JockMaster - Broadcast Playout Software
Last updated 09 March 2010
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    JockMaster  [PREVIEW - LAYOUT AND FEATURES SUBJECT TO CHANGE!]

JockMaster may have a rather rubbish name (fancy choosing a better one?), but the features and performance make up for it.

Basic Features
...includes a variety of DJ-friendly features and is more than enough to run an Internet, Community or RSL station - not to mention enough outputs and buttons to keep a bedroom DJ up way past his bedtime...  Much of JockMaster's layout is designed to be touch-screen friendly, ideal for fast-paced shows.

A variety of features will be available such as: multi-channel outputs, mixdown of playlists, real-time effects and plugins (such as processing/streaming).  Although designed to operate with multiple output soundcards - JockMaster will be able to utilize the surround outputs of a domestic audio card: So a 7.1 card would allow up to 3 stereo outputs.

The basic JockMaster package allows you to drag 'n' drop MP3/WAV files from the FileBrowser into the Player or HotKey modules ready for playout.  The Player module is a live-assist/automated playback tool which can intelligently sequence a playlist of audio until a) a pre-set time, b) a command tells it to stop, or c) the playlist runs out.

Various "modules" make up the JockMaster package and they may be ordered during your initial purchase or later on should you decide to upgrade. Upgrade is simply a matter of paying some money and I send you a new code - no re-install, just type the new code and the extra features become available for use.  This allows you to licence various copies for full-blown on-air use, production, news booth or office desk use where you wouldn't want to waste un-used features (or your money)!

  • Player Module - up to 3 outputs
    Create, load/save and Play from an M3U playlist - either live-assist or automated.  Mini segue-editor for making simple adjustments to the overlaps of items (no level-ducking in basic edition).

  • HotKey Module
    Instant access to audio cuts such as jingles, sound fx and talk-beds

  • FileBrowser Module
    Find songs, jingles and promos across your hard-drive/network

  • Script Module
    Permits easy viewing of HTML, RTF and TXT file prompts

  • JockMaster Admin
    A standalone utility which allows you to configure JockMaster - ensures that presenters cannot fiddle with vital settings whilst they play another 3 in a row.

One of the problems (or is it a bonus?) of RSL and Community stations is the frequent deviation from a pre-scheduled playlist and playing songs that the presenter wants to hear (or the listener).  JockMaster will feed back to Trust the details of played items allowing the next schedule run to take into account latest song playback history.

Additional Modules
The following modules may be added at any time simply by entering a new activation key...

Database Support
If you need advanced features such as an audio database and/or voicetracking - these are optional modules and can be bolted on at a later date - or you can buy the whole lot... It's up to you!  Even without a central database, audio cuts can still hold data such as cue in, intro and segue points using data files which sit along-side your existing audio.

The optional Database Module (shown below) allows for quick and easy searching of your JockMaster library - you can filter by Item Type (Commands, Adverts, Jingles, Packages, Promos, Songs or VoiceTracks), find a particular genre/style and even list all songs with the word "love" in the artist/title... Subject to user privileges, audio items can be opened in the Editor window and their properties (cue points etc) can be modified.

USB Hardware I/O
Permits control of external switching equipment (such as satellite feeds, studios etc).  Also allows JockMaster to be controlled (Start, Stop, Next etc).  Using the DigiBee USB board, up to 16 inputs and 16 outputs may be defined.

HotKey Panel
A sizable hotkey button panel suitable for viewing on a 2nd monitor.

Now Playing
If you need to send your song playing data to a website, streaming server, Twitter or somewhere else - this module is needed.

One of the problems with a 1hr or 3hr pre-record is that you cannot update your website with "now playing" information.  This becomes possible with JockMaster as you can listen to a show via the editor and add library items to the Now Playing List so that they are output at the exact moment they play ;)  If you record the show via the in-built Record Module, JockMaster can add the songs for you as they are played - bloody clever if you ask me!

VoiceTracking/Level Ducking
Whilst the basic JockMaster licence allows for the simple adjustment of segue transitions, the optional segue/voicetracking feature will allow you to finely-tune each item overlap as well place sweepers and voice-tracks over song transitions.  This includes level-ducking of the music tracks so that your sweeper/voice-track is heard clearly.

