Any budding radio show hosts out there?

Gawan said:
One mixing device I looked up last year already:

http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000J5Y214/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1TQ1MD8DDU0WY&coliid=I2F6FBSSGZ0GMR
Click to expand...

Mixer

We use this one for our two radio studios: Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB http://www.amazon.de/Behringer-1204FX-Mischpult-USB-Audio-Interface-12-Kanal/dp/B0039PPW60

Product website with data sheet: http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Mixers/Analog-Mixers/X1204USB/p/P0A0H

In general, there are some tricky issues with USB audio routing between PC and mixers, which are not always straightfoward to solve. But this mixer is guaranteed to work because it can 1) put USB input on the headphones, and 2) send microphone audio via USB at the same time.

Mics

We have Sennheiser e840 condenser microphones (XLR). These may not be available any more (haven't looked much though). Any equivalent XLR condenser mics should work, but don't go overboard with the price. Lower priced ones should be enough, especially if you tweak the equalizer.

We also have foam thingies on them to pre-dampen breathing noise a bit. The mics are mounted in shock absorbers (something similar to this) which are mounted on flexible arms (similar to this).

Headphone output

The mixer has only 1 headphone output. If you have several hosts sitting on a table, you'll also need a headphone multipier so that everyone hears the same audio. We have this one: http://www.amazon.de/Samson-SASAMP-4-Kanal-Stereo-Kopfh%C3%B6rer-Verst%C3%A4rker/dp/B0002ORPU2 . It works with 6.35 mm stereo Phone connectors. You could use 6-to-3 mm Phone adapters if you have different headphones.

Dynamic range compressor

This is optional. You need it only if you want to filter out background noise that you cannot avoid (like a busy road outside). We have this one: http://www.amazon.de/Samson-S-com-SA-SCOM4-4-Channel-Compressor/dp/B0002D0672 But the Behringer mixer has a built-in compressor that is lower in quality, but should do the job just fine in the beginning.

Cables

4 x XLR cables male to female (if you have 4 microphones)
1 x 6.35 mm stereo Phone connector cables (to the headphone multiplier)
2 x 6.35 mm mono Phone connector cables (optional, to and from the range compressor)
1 x USB cable

PC

Must be PC (laptop or desktop), not too young, not too old. Ideally you send us a new SSD hard drive (120 GB is enough), you'll get it back pre-installed with Debian 8. It needs Linux because it supports arbitrary application-to-application audio routing, and has one custom piece of software that makes the automation of a radio show more easy (has to do with starting/stopping the show on time, plus archiving it on Sott).

---

The mixer would be the most important part because it interfaces with the PC, and we have the right settings for it. The rest of the equipment is up to you. The above is just a suggestion, so as always, you should check compatibility before you decide for something, and ask if you are unsure!
 
itellsya said:
a bit of back and forth constructive criticism about our current overlords and the mess they're making :)
Click to expand...

And that, is precisely the right way to conceive of what you'd be doing! :thup:
 
Re: microphones... DO NOT use 3.5mm jack mics or connections between components.

XLR mics and USB mics work well, but with cheaper 3.5mm mics/connections, there are usually grounding/ground loop issues that cause all kinds of buzzing and other noise, especially if you are using a laptop. Plus, a good mic makes a huge difference in sound quality, especially now that we're using the Mikey Talk Radio service. ;D

The same is true of connecting mixer <-> puter, which is why the USB mixers are great (you don't want an analog audio connection between puter and mixer).

If you get a USB mic, get a good quality one!
 
Joe said:
itellsya said:
a bit of back and forth constructive criticism about our current overlords and the mess they're making :)
Click to expand...

And that, is precisely the right way to conceive of what you'd be doing! :thup:
Click to expand...

Well that sounds like fun! Count me in :)

If we're discussing good old blighty, I can't help thinking the theme to Monty Pythons Flying Circus might be a good intro.
 
Puck said:
Cool! Sounds like a plan. Erm, intro... I guess just say I'm a sott editor and the segment could be called 'Police State Roundup - a collection of stories from the past month or so covering unnecessarily violent police behavior in clear violation of our constitutional rights'

I'll try to summarize as much as possible. How long would you want the segment to be?
Click to expand...

Sure, PM me the name by which you want to be introduced (real name, pseudonym). Maybe shoot for 10 minutes or so? It can always be shorter or longer, especially if it's live and we add a bit of discussion. Also, do you have any audio skills to create a short intro jingle, like Zoya has for the pet health segment? If not, if you have any ideas or sound clips from YouTube, just send them to me and I can put something together.
 
Yupo said:
What are your gardening and cooking interests? Could they be turned into a weekly segment for the Health and Wellness show?
Click to expand...

I think so. I am a self-taught, very creative cook. Strong interest in ketogenic/high fat diet. Still much to learn.
Same with gardening. I have grown some vegetables. I do a fair bit of food preservation in way of fermentation, canning, dehydration. I'm not a certified expert, but I am pretty comfortable in the kitchen. Very big on home grown vittles as a way of controlling my intake of some supermarket mystery ingredients.
Looking for land at the moment to get into some animal husbandry for fiber and food.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for the other H&W hosts, but I for one would welcome your contribution if you decided you were interested in doing that. I like to experiment with food, but honestly sometimes I feel like I'm running out of recipes to do on the show. :P I think a segment on gardening would be a brilliant idea!

My 2 cents...
 
Jonathan said:
Yupo said:
What are your gardening and cooking interests? Could they be turned into a weekly segment for the Health and Wellness show?
Click to expand...

