A lot of functions that were managed using costly equipments until a few year back are now entrusted to software programs. This has not only reduced the radio station setup cost considerably, but it has also offered wide flexibility to radio station owners.

Most of the software programs used in a radio station setup are available at very low prices (You also have free software program alternatives for most of them as well)

Listed below are the major software programs used in a typical  radio station setup.

1. Audio mixing & editing software – To begin with, you will need a good mixing software. This replaces the large music mixing console that was so common in earlier FM radio stations. The market is flooded with mixing software programs. And there is nothing that I will recommend. What may be a good software today might become out dated tomorrow.

Any software that offers unlimited multi-track mixing capabilities, allows for creating my own mixes and remixes, generates good quality output, is backed by proper after sales service and offers the possibility of extending features by adding plug ins, is fine with me of a radio station setup. There are loads of free mixing software available out they may not be as good as the paid ones.

2.Audio Compression Software – The primary function of a audio compression software is to control the volume of different soundtracks and to provide a stable output. This is also required to ensure that audio is broadcast within the limited broadcasting abilities and other technical parameters of the transmitter without any transmission modification or losses. This is a vial software for any radio station setup.

3. Music recording software – This software is used to record music, voice and other audio signals. Also allows for adding effects like echo, amplification, noise reduction etc. This forms the backbone for live program broadcasting in a typical radio station setup.

Other Software Programs used in radio station setup(non mandatory)

Telephone line recording software – This allows you to record multiple incoming telephone calls, edit them, sequence them and then add to the broadcasting program.

Commercial break management software – This software is used to automatically trigger commercial breaks using certain predefined parameters.

Sweepers, Promos, Text to Voice software – There are thousands of other utility add ons that you can try to give extra effect to your programs.

Conclusion
The three mandatory software mentioned above need to be good and  therefore ideally you must buy them. (if you come across a free software that offers all these features there is no stopping from using the free versions). For others you can explore from amongst a large number of free software or even buy them subject to your budget. Most of the software companies allow for demos. Check out at least 10 different software, compare their features and prices and choose one that suits you

The use of software instead of costly equipments has resulted in a drastic reduction in costs to set up a radio station. You do not need expensive sound proof studios – thanks to the new innovations that’s  helping set up  radio stations on show string budgets.

Well that was it – I am sure you will agree that setting up a radio station is a vast subject in itself and it can not be possibly discussed in sporadic articles like this one. In order to help new start ups, our senior consultants have drafted a complete business blueprint that uncovers the entire blueprint most exhaustively. The blue print also delivers a sample radio station business plan which has been adapted from the model of a very successful radio station in existence.

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