What Kind of Education Do I Need for a Career in Radio?
If you’re thinking about a career in radio, you might be wondering what kind of education or schooling you need in order to get there. Perhaps you’ve even scoped out a few broadcasting schools to see if one of them is right for you. It’s enough to make you wonder how badly you really need that degree or certificate—and what your alternatives are.
There are several ways to go about this, but in general there are three paths of education you can take to prepare for a career in radio:
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Radio DJ
Knowing what you should get out of radio school is an important part of the school-scouting process. It may seem obvious at first--you want to get a degree! You want to gain some knowledge! But in fact, there are many other factors to consider as well. Nobody has to tell you that the job market is tough out there. Although the relatively new world of satellite radio has expanded the market in many ways, it's still a hard industry to break into, and these days it's more competitive than ever. Radio school is one effective way to give yourself an edge over the competition. But you need to be smart about it and make sure you're getting all you can out of the experience. Below are some of the things to consider when checking out different programs:
Recording Studio
What You Can Learn In a Recording Studio
There are lots of audio engineers who have gone to school to learn about recording and engineering; however, there's also many individuals that have bypassed school and learned the trade by interning at a local recording studio, eventually picking up enough skills to work as being an audio engineer, or even open their very own studios. Here is simply several of what you can learn in a recording studio:
Technical skills. Although you may start as being an assistant or even a "gopher", by hanging out the devices and communicating with them, you're going to be surprised at what you can know about it. Most engineers regards as you take an interest in their work, and so are more than willing to pass of what they've known. This type of mentoring is the greatest approach to learn. Along the way, you can learn not only how to run the devices, but also things like microphone placement, ways to improve acoustics, and much more.
There are lots of audio engineers who have gone to school to learn about recording and engineering; however, there's also many individuals that have bypassed school and learned the trade by interning at a local recording studio, eventually picking up enough skills to work as being an audio engineer, or even open their very own studios. Here is simply several of what you can learn in a recording studio:
Technical skills. Although you may start as being an assistant or even a "gopher", by hanging out the devices and communicating with them, you're going to be surprised at what you can know about it. Most engineers regards as you take an interest in their work, and so are more than willing to pass of what they've known. This type of mentoring is the greatest approach to learn. Along the way, you can learn not only how to run the devices, but also things like microphone placement, ways to improve acoustics, and much more.
Technical Radio Schools
A Brief Discussion On Technical Radio Schools
Technical radio schools are usually those that will help you master the technical side of radio. If you have plans on working on the tools and equipment utilized in the radio industry rather than being a talent then this kind of educational institution can be useful. Technical radio schools can teach you what you need to know about sound recording, engineering, the usage of hardware such as sound boards and microphones, and the software used in the industry today to start working instantly. You should consider if a traditional classroom environment would be the right place for you, or if you would learn more effectively through a non-traditional method.
Technical radio schools are usually those that will help you master the technical side of radio. If you have plans on working on the tools and equipment utilized in the radio industry rather than being a talent then this kind of educational institution can be useful. Technical radio schools can teach you what you need to know about sound recording, engineering, the usage of hardware such as sound boards and microphones, and the software used in the industry today to start working instantly. You should consider if a traditional classroom environment would be the right place for you, or if you would learn more effectively through a non-traditional method.Friday, January 7, 2011
Community Radio in Nepal
An Interview with Bharat Dutta Koirala published on BRIEFING DOCUMENT: COMMUNITY RADIO IN INDIA, Proceedings of an Internet Conference on The Hoot Interview by SEVANTI NINAN
Q: What is the current status of community radio in Nepal, how many independent stations are now running? Could you please give some names and locations.
Out of the 22 independent radio stations now operating in Nepal, four can be called community stations. The others are referred to as commercial stations but most of them have strong public service contents in their programming. Nepal's National Broadcasting Act does not provide clear distinction between commercial and community stations. The community radio stations are identified by their ownership and the power of the transmitters they use. Since license fees are based on the transmitter's capacity, from Rs. 50,000 for using a 100 watt transmitter to Rs.200,000 for using a 500 watt transmitter, the communities prefer to use low power (100 to 200 watts) transmitters since they have very limited financial resources. All of the private stations are on the FM band since the law specifies that private groups can operate radio stations only on the FM band.
