School Radio Playout Software

[brad82]

Hi All,

 

One of our sixth formers is trying to push to get a school radio set up. I've been set the task by the powers that be to try get a quote on a decent studio priced up. I've got quite a bit of experience in studio work previously so that's something I'm rather well versed in, so im looking to do that all on my own steam.

 

They've come across Myriad V4 to use as the playout software but the price of a licence is making my budget ache, upwards of £3k for the licence! I've only got a budget of £6k to work with to transform my dingy old office into a studio so as always trying to claw back pennies where I can.

 

I was wondering if any of you guys have a similar set up in your school and what you use? One of the media academies down the road from us does but their team are very protective over what they use.. grr!

 

Cheers!

[plexer]

There are plenty certainly cheaper than that http://www.zarastudio.es/en/

 

Ben

[soveryapt]

Check out Rivendell. I'm just building an RSL studio with it at the moment that will be on air over Easter. Being Linux based it's 1) free 2) can be run on older hardware without worrying too much.

 

Rivendell Project Home Page

 

If you want a bit further information or anything, feel free to ask and I'll see if I can help out at all. If not, I'll ask my colleague who's been working on it too.

 

EDIT:

 

P.S. We chose Rivendell over Myriad V3 which we had licenses for as the kit we're using comes from a now deceased Community Station.. We felt it better suited the needs of our station..

 

P.P.S. The station is down in Manchester, so I'm sure (if you wanted to make the couple of hour drive / train ride) I could arrange sometime for you to see it.

 

The nice thing about Rivendell is it has all the features of a station. The other option you do have is (if you either have Macs or don't mind buying one) is MegaSeg MegaSeg which is a really nice piece of kit with great little scheduling features. I use it for DJing or event music production when I'm doing that sort of thing and it's pretty much faultless, though for a studio complex setup so you can work on schedules remotely, Rivendell would be your better choice.

Edited February 15, 2013 by soveryapt

[garethm]

Have you had a look at schoolradio.co.uk ? It's Psquared (Myriad) - but it's a total plug and play solution!

They're also VERY reasonable... they're really nice people to deal with too - really helpful!

[brewerd]

I can second schoolradio.co.uk, we have one of their mobile studio setups and it is a brilliant piece of kit, and came with a good training session.

[GrumbleDook]

I would also look at Broadcaster Desktop School Radio Station for some more ideas too ... including education training

[john]

@Soulfish has a Radio Station in his school so could be worth tapping up

[Soulfish]

@Soulfish has a Radio Station in his school so could be worth tapping up

 

And ours is a very nice system from the very nice people at schoolradio.co.uk

[glennda]

@mdench is involved in a thing like this at his school. They have a studio they stream to the internet from and also broadcast on FM once or twice a year.

 

http://www.radioweald.co.uk

[RTi]

Have you looked at Clyde Broadcast?

 

we have this setup Synergy Bronze Digital Radio Studio Package by Clyde Broadcast

 

It's really good, the kids love using it.

[mdench]

Use zararadio on a pc connected to the desk to play podcasts, recordings, music etc with another pc taking the outputs of the desk and using windows media encoder to encode and push the stream out through a windows broadcasting (can't remember the name of it) which then gives us a feed on the internet for people to look at. we only broadcast on FM once a year (money and license dependent) using a FM encoder and broadcaster with the antenna now mounting on the tall building in the school.

 

The joys of it is filling out all the ofcom paper work to let you broadcast on the air with the correct frequencies and wattage power rating of the antenna.

 

If you want some more info im sure I could pass you on the details of the member of staff who runs the radio station and im sure he would be able to explain any of the process' better than i can.

[tungst3n]

Have you looked at Clyde Broadcast?

 

we have this setup Synergy Bronze Digital Radio Studio Package by Clyde Broadcast

 

It's really good, the kids love using it.

 

One of my schools have got a SRadio setup from Clydebroadcast - Installed into school easy, connected to schools PA system and Teachers/TA/Students have been using it for the last 5 months. The school does a mixture of live and recorded shows.

[tonywilding]

Having been involved in radio since 1979, I recommend Station Playlist pro editions. For freebies use Zararadio (Windows) Rivendeill (Linux).

[tonywilding]

Having been involved in radio since 1979, I recommend Station Playlist pro editions. For freebies use Zararadio (Windows) Rivendeill (Linux).

 

Further reading here:http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tony33hill/radio.htm

Now retired from radio but you are welcome to message for free advice.

[tonywilding]

Further reading here:http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tony33hill/radio.htm

Now retired from radio but you are welcome to message for free advice.

Updated the article as a first step guide to starting a school or youth radio project.

[tonywilding]

Here's a thought, rather than setup a radio station for pupils. Turn ithe project into an educational task and let them do it.

 

Plenty of scope for involvement. Starters

IT/Computing refurbish a PC, networking, programming, web design.

Media posters, magazine web design, artwork, literature.

Music composing music for jingles

Business studies, funding the station

 

Get the idea?

 

Need help with the studio itself, ask here.

[garethm]

Creating a school radio station certainly used to fit really nicely into PSHE sessions - improving your local environment?

(Guess what I did as my project back in secondary school!)

[RadioGeek]

You could try synergyschoolradio, their packages start at under £5000 and you won't need to renew your license, or support contract. Their software updates are also free of charge. Could be worth a look.