Working From Home Resources/Requirements

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On this page we'll summarise everything you need to start making radio from home.

Computer

Obviously. You'll want a fairly fast one, just to make sure there's no issues, but anything bought in the last 5 years (and even a lot of older ones) will do just fine - if you're having performance problems close down all other programs before you start making radio. Any MacBook that still works will probably do, as should most Windows laptops made after 2015. Chromebooks may work, but you might start having issues with external microphones and such so we wouldn't recommend them unless you have no other option.

You'll need Google Chrome installed. WebStudio MAY work in other browsers, but Computing won't support it - if you ask us for help using anything except Chrome our response might just be "try again in Chrome". While you're at it, make sure it's got the latest updates installed (usually it'll do this automatically).

Try to avoid any unnecessary programs running in the background, even programs like Spotify and Microsoft Office can negatively impact the performance of the computer, and interfere with the stability of your connection to URY's servers. If possible you should also disable your VPN while connecting to webstudio in order to improve connection latency and stability. You do not need the university VPN running in order to access webstudio.

Try to have your entire equipment set up and tested before you do your show, and not disturbed from a working configuration until needed. Even doing something as innocent as plugging a new set of headphones in has the potential to disturb the audio routing on your computer, which you may not have time to fix before you need to begin.

Using a phone

if you are not the presenter on a show, and do not need access to webstudio and other virtual studio features, consider using your phone with a set of headphones, most modern phones have respectable microphones built in, and are easily capable of accessing URY's recommended remote high quality audio line for studio guests Cleanfeed.net, be sure to follow best practices on microphone usage and keep you battery well charged when doing this though!

Internet connection

Hard-wire Ethernet is always preferable over WiFi, not for speed but for stability - WiFi has a bad habit of dropping packets (considering you are basically beaming sound on radio waves across several walls it's honestly impressive it manages as well as it does). You'll also want a fairly fast connection - most home broadband should do, but go to Speedtest.net to check your speed - you'll want at least a couple mbps on the upload line. If you're having issues, 4G may work better than home broadband, but that causes reliability issues, so broadband is preferable unless yours is hopelessly slow.

The line is only as good as its stability - WiFi may be fine when you first test it, but can you guarantee that will be the case when you are doing your show? A connection actively shared between 4 people is not 1/4 as good as one only you are using, it will be significantly less reliable. If you can't manage a wired connection, consider what time your show should be scheduled, or ask the people you share the internet with if they could curtail their usage for the period of your show.

Headphones

Please, please, PLEASE do not try to do a radio show using laptop speakers. It will sound God-awful whenever you turn on your mic. You don't need high quality studio headphones like we have at York, even a pair of EarPods will do you just fine, but make sure you have some. (On that note, wired ones are preferable to Bluetooth, because Bluetooth introduces delay which can throw all your timings off. Bluetooth is, however, preferable over nothing at all.) Be aware that if you are using an external USB microphone, the direct monitoring port on the microphone may not also pass you audio from webstudio.

Microphone

The tricky one. Take a look at our microphone recommendations page and choose one that fits your budget. You don't need to splash out on a mic if you're only doing one show a week, as even an EarPod mic will sound okay, but do think about it if you want to get more serious about making radio from home. There are best practices about how to setup your microphone and get the most out of equipment available to you on our Microphone Technique page, this may also help you decide on what type of microphone may be best for you should you wish to purchase one.