Q: What is the current status of community radio in Nepal, how many independent stations are now running? Could you please give some names and locations.
Out of the 22 independent radio stations now operating in Nepal, four can be called community stations. The others are referred to as commercial stations but most of them have strong public service contents in their programming. Nepal's National Broadcasting Act does not provide clear distinction between commercial and community stations. The community radio stations are identified by their ownership and the power of the transmitters they use. Since license fees are based on the transmitter's capacity, from Rs. 50,000 for using a 100 watt transmitter to Rs.200,000 for using a 500 watt transmitter, the communities prefer to use low power (100 to 200 watts) transmitters since they have very limited financial resources. All of the private stations are on the FM band since the law specifies that private groups can operate radio stations only on the FM band.
Radio Station Information
This web section contains short information on the licensed or operational radio stations in Nepal. This includes the contact details and updates on new radio stations licensed by Ministry of Information & Communication.
Current Status
Broadcasting and wireless operation frequencies are issued by Frequency Division, Ministry of Information & Communication, Government of Nepal. The FM radio licenses are basically categorized and taxed according to their operational transmitter power. Officially, there is no other classification such as commercial or community radios.
Current Status
Broadcasting and wireless operation frequencies are issued by Frequency Division, Ministry of Information & Communication, Government of Nepal. The FM radio licenses are basically categorized and taxed according to their operational transmitter power. Officially, there is no other classification such as commercial or community radios.
History of radio broadcasting in Nepal
In Nepal, the first Radio station Radio Nepal was established in 1950. However, it can be estimated that even before 1950, the people had been possibly experiencing the taste of listening to the radio from the stations of neighboring countries. It is hard to say
when the people first started listening to the radio. But it can guessed that they have been listening to the radio for more than 75 years. India had already started broadcasting by 1923, and hence it is assumed that Nepalese working there certainly
listened to Indian radio broadcasts.
when the people first started listening to the radio. But it can guessed that they have been listening to the radio for more than 75 years. India had already started broadcasting by 1923, and hence it is assumed that Nepalese working there certainly
listened to Indian radio broadcasts.
Satellite Radio
Satellite Radio Broadcasting
Equal Access uses the Digital Satellite Radio infrastructure to directly reach the participating communities in rural Nepal. Digital Satellite Radio (DSR) has many advantages as a tool to provide education to underserved rural communities.
Equal Access uses the Digital Satellite Radio infrastructure to directly reach the participating communities in rural Nepal. Digital Satellite Radio (DSR) has many advantages as a tool to provide education to underserved rural communities.
- The satellite provides a crystal clear signal across a huge geographic area, providing equal service to rural and urban areas (a single beam of the satellite covers all of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka),
- The equipment required to receive the signal is relatively cheap and manufactured in the region (by BPL, Bangalore, India), requires little power supply (we use a mix of solar and battery power at rural sites) and strongly resembles a regular radio allowing communities to quickly understand and operate the system,
- The DSR Receivers are simple to use and we have found that only a basic technical training is required for communities to use the systems,
- The satellite system primarily carries audio content, a medium for education that builds on the established oral traditions of rural communities and which overcomes illiteracy, and
- As the receivers are also digital, they can be connected to a computer and used to download any form of data/multimedia such as WebPages, a written syllabus or an electronic text book at up to 64kbps.
FM Stations in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley
This web section contains a list of FM radio frequencies that can be comfortably tuned by a general handheld portable radio set. Additional frequencies can be tuned using a good quality radio set with high selectivity. Many radio signals from lower Tarai belt and surrounding districts can also be tuned comfortably in Shivapuri and surrounding areas.
