Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site wucs.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!wucs!dale From: dale@wucs.UUCP (Dale Frye) Newsgroups: net.audio,net.consumers Subject: Re: Turntable Controversy (and Radio stations) Message-ID: <1038@wucs.UUCP> Date: Tue, 16-Jul-85 15:20:44 EDT Article-I.D.: wucs.1038 Posted: Tue Jul 16 15:20:44 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 18-Jul-85 05:06:08 EDT References: <496@leadsv.UUCP> <430@enmasse.UUCP> <9281@Glacier.ARPA> <2714@topaz.ARPA> Organization: Washington U. in St. Louis, CS Dept. Lines: 41 Xref: watmath net.audio:5313 net.consumers:2642 In article <2714@topaz.ARPA>, trudel@topaz.ARPA (Jonathan D.) writes: > >>Radio stations use direct-drive turntables because they can be "cued" better > >>A radio station DJ needs to be able to accomplish very tight timing. Dead > >>air is bad. So the DJ puts the needle on the turntable, manually spins the > >>platter until the song begins, then backs off the platter... > >> ... > >> In general, radio stations do not care very much about the audio quality > >> of their turntables. > > >I heard one of the local DJs mention that all their music was really on > >cartridges, no "Discs" at all. How common is this becomming? > > > I can tell you from experience that this is NOT becomming common. First of > all, cartridges are a continuous loop of audio tape that can only hold > about 5-10 minutes of music material. I used to work at several radio > stations, and the use of cartridges was only for commercials, public service > announcements and also for frequently played songs. In general, these carts > wear down after repeated use, physically, and audially (ie their sound > quality dropped). In their defense, let me say that I did like think their > convenience was a big plus (it was ready-to-play once you plugged it in). I > think at any radio station, there is a balance between carts and other > material (CDs, records, and regular tapes), and the scales are tipped in > favor to non-cartridge material. > -- > > Jonathan D. Trudel When I worked at WREK (Ga. Tech) we used broadcast carts for the new regular stuff (usually about 100-150 songs). We also had two 15" Sculleys and a 10 1/2" Revox for the oldies with 30 tapes per machine. It took about 3-4 weeks to go through our entire play list. The turntables were used on the air for the request show on Friday nights but mostly for recording and previewing. I forget what brand they were but I'm pretty certain they were direct drive. I do know that they wore out in 4-5 years (maybe less). Dale Frye @ Washington University in St. Louis P.S. To any WREK staffers: Happy 20th (well almost) and say 'HELLO' to 'Rat' for me. It's been ten years since I slept on the couch. I don't miss it but I do miss George P. and his music.