"The objective of broadcast operation is to deliver content to your listener in the best possible way."
| Consistent peak levels of -5 to +1 on analogue broadcast consoles, and -18 to -12 on digital consoles, will generally produce an acceptable average audio level. |
BROADCAST OPERATION
by Marc Lansdorp & Sharyn Peacocke
The first thing most broadcasting newcomers are taught is how to operate the studio equipment. To many, this is scary stuff indeed.
In reality, once you get the hang of it, operating the gear is the easiest, most straightforward part of broadcast presentation. It is also the single most important aspect of any radio program, because without it there is no program.
Painstakingly prepared, potentially excellent programs can be destroyed in seconds by sloppy presentation. So how do you ensure that your programs are well presented from an operational perspective?
1. Understand how individual pieces of studio equipment work.
2. Learn how they operate in unison.
The objective of broadcast operation is to deliver content to your listener in the best possible way. The manner in which "best" is achieved will depend to a certain extent on the type of program. However, the following apply in every situation.
LEVEL - the electrical equivalent of volume or loudness
It is essential to send a correct and consistent average audio level to the transmitter. Very low average levels will be poor in quality and difficult to hear. Very high average levels can sound distorted. Consistent peak levels of -5 to +1 on analogue broadcast consoles, and -18 to -12 on digital consoles, will generally produce an acceptable average audio level.
That said, it is not necessary to compensate for very low level passages within, say, a classical music track, even though they may be almost inaudible.
Also, if you find yourself constantly adjusting levels, you are being too fussy. Most stations will have some sort of processing device installed between the studios and the transmitter to compensate for minor operator errors.