Operational FM Radio Stations (as on March 15, 2008)
Kathmandu valley has the highest number of FM radio operators in the country with current status of operational radio stations as following:
Number of FM radio licenses issued: 36
Operational FM radio stations: 28
FM broadcasters with satellite uplink: 6 [#]
This web section contains a list of FM radio frequencies that can be comfortably tuned by a general handheld portable radio set. Additional frequencies can be tuned using a good quality radio set with high selectivity. Many radio signals from lower Tarai belt and surrounding districts can also be tuned comfortably in Shivapuri and surrounding areas.
Operational FM Radio Stations (as on March 15, 2008)
Kathmandu valley has the highest number of FM radio operators in the country with current status of operational radio stations as following:
Number of FM radio licenses issued: 36
Operational FM radio stations: 28
FM broadcasters with satellite uplink: 6 [#]
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Connectors
The most common connectors used by microphones are:
Male XLR connector on professional microphones
¼ inch (sometimes referred to as 6.5 mm) jack plug also known as 1/4 inch TRS connector on less expensive consumer microphones. Many consumer microphones use an unbalanced 1/4 inch phone jack. Harmonica microphones commonly use a high impedance 1/4 inch TS connection to be run through guitar amplifiers.
3.5 mm (sometimes referred to as 1/8 inch mini) stereo (wired as mono) mini phone plug on very inexpensive and computer microphones
Some microphones use other connectors, such as a 5-pin XLR, or mini XLR for connection to portable equipment. Some lavalier (or 'lapel', from the days of attaching the microphone to the news reporters suit lapel) microphones use a proprietary connector for connection to a wireless transmitter. Since 2005, professional-quality microphones with USB connections have begun to appear, designed for direct recording into computer-based software.
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| Electronic symbol for a microphone |
¼ inch (sometimes referred to as 6.5 mm) jack plug also known as 1/4 inch TRS connector on less expensive consumer microphones. Many consumer microphones use an unbalanced 1/4 inch phone jack. Harmonica microphones commonly use a high impedance 1/4 inch TS connection to be run through guitar amplifiers.
3.5 mm (sometimes referred to as 1/8 inch mini) stereo (wired as mono) mini phone plug on very inexpensive and computer microphones
Some microphones use other connectors, such as a 5-pin XLR, or mini XLR for connection to portable equipment. Some lavalier (or 'lapel', from the days of attaching the microphone to the news reporters suit lapel) microphones use a proprietary connector for connection to a wireless transmitter. Since 2005, professional-quality microphones with USB connections have begun to appear, designed for direct recording into computer-based software.
Microphone
Most microphones today use electromagnetic induction (dynamic microphone), capacitance change (condenser microphone), piezoelectric generation, or light modulation to produce an electrical voltage signal from mechanical vibration.
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| A Neumann U87 condenser microphone with shock mount |
A microphone (colloquially called a mic or mike; both pronounced) is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1876, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, tape recorders, karaoke systems, hearing aids, motion picture production, live and recorded audio engineering, FRS radios, megaphones, in radio and television broadcasting and in computers for recording voice, speech recognition, VoIP, and for non-acoustic purposes such as ultrasonic checking or knock sensors.
Most microphones today use electromagnetic induction (dynamic microphone), capacitance change (condenser microphone), piezoelectric generation, or light modulation to produce an electrical voltage signal from mechanical vibration.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Computer Science Programs
Computer Science Programs In America
Credential:
Bachelor of Science (BS/ SB)
Bachelor of Arts (BA/ AB)
Associate in Science (AS)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Diplomas/ Certificates
Program Length:
4 years for bachelor's degrees
2 years for associate's degrees
1-2 years for diplomas
12-52 weeks for certificates
Entry
Bachelor's degree - direct entry
Associate's degree - direct entry
Certificate - direct entry
Credential:
Bachelor of Science (BS/ SB)
Bachelor of Arts (BA/ AB)
Associate in Science (AS)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Diplomas/ Certificates
Program Length:
4 years for bachelor's degrees
2 years for associate's degrees
1-2 years for diplomas
12-52 weeks for certificates
Entry
Bachelor's degree - direct entry
Associate's degree - direct entry
Certificate - direct entry
Computer Science
New developments in computer science are needed in order to fuel advances in almost every area of our lives, from biotechnology to business, and from education to entertainment. That makes computer science one of the most exciting disciplines to study, where you can have an impact on real world problems. So, if you like strategy games -- chess, checkers, computer games -- or are good at math and enjoy pulling things apart, then a major in computer science may be for you! http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/ComputerScience.cfm
Radio Technician
Radio technicians are the behind-the-scenes technicians of radio broadcasting. They design, set up, operate and maintain equipment used for radio broadcasting. They repair radio equipment and transmitters and make sure that technical difficulties never arise. If your radio becomes muffled or dies, there is a radio technician working frantically to restore the sound over the airwaves.
