Wide Orbit Upload Procedure

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From Final Mix/Edit to Broadcast

These instruction pertain to content produced / intended for air via our Wide Orbit Automation system.

Please pay very close attention to each detail for this, as small data mistakes can rearrange content within its intended airtime, and cause major disruptions to pre-recorded time blocks.

The delivery methods and specifications below apply from within and outside of the KDHX facility with secure access permissions.

If you require VPN access to deliver content from home or studio, training and support will be provided upon request by the Production Department.

Of critical importance, the file type - MUST BE:

* 16bit, 44.1kHz, Stereo WAV 

and filename must be:

* 7 alpha-numeric characters + .wav

assistance in conversion method is available, but the system cannot accept or 'up-convert' your files upon upload.

Pre-Recorded Radio Show Content Specifications

DJs/Show Hosts preparing a show in advance, should deliver:

  • 3 x 19 minute segments of air ready WAV files per hour of airtime for their show (typically 2 or 3 hours)
  • Show segments need not be precisely 19 minutes each, but should not total over 57 minutes in one hour.
  • The show's final segment should have 2 special elements, in order to compensate for flux in length of other pre-recorded content in the block:

1) additional length, make it 20 or 21 total minute of content, and
2) do your sign-off/goodbye at later then the 17 minutes mark, leaving 3-4 minutes of fade-able content to follow (ideally instrumental)


Normalize or Master your files to a standardized broadcast U or Unity level.

Most content varies in level, so it is your responsibility to deliver well mixed and mastered files, by whatever means you have.

We use and strongly recommend you use Fission, which is an easy-to-learn visual WAVform editing tool. Simple swipes in the timeline to delete unwanted content makes it a breeze.

More here: Editing_&_Mastering_for_Air:_Using_Fission

Critical: Use correct FILENAMING.

The general rule is a 7 character filename begins with show number + 4 segment specific digits + ".WAV" and the "file extension."

  • We use category numbers according to show number for the first 3 digits.
    For the Show Greaser's Lunchbox, the show number is 101, for instance.
  • In the 4 digits that follow, we use the 0000 series for pre-recorded show, and the 9000 series for Evergreens
  • The 3rd and 4th digits denote the hour and segment of the program respectively.


The show's first pre-recorded hour, the filenames should be:

1010011.wav
1010012.wav
1010013.wav

The 2nd hour for the same program will be numbered:

1010021.wav
1010022.wav
1010023.wav


The 1st Evergreen program uses the 9000 series, and these filenames for hour 1:

1019011.wav
1019012.wav
1019013.wav

The 2nd Evergreen episode will show this update to the 5th digit:

1019111.wav
1019112.wav
1019113.wav
1019121.wav
1019122.wav
1019123.wav




Categories and Show Numbers

(XXX/####.WAV)

The initial 3 digits or characters are used for the category - which we use to identify show number or type of announcement:

      1. (3 numerical digits) indicate radio show by number

UW1 for Underwriting on the AIR1 system CPY for text files displayed for Live Reads,

NOTE re using the / slash when searching: When using AUDIO FINDER or the search function within the PLAYLIST EDITOR, we can find tracks, add properties such as date restrictions and text metadata fields, and remove WAVs loaded into the system. The search will function best when we use the / after the category digits, such as typing “231/” into the search box.


Filename and Number (XXX/####.WAV)


Each of the 4 digits following the / in the above example have a purpose/designation:

The 1st digit (also referred to as the ‘thousand series”):


0+### for a time sensitive, regular pre-record or re-run episode (catch all, disposable)

  • 1000 denotes a Wide Orbit rotator pool, into which other files may be added (use with caution, and never restrict dates on a rotator)
  • 2000 series are IDs, artist, station, show, and Generic Live Reads specific to the program. General IDs for the station live in ID1 category. More info below.
  • 3000 are time sensitive shows that can be replayed, evergreen in nature, but must be aired near a specific date need: drive show, holiday show
  • 4000-5999 is the music pool for the show (ideally 3-6 programming hours worth of WAV audio are delivered at approval/training stage, and these are the initial 30-100 selection in the 4000 pool, the 5000 pool is ideally newer music in the genre)
  • 6000-8000 series is PRX Syndicated Evergreen Content - building seasons of syndication ready content for CPB affords a DJ/host 13-26 weeks of worry free travel/backup for KDHX airshifts.
  • 9000 denotes an evergreen program, air-able anyday, anytime - more info below

