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Post by JasonWQMA on Jul 6, 2008 1:28:49 GMT -5
This anniversary is also mentioned on AT40 this week. Ryan starts the show playing a clip from the first AT40 show and mentioning Casey still counting down the hits on AT10 and AT20.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jul 3, 2008 14:04:40 GMT -5
An extremely special show this weekend. For the Independance Day holiday, instead of a countdown, Al Gross presents the "Stateside Top 50". It's a collection of US state based songs in alphabetical order from A to Z. Al appears to be showing off his large record collection here as he plays a song linked to each of the 50 states. I've never heard a 4th of July show like it. Cool idea.
I'm digging these NCS shows. Really good stuff. Especially the 60's shows and all of the "oldies" from the backs of these charts that I've never even heard.
We're going to start putting this upcoming show info at our website instead of (or maybe in addition to) here.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 26, 2008 20:21:31 GMT -5
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 20, 2008 14:45:54 GMT -5
I guess we've just really got the CD-ripping-and-airing down to a science at WQMA ;D
We've got a very well tuned CD-ripping computer system that takes an entire disc in as broadcast quality files with one click in 3 minutes using dBpoweramp.
So a four hour show takes about 12 minutes to rip.
Now, an Internet download of the same four hour show always takes longer. We also have to limit it so it doesn't take too much of our bandwidth (that would interfere with our other business operations like our streaming). Ideally, it's not even too much trouble in an perfect environment, but if we download too much, our broadband Internet provider slows us to a crawl due to their acceptable usage policy (which allows them to take us to dialup like speeds after so much downloading in a 24 hour period). Under these conditions, after being limited by them, a four hour program downloads in about real time. About four hours.
That's assuming there are no internet troubles that week. Nothing that would cause a slowdown or timeouts.
Each syndicator has different download methods (some from a website, some from an FTP, etc), different file naming methods (all of the files would probably have to be renamed for our system or entered into automation manually each week). During our CD ripping process, that naming is done automatically (Track01.mp3, Track02.mp3) as preset by software. It's 100% ready for our automation system to go after being ripped.
I do think Internet delivery serves some purposes. Especially for extreme time sensitive programming. Or emergency backup purposes if a CD delivery gets "lost in the mail". But old fashioned mail/CD is actually more efficient for us with the large amount of weekend programming.
Considering the time spent for them to rip into MP3, and web hosting/bandwidth/webmaster costs, it costs a syndicator either way too. Seems very smart for most program providers to offer every option possible (CD delivery, online delivery, etc) to ensure that programs get as wide an audience as possible, and make it the best possible experience for affiliates.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 20, 2008 12:14:42 GMT -5
Hi,
Maybe someday WQMA will air one or more of the decades shows.
The choice of AT10 was made before they even created AT40: The 70's or AT40: The 80's. WQMA did air AT40 Flashback.
The biggest concern with those two shows at this time is that when we checked, they aren't delivered on CD to stations. They are Internet delivered. We run an overly large amount of weekend programming (30+ hours). If we had to download all of that each week, it probably wouldn't be feasible. For many stations that air less weekend programming, that method probably works fine. So for now, we only run CD delivered programming.
Jason
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 19, 2008 12:48:53 GMT -5
mp3PRO is supposed to just about double the quality of a stream according to their own promotions department.
I'm trying to see how feasible it would be for us to switch to something easier like aacplus.
This upcoming weekends show is 1957! Just got it today!
