BASIC RADIO PRODUCTION: LECTURE NOTE 2

RADIO STUDIO

Radio studio is a special room where radio signals are originated. It affords various production activities including recording, transmission, and other performances of the radio personals.

The studio is therefore specially built with certain features to make it a quiet place, and to prevent unwanted sound from without: heavy door with air tight-luck; well-treated walls with acoustic treatment; shaped ceiling; double glass window with corridor between them; noiseless air-conditioner and suitable lightings.

Radio studio is up two parts: studio floor or performance area and studio control room which houses technical equipment.

Radio stations have two types of studios:

1.      On-Air Studio: this type is normally meant for live programmes like news, discussion, talks, continuity announcement and other programmes that have a call-in segment.

2.      Production Studio: this type is for the purpose of producing pre-recorded programmes like drama, documentary, magazines, commercials, etc. it is also used for a rehearsal and voice testing.

Some stations may have a broader categorization based on microphone placement and type, size and activities performed thereof:  drama studio; music studio; announcing studio, auditorium studio; and general purpose studio.

Studio Equipment:

• The studio equipment are many but the most common type includes the console boards,  microphones, recording devices, and loud speakers,
• The Console Board: radio programmes are channeled to pass through the console board which serves as the converging point of all signals sourced in the studio. It is design to perform the following functions:
•  Selection: it can select from different audio sources on which one to go on air.
• Mixing: It mixes and balances two or more sound signals or inputs
• Amplifying: it amplifies to desired level, all the signals coming in its weaker form
• Traducing: it converts sound energy into electrical impulse and moves it to boaster.
• Shaping: it shapes sound to produce echo or thin pitch sound.
• Measuring: measures the intensity of sound to detect over or under modulation.
• Channeling: various sound inputs are attached to produce a needed programme.

·         Microphone: has two basic components: the diaphragm, which is a flexible device and very sensitive to air pressure variation of a sound wave; and the generating element attached to the diaphragm and it converts the diaphragm’s vibration into electrical energy. The more you talk the more the diaphragm vibrates.

Types of Microphones

Microphones can be broadly categorized into three:

1)      According to their internal construction and under this categories we have:

Ø  Dynamic Microphones: This type of Microphone is capable of producing excellent sound fidelity; it is rugged in construction which makes it relatively insensitive to harsh handling.

Ø  Ribbon/Velocity Microphones: This Microphone is similar to a dynamic microphone but tend to be more fragile. It produces a very warm, rich and mellow sound which is often desirable for announcers, singers and musical instruments.

Ø   Condenser Microphones: This type of Microphone offers excellent audio response characteristics but it requires a power supply to both charge the capacitor and to amplify the tiny out-put current.

2)      According to how they are used

Ø  Lavalieres: tiny microphones attached to the shirt or blouse during production.

Ø  Boom Microphones: these are larger ones and desirable for drama production.

Ø  Hand-Held microphones: handled close to the mouse and mostly unidirectional. It is used by musicians and outside interviews.

3)      According to their pick up patterns:

Ø  Omni-Directional Microphones: pick sound from all directions, mostly used in round-table discussion.

Ø  Bi-Directional Microphones: Pick sound from two angles and are desirable for two- person interview.

Ø  Unidirectional Microphones: pick sound from one direction and are used for announcement and news casting.

Recording Devices: these are the audio sources used to record and play recorded audio or sound in the studio:

Ø  Tape recorder: records and plays music and other documented audio with tape.

Ø  Compact disc (CD) Player: functions like tape recorder but using CD plate.

Ø  Reel-to-Real Machine: used for recording and playback music.

Ø  Turn Table: an outcast device used for backup on which the record turns.

Ø  Loud Speaker: broadcast what is on the air. It houses a magnet, coil and woofer. The magnet creates reaction. The reaction passes through the coil to the woofer which vibrates and produces sound.