When recording my radio drama, I set up different equipment to use for different times:
Considerations to create the best quality audio:
What is a sound format? A sound format is a way to store audio files on a computer system. The different sound formats are:
Wav: Wav is a lossless, uncompressed format which is high quality. It is suitable for video and music production purposes.
Advantages:
It's lossless and will not lose any information in the compressed process.
They have the highest quality possible for the sound output.
Wav files are flexible which means that they’ll be easier to edit.
Disadvantages:
They are big files which means I will need loads of storage if using this file format.
Limited compatibility with other devices which means you’ll need a specific device to be able to use Wav files.
AIFF: AIFF is an apple proprietary and lossless. This means that it’ll directly copy the original source.
Advantages:
The audio is uncompressed which means you'll be able to compress the audio file to the levels that are desired to you.
Highly compatible with other devices and you don’t need a specific device to use.
Can be embedded with meta data which means that it can be provided with other data.
Disadvantages:
It’ll be difficult to share online due to it being uncompressed with the sound levels being all over the place.
It is a large file which means that storage/space is needed.
FLAC:FLAC is a compressed sound format which is a lossless format which takes up less storage than AIFF. It’s popular since it's open source.
Advantages:
It can be streamed and decoded easily when extracting information from the file.
It keeps the quality of the information from the original copy.
Doesn’t have any auditory problems.
Disadvantages:
Larger storage is needed since the files are big. This may be an issue if you have limited storage.
It isn’t supported on loads of devices and you need a specific device to use it.
Mp3: Mp3 is the most popular lossy format. Mp3 is mainly on smartphones and people store audios/music on there. This is because it takes up less space than a lossless file.
Advantages:
it’s an uncompressed audio file
It can easily be shared onto other devices and to other people
If the bit rate is high enough the sound quality of the audio will be very good.
Disadvantages:
It uses lossy data compression which means that the quality of the sound may be degraded if there isn’t enough bit rate.
The audio may be distorted when audio is very loud and not compressed properly which causes loudness wars.
AAC: AAC is a lossy format. Apple iTunes uses this so that it’s able to keep its format and quailty.
Advantages:
It can provide better quality of the sound at a lower bit rate.
Can maintain a brighter and clearer sound no matter what the bit rate is.
Disadvantages:
It is not compatible with all devices, or media players
AAC files have bigger file sizes which means that it’ll take up storage.
Ogg Vorbis: Ogg Vorbis an alternative to Mp3 and AAC. This is a popular sound format since it’s a lossless format with an open source.
Advantages:
They have smaller files which means that lots of storage isn’t needed
They use lossy compression formats to keep the majority of the quality to sound the same whilst having a smaller file.
Disadvantages:
Not a lot of computers have them which means that it may be hard to find a device which supports this file format.
When using the files it has a high battery consumpsion
What is storage?
Flash Drive: A memory stick which transfers memory onto different devices and stores data on there.
Advantages:
They are lightweight, and portable to travel around with.
You do not need wi-fi to be able to access your data.
One time payment when buying and can choose what kind of usb stick you want with the amount of storage.
Disadvantages:
Can have viruses on the flash drive.
Can have a higher cost, with a small/limited amount of storage.
Left inside of the power supply for too long they can turn off by itself which could lead to data loss.
Hard Drive: A hard drive is a device which stores data. It’s an external computer component which you connect to your computer and it stores data.
Advantages:
They’re cheap per unit of storage.
You can access your files really fast, much better compared to other storage devices.
Disadvantages:
They consume more power.
Since it’s big and heavy it may be harder to travel with.
May be slow at retrieving bigger files.
Cloud: Cloud storage is a digital form of storing data. Instead of needing something physical you can have your data stored on off-site locations.
Advantages:
You’re able to access it anywhere since you just have to put your username and password to access it.
Data security which means no one can get what you have stored since it’s secured.
Can back-up your data so that it won’t be lost.
Disadvantages:
You have limited storage, then you have to start purchasing monthly for cloud storage if all have been used.
You also need wi-fi to access all your data.
You rely on the internet, which could go down anytime and could take hours/days to get back and running.
What is compression?
DRC: DRC also known as dynamic range compression, is an audio signal processing operation which reduces louds sounds and amplifies quiet sounds.
Advantages:
It improves the performance clarity
Makes the specific audios from the audio stand out
It can reduce some specific sounds
Disadvantages:
It can cause distortion
Create unnecessary noises more noticeable/worse
Downward compression: Downward compression is when bringing down the level of the signal from above the set threshold you set your compressor. This creates louder sounds quieter in the mix.
