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From the moment a sound leaves anything (a computer, vinyl, human, cassette, instrument, etc) to the moment it goes in to a computer for streaming, we are responsible for it! Whether that's in the studio, a session recording, the transmission (Tx) cupboard in stores or at an Outside Broadcast (OB), it's our issue.
From the moment a sound leaves anything (a computer, vinyl, human, cassette, instrument, etc) to the moment it goes in to a computer for streaming, we are responsible for it! Whether that's in the studio, a session recording, the transmission (Tx) cupboard in stores or at an Outside Broadcast (OB), it's our issue.
===Studio 1===
===[[Studio 1]]===
The main broadcasting studio, S1 was last re-built in 2011 with the support of Alumni funding (YuFund). The mixing desk is a [[Sonifex S2]] split-chassis broadcast desk. There are: 5 mics; 2 vinyl decks; 2 CDJs; 2 CD players; 4 aux inputs; a telephone channel with jack input (for a smartphone); 3 BAPs channels (from the presenter PC); a guest PC input; a presenter PC input. For visualisation, there are also 2 HD ready cameras and 2 LED lights.
The main broadcasting studio, S1 was last re-built in 2011 with the support of Alumni funding (YuFund). The mixing desk is a [[Sonifex S2]] split-chassis broadcast desk. There are: 5 mics; 2 vinyl decks; 2 CDJs; 2 CD players; 4 aux inputs; a telephone channel with jack input (for a smartphone); 3 BAPs channels (from the presenter PC); a guest PC input; a presenter PC input. For visualisation, there are also 2 HD ready cameras and 2 LED lights.
S1 is home to the Tardis. This contains all the outboard stuff used in the studio, including a RedNet 2; compression; patch panels; headphone distribution; Wil's Black Box; sonifex power; black magic (visualisation); speaker amps.
S1 is home to the Tardis. This contains all the outboard stuff used in the studio, including a RedNet 2; compression; patch panels; headphone distribution; Wil's Black Box; sonifex power; black magic (visualisation); speaker amps.
===Studio 2===
===[[Studio 2]]===
Primarily used for recording, S2 was last re-built in 2012. The mixing desk is a Sonifex Sovereign broadcasting desk with custom modifications. There are: 3 mic; 2 aux inputs; 3 BAPs channels (from the presenter PC); a disconnected telephone channel.
Primarily used for recording, S2 was last re-built in 2012. The mixing desk is a Sonifex Sovereign broadcasting desk with custom modifications. There are: 3 mic; 2 aux inputs; 3 BAPs channels (from the presenter PC); a disconnected telephone channel.
S2 is home to the Blue Box. This contains a RedNet 2 (under construction); compression; patch panels; sonifex power; a speaker amp.
S2 is home to the Blue Box. This contains a RedNet 2 (under construction); compression; patch panels; sonifex power; a speaker amp.
===Production Office===
===[[Production Office]]===
The production office is also the main office of URY. Day-to-day it is used by any member of the station as a space to plan shows, meet with other members or get some work done. At the far end is a production PC and mixing desk. These can be used for recording sessions, jingles, clips, etc. The desk is a Yamaha 01v96i digital sound desk with a MY-16AUD Dante expansion card. This is connected via USB and analogue cabling to the PC. It also has inputs from both office wall-PCs, the studios, the CD player, and a patch panel in S2.
The production office is also the main office of URY. Day-to-day it is used by any member of the station as a space to plan shows, meet with other members or get some work done. At the far end is a production PC and mixing desk. These can be used for recording sessions, jingles, clips, etc. The desk is a Yamaha 01v96i digital sound desk with a MY-16AUD Dante expansion card. This is connected via USB and analogue cabling to the PC. It also has inputs from both office wall-PCs, the studios, the CD player, and a patch panel in S2.
===Transmission===
===Transmission===
URY is broadcast across campus on 1350AM. Our output is also streamed online at ury.org.uk, on radio player, iTunes radio, etc. The engineering team is responsible for getting the audio output to 1350AM and to the stream server for [[computing]] to stream. This all happens in the transmission (Tx) cupboard located in stores. Access to this is restricted to only the Head of Computing and Chief Engineer due to our licence, however they can grant access to anyone except the station manager.
URY is broadcast across campus on 1350AM. Our output is also streamed online at ury.org.uk, on radio player, iTunes radio, etc. The engineering team is responsible for getting the audio output to 1350AM and to the stream server for [[computing]] to stream. This all happens in the transmission (Tx) cupboard located in stores. Access to this is restricted to only the Head of Computing and Chief Engineer due to our licence, however, they can grant access to anyone except the station manager.
The Tx cupboard contains a Radica transmitter and compressor, some outboard compression, a RedNet 3 and a Scarlett 18i20 (USB audio interface). It also contains a number of servers and computers.
The Tx cupboard contains a Radica transmitter and compressor, some outboard compression, a RedNet 3 and a Scarlett 18i20 (USB audio interface). It also contains a number of servers and computers.
===The bits between them all...===
===The bits between them all...===
A digital audio over IP system is used to connect the studios, office, juxebox and Tx rack together. The system sits within the URY network, managed by [[Computing]]. We are using a protocol called [https://www.audinate.com/solutions/dante-overview Dante], which is developed by [https://www.audinate.com/ Audinate]. In order to access this network, we have a number of [http://uk.focusrite.com/ethernet-audio-interfaces/rednet RedNet] devices spread throughout the building. The Yamaha desk in the office is also Dante enabled.
====RedNet 2====
====RedNet 2====
====RedNet 3====
====RedNet 3====
Located in the Tx cupboard, the '3' is a digital interface, with up to 32 channels via ADAT fibre optical, AES or SPDIF.
