Various requests

[marcolino]

Hi, first of all, congratulations on the truly excellent software, as well as the support.
I'm considering purchasing more licenses for my radios, but I'd like some feedback on features we use frequently. I'll list them all in one post, apologizing for any translation errors.
1) Would it be possible to zoom the track in fullscreen while editing?
2) Would it be possible to have the editing timings not in hundredths but in thousandths of a second for greater precision when aiming? (Example: 3.05.335).
3) Would it be possible to choose one or more tracks that can act as a "test mix" on the track being edited (not in the editor below)?
4) Would it be possible to have the DSP (example: Stereo Tool) not on the main output but directly on the streaming output, perhaps using the software's virtual sound card?
5) I can't figure out how to program time signals with pre-recorded tracks and backing tracks/jingles, either before or after the time announcement. Can you help me?
6) I can't figure out how to program news broadcasts with pre-recorded spoken tracks and backing tracks to add in the background, obviously with start and end credits, and I check whether the news file is present or not (in which case the software should remove the news itself from the events).
7) Is interfacing with Music Master possible like with other systems? In addition to importing the playlist (where an ID is required, and exporting the fields for newly added or modified songs) and also reconciling the broadcast. I also need to figure out how to import/export the database with the fields needed by Music Master.
8) Is it possible to set "emergency" clocks in case there are any issues with playlist reading?

Thanks for your help!
Marco

 

[matteolop]

Hi, I'll try to answer some of your questions.
Always expect approval from the staff.


1) Do you use TrackTool? If so, expand the entire window to full screen and use maximum zoom for better control.
3) No, this feature doesn't exist yet.
4) You can use virtual cables and send the "main mix" audio to the external RadioCaster encoder.
And then insert DSP Stereo Tool from there. Or use Stereo Tool Stand Alone and use virtual cables and built-in encoder.
8) Yes. Settings, go to "Silence Detector" and choose the option that's most convenient for you.
In short: upload an emergency playlist (which you should do first—I suggest covering at least the next 24 hours)
if you encounter problems generating the playlist or encounter excessive silence, etc.

 

[marcolino]

Hi, thanks for your initial responses.
Regarding the track tool, the maximum I can achieve is this waveform size (so half the screen), and then, as you can see from the pointer, it's not possible to expand the trace in detail for accurate aiming.

 

[matteolop]

At the moment it is the maximum zoom

 

[djsoft]

In addition to matteolop's answer:

2) Would it be possible to have the editing timings not in hundredths but in thousandths of a second for greater precision when aiming? (Example: 3.05.335).

Due to the zoom limit, I don't think it will be possible to take advantage of such a precision.

5) I can't figure out how to program time signals with pre-recorded tracks and backing tracks/jingles, either before or after the time announcement. Can you help me?

You can create a scheduled event with multiple actions, adding all necessary intro/outro tracks: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/scheduling_playback.htm

6) I can't figure out how to program news broadcasts with pre-recorded spoken tracks and backing tracks to add in the background, obviously with start and end credits, and I check whether the news file is present or not (in which case the software should remove the news itself from the events).

Adding background music (bed) is possible using the file types: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/using_different_types_of_files.htm
Checking if the news file exists and not airing the event, is possible using the playlist generator: add necessary categories to handle intro, outro and news itself. On the Settings tab, enable the "On error, create an empty playlist" - this way, if there's no news file, entire playlist will be empty so no intro/outro either.

More about the playlist generator: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/using_playlist_generator_pro.htm
To schedule it to run automatically: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/automatic_playlist_generation.htm

Regarding the track tool, the maximum I can achieve is this waveform size (so half the screen), and then, as you can see from the pointer, it's not possible to expand the trace in detail for accurate aiming.

There are technical reasons for this limitation. Maybe this will be fixed in the next updates, but for now I can't tell when it's going to happen.

 

[marcolino]

OK, and Music Master / Test Mix ?

There are technical reasons for this limitation. Maybe this will be fixed in the next updates, but for now I can't tell when it's going to happen.

Music Master

 

[matteolop]

I don't think it's about this kind of function.