2nd digit is the Episode number, as shown above highlighted in yellow. The limit of 0-9 alphanumerics (10 characters) means that a live pre-record season can only be 10 episodes max. If a DJ/host wishes to produce more than 10 re-useable episodes, they could consider proposing a CPB compliant program, 3rd digit is the hour of the program - typically 1,2,3 for our 1, 2 or 3 hour programs 4th digit is the segment number within the hour - typically 1, 2, and 3

Pre-Recorded Shows and Rotators

A one hour program will have 3 sequential 19 minute files numbered: 1560011.wav 1560012.wav 1560013.wav

If it were a 2 hour program, the files in the 2nd hour would be: 1560021.wav 1560022.wav 1560023.wav Each set of 6 WAV files will be loaded into WO and named in the Finder. It is essential that items are date restricted.

Here’s an example related to Pre-Recorded episode sets for the program “Essence of the Tribes,” which has been assigned show number = 156, and has delivered 4 weeks in pre-record.

1st week: 156/0011.wav - 156/0023.wav 2nd week: 156/0111 - 156/0123 3rd week: 156/0211 - 156/0223 4th week: 156/0311 - 156/0323

NOTE about the SLASH /  : reminder that the slashes above (/) should NOT be a part of the file name used. The above is intended to help illustrate the idea of how the 7 digits in a Wide Orbit filename are used. When using Wide Orbit search tools, use the /, but never use it in file naming.

Rotator and Re-Run Protocols

Use the 0 thousand series for once run and done content that may be time sensitive, and the 9000 series for evergreen, non time sensitive program segments. Avoid using the 1000 series numbers, as these are reserved for Rotators in each category and behave differently. Avoid restricting dates on rotators - easy mistake, bad consequence Each episode slotted in Rotator set needs to have dates restricted to play on the correct week. Use a weekly upload/replace when possible. Never delete items that are called in rotators using audio finder, but instead replace using Cyberduck FTP so that they do not disappear from the rotator, in which case, they’ll need to be manually added back in We typically use a 2 weeks rotator when setting up templates for a regularly pre-recorded show, but additional sets can be added as shown above using the 3rd and 4th week of a pre-record. As additional episode sets are added to cover additional weeks, they can only be added to rotators after being loaded into WO via Cyberduck.


IDs - Show, Artist, DJ, Station, etc (/2000)

Artist and DJ IDs for the station and show can be a great way to give the audience the necessary information at every 10 minutes without interrupting musical flow with too much info. These are sorted based on use, and named according to contents. Some examples:

1st hour: SNO/2011 - 2016 = intro, pre-promo, mid-hour, post-segment, kdhx promo, end hour 2nd hour: SNO/2021 - 2026 = re-intro, pre-promo, mid-hour, post-segment, next show pr, end*

  • See the DJ Handbook for Pre-Records for specific ID language

Evergreen Episodes (/9000)

The Evergreen concept is well explained in our wiki (http://wiki.kdhx.org/index.php/Evergreen). How it differs from pre-recorded shows or a prepared re-run show is that it is expressly created to be useful at any date, in any show timeslot. It is free from time and season references, as well as its positioning relative to other KDHX programs. These elements can remain when we edit a show for re-run use, and are standard when a DJ records a show for a specific airdate.

As relates to WO, the digits are to use the 9000 series, and same episode, hour, and segment digit ordering as above.

The 1st Evergreen program produced for a one hour program’s will use these 3 sequential 19 minute files numbered:

1569011.wav 1569012.wav 1569013.wav

The 2nd episode for the same program recorded in the Evergreen style will be numbered:

1569111.wav 1569112.wav 1569113.wav


About Evergreen shows and ID mechanics

The intent in the exercise of Evergreen show preparation is to help the DJ understand how our shows are segmented into 3 x 19 minute blocks per hour, and what the basic fundamental announcement needs are: station, show and self, as well planning the music and speech segments around the goal of doing some kind of ID every 10 minutes.

Also, how these IDs change in purpose throughout the show. For example, the first ID will contain some explanation of what the next 2 hours of music will be. The middle will be a lot of song and playlist detail. The latter ones will preview the next show or say goodbye.

The other key purpose of Evergreen show preparation is for use in fulfilling our obligations to our affiliate CPB, Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In exchange for their grant funding and support with royalties payment, we are obligated to prepare syndication-ready programming for other partner stations to utilize in their local area, downloaded for use from PRX, the Public Radio Exchange. KDHX Production department prepares and shares 2 x 13 week seasons of programming per year to fulfill this requirement.


