Technology used by Radio 4

 

Studio Equipment:

A radio station format is a template for the overall content a radio station broadcasts. They can be tailored suited by the music taste of what they broadcast, interest, or advertising demographic. Typically, a radio station's format is defined by the music or content the station plays. 

Radio is the technology of signalling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz)

The radio station uses transmission and detection of communication signals consisting of electromagnetic waves that travel through the air in a straight line or by reflection from the ionosphere or from a communications satellite. 

BBC Radio 4 has: 

In the studio, you can find: A mixing desk, microphone, pre-processer, headphones, Mixing Console,Shock Mount,Boom Arm,Microphone Processor, Custom Built PC with the latest operating system (Windows 11),Channel Mixer, etc. for basic equipment to set up their station.

The roles whilst working in a Radio Station are:

• Presenter- Mostly uses the micrphone and the headphones as they do most of the talking. 
• Producer- Use the Digital Cartwall, Microphone, Headphones and most of the technology in the station. The producer also creates the playlist, may collaborate with other producers, talk with guests, etc.
• Assistant Producer
• Radio Planner
• Engineering Assistant 
• Station Manager 
• Imaging Producer
• Broadcast Journalist
• Social Media Executive
• Commercial Scheduling Executive
• Contests Producer
• Managing Producer

A Digital Cartwall is a pre-loaded software system, which contains all audio assets required from a playlist. It's an on-screen deposit of all sound-effects that are not music where the presenter can press the sound-effect on the screen when necessary. The Digital Cartwall also has the times on screen telling them at what time they need to press that sound effect.  The digital cartwall just allows the end-user to simply tap the screen and the correct sound-effect will play. The digital cartwall is fast and efficient too.  You can add your own music files onto the cartwall, edit audio and sound by adding effects onto them, cutting them, lowering the pitch,etc.

A Digital Playout system is usually a computer system that is used to record, store and play all the audio content that is used on BBC Radio 4.  The digital playout system creates a schedule and time-accurate playlist to generate a linear radio. In that playlist, there is content that goes on-air: live or recorded shows/programs, ad breaks, auto-promo clips, etc. With a Digital playout system, it is possible for stations to broadcast without anyone being in the studio. It has low costs, so radio stations can store over  hundreds of hours of material (playlist tracks, interviews, documentaries, etc.)

The playlist is the guide to what songs a radio station will play at any given time. A playlist is a list of songs, albums, and artists that a radio station broadcasts. It allows users to run music automatically without constant user interaction, or allow a variety of different styles of music to be played, again without maintenance. Radio stations can also link many audio players directly to the station's live streaming audio, bypassing any need for a web browse. Sometimes, the playlist may be offered to download straight from the radio station's website.