 

[djsoft]

OK, and Music Master / Test Mix ?

There's no such feature, if needed, you can create a separate playlist tab and test the mixes there e.g. using the Segue Editor.

 

[marcolino]

The test mix is essential for correctly verifying whether the set points are perfectly aligned "in time." Opening a dedicated playlist to check a single element is a complicated and counterintuitive operation, which is why all track editors for all playouts have this feature.
I'm not sure if you intend to support it for Music Master, given that it's now a worldwide standard for many playouts.
Regarding the time signal, it would be better to manage "single-track" files with hours and minutes in the same file, because separated on the air would give an unrealistic effect; this is how we do it with our playout.
Finally, for editing: it's really complicated to set a marker if the track isn't expanded in detail. Thanks for the replies.

 

[matteolop]

The test mix is essential for correctly verifying whether the set points are perfectly aligned "in time." Opening a dedicated playlist to check a single element is a complicated and counterintuitive operation, which is why all track editors for all playouts have this feature.

I agree with this as well, and would love to see a similar feature in future releases.

 

[matteolop]

Finally, for editing: it's really complicated to set a marker if the track isn't expanded in detail. Thanks for the replies.

I never set the markers entirely manually; I'm now used to the automatic points it places based on the start/end dB threshold you set in the settings.
For the mix point, use the intelligent tool in MusicLibrary, choose a dB value, and it sets it automatically.
Finally, I only move the intro, end, and fade out points (if necessary).

 

[matteolop]

I'm curious to ask the staff about this: I find MusicLibrary's "Process Tracks" more effective and precise when working with WAV files.
And slightly less so when working with MP3s. Is that true, or is it just my impression?
Can you check just in case?

Here are my settings: LUFS -16, MIX -14, TRIM SILENCE YES (as per settings)

As soon as I get back, I'll send you a video or attach the tracks.

Thanks

 

[djsoft]

The test mix is essential for correctly verifying whether the set points are perfectly aligned "in time." Opening a dedicated playlist to check a single element is a complicated and counterintuitive operation, which is why all track editors for all playouts have this feature.

RadioBOSS has the Segue Editor where you can preview how the mixes will play: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/segue_editor.htm

Regarding the time signal, it would be better to manage "single-track" files with hours and minutes in the same file, because separated on the air would give an unrealistic effect; this is how we do it with our playout.

It is supported, if your files are named including hour and minute, using the file name templates, you can start them, e.g.:
C:\Time\?hh-?mm.mp3 (change the path and actual file name to match your naming structure).

More about the file name templates: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/scheduler_options.htm

Finally, for editing: it's really complicated to set a marker if the track isn't expanded in detail. Thanks for the replies.

This improvement (more zoom) is planned for the future updates.

 

[djsoft]

I agree with this as well, and would love to see a similar feature in future releases.

This can be done in the Segue Editor already. I don't think it will be added to Track Tool as it makes little sense there. And, RadioBOSS is mostly designed for automatic mixes, Track Tool/Segue Editor is mostly for occasional mix edits and settings points like Intro etc.

Finally, I only move the intro, end, and fade out points (if necessary).

This is how Track Tool is supposed to be used.

I find MusicLibrary's "Process Tracks" more effective and precise when working with WAV files.
And slightly less so when working with MP3s. Is that true, or is it just my impression?

It can be, because seeking in an MP3 file is not as exact as in a WAV file. Music Library (and RadioBOSS in general) tries to deal with it, but still sometimes there can be minor problems.

 

[marcolino]

This can be done in the Segue Editor already. I don't think it will be added to Track Tool as it makes little sense there. And, RadioBOSS is mostly designed for automatic mixes, Track Tool/Segue Editor is mostly for occasional mix edits and settings points like Intro etc.

Sorry to insist, but the segue editor is different everywhere.
The segue editor is used to perfectly set the tracking within a sequence in the playlist.
Track tracking in the track tool is a different matter, assuming you want to track the object as precisely as possible.
Not all users can/want to set tracking on a song-by-song basis with the segue editor.
Are there any options for interfacing with Music Master?

https://musicmaster.com/docs/nexus_api/

 

[marcolino]

This can be done in the Segue Editor already. I don't think it will be added to Track Tool as it makes little sense there. And, RadioBOSS is mostly designed for automatic mixes, Track Tool/Segue Editor is mostly for occasional mix edits and settings points like Intro etc.

