 Digital Mixing of Audio
All Sound Box' audio output is mixed digitally, within the CPU of
the computer, increasing sound quality and maintaining levels without the need for an
external compressor. Neither is there any requirement for additional or bespoke hardware -
all audio is combined into a single analogue channel.
Auto-Start
Sound Box supports auto-start using simple, easily configured,
hardware links between desk and computer.
Automatic Integration with News Feed
Sound Box is capable of integrating with a news feed to supply news
bulletins, even when running unmanned in full automation. There is no requirement for
additional, expensive hardware! The news jingles, fade in and out are configured by the
user, and Sound Box' unique "Fade Out" feature will not chop off the end of the
news. The intelligent, real-time music selection engine enables the system to meet the
news whilst running in automation, without having to fade a track prematurely to do so,
thus ensuring seamless integration every time.
External Device Control
On a technical note, the unique cart object architecture of Sound
Box allows the system to trigger hardware events when a particular track is played.
Hardware can be switched on or off by selected music carts, or by external button box
keys. For example, a particular jingle could be responsible for starting an external
recording device (a competition jingle, for instance) and a second jingle (the end of the
competition) responsible for switching it off again.
Multiple Audio Stores
Sound Box is able to draw audio from multiple stores, both locally,
and across your network.
Catalogue Structure
Sound Box provides an easy to use cataloguing facility, designed to
support the easy identification of groups of audio carts.
Advanced Music Selection Features
Sound Box provides an advanced search engine. The entire music
database can be searched at any time and tracks located by "Artist",
"Title" and "Time". Every track is available. No scrolling through
pages of carts is required. The results are instant! For instance, if a track of exactly 2
minutes and 36 seconds is required, the "Time" button is selected,
"236" typed at the keyboard, - a list of suitable tracks will be displayed
instantly. Whether you have 200 music tracks or 2 million in your database! The selection
engine operates by simple "point and click" actions, or through single key
strokes and allows the user to view music, jingles and other audio catalogues. A further
click will isolate single catalogues for more detailed searching.
Sweep
Facility
Sound Box also provides an intelligent, user configurable sweeper
system. Dry audio is inserted between tracks and will not be overplayed. The sweep will
occupy only the time available within the extro (outro) of the first, and the intro of the
second track. If the sweep is longer than the time available, the tracks are padded out to
squeeze the sweeper in. The volume of underlying audio is automatically dropped to
emphasise the sweeper. The volumes of both sweeper and underlying audio are user
configurable.
Built-in CD Ripper
Sound Box has an integrated CD Ripper and will read music directly
from a CD and compress it to MP3 format, in a quarter of the time you would need to play
it! Over 2,000 tracks can be loaded in one week, and any of those tracks can be instantly
located and played on any networked machine, once loaded.
CDDB
Integration
Sound Box, when operating on a network with internet access, will
link to the GraceNote's CDDB, web based database of CDs and their tracks. When ripping
CDs, this feature identifies the specific CD and provides text labels and track times in a
matter of moments, saving a good deal typing.
Import
Facility
Sound Box allows the user to import audio files from other, existing
databases, and if standard file names have been used, identifying both artist and title,
will automate the process.
Back-up
and Restore
Sound Box' back-up feature will produce a copy of all cart
information relating to the audio held in a particular directory. This is an indispensable
tool in moving audio across the network, and essential to providing the security required
to reproduce the Sound Box database in any recovery procedure. The restore facility
interprets the back-up file and will re-build the cart information, quickly, reliably and
efficiently.
Scheduling
Sound Box provides a graphical scheduling system that is easy to use
and absolutely clear. Programmes can be constructed using the drag and drop facility
provided.
Intelligent Automation Facility
Sound Box provides an automation facility that is easy to configure
and is intelligent in its choice of tracks. Adverts, jingles and sweepers can be
scheduled, and audio selections will tend to "comfortably" follow on from each
other - there should be no sudden changes of mood. Automation can be switched on
instantly, allowing Sound Box to supply a sustaining service should anything (or for that
matter anyone!) go wrong.
Running
Order Display
The running order provides a clear list of those carts selected for
broadcast and a host of visual cues, including timings, segways and "stops".
