Recommendations For Radio Automation Software?, For scheduling music, ads, sweeps etc Options

[CtrlZ]

Just wondered if anyone on this forum might happen to have some secrets on the best value radio automation software. The main features it needs are lists of my music by category, my ads, and my sweeps. It needs to play a rotation of random items chosen from each of those lists, without repeating until every item on the given list is played. It would also be good if you could ad extra rules to prevent songs by the same artist playing back to back, and a voice-over button for announcements.

I'd like to avoid paying excessively for any additional features I'm not likely to use. Its for a community station so cheap or free is preferable.

Whats reliable, reputable and/or cheap?

Thanks

[Sound Lizard]

sam broadcaster does all that and its ungodly easy to make it work. runs about 300 bucks.

[Reid]

sam broadcaster does all that and its ungodly easy to make it work. runs about 300 bucks.

Here is a free 14 day trial for SAM Broadcaster- http://www.spacialaudio.com/?page=sam-broadcaster-download. :)

kind Regards,
Reid

[skyking]

I used this with great success for a while and its FREE...
http://www.zarastudio.es/index.php?section...ain&lang=en
The learning curve is not that great, and I was able to mix things into a schedual without any problems. Have a look...

Stew

[CtrlZ]

I tried Zara. The download link on their site is dead, but I found it elsewhere. Unfortunately, it crashed pretty much straight away on both the systems I tried it on. Maybe its not ready for vista and 7.

Sam looks pretty good, but $300 US is a bit much for me to spend on this hobby right now.

Thanks for your ideas anyhow.

[excelents]

I used this with great success for a while and its FREE...
http://www.zarastudio.es/index.php?section...ain&lang=en
The learning curve is not that great, and I was able to mix things into a schedual without any problems. Have a look...

Stew

I also tried the link at their site and it was dead, is there an alternative location / download link (demo etc) ?

[CtrlZ]

I also tried the link at their site and it was dead, is there an alternative location / download link (demo etc) ?

Just google "Zararadio 1.6.2 download". Plenty of download options. It crashed for me though

[CooperOnAir]

I've tried the SAM trial before and liked it ok. then I found Station PlayList and Creator. GREAT program. Easy to use and it has features that I wanted. (i.e. layovers, Voice Tracking, etc). Check it out at www.stationplaylist.com. The automation software and scheduler (Creator) are only around $400 and they have payment plans.

You can listen to my stream to hear how it sounds: http://66.192.178.196:5555/coop

[PabloRadio]

I use DirEttore. Its free and does what you are looking for. You can find it at www.mixtime.com

[SoundsFamiliar]

I use ZaraRadio 1.6.2 on Vista and it works fine. I did go to the link and it was dead. But I have been using this version since February with no crashes. In fact, it's running on this machine right now. Maybe someone in their fourm can help you.

[dwpthe3rd]

Just google "Zararadio 1.6.2 download". Plenty of download options. It crashed for me though

Googling "Zararadio 1.6.2 download" does generate hits that are labeled "1.6.2" but examining properties of the various downloads show it to actually be the 1.6.1 download which doesn't work with Vista. Anyone have a good link?

This post has been edited by dwpthe3rd: Dec 22 2009, 09:11 PM

[skippytim]

I use SAM4, I've owned SAM for 2 years and I can honestly say that it was a valuable purchase. SAM4 is hassle free, effortless, and works 200% of the time!

[SoundsFamiliar]

Don't know a thing about the link. It may be 1.6.1 in disguise, but here's a link. Hope it will work for you. I'd e-mail you the program, but my service won't allow attachments that large.

http://www.ziddu.com/download/6400674/Zara...o1.6.2.exe.html

[CrowdedHouse]

I've tried the SAM trial before and liked it ok. then I found Station PlayList and Creator. GREAT program. Easy to use and it has features that I wanted. (i.e. layovers, Voice Tracking, etc). Check it out at www.stationplaylist.com. The automation software and scheduler (Creator) are only around $400 and they have payment plans.

You can listen to my stream to hear how it sounds: http://66.192.178.196:5555/coop

I've used Station Playlist before and give it two thumbs up.

I've also tried Jazler (not bad at all - does need a little work) and Wavestation (Now Simian) which I loved, but did seem to crash a bit.

[KennethBruce]

Here in the Seattle area the two big hits are

NexGen (used by the Clear Channel building, and KGRG FM, a college radio station)

and

Audio Vault (used by Entercom)

You could always just use winamp as well.

I personally have used NexGen for three years, easy learning curve, and it comes with software to program your playlist.

[htentertainment]

If you have time...and a LOT of patience, check out http://www.rivendellaudio.org/ it's Open Source, and FREE!!! It has all the bells and whistles of a professional radio automation system. But it only runs on linux, and is a bit....stressful to set up.

[ParksideRecords]

I use SAM as well, but RadioDJ works really good. If you want something like NexGen, there is one called Player101 which is one step down from NexGen at $495.