New terminology has been added to the language of broadcasters. Voice-tracking, may not be a new process, but it is becoming more familiar to broadcaster and listener alike. Some may not realize the DJ chatter is recorded. Not on Memorex, but digitally recorded.
Streaming audio brings us everything from radio over Internet to podcasts. What is the difference? A podcast is recorded and available for download when convenient for the listener. It’s like “radio on demand”. Radio stations stream via Internet, as opposed to over-the-air broadcasts. [I’m actually wearing a white lab coat as I explain this]
J.J. Hemingway voice-tracks three radio shows, one of which streams on the Internet. The other two are broadcast via local radio in Missoula and Grants Pass. shine1049.org streams via the Internet and broadcasts from Spokane, where J.J. can be heard each day from 5pm-9pm.
Voice-tracking goes back to the earliest days of radio automation, when stations such as Beautiful Music FM channels segued Frank Sinatra tunes with selections from the 101 Strings Orchestra and Frank Chacksfield. Today, these programs are digitized, computer-driven and might make you think the DJ is in-studio, yet the tracks were recorded yesterday or maybe a week ago. There are no pauses or glitches, as with the old-style automated reel tapes.
And YES, a DJ can easily talk up to the post with voice-tracking, timed down to the second with the computerized studio automation.
Lou Robbins — Admin/Editor | Airchecks
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