John Higdon wrote:
In article ,
dave wrote:

Moving forward a few decades, the radio studio of today is sooo
different. No turntables or cart machines or even notes above the
control board -- just a computer screen. Of course, the other thing
that is (usually) gone is the DJ. Replaced by voice tracking. Isn't
progress wonderful?

Actually, the tools today are better than they have ever been. What used
to be a mountain of effort to produce has become unbelievably easy and
fast to do. If I do say so myself, one of my stations has probably one
of the most beautiful control rooms in the industry. Indeed, there are
no mountains of cart machines, no turntables taking up countertop space,
and of course no tape recording equipment of any kind. The sight lines
are clean, and the sweeping view of Mt. Diablo from the building's top
floor is breath-taking. It certainly is not the quintessential radio
facility as pictured by an old-timer (such as myself) in radio.


But for all of its traditional-trapping shortcomings, the talent can
simultaneously do production and do a live radio show. It isn't the
voice tracking that is evil (virtually all stations have it, even those
that are "live"); it is simply a tool to increase productivity.

What you are bemoaning should not be the advancements in technology, but
the decline in creativity and the advancement of laziness. I wonder if
part of the charm of "the old days" was the fact that doing *anything*
was a monumental chore. Now that we can do all of that and more in a
walk, no one much cares about doing it at all.

I was musing just today about how easy (and cheap) it is now to do a
full remote broadcast from anywhere in the world, and yet no one seems
to be interested in remotes anymore. [irony on] Too much work, I guess!
[irony off]


Excellent points. Speaking of remotes, most stations use a cell phone.
It is difficult for me to watch a radio personality wait for the
program cue ("...and now, live and remote..."), then they talk into a
cell phone until the automation takes back control. Contrast that to
the 60's when the radio station had a dedicated broadcast line, a Sparta
board, and a live board operator at the station. Yes, it is easier this
way, but TV diners are easier than a good meal too.

By the way, WHLO was one of the kings of remotes. They did a lot of
them in the 60's. Car dealers, restaurants, furniture stores,
exhibitions, amusement park, department stores, etc.

One other point that I'm hearing a lot -- there is no money in radio
unless one is in a major market. Thus, creative people go elsewhere,
and the remote is as cheap as possible. Elaborate jingles -- gone.
News coverage 24/365 -- gone. Good radio personality 24 hrs. -- gone.

Thank goodness for the mp3 player. It is as good as radio is today.

Dave,