Announcement/Spot and Interstitial Production Specifications

Spot Type Req.png

In addition to the above, Official KDHX Production Specifications for broadcast require that:

  • there is a half second (:00.5) of silence at the beginning
  • there is NO extra silence at the end
  • any audible background noise in the voice track is used in editing as room tone to replace errors, with attention to beginning (attack) and ending (tail).
  • you've normalized your final edited audio without overmastering - it will annoyingly jump out in comparison to other elements if mastered too high. Ideal target is 1-3db below unity.
  • the music (when applicable) is automated properly and mixes well with your voice without drawing undue attention to itself.

If music is used:

    • For mixing purposes and automation, use the studio monitors rather than headphones.
    • Opening music should last no more than a few seconds, and dip to -15, -20 or more depending, so that is is merely supportive, and doesn't compete with the speech to be heard.
    • Your final fade-out for music should not exceed a second or two after the voice stops (shorter is better).
  • If all of these requirements are met, make sure that your recorded and edited spot has been "bounced" properly to 16bit, 44.1kHz WAV format. (see Bouncing to Disk) Avoid offline bouncing, and listen as this is a critical step in quality control and avoiding errors.
  • Listen again to the final WAV file for any mistakes, audible edits, or issues with level that should be fixed prior to broadcast. The Mac makes this easy with a preview function - click/select the track in Finder, and hit the spacebar to preview the sound fo your final WAV.
  • You will use one of the following 3-digit prefixes plus a 4-digit number, then .wav

Prefix List.png





Uploading to Wide Orbit

This is the process of transferring the .WAV file you just bounced into the Wide Orbit Automation System, the system that airs all of our announcements. Here, it is important to name your files properly so that Wide Orbit can ingest them into the proper rotation.

Find the audio file you just Bounced to Disk in Finder (it should be in the same folder as your Pro Tools session and should have the suffix ".wav.")

  • If the suffix is anything but ".wav," the upload will be rejected.
  • You'll need to adjust export settings and re-bounce the file as a WAV from your session.
  • Additionally, the export settings must be 44.1kHz, and 16 bit
  • Once you've found your final .wav file, you'll need to give it a precise 7 character name for Wide Orbit to ingest it into the spot rotation.
  • Click on the name of your file to highlight it, then click again to rename the file. Avoid double clicking here, as it will begin playing the file in iTunes or the like, but you need to be working in Mac's Finder to deal with renaming the file adequately.
  • It is essential for the name of your file to follow the naming protocols exactly.
  • Once you've renamed your bounced audio file as (Prefix)####.wav in Finder, you will need to use the program Cyberduck to transfer the file to Wide Orbit.


Using WO-CS Import to get your final WAV file(s) to Wide Orbit

In the Finder Window, find and select where your bounced or air-ready WAV file(s), verify that it has just 7 letters to the filename, then .wav as the type of file. Also, make sure that the file is of the format 16 bit, 44.1 kHz, Wav. If you are unsure, click on it the Apple I to "get info": and review the file detail. Your file should be named according to a 3 digit category code and 4 digit spot ID # provided by your advisor. Ask for assistance here if you are unsure.

Click and drag your new .wav file into the Finder window labeled "Import"
In a moment, your file will be transferred into the Wide Orbit Automation System. If transferred successfully, the window will eventually go blank. If it rejects the file for some reason, there will be a message to that effect after the filename e.g. _FAILED or _REJECTED

Next--> Now, you'll want to verify that its there, and change the metadata of your file so that Wide Orbit can better identify your file within the system and in the Studio View.


Updating Spot Info in Wide Orbit Audio Finder (WO-CS/finder)

  1. Open the Chrome web browser. Look for the bookmark or open page - Wide Orbit Audio Finder
    User and Password are "prod" and "prod"
  2. type the 3-digit category code for your spot adding a / in the field at top (###/) and and click search audio.
  3. click the checkbox next to your file, and then choose "properties"


== UPDATE NEEDED HERE FOR PRE RECORDED RADIO SHOWS ==

  1. click the boxes at left for the first 3 fields, and add the name of the production (e.g. Concert Calendar), the title of the spot or airdate (e.g. 5-4 event / for air Thursday 5-4), and your name as voice talent in the Note field.


NOTE: Be sure to avoid any time restrictions on any files without clear instructions, and never add a time restriction to a Rotator (###1000)