TWiRT 390 - Live from NAB 2018

Live from NAB 2018! Some of the hot topics at NAB this year: A microphone war story with Michelle Levitt, Frank Foti with the Chairman’s view, Will Mashione on efficient Local radio, Alex Hartman talking about the future of touchscreens, and a wireless broadband alternative with John Bohn.

TWiRT 389 - Public Radio Engineers at NAB

The Association of Public Radio Engineers hold their conference each year, just before the big NAB Show in Las Vegas.  It’s called the Public Radio Engineering Conference (PREC). The PREC is a terrific opportunity for engineers to learn the latest tech, brush up on fundamentals, and get some hands-on experience during the Night Owl session.

Topics: Broadcast Engineering, audio

New Clipper and More in Omnia.11 Broadcast Audio Processor Update!

When it comes to getting listeners to tune in all day long, great sound is what matters most. But with technology moving at breakneck speed, hardware can become outdated quickly, with many manufacturers requiring you to purchase a whole new processor once technology is improved, quickly rendering their own products obsolete. Omnia engineers are always looking for ways to supercharge their processors with improvements and features that benefit all users. Instead of making customers buy a whole new processor, Omnia offers free and low-cost software upgrades, actually making customers’ machines better over time, paying dividends on customers’ investment in Omnia processors.

Topics: broadcast audio processor

Letting Go of the Intercom Matrix

Why is it so hard to let go? There are always those few that are eager to jump to their next relationship, the next fashion, and the newest technology. We might envy them when it works out well, and secretly congratulate ourselves for waiting when it doesn’t. Eventually, though, the good ideas do tend to win out, and almost all of us do finally let go of S-VHS and Windows XP when we are sure that the cost and risk are acceptable, and the benefits will be real. Today, it’s time for broadcast intercom to let go of the matrix.

Topics: Infinity, Intercom, Telos Allilance, TV Solutions Group

TWiRT 388 - Open Broadcaster with Rob Hopkins

Low-budget and community broadcasters are using free, open-source software to run many aspects of their broadcast operations.  Take a listen to CJUC-FM, for example.  Using local PCs or cloud-based operations, community stations can air quality programming, with either local or remote hosts. They can also fulfill both the letter and spirit of emergency broadcast requirements.  Audio and video streaming are important aspects as well. Rob Hopkins, founder of Open Broadcaster, joins Chris and Kirk to talk about the possibilities and and what Yukon broadcasters are doing right now with this technology.

Topics: Broadcast Engineering, audio

Radio Solutions for Streaming Audio: How to Create the Stream of Your Dreams

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), streaming audio revenue has grown by more than 1,000% over the last decade. With the popularity of smart speakers and similar devices, the expectation is for streaming revenue to continue to climb, opening up a great opportunity for broadcasters.

Topics: Streaming Audio, broadcast streaming, Z/IPStream

TWiRT 387 - Studio & Show Lighting with Brett Gilbert

More of us radio engineers are being called upon to provide adequate lighting for new venues.  Many stations are building live performance studios. Others are putting cameras in the control rooms.  Whether it’s for a live audience or a video camera, talent needs good lighting to be seen - in a good light.  Brett Gilbert with iHeartMedia in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been lighting up stages since high school. He shares a couple decades of hands-on knowledge with Chris Tobin and Kirk Harnack.

Topics: Broadcast Engineering, Streaming Audio, audio, audio quality

AES67, AoIP, and Virtual / Cloud Broadcasting Sessions at NAB 2018!

In addition to showing exciting broadcast tools, the Telos Alliance demonstrates its continued commitment to keeping broadcasters up to speed on the latest concepts and technologies with several important educational sessions at NAB 2018.

Topics: Telos Allilance, NAB 2018

A Walk Down the Aisle with BGS at NAB 2018

As a longtime Telos Alliance dealer, our friends at Broadcasters General Store (BGS) are among the many members of our extended family that we love to catch up with at NAB. We caught up with Dave, Kerry, and Kandice to get their thoughts on this year's show, and their experience at NAB over the years. 

Topics: Telos Allilance, Broadcasters General Store, NAB 2018

TWiRT 386 - Pirates and Snowcats with Nick Straka

Ahoy, matey! Thar be pesky pirates in New York, Boston, and Philly! Nick Straka is a contract and consulting engineer in the New York City area.  He builds and maintains licensed FM transmitter sites, plus he tracks down the pirate broadcasters who interfere with them.

Topics: Broadcast Engineering, Streaming Audio, audio, audio quality