Radio technicians mainly receive and transmit communications using a variety of tools. They are also responsible for repairing equipment using such devices as electronic testing equipment, hand tools, and power tools. These help to maintain communication systems in an operative condition.
Radio technicians mainly receive and transmit communications using a variety of tools. They are also responsible for repairing equipment using such devices as electronic testing equipment, hand tools, and power tools. These help to maintain communication systems in an operative condition.
Good Technician
These are the battle cries of our industry. But before you throw in the towel, hop in your truck and head off into the sunset, take another look at whether or not you really need more employees.
In some shops, the solution will turn out to be getting more production out of the technicians you already have. In other shops, the problem can actually be too many people on board. There is a guideline you can use to sort this out. Take your gross sales (minus sales tax) and divide by the number of production people you have. The resulting figure should be at least $12,500 per production person per month. Most shops should be in the $15,000 to $16,000 range. If you are a specialist, your numbers should be in the $20,000-plus range. If your number is a lot lower, you're not getting enough production out of the guys you already have.
In some shops, the solution will turn out to be getting more production out of the technicians you already have. In other shops, the problem can actually be too many people on board. There is a guideline you can use to sort this out. Take your gross sales (minus sales tax) and divide by the number of production people you have. The resulting figure should be at least $12,500 per production person per month. Most shops should be in the $15,000 to $16,000 range. If you are a specialist, your numbers should be in the $20,000-plus range. If your number is a lot lower, you're not getting enough production out of the guys you already have.
http://www.radiodiaries.org/handbook3.html
How to Write a Radio Script
Learning how to write a radio script is critical for proper execution of a radio performance. The script must include various cues for dialogue, music, and sound effects and be able to quickly and clearly communicate the writer's objectives to the cast and crew. Here is a guide on how to write a radio script.
Instructions:
1 Formulate a story idea. Outline your characters, plot, setting, conflict and resolution.
2 Write a narrative of the story. Put the "meat" of the story on the bones of your outline. Always keep the limitations of radio in mind. You are writing for listeners, not viewers.
3 Divide the narrative into scenes, with good descriptions of setting, character, and sound effects.
Learning how to write a radio script is critical for proper execution of a radio performance. The script must include various cues for dialogue, music, and sound effects and be able to quickly and clearly communicate the writer's objectives to the cast and crew. Here is a guide on how to write a radio script.
Instructions:
1 Formulate a story idea. Outline your characters, plot, setting, conflict and resolution.
2 Write a narrative of the story. Put the "meat" of the story on the bones of your outline. Always keep the limitations of radio in mind. You are writing for listeners, not viewers.
3 Divide the narrative into scenes, with good descriptions of setting, character, and sound effects.
Using Recording device
Technical Tips :
Get comfortable with the equipment
Play around with the recording device (minidisc recorder, DAT machine, tape recorder) on your own until you are very familiar with all the buttons and knobs. It's important to do this before you begin; if you're relaxed with the recorder and the microphone, the people you're interviewing will be too.
* Get organized
Always make sure you have enough minidiscs, DATs or cassettes and an extra set of batteries. Don't leave long cables hanging out, or you'll have to spend time untangling everything. Get a shoulder bag to hold everything. The more prepared you are, the more you can concentrate on the important things. http://www.radiodiaries.org/handbook3.html
Get comfortable with the equipment
Play around with the recording device (minidisc recorder, DAT machine, tape recorder) on your own until you are very familiar with all the buttons and knobs. It's important to do this before you begin; if you're relaxed with the recorder and the microphone, the people you're interviewing will be too.
