR HD Operating systems and basic PC Microsoft Basic win 2000, XP,ME, NT, 2000 Server, Office. LINUX Basic Operating system, Red Hat Radio and sound edit software Winamp Sound play Play back sound files and Play list. Radiohost Onair etc. Automatic and live Jazler Onair etc. Automatic and live Audioenhance Onair etc.
Soundcards www.soundblaster.com www.terratec.com www.creamware.com www.steinberg.com www.rme.com www.digigram.com www.yamaha.com Creative Terratec Creamware Steinberg RME Digigram Yamaha www.proelproaudio.com www.neutrik.com www.switchcraft.com www.delron.com Proel Neutrik Switchcraft Delron Soundblaster LIVE, Audigy 1, 2, Extigy. LUNA, VSL 2020 HDSP Series XLR Plugs, cables and patch bays Microphone stands www.proelproaudio.com www.k-m.de Proel Konig Meyer www.ramseykits.com www.itelcast.com www.
www.ramseykits.com www.aldena.com www.itelcast.com www.armstrong.com www.dbbroadcast.com www.vhfteknik.se www.andrew.com www.radiostructures.co.uk www.clarkmasts.com www.racal-antennas.com www.radiostructures.co.uk www.worldspace.com FM Transmitting Antennas Ramsey Kits Building instructions for "do it yourself people" Aldena Low to medium power, medium cost Itel Low to medium power, medium cost Armstrong Low to High Power.
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