It's a matter of perspective, but saying it doesn't make sense seems excessive to me. So why do all software programs have a "mix test" built into the track tool if it doesn't make sense? In reality, it's essential, because it helps you establish the best possible alignment by testing it, thanks to a specific file of your choice that goes "into the loop" to eliminate inaccuracies in the mix point.

 

[djsoft]

Track tracking in the track tool is a different matter, assuming you want to track the object as precisely as possible.

What end result needs to be achieved? Because it seems that adding this feature is like merging Track Tool and Segue Editor together. Because "Test mix" will require presence of 1-2 more tracks (to mix with) and you need to set mixing parameters for those tracks as well, as well as choose the tracks themselves in the first place - this is what Segue Editor already does

Are there any options for interfacing with Music Master?

No, I'm sorry.

but saying it doesn't make sense seems excessive to me. So why do all software programs have a "mix test" built into the track tool if it doesn't make sense? In reality, it's essential, because it helps you establish the best possible alignment by testing it, thanks to a specific file of your choice that goes "into the loop" to eliminate inaccuracies in the mix point.

I'm sorry I meant it doesn't make sense based on how RadioBOSS is designed, and that is automatic crossfading. Track Tool does allow you to test certain points like End, Fade In/Out, Voice Insert, so you can see how they perform.

I think the core issue here is that you try to work with RadioBOSS like you used to work with the other software and this may not be the best approach. Depending on what mixing you want, you can try and see how the automatic mixing works. Maybe use the Process Tracks feature: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/process-tracks.htm - it will initially set the mixing points automatically, and you can leave them or use them as a base to work with and make minor adjustments in Track Tool.

 

[marcolino]

Yes, I completely understand that you can't start with another software and ask it to behave the same way. However, what I'm trying to make clear is that certain functions are the same in any broadcast software. The segue editor is used to fine-tune mixes during a live broadcast, changing mix points, and not to prepare tracks in automatic mode. Therefore, if you want optimal mixing results, you need to plan a test mix with any track you want for the test, both for mix-in and mix-out. Imagine how difficult it is to use the segue editor to check the crossfading of a track you're working on; you'd have to exit the track tool and create a separate playlist for each track you insert!
The automatic crossfading is well done, but an experienced user can't always rely on automatic crossfading and wants to customize the ins and outs in the mixes of each individual track.
Regarding Music Master, I understand your decision, but not opening up to that world is very strange, when everyone is supporting it, even if not in real time, but with manual database import/export functions.

 

[matteolop]

I think the core issue here is that you try to work with RadioBOSS like you used to work with the other software and this may not be the best approach. Depending on what mixing you want, you can try and see how the automatic mixing works. Maybe use the Process Tracks feature: https://manual.djsoft.net/radioboss/en/process-tracks.htm - it will initially set the mixing points automatically, and you can leave them or use them as a base to work with and make minor adjustments in Track Tool.

I agree, and that's what I've been doing with my radio for four years.
It sounds very accurate on the air, and I have no complaints at all.
From a second now, RadioBOSS has also allowed me to simulate the live broadcast and experiment to "feel" how the work turned out.
With RadioBOSS, you have endless possibilities... you just have to put in the effort and find them, and you'll always find a way (personal opinion).

 

[matteolop]

It's a matter of perspective, but saying it doesn't make sense seems excessive to me. So why do all software programs have a "mix test" built into the track tool if it doesn't make sense? In reality, it's essential, because it helps you establish the best possible alignment by testing it, thanks to a specific file of your choice that goes "into the loop" to eliminate inaccuracies in the mix point.

Do you mean something like this?
I have this track that starts "strong" on the kick, for when I have to edit sweepers, jingles, and stations.

Maybe it would be nice to see something similar on RadioBOSS, even the fade curves on individual songs.