Carts can be inserted in the running order or promoted over other carts by simple drag and
drop movements, and removed in the same way. These additions, revisions and subtractions
can be carried out during live broadcast.
Recording
Sound Box will record the input from the configured sound card. It
supports compression of recorded audio to MP3 in real time, and recorded audio is
available to the broadcaster immediately. Once recorded, there is the facility to alter
levels, if required, before using the recording.
User
Access and Sound Box Security
Sound Box has sophisticated access control. The system is secure and
immune to any trouble makers who might gain access to your system. Password access is
required to get to the Sound Box features that you do not wish the idle presenter to
interfere with. This means that only the audio that you want gets on the the system and
that the audio you want stays put! Basic level is ideal for day to day broadcasters, who
present their programme via the play out interface or "music desktop". Managers
can keep full and exclusive access over the many administrative utilities on offer.
Third-party Editors
Sound Box has the potential to give further value still, by allowing
you to choose your favourite editing software from the majority of those currently
available.
Advert
Scheduling Links
Sound Box can import play lists from third party scheduling and
traffic control software including RCS Selector and BroadNet. This data can be used for
both automated and semi automated (assisted) broadcasting.
Collections
Sound Box supports the compilation of individual tracks into single
music carts. These so-called "collections" of selected audio can be used to
produce pre-prepared ad breaks.
User
Configurable Button Box
Sound Box does not require additional hardware, but if required,
supports the use of button boxes to manage output via keyboard shortcuts. The button boxes
provided can be easily configured using Sound Box intuitive set-up facility.
Single
or Multi-channel Output
Sound Box is scalable in many ways - it will operate perfectly well
with one channel, and with investment in additional, standard hardware, can support many
channels. The number of channels that Sound Box will support is governed by the numbers
and types of sound cards installed in your computer up to a maximum of eight.
News
Tools
A separate facility, the News Tools software allows the presenter to
prepare, in advance, news reports, sports stories, interviews, etc. The News Tools
facility will import pre-prepared audio files and they will then appear on the music
desktop as audio carts. They can be played immediately.
The
Sound Box Shell
Sound Box can be run in an even more secure mode, taking over from
the Windows shell. In secure mode, the users of the Music Desktop have no access to
underlying Windows menus or features.
Standard Hardware Requirements
How many times is it discovered that to run seemingly inexpensive
software, there is a hidden requirement for excessively expensive, special hardware? Sound
Box requires only a standard, dedicated PC and all interfacing can be carried out via the
mouse and keyboard as normal. Other, special hardware is available, but strictly on an
optional basis.
Impressive Database Capacity
Sound Box will store up to 5,000 tracks per 20 GB hard drive. If
required, the addition of further, inexpensive hard drive capacity means that storage is
virtually unlimited.
Logging
Tape Reminder
Sound Box provides an unmissable visual cue that indicates when
video logging tapes require replacement. This is configurable by the studio, dependant on
the types of video hardware and media being used.
Audio
Log Links
Sound Box will link to a digital recording facility, "Audio
Log". Audio Log has a host of features that provide the studio with the recording
facility required to retain the standard 42 days worth of output in full stereo broadcast
quality. Audio Log is a separate product, available at reduced rates to Sound Box users.
Contact Beaumont Colson Ltd. for further details.
Play-out Log
Sound Box logs all playout and the playlog can be consulted to find
exactly which tracks were played, when, and for how long.
Advanced Overlap
Each individual music track or jingle, has pre-set start, intro,
extro (outro) and end (aux) points that can be configured by users. The system takes into
account these values when organising the segway between tracks. Needless to say, all
information concerning intro and extro (outro) times is displayed in seconds on the music
desktop - an indispensable visual cue for presenters.
MP3
Sound Box audio is stored in MP3 files. This allows the audio to be
played on any standard PC. A majority of third party editing packages can be used in
tandem with Sound Box as the system is capable of playing any audio file for which there
is an ACM driver. The use of open standards guarantees that Sound Box will successfully
evolve as technology develops.
Networked Operation
Sound Box will operate on a single PC in a single studio, or in a
multi-studio environment with multiple on and off-line audio stores. Audio can be prepared
in one studio, whilst another is on-air, and once prepared, the audio is available for
broadcast from any connected studio. |