Located in the Tx cupboard, the '3' is a digital interface, with up to 32 channels via ADAT fibre optical, AES or SPDIF. This is connected to a Scarlett 18i20 to interface with the servers, loggers and AM transmission.
====RedNet 4====
====RedNet 4====
===Outside Broadcasts===
===Outside Broadcasts===
Our Outside Broadcast (OB) kit is ever-changing, and varies for every OB to suit the needs of the event. The main part is a Rhino wheeled flight case with table sides. Inside this is the majority of kit required for a simple studio style set up. This includes: a Soundcraft Spirit M12 mixing desk; Focusrite OctoPre (donated by [[Stephen Clarke]] in 2015); T.Bone Radio Mic Receivers; a Behringer 4-chan Headphone Amp; a Behringer 4-chan Compressor; OB PC; a Speaker Amp. The rhino was originally conceived by [[Tom Haines]] in 2011/12. It has been reorganised a number of times since then.
Our Outside Broadcast (OB) kit is ever-changing, and varies for every OB to suit the needs of the event. The main part is a Rhino wheeled flight case with table sides. Inside this is the majority of kit required for a simple studio style set up. This includes: a Soundcraft Spirit M12 mixing desk; Focusrite OctoPre (donated by [[Stephen 'Stevo' Clarke]] in 2015); T.Bone Radio Mic Receivers; a Behringer 4-chan Headphone Amp; a Behringer 4-chan Compressor; OB PCs; speaker amplification. The rhino was originally conceived by [[Tom Haines]] in 2011/12. It has been reorganised a number of times since then.
Also included in a standard OB are 3 AKG dynamic microphones (only 2 are set up usually); 2 speakers and various mic and speaker stands. Finally, there are 3 banners and 2 wife's (floor standing banners). They are the wife of the station manager.
Also included in a standard OB are 3 dynamic microphones; 2 speakers and various mic and speaker stands. Finally, there are 3 banners and 2 wife's (floor standing banners). They are the wife of the station manager.
===Stores===
===Stores===
Stores contains a variety of kit, some of which is currently in use, some of which is ancient and doesn't work. There is a lot of history in this room. To the left is the music store, which contains a library of records and CDs which the Head of Music is responsible for. The main section contains the URY rolling shelves. These were acquired from CS when it moved to Hes East. The rear shelf is reserved for computing hardware. The rest is Engineering. the very back shelf also has some paints and can be accessed by one person getting into the Tx cupboard, another rolling the shelf as far forward as possible (with no stuff in the way) and the Tx cupboard door being opened again (this will now be behind the shelf).
Stores contains a variety of kit, some of which is currently in use, some of which is ancient and doesn't work. There is a lot of history in this room. To the left is the music store, which contains a library of records and CDs which the [[Music]] team is responsible for. The main section contains the URY rolling shelves. These were acquired from CS when it moved to Hes East. The rear shelf is reserved for computing hardware. The rest is Engineering. the very back shelf also has some paints and can be accessed by one person getting into the Tx cupboard, another rolling the shelf as far forward as possible (with no stuff in the way) and the Tx cupboard door being opened again (this will now be behind the shelf).
==Broadcast Engineering==
==Broadcast Engineering==
Many of the engineers that come through URY will have experience in live or studio audio engineering. Whilst broadcast is not very different from these, there are a few minor differences to be aware of.
Many of the engineers that come through URY will have experience in live or studio audio engineering (although not having any is not a problem!). Whilst broadcast is not very different from these, there are a few minor differences to be aware of.
====Broadcast Desks====
====Broadcast Desks====
The broadcast desks in URY are modular, so each channel strip is its own individual module. This allows for custom layout and input design. The modules are connected together using a ribbon cable. The 2 desks are the [[Sonifex S2]] and [[Sonifex Sovereign]].
The broadcast desks in URY are modular, so each channel strip is its own individual module. This allows for custom layout and input design. The modules are connected together using a ribbon cable. The 2 desks are the [[Sonifex S2]] and [[Sonifex Sovereign]].
Broadcast desks usually use PPM meters to measure the audio level. The target should be 6PPM, with clipping occuring above 8PPM. Broadcast systems are usually set up for unity gain (input level = output level) with some compression and processing in the middle (URY does not currently do this).
==Recent History==
==Recent History==
===Chief Engineers===
===Chief Engineers===
* ''2016 - present'': [[Marco Bolt]]
* ''2017 - present'': [[Neave Spikings]]
* ''2016 - 2017'': [[Marco Bolt]]
* ''2015 - 2016'': [[James Rudge]]
* ''2015 - 2016'': [[James Rudge]]
* ''2014 - 2015'': [[Adam Brain]]
* ''2014 - 2015'': [[Adam Brain]]
===Assistant Chief Engineers===
===Assistant Chief Engineers===
* "2016 - present": [[Neave Spikings]] & [[Jed Fulwell]]
* ''2017 - present'': [[Sam Merryweather]] & [[Jack McPoland]]
* ''2017 (summer)'': [[Toby Fox]] & [[Timothy Pilbeam]]
* "2016 - 2017": [[Neave Spikings]] & [[Jed Fulwell]]
* ''2016 - 2016'': [[Stephen 'Stevo' Clarke]] & [[Timothy Pilbeam]]
* ''2016 - 2016'': [[Stephen 'Stevo' Clarke]] & [[Timothy Pilbeam]]
* ''2015 - 2016'': [[Stephen 'Stevo' Clarke]] & [[Marco Bolt]]
* ''2015 - 2016'': [[Stephen 'Stevo' Clarke]] & [[Marco Bolt]]