Hi, I was wondering what you would recomend for radio automation software. I saw MixTime. Does anyone know if this is good? I would prefer it to be free. I also want to make sure I get it from a reliable source that won't give me a virus or anything.
What do you use?
Thanks
I have been using ZaraRadio for a few years now. It has been very reliable. Seems that every application is always going to have some quirk and Zara is no exception. But, overall it has been very stable, versatile and FREE.
I use an older version (1.4.4) as the newer versions don't support plug-ins. I use Sound Solution (a plug-in) for audio processing.
ZaraRadio itself runs very well even on some older, slower machines but don't try to use Sound Solution on a PC much slower than 500 mHz.
You can find links to the old and new versions on my MRAM WEBPAGE. Just look for the button to the ZaraRadio page.
MRAM is right, Zararadio is the best automation software out there and best of all, it's free!
Zara Radio
Zara Radio 1.44 with plug-in support. I wouldn't use the later version unless you have issues with this one. Plug-in's are really nice to improve your audio, particularly if you're broadcasting over the web (and don't want to take the audio out of your computer, process it and then bring it back into some sort of server).
There really is no good reason to keep using version 1.4 of ZaraRadio. It is buggy and is missing improvements that 1.62 has. The plugin support that some see as a great feature is also buggy and unstable, based on my experience.
If you want to add audio processing to the current version of ZaraRadio, there are two ways to do it without using two computers linked together. I mentioned how I originally did this both here and on the ZaraRadio forums (try searching). Basically, things were linked together like this:
ZaraRadio --- Virtual Audio Cable --- VSTHost --- Soundcard
You can find some very nice VST plugins that do compression, EQ, limiting, whatever, for free. Virtual Audio Cable is the only paid program in this and costs very little. Using this setup, I had some very good sounding audio.
A method that I am currently experimenting with is replacing the VAC/VSTHost combination with one of the Breakaway audio processor programs. There are three: Breakaway Audio, Breakaway Live and Breakaway Broadcast. Demo versions are downloadable. They are using an OEM version of Virtual Audio Cable as part of their software.
I've not tried Virtual Audio Cable though I remember reading your post about it.
What sort of processor load does it present? I'm using mostly older, slower machines between 700 mHz and 1.4 gHz. The SoundSolution plug-in runs OK at these speeds. Its inherrent problem is you can't run two audio files at the same time, no overlaps on fades.
The only buggy thing I've experienced with Zara ver 1.4.4 is the occasional problem when running a live stream in the playlist. The stream is playing but the playlist at some point will start up again playing both until the stream ends. There was a post regarding this problem that sounds like a good fix and I swear I'm going to try it someday. Had something to do with using the "Stop" and "Start" commands to control the playlist.
Anyway, I have 1.4.4 running on 5 different machines and the only failures I've had this year were do to power failures or forced Windows updates.
I too have had no problems with Zara 1.44. The plug-in support may not be the best, but you'll know right away if your particular plug-in will work or not - if it does, then I've experienced no problems.
I've also used VAC with VST and other processing software - these will all work as well.
It has been some time since I experimented with SoundSolution, but I remember the CPU usage was very high, compared to VAC and VSTHost.
One other thing that I have mentioned before that helps -- set the process priority for ZaraRadio and your audio processing software (but not VAC) to "above normal". You can automate this with various third-party apps. The one I originally used in a batch file is this:
http://www.beyondlogic.org/solutions/processutil/processutil.htm
Doing a Google search, I just turned up this, which has a nice GUI:
http://www.prnwatch.com/prio.html
By upping the priority, I am able to copy huge amounts of OTR to/from the PC over a gigabit LAN without causing audio drop out.
Much better now...Sound Solution
I have been using DirEttore Radio Automation Software from www.mixtime.com for 3 months non stop to date, have had no problems. It's great software all around. The best part is, it's FREE! Has anyone else used it? ~ Paul @ Glory 1650 AM
Is free for the older version and based on the comparison, Zara Wins.
IMHO
I'm open to new, better and free. Gotta check it out!
There are links on my MRAM WEBPAGE for both the older and newer ZaraRadio programs.
From my home page click on the Zara Radio link.
If any of you are signed up on the Zara board,you will find a download of TPP. This stacker allows you to use Zara 1.6 with Sounsolution so you can have your overlaps and sweepers and still have a great audio processor. It requires two soundcards and has about 3 seconds of delay on air,but use the input soundcard for studio monitors and you are golden,no delay. I believe it will work with other applications as well,but not in Vista.