For simplicity, I have decided not to re-produce waveform views as part of this feature (yet) - instead I will be using coloured bars to indicate portions of the file see image below.

Because every playlist segue is unique - not only do presenters want to ensure that the overlaps are correct, but in a live situation you'd adjust the fade-level of the song to match it's level wouldn't you ?  Of course you would - so why should this not work in automation as well ?  JockMaster's global "sweeper/voicetrack ducking level" can be overridden for every segue if you so desire.

A good example of this would be love songs - a global ducking level of, say, -12dB would all but completely mute most soft intros so you will have the option of increasing/decreasing the level accordingly.  This setting can also be applied on a per-song-basis so that louder intros are always ducked more than softer ones.

Overlap Example in JockMaster: A voice-track element has been added to the overlap and the incoming song has been brought forward to match the duration.  The yellow portion of the bar shows the intro duration - This will turn red if the sweeper/voice-track crosses the intro.  It is also possible to 'trim' the finish point of the outgoing track by dragging the white bar at the track's end.  The small black line indicates the track's Segue point.  The "Hit The Vocal" button will align the middle and incoming tracks so that they overlap and meet the intro as per the example below.  A scroll-bar allows you to view up to 40s of the incoming song's intro.

The image below is the current Segue Editor view - it's still work in progress but you can try it out as a stand-alone application.  The download looks a bit different as it was the final version before I added audio support - this sample doesn't do anything audio related as yet but you can move the tracks and click some buttons!  Download it here.

With the Voicetracking module you are also able to mixdown a playlist to a single stereo PCM WAV file - including overlaps and level ducking during the sweepers/voice-tracks.  This permits you to compile a show, record voice-tracks, set/adjust overlaps and then mix down to a final "master" audio track... This is ideal for presenters who produce syndicated shows.

News Module
Ideal for your news booth - a newsreader friendly screen combining news scripts with audio cuts.

API External Control/Events
Using an optional DLL, you can control JockMaster from external applications or have them react to JockMaster events.  Typical examples would include:

  • An e-mail/sms alert if things go wrong

  • A track ending (or starting)

  • Gathering playing data for an external database/web-site

Current Status
The actual program is working well and much of the GUI is complete - the bits left to do are code the automation/voicetrack routines and get the database finished.  Below is my "to do" list for this project, and I'll remove them as I complete them:

  • Segue/VoiceTrack Editor and Recorder

  • Admin Module for Database

  • Digibee IO Code

  • User Security tidy-ups

  • Now Playing FTP tidy-ups

  • API Example Projects

  • Help File - traditionally the final thing to get done!

...probably more but these are the obvious ones!

Support
Having looked at the many other playout systems available - all of which offer some type of support, I can't help wonder why there needs to be such extensive support in place ?  Peace of mind obviously - but it seems that there are 101 ways to configure these programs and 102 ways in which the average DJ can screw them up!

It seems logical that the installation and set-up process should be as simple as possible with a simple step-by-step guide to getting up-and-running with JockMaster.  At present, you can simply unzip the program - set a few basic options and run it: no complex installs or SQL worries.  Of course, every station is different (unless you're called Heart), so minor tweaks will need to be made to each config to suit the user.


JockMaster Editor Screen - managing audio properties

JockMaster Admin - setting-up the Hardware I/O Options

 


JockMaster Database View 1 - for adding/finding audio

JockMaster Database View 2 - for adding/finding audio

JockMaster Editor - managing audio properties

JockMaster HotKeys - instant audio playback

JockMaster Script - view HTML, RTF and TXT files

JockMaster SongList - add/remove songs to a pre-recorded show

Download/Purchase JockMaster

As of Tuesday 09 March, the following downloads are available:

Demo will be limited to a 14-day trial and exit after 30 minutes.

Optional Modules
Database Support
USB Hardware I/O
HotKey Window (for 2nd screen)
Now Playing (for website)
Voicetracking/Level Ducking
News Module

API Module

The above modules may be purchased at any time should you wish to upgrade.

As per my policy, these prices apply whether you are an RSL, Community or Regional/National station.

To discuss features, bug reports etc
Please visit my forum.

The Small Print
With the exception of bloggers who may quote brief passages, all text, images and other content is copyright Charlie Davy unless
otherwise specified and may not be re-produced elsewhere without prior written consent.

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