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Hi All, My name is Gregg Kovach. I am the executive director of a dedicated FM station in Indiana. Even though much of what we do is live, at least two-thirds of our broadcast is governed by automation. A founding member of the station by default got us on the air and went with an old automation system called JockeyProLT. We use currently this same automation which has not even in operation nowadays (no updates or customer service). It also will not run on a PC with an OS after XP. Yep, Stone Age. Still, it defined who we are. What we need in our automation, and what JockeyProLT gave us, is that shows ran at the top of the hour. During the period where no show was programmed to play, I had our automation set up to play spots, jingles or promos at regular intervals (15 mins). I also was able - by percentages - to play music by genre. The program had a separate interface built into it called JockBox, which was where I had our show themes, sound effects, etc.. A very unique feature, I have found. I have sustained our system but regard this as existing on borrowed time. One day, we will crash and not have the ability to exist as we did. I want to get out in front of a dire situation by getting something affordable (in the range of 500-1000 dollars) which would do what I require (stated above). Finally, besides myself as the guy who will more or less keep the system up-to-date, the end user - a live DJ - should be able to use it without fear of being overwhelmed. I am hoping someone can guide me or likewise point me in the direction of a user-friendly automation software for a low budget radio station. I appreciate any help anyone can offer. www.wvlp.org 219-476-9000 (office) 219-707-3062 (cell) info@wvlp.org

What features do you expect from cloud radio automation systems? If you already use cloud automation, what features are missing there, what should be made better, or easier to use?

I'm currently running an internet station that uses Centova Cast for the automation. I have been asked to set up a near-field FM radio station for a large event. The event producer would like to have commercials and announcements scattered in between the music. I am primarily Mac based, but I could get access to a Windows machine if I absolutely have no other option. All I'm really looking for is simple, cheap automation software that will play music in a playlist and fire off a commercial or 2 at regular intervals. Is there anything like that and that isn't too pricey? Currently I'm considering just using iTunes and manually setting commercials within the playlist, but I'd like something a little more automatic. Any ideas?

I am a new user of SAM Broadcaster and I am experimenting with the automation. This is my 3 playlist rotation programming idea: I have one playlist called "TOP 20" that has my Top 20 newest and best songs. I have a second playlist called "Top 40" that has my Top 40 songs. (Those that have exhausted the Top 20 and/or are not the "BEST of the BEST") I have a third playlist called "GOLD" that has 1200 great songs. I want SAM to play one song from the 1st playlist, then one song from the 2nd playlist, then one song from the third playlist. Without repeating any songs until the playlists are each exhausted. Essentially estimating it will repeat songs from the 1st playlist more (every 4 hours EST) 2nd playlist (every 8 hours) and from the third every few days or weeks. etc. So I have it set to play least played and do not repeat accordingly. Is this the correct way to accomplish this? I feel I am doing something wrong. The problem arises when I add any new music. I would have to reset the play counts or else it will screw up the rotation. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.