I think so. I am a self-taught, very creative cook. Strong interest in ketogenic/high fat diet. Still much to learn.
Same with gardening. I have grown some vegetables. I do a fair bit of food preservation in way of fermentation, canning, dehydration. I'm not a certified expert, but I am pretty comfortable in the kitchen. Very big on home grown vittles as a way of controlling my intake of some supermarket mystery ingredients.
Looking for land at the moment to get into some animal husbandry for fiber and food.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for the other H&W hosts, but I for one would welcome your contribution if you decided you were interested in doing that. I like to experiment with food, but honestly sometimes I feel like I'm running out of recipes to do on the show. :P I think a segment on gardening would be a brilliant idea!

My 2 cents...
Click to expand...

Segments and gardening and food preservation would be a great addition. And more recipes wouldn't hurt either. You're definitely welcome to contribute. :D
 
Just wanted to throw an idea in case you may think it's appropriate. What about creating a show (or couple of shows) that will cover paranormal and/or science (like electric universe) topics? It's true that all the shows talked about similar topics, and it kind of hard to separate them since they are all interconnected, but there is so much interesting info that could be shared and talked about on a separate show as well. Secret history and archaeology too! :guru:
 
Oh wow this sounds like a wonderful idea! I would like to help out too as its always a joy (and inspiring) to listen to presenters / contributors and think wow I wish I could contribute in some small way. I am from the UK too so I would love to help. :thup:
 
I thought I'd chime in as well. Another UK resident here. :D

I'm not a budding radio show host but I'd be interested to help in a support basis if such a thing exists e.g. researching stories, verifying facts, analysing numbers (if there are any) etc.

Talking is not my forte so that's not a thing I'd be engaging in...

Anyways, I'll wait for developments.
 
At some point, I think a show segment on the subject/with intention of gently bringing vegetarians/vegans into the keto-fold would be a good idea. Most of my family and friends are veg-heads. Baby steps! It all starts with butter, I think.
 
Count me in! I've been thinking lots this week about potential topics for shows, I like the idea of Psychology and what's going on in the UK :)!
 
Data said:
Gawan said:
One mixing device I looked up last year already:

http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000J5Y214/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1TQ1MD8DDU0WY&coliid=I2F6FBSSGZ0GMR
Click to expand...

Mixer

We use this one for our two radio studios: Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB http://www.amazon.de/Behringer-1204FX-Mischpult-USB-Audio-Interface-12-Kanal/dp/B0039PPW60

Product website with data sheet: http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Mixers/Analog-Mixers/X1204USB/p/P0A0H

In general, there are some tricky issues with USB audio routing between PC and mixers, which are not always straightfoward to solve. But this mixer is guaranteed to work because it can 1) put USB input on the headphones, and 2) send microphone audio via USB at the same time.

Mics

We have Sennheiser e840 condenser microphones (XLR). These may not be available any more (haven't looked much though). Any equivalent XLR condenser mics should work, but don't go overboard with the price. Lower priced ones should be enough, especially if you tweak the equalizer.

We also have foam thingies on them to pre-dampen breathing noise a bit. The mics are mounted in shock absorbers (something similar to this) which are mounted on flexible arms (similar to this).

Headphone output

The mixer has only 1 headphone output. If you have several hosts sitting on a table, you'll also need a headphone multipier so that everyone hears the same audio. We have this one: http://www.amazon.de/Samson-SASAMP-4-Kanal-Stereo-Kopfh%C3%B6rer-Verst%C3%A4rker/dp/B0002ORPU2 . It works with 6.35 mm stereo Phone connectors. You could use 6-to-3 mm Phone adapters if you have different headphones.

Dynamic range compressor

This is optional. You need it only if you want to filter out background noise that you cannot avoid (like a busy road outside). We have this one: http://www.amazon.de/Samson-S-com-SA-SCOM4-4-Channel-Compressor/dp/B0002D0672 But the Behringer mixer has a built-in compressor that is lower in quality, but should do the job just fine in the beginning.

Cables

4 x XLR cables male to female (if you have 4 microphones)
1 x 6.35 mm stereo Phone connector cables (to the headphone multiplier)
2 x 6.35 mm mono Phone connector cables (optional, to and from the range compressor)
1 x USB cable

PC

Must be PC (laptop or desktop), not too young, not too old. Ideally you send us a new SSD hard drive (120 GB is enough), you'll get it back pre-installed with Debian 8. It needs Linux because it supports arbitrary application-to-application audio routing, and has one custom piece of software that makes the automation of a radio show more easy (has to do with starting/stopping the show on time, plus archiving it on Sott).

---

The mixer would be the most important part because it interfaces with the PC, and we have the right settings for it. The rest of the equipment is up to you. The above is just a suggestion, so as always, you should check compatibility before you decide for something, and ask if you are unsure!
Click to expand...

Scottie said:
Re: microphones... DO NOT use 3.5mm jack mics or connections between components.

XLR mics and USB mics work well, but with cheaper 3.5mm mics/connections, there are usually grounding/ground loop issues that cause all kinds of buzzing and other noise, especially if you are using a laptop. Plus, a good mic makes a huge difference in sound quality, especially now that we're using the Mikey Talk Radio service. ;D

The same is true of connecting mixer <-> puter, which is why the USB mixers are great (you don't want an analog audio connection between puter and mixer).

If you get a USB mic, get a good quality one!
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the detailed description and hints, I will check it out on the weekend.
 
RedFox said:
If we're discussing good old blighty, I can't help thinking the theme to Monty Pythons Flying Circus might be a good intro.
Click to expand...

Great idea!
 
Do any of you like talking about the weather?

We often ended our shows by mentioning a few events, but so much more goes on the world over every week. How about a segment that presents a round-up of extreme weather/seismic activity/volcanic activity/meteor activity/solar activity/space weather, and so on?
 
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