April 30, 2009

Lots of new stations signing on with Splat! over the past few weeks.  Welcome to our newest members: KOFX, KHRO, WIHY, WYHY, WHBZ, KJLL, KQLX, KUUB, KTDR, WMXQ, WXAJ, WCVS, WRXZ

March 12, 2009

So your DAW is draggin' you down, eh?  To call it slow would be a gross understatement, and your engineer is saying your computer is running "just fine, it's all in your head."

Hey, we've all been there...soooo here's a little firepower for you.  Craig Anderson writes a helpful article on the Sony Creative Software website cleverly called, "10 Tips for a Faster Computer."

If your PC is running like it's 1996 again, spend a few minutes checking Craig's tips.  You could probably finish the article in the time it takes your DAW to render that next mixdown!

March 6, 2009

Scott Dadich, Creative Director of WIRED magazine, writes in the latest issue about "designing under constraint."  He argues that having complete artistic control actually inhibits creativity, and that limits and boundaries inspire a designer to grow and innovate.

How can this be applied to radio production?  Think about it.  If your promos could be any length, your sweepers could say anything and your sound style was not dictated by the station's format...you'd be facing a creative wilderness.  You could do anything you want.  Sure it would be fun, but would it be a challenge?

So if you're given a mandate that promos can only be 15 seconds or a liner must convey only one message, how do you make it creative and fun?  How can you deliver the same message time and time again, but make it sound fresh?  Ah ha!  You find a way to innovate, you push your boundaries and try new and different things.

So next time you are presented with specific constraints, turn the situation upside down.  Don't think of the limits, use the opportunity to come up with something unexpected. Use the boundaries to explore your creative freedom.