Audio Editing and Mixing for Radio

Audio editing is the process of assembling different audio files in a meaningful order. This also includes fine tuning the audio by removing noise from the audio, increasing volume, removing exceeded silence, etc. Various kinds of software are available for audio editing. Audio editing software is software which allows editing and generating of audio data. The audio file will present a graphical representation of the audio waves. This makes the editing more easily. These Wave Editors are digital audio editors and there are many sources of software available to perform this function. Most can edit music, apply effects and filters, adjust stereo channels etc.

Another kind of audio editor is DAW or digital audio workstation. A digital audio workstation is an electric or electronic device, or computer software application for recording, editing and producing audio files. DAWs come in a wide variety of configurations from a single software programme on a laptop, to an integrated unit of various devices and software. Modern DAWs have a central interface that allows the user to alter and mix multiple recordings and tracks into a final produced piece. They are used widely in audio editing, commonly in complex recording and editing process.

Audio Mixer

An audio mixer or a mixing console is an electronic device for combining and changing the level, of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer. The modified signals are combined to produce the output signals.

Audio mixers are used in many applications, including recording studios, public address systems, broadcasting, television, and film post-production.  

Audio Formats

An audio format is a medium for storing sound and music. Some of the commonly used audio formats are:

• AVI

.avi - AVI (Audio Video Interleave)

• WMV

.wma - WMV (Windows Media Audio)

• MIDI

.mid, .midi - MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) [It is a format for electronic music devices like synthesizers and PC sound cards.]

• MP3

.mp3 - MP3

• RealAudio

.rm, .ram - RealAudio

• WAV

.wav - WAVE 

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Types of Radio Transmission

First of all, in order to transmit radio waves, a transmitter and receiver are needed. A radio wave acts as the carrier of the information through encoded waves or a process called modulation. Modulation is the variation of a property of an electromagnetic wave or signal, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase.

The two main types of radio transmission are amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM). The older broadcasting method and most popular method, frequency modulation (FM) minimizes noise and provides greater reliability. Both AM and FM process sounds into patterns, that are always varying, of electrical signals. They closely resemble sound waves. In an AM transmission the carrier wave has a constant frequency, but the strength of the wave varies. The FM transmitter is just the opposite; the wave has constant amplitude but a varying frequency.

Usually the radio is used in the transmission of sound; such as voices and music. The sound is converted into electrical signals by a microphone. Then the signals are amplified, and transmitted. Once the carrier is amplified it can be applied to an antenna. The antenna converts the electrical signals into electromagnetic waves and sends them out or they can also be received. The receiving antennas change it back to the form of electrical signals, and then feed it to another receiver.

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Organisational Structure of a Radio Station

The head of a radio station is the general manager. In a radio station there are basically four distinct departments. They are:

Administrative Department

The overall administration and management of the station is taken care by this department. The department takes care of the internal and external affairs. It is further divided into accounting, business, public relations, advertising, human resource, etc. This department provides all the support and resources that is required for the functioning of the station.

Programming Department

This department is responsible for broadcasting of radio programmes and other media related activities. Programme director is in charge of this department. Main duties of this department are programme planning, research and production. The final authorisation for transmission of the programme is issued by the programme director. Under the programme director there are music directors, production di-rectors and production executives, who are responsible for the production and supervision of the segment allotted to them. There are also reporters, radio jockeys, instrumentalists and singers who work under this department.

Engineering Department

The engineering department is headed and supervised by the chief engineer. Under the chief engineer there will be a number of assistant engineers. The technical aspects of the station are handled by this department. Engineering department plays a major role in the transmission of radio programmes.

Sales Department

This department monitors the sales and promotion activities and ensures financial flow to the station. The organisation of this department depends upon the business model followed by the station. In commercial radio stations, sales department consists of account executives, advertisement managers, sales representatives, etc.

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What is the Structure of a Radio Station

The physical structure of a radio station consists of radio studio, control room, administration department and the transmitter.

• Radio Studio

A radio studio is different from a video production studio. The entire studio is strictly dedicated to audio. Radio studio is a closed sound proof room where voice can be recorded without any interference. A studio has a single sound proof door and no windows. There is a small enclosed place before the studio hall. This empty space is called a sound lock, which prevents unnecessary outside sounds from entering the studio. A studio is so designed without any interference to ensure that outside noises are not recorded and the speaker’s voice is heard clearly. The ceiling and walls of the studio hall will be perforated with woollen panels. These are also called acoustic panels. A studio floor consists of at least three microphones. There will at least be two studios in a station. The second studio may be smaller in size with the same type of doors, walls and ceilings. This is where the announcer does the announcements. This may be called an announcer’s booth or a transmission studio.

• Control Room

Control room is the most important technical area of a radio station. It is situated next to a recording studio hall. The control room operators can see and give signals to the announcer in the studio through a glass window that is attached to the wall. Whatever is spoken in the studio or played from a CD player or computer is sent to this control room. All the programmes are sent from here to the transmitter. A control room is connected with all the other segments of broadcast.

The microphones in the studio hall are connected to the devices in control room. So whatever that is captured by the microphones will be directly sent to control room. From here they are sent to the transmitter for its onward transmission to the listeners. A lot of changes take place when one speaks through a microphone. In the control room, technical people control the whole process and immediately send these waves to the transmitter. The transmitter sends these sound waves to the listeners’ radio sets which convert them into sounds.

• Transmitter

A transmitter is the equipment through which we receive the radio broadcast on our sets. This is big equipment in comparison to other equipment installed in the studio or control room. The strength and type of the transmitter determines the coverage area of the broadcast. There are two types of transmitters; namely Low Power Transmitter (LPT) and High Power Transmitter (HPT). There is also another classification as short wave and medium wave radio broadcast transmitters. Transmitters are generally located outside the city boundaries. The transmitters are of different capacities such as 1 KW to 100 KW, 200KW or 250 KW or above. Their locations are decided according to their capacity. A 1 KW transmitter is normally installed in the vicinity of the studio/control room whereas the high power transmitters are installed outside the city.

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Types of Radio Stations

Radio station is the place where the production and transmission of radio programmes are conducted. There are different types of radio stations:

1. Commercial stations

These types of radio stations functions with profit motive. Revenue production is mainly through radio advertisements where the advertisers pay for time.

2. Non – commercial stations

They are normally funded by the government. They do not accept financial support from outside in the form of advertisements or any other source.

3. AM and FM Stations

Types of waves used for transmission of radio messages are different. AM (amplitude modulation) and FM (frequency modulation) are two different kinds of radio waves used for transmission. Radio stations are also categorized on the basis of mode of transmission.

4. Community Radio Stations

This type of radio stations focus on a specific area or community. The broadcasting will be done for audience of a small area. The programmes will include matters of local interest.

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