* Get organized
Always make sure you have enough minidiscs, DATs or cassettes and an extra set of batteries. Don't leave long cables hanging out, or you'll have to spend time untangling everything. Get a shoulder bag to hold everything. The more prepared you are, the more you can concentrate on the important things. http://www.radiodiaries.org/handbook3.html
Radio Report
TIPS on Reporting for Radio
Using voices and sounds to tell a story are great ways to get your views/points across to an audience. Radio can be a news report; a commentary, a conversation. It can be an audio postcard. Here are some ways to report using audio.
Keep an audio journal ~ Use the tape recorder as an electronic diary. Relax and try to forget about the microphone. Speak the way you do normally. Imagine that you're just talking to a friend. Being natural takes practice. http://www.radiodiaries.org/makeyourown.html
Using voices and sounds to tell a story are great ways to get your views/points across to an audience. Radio can be a news report; a commentary, a conversation. It can be an audio postcard. Here are some ways to report using audio.
Keep an audio journal ~ Use the tape recorder as an electronic diary. Relax and try to forget about the microphone. Speak the way you do normally. Imagine that you're just talking to a friend. Being natural takes practice. http://www.radiodiaries.org/makeyourown.html
Monday, January 3, 2011
Mixing console
Mixing console
Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphones (each being used by vocalists singing a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speakers simultaneously. When used for live performances, the signal produced by the mixer will usually be sent directly to an amplifier, unless that particular mixer is "powered" or it is being connected to powered speakers.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixing_console
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| BBC Local Radio Mark III radio mixing desk |
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining (also called "mixing"), routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals (voltages or digital samples) are summed to produce the combined output signals.
Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphones (each being used by vocalists singing a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speakers simultaneously. When used for live performances, the signal produced by the mixer will usually be sent directly to an amplifier, unless that particular mixer is "powered" or it is being connected to powered speakers.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixing_console
Mixer
Mixing console
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 |
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining (also called "mixing"), routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals (voltages or digital samples) are summed to produce the combined output signals.
Mixing consoles are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production. An example of a simple application would be to enable the signals that originated from two separate microphones (each being used by vocalists singing a duet, perhaps) to be heard through one set of speakers simultaneously. When used for live performances, the signal produced by the mixer will usually be sent directly to an amplifier, unless that particular mixer is "powered" or it is being connected to powered speakers.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixing_console
FM Transmitter
Here is the schematic, PC board pattern, and parts placement for a low powered FM transmitter. The range of the transmitter when running at 9V is about 300 feet. Running it from 12V increases the range to about 400 feet. This transmitter should not be used as a room or telephone bug.
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| PC Board Layout |
Transmeter
The Transmeter is a digital, state-of-the-art electricity meter, with modular plug-in electronics, encased in a 13.5"H x 8.5"W x4.5"D NEMA-type enclosure. The meter provides a wide range of energy metering information, from simple consumption of kilowatt hours to peak kW, kVAR, and kVA demand, kWH, kVARH and kVAH consumption, Volts, Amps, Power Factor, Phase Angle, Frequency, 15-minute Data Logging, Phase and Event Diagnostics.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
History of radio
For the controversy about who invented radio, see Invention of radio. For the programming of early radio stations, see Old-time radio.
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| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_radio |
The early history of radio is the history of technology that produced radio instruments that use radio waves. Within the timeline of radio, many people contributed theory and inventions in what became radio.[1] Radio development began as "wireless telegraphy".[1] Later radio history increasingly involves matters of programming and content. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_radio
About Radio
Early uses were maritime, for sending telegraphic messages using Morse code between ships and land. The earliest users included the Japanese Navy scouting the Russian fleet during the Battle of Tsushima in 1905. One of the most memorable uses of marine telegraphy was during the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, including communications between operators on the sinking ship and nearby vessels, and communications to shore stations listing the survivors.
Audio
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