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 19, 2008 10:09:49 GMT -5
I just found out from a friend of a friend. Maybe one of the usual places with the info will confirm.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 19, 2008 2:12:55 GMT -5
6/8/1985
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 14, 2008 13:23:05 GMT -5
I'm not sure about Jetaudio Basic. I thought just the encoder wasn't free. But I'm definitely not sure. There is another way to do it. You can get a free plugin for Winamp to decode mp3PRO streams here: www.mp3prozone.com/products.htmI wish Streamer handled it automatically, or I wish we switched to something like aacPlus which is built into Winamp. Maybe in the future.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 14, 2008 1:10:27 GMT -5
Hi, I appreciate your comments. I've heard a couple really negative things regarding the stream this week which surprises me because I think it's one of the better sounding online radio streams. Rest assured I'm paying attention to comments and listening closely on my end for issues. mp3PRO should be included with Jetaudio Basic at www.jetaudio.comAlso, make sure you are selecting the 64k broadband stream (when using mp3PRO, that's "like" a 128k mp3 file). It should be a stereo stream. We are aware of a problem in the streaming audio chain that occasionally kicks the sound back to mono on both streams. Right now, as I'm listening, it sounds correct. But it's an occasional problem caused by a faulty wire. This will be corrected by next weekend. The 18k stream is in mono and a lower quality for dialup listeners (but still sounds kinda good to me). This is "normal". Both streams are free (but listener donation supported). Jetaudio Basic is free. Hope this helps!
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 12, 2008 13:09:05 GMT -5
I did ;D
The download link doesn't work for me. It actually seems like he posts the cue type files that a program like Winamp would use to play the CD's.
We did receive CD's today intended for this upcoming weekend so that is what we will play. The year is 1969.
I also see what you see regarding 1963. I am guessing that website is probably a little behind.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 12, 2008 8:41:27 GMT -5
Hi,
The Streamer/Winamp or Streamer/JetAudio (what I prefer now) combo takes a little getting used to but its worth it.
I can help with the Winamp popping back up part. What you are doing is receiving an audio stream with the program Streamer, and then actually playing it with Winamp. You can use just one of the two if you really wanted to (Streamer) but you would lose the mp3PRO (which you may or may not have with Winamp anyway since it's an optional plugin - with Jetaudio it comes included...)
Anyway, unless you stop Streamer first and wait a few seconds to stop receiving the stream, when you stop Winamp, the stream continues on your computer so it tries to start/restart your default mp3 player. So make sure you hit the stop button on the program Streamer.
Don't see Streamer running? It's the blue square with tiny yellow lightning bolts near your system clock in the taskbar. You can left or right click on it.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 11, 2008 10:30:00 GMT -5
Hi,
I believe our first week will be 1959. That's the show we already have - sent as a demo - unless they actually send us a current show in time for this weekend.
Al is using the Cashbox chart. He keeps the shows with factual information. No comedy or gossip like Rick Dees or the current AT40. The show sounds pretty good. I think some people will want to record the NCS/Dave the Rave/AT10 combo each Saturday.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 10, 2008 17:46:32 GMT -5
Mike Kasem will be guest hosting this upcoming weekends AT10."Songs about Fathers and their Children" will be the spotlight. Sounds like a good show. We're changing the weekend schedule around this weekend, so please make a note that if you listen on WQMA at www.q1520radio.com that the countdown will begin this Saturday at 11am central time. By doing this, we'll be able to add the "National Countdown Show with Al Gross" beginning at 6am central. It's the complete top 40 songs of the week from a week back in the 50's and 60's. It's like "AT40" before AT40! The show also features original commercials, newsclips, and information from the past. I think this is going to be a great addition to our lineup. If you still remember "Dave the Rave's Relics and Rarities" from XM, you'll note that airs at 10am central Saturday now. Dave highlights songs that didn't even necessarily make the top 40. They are rarities from his deep record collection. Definitely unique deep playlist radio worth recording even. Then Casey at 11, and "SuperGold" at 2pm. Great shows all day Saturday really. We're not dropping any shows, so see the full schedule at www.q1520radio.com if you are looking for "American Gold", "Dick Clark's Rock Roll & Remember" or any others.
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Post by JasonWQMA on Jun 9, 2008 1:29:42 GMT -5
Hey,
In case you don't watch WGN, they are making an attempt to rebrand the national channel as "WGN America" adding some new "classic" programming like WKRP in Cincinnati and Mary Tyler Moore, giving the channel a new slogan ("TV you can't ignore") and logo, and making a few other changes.
One of them is adding Casey Kasem to do voiceovers/promos for the channel.
Just a heads up since I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else on the site yet.
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