failedmuso
Hi guys & gals,
I'm currently in the process of sorting out an existing web based community radio station here in the UK. We're very small at the moment, but have much bigger ambitions for the future. As well as presenting my own show, I am also responsible for the IT and systems infrastructure, which includes purchasing the software that we use.
We're currently using an old version of SAM Broadcaster software which meets most of our needs but, in my opinion, is a bit unstable and unreliable. Therefore, one of my priorities is to upgrade or change our broadcast app. Now, SAM costs $299 for a single licence, which is not that bad, considering what it does, but then I discovered VDJ and can see that we could buy into this product line for a lot less if we wanted to. I've downloaded the Home version this evening and have had a little play around with it and have been suitably impressed, but I wanted to ask you learned people about a few things so that I can weigh this up against SAM and decide which product to invest our very scarce funds in.
My initial queries centre around two areas. Firstly, I don't see a facility to accommodate a microphone. Obviously, with a radio station, this is very important. Is this a feature that is excluded from the home version and utilised in one of the paid versions or does it simply not exist? I've seen conflicting comments in various searches I have made, some saying that a Mic option is built in, others saying it isn't. Can anyone clarify?
The other feature I was searching for was an "Auto DJ" feature. In SAM, you can point the app at a directory/drive and when the Auto DJ mode is selected, the app automatically cues up and plays tracks at random. We use this for the hours that we don't have a live presenter on. Does VDJ have a similar feature?
Everything else about VDJ has impressed me so far and I do understand that it is primarily directed at mix DJ's as opposed to traditional radio presentation, but I'm keen to use the best and most affordable packages out there, given the very tight budget constraints I find myself under. Ultimately, if SAM is the best option, then that's where we will have to go, but I'd love it if VDJ could tick all of our boxes :)
I will truly appreciate any help you can give me.
Regards,
Rob.
I'm currently in the process of sorting out an existing web based community radio station here in the UK. We're very small at the moment, but have much bigger ambitions for the future. As well as presenting my own show, I am also responsible for the IT and systems infrastructure, which includes purchasing the software that we use.
We're currently using an old version of SAM Broadcaster software which meets most of our needs but, in my opinion, is a bit unstable and unreliable. Therefore, one of my priorities is to upgrade or change our broadcast app. Now, SAM costs $299 for a single licence, which is not that bad, considering what it does, but then I discovered VDJ and can see that we could buy into this product line for a lot less if we wanted to. I've downloaded the Home version this evening and have had a little play around with it and have been suitably impressed, but I wanted to ask you learned people about a few things so that I can weigh this up against SAM and decide which product to invest our very scarce funds in.
My initial queries centre around two areas. Firstly, I don't see a facility to accommodate a microphone. Obviously, with a radio station, this is very important. Is this a feature that is excluded from the home version and utilised in one of the paid versions or does it simply not exist? I've seen conflicting comments in various searches I have made, some saying that a Mic option is built in, others saying it isn't. Can anyone clarify?
The other feature I was searching for was an "Auto DJ" feature. In SAM, you can point the app at a directory/drive and when the Auto DJ mode is selected, the app automatically cues up and plays tracks at random. We use this for the hours that we don't have a live presenter on. Does VDJ have a similar feature?
Everything else about VDJ has impressed me so far and I do understand that it is primarily directed at mix DJ's as opposed to traditional radio presentation, but I'm keen to use the best and most affordable packages out there, given the very tight budget constraints I find myself under. Ultimately, if SAM is the best option, then that's where we will have to go, but I'd love it if VDJ could tick all of our boxes :)
I will truly appreciate any help you can give me.
Regards,
Rob.
Posted Fri 26 Nov 10 @ 4:39 pm
Tear Em 'Up
VDJ does work with a microphone while broadcasting. It also supports an "autoplay" feature. Both are fully functional for broadcasting.
Posted Fri 26 Nov 10 @ 5:01 pm
leighfromnz
Although it would work ok IMO VDJ is really designed to have an operator - though you can use automix to play if you're not there. Have you checked out station playlist software. It is what I used for my radio station and allows you to include ads, choose from different genres so you get the types of songs playing that you want within the hour, etc, etc. Very flexible and far more suited for radio station use. New features being added all the time and excellent support too
www.stationplaylist.com
www.stationplaylist.com
Posted Fri 26 Nov 10 @ 5:05 pm
failedmuso
"VDJ does work with a microphone while broadcasting. It also supports an "autoplay" feature. Both are fully functional for broadcasting."
Thanks for that. Are these features detailed in the manuals available on this site? I haven't had a chance this evening to go through them but will tomorrow :) Thanks for your prompt response.
Thanks for that. Are these features detailed in the manuals available on this site? I haven't had a chance this evening to go through them but will tomorrow :) Thanks for your prompt response.
Posted Fri 26 Nov 10 @ 5:08 pm
failedmuso
"Although it would work ok IMO VDJ is really designed to have an operator - though you can use automix to play if you're not there. Have you checked out station playlist software. It is what I used for my radio station and allows you to include ads, choose from different genres so you get the types of songs playing that you want within the hour, etc, etc. Very flexible and far more suited for radio station use. New features being added all the time and excellent support too
www.stationplaylist.com"
Thanks for this. SAM takes care of all of that side of things at the moment, although we don't currently run ads. If we go the VDJ route, what you suggest might be worth our consideration.
Many thanks :)
www.stationplaylist.com"
Thanks for this. SAM takes care of all of that side of things at the moment, although we don't currently run ads. If we go the VDJ route, what you suggest might be worth our consideration.
Many thanks :)
Posted Fri 26 Nov 10 @ 5:09 pm
TearEmUp is right ....
also you can upgrade your AUTO DJ .......
playing trax randomly ????????????????????
make instead real playlists that take into account BPM, Genre , Key and put VDJ on AUTOMIX much better alternative
even in AUTO you can tweak it to massage the crossfades and volume levels .....
plus get suggestions for what to mix
here , near phabulous Philadelphia , we have a station WMMR that has gasp real DJ's on air 24/7/365 ........
also you can upgrade your AUTO DJ .......
playing trax randomly ????????????????????
make instead real playlists that take into account BPM, Genre , Key and put VDJ on AUTOMIX much better alternative
even in AUTO you can tweak it to massage the crossfades and volume levels .....
plus get suggestions for what to mix
here , near phabulous Philadelphia , we have a station WMMR that has gasp real DJ's on air 24/7/365 ........
Posted Sat 27 Nov 10 @ 7:23 am