School radio has become a popular extra-curricular avenue for students to showcase their talent and voice their opinions at such a young age. It is seriously a gift to be able to anchor a program and keep the audience engaged for hours together. What radio can achieve, cannot be learned in a classroom set-up during formal school lectures. One gets the opportunity to develop their communication skills, become more confident individuals, and interact with fellow community members in the UAE and other parts of the world, thanks to the School radio cult.

In our previous blogs, we have talked about the efforts that go into making a radio show a success. In this one, let’s learn about the different equipment that is needed to make the back-end magic happen.

#1 Audio Console

The audio console is the heart of the studio and it basically controls all other devices that are connected to it and is responsible for what audiences hear on-air. All the sounds from different sources are mixed on the console before being sent to the transmitter. The radio announcer needs to be well versed in knowing how to handle the console. When you turn on the microphone, the radio console flashes a light to indicate it’s time to ‘go live’.

#2 Microphone

A broadcast microphone is one that converts sound into electrical impulses. The microphone is usually mounted on an arm, with adjustable height, so that the announcer is comfortable & at ease while speaking into it.

#3 Play Out and Automation Software

Playout covers the broadcasting equipment and software needed to convert and play source media into an on-air environment externally. It has the potential to save a lot of media and play the pre-recordings whenever necessary. The system is controlled by the RJ (radio jockey), but it has the potential to auto-run the music & Ads when the human is not around.

#4 Level Meters

A level meter maintains a proper range for sound in the studio and on-air. It is used by the studio operator to gauge whether the sound is too loud or too soft at any given point in time. There are multiple meters showing levels at different phases. So the phrase ‘Clarity within, leads to clarity without’ is also applicable in this scenario.

#5 Studio Monitor Speakers

Studio Monitor Speakers are huge output devices that enable you to hear what’s going on air, without the need for headphones. They are very high-quality speakers so that there is clarity on the show and distractions are kept to a minimum.

#6 Headphones

The speaker is going to need a good pair of headphones, to be able to host a 1 – 3 hour show seamlessly. The headphone selection should be such that the RJ can hear what’s airing, minus the background noise from the studio. In order to monitor the audio output as it should sound to the listeners, proper headphones need to be carefully chosen.

#7 Talent Panel

Often guests are invited into the studio and don’t have access to the main audio console. To mute oneself while taking a quick coffee break in the studio, guests are furnished with their own control system which they can turn on/off as per convenience. These panels are mounted in front of each guest’s microphone with an attachment to the headphone jack.

#8 On-Air Sign

Silence please, in-studio recording is work-in-progress! A sign above the recording room clearly states ‘On Air’ when the RJ is conducting a show. Do you know what the secret is? No one turns the sign on or off, it happens automatically! The sign automatically reacts to the functioning of the audio console and turns on/off, in tandem with it.

School Radio provides a platform to educational institutes in Dubai and all over the world, including other regions of the Middle East. They take responsibility for setting up a functional radio studio in the school with all the necessary types of equipment, to facilitate an authentic experience.

Why choose School Radio?

• Free Demo Provided
• Customized Packages Available for Broadcasting
• Offers Installation and Training
• Handy Resources Available to create Content for shows
• Connect with a wider community by Broadcasting shows on Websites and Mobile Apps

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