Advantages:
Can reduce the loud sounds set from a certain threshold
Disadvantages:
Can be too aggressive, badly alter the transients/punch of the sound
Upward compression: Upward compression is the opposite of downward compression which means that it focuses on amplifying quieter sounds that fall below a certain threshold so that louder sound won’t overshadow the details and softer parts.
Advantages:
Is able to bring out the softer/details of a sound so that it can stand out just like the other sounds in the mix
Disadvantages:
Can create artefacts on each detail since it pulls everything up the threshold
Ofcom
What is ofcom?
Ofcom (office of communications) is a government approved regulatory system which autorises for broadcasting, television all over the UK. There are certain rules we have to follow from ofcom when creating our media product.
Section one: Protecting the under eighteens
With this section it let’s us know that we must protect the under eighteens and not include any content that are:
Any material that may impair the physical, mental or moral development
Must have an appropriate scheduling
Children under 15 must have content suited for them
When using these rules for my radio project I must ensure any content that is used won’t harm under 18s, since the topic of my radio project can be quite sensitive. We must use a way to deliver the message without harming anyone.
Section two: Harm and offence
With this section it let’s us know not to include any content that may harm or offend the audience, which content that may include is:
Programmes or items portray must not mislead the audience
No harmful or offensive content/materials
When using these rules for my radio project I must ensure that my content won’t harm or offend anyone. When talking about social media in my radio project harmful words can be used, however I must ensure they’re used in a way where no one is offended or just bring it up for a bit.
Section three: Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse
With this section it let’s us know that we must not include any servier crime, disorder, hatred and abuse, which content may be:
Content which may directly or indirectly constantly to a call to criminal action or disorder
Any speech that may influence the audience to criminal
When using these rules for my radio project I must ensure that my content must not lead to any actions that the view may take. I must find a way to deliver my message without giving the wrong idea. The way I'll incorporate this is by having my radio project have a happy ending, and the way each of the voice actors talk will not promote crime, disorder, hatred and abuse.
Section four: Religion
With this section it relates to the audiences and must respect the audiences religion, content that must be used/ not be used is:
Religions must be treated with respect when spoken about, with no harm words used against them.
Must not have any abusive content used to demote religions.
When using these rules for my radio project I must keep in account the audience’s religion and not use any content that may harm them. I must not make the content offend them in any way.
Section ten: Commercial Communications in Radio Programming
This section is all about the guidelines and rules for commercial content in BBC UK radio broadcasts. The rules that they have provided in the official Ofcom website are there to ensure that commercial communications are transparent and recognisable from editorial content, thus protecting listeners of the broadcasts from misleading advertising and mistreatment.
Important rules that have been mentioned in section ten are:
Sponsorships - When a programme has been sponsored, the sponsorship must be clearly identified at the beginning and end of the programme, making it transparent to the listeners.
General Principles - Listeners should be able to easily distinguish whether the radio programme is presenting a commercial message.
Content and Scheduling - The content that the radio programme is presenting need to avoid making any misleading claims, posting offensive material that could cause any harm or offense, etc.
Overall the entire purpose of this section is for radio stations such as BBC to be responsible. In order to keep their listeners trust, radio stations make sure that their commercial communications are accountable, open, and compliant with legal requirements.
To compare presentation of the programme
The two programmes I have chosen to Analysis is life BBC RADIO 4 - The woman's hour and BBC drama RADIO 4 - English Rose.
On BBC Radio 4 there is an hour dedicated to woman which describes and has topics on what females go throughout life and this programme is called The woman's hour. On BBC Radio 4 there is a drama called English Rose which talks about the life of a vampire which moves to America for work. The main difference of the presentation of both programmes is that the presenter on woman's hour is a host that talks to people however on English Rose since it's a drama. One of the characters (the main character) English Rose narrate the whole of the programme to the audience. Both programmes has an intro telling the audience what the programme is about and what's going to happen throughout the episode (give an insight).
The mode of address for English Rose is more informal since it's a drama and loads of people are talking. Especially the characters in the drama that are from America since they use American slang e.g. "Hot stuff". However the tone of the voice varies since there is many scenes that are serious and not serious. Whereas in Woman's hour it's quite formal since they talk about serious topics that happens in real life to females. They have a serious tone to their voice to be informative to one another. With English Rose the audience is able to question why the music is getting louder and building suspense however with The woman's hour that is unable to happen since it's more of a podcast talking about problems, news etc.
However since English Rose is a drama it includes much more sound effects to try and make the audience know what's happening since it's a radio programme. The woman's hour is a programme where people talk about their experiences about being a woman which doesn't include many sound effects due to it being about life and it doesn't have to be emphasised. The cast of English Rose is many voice actors who can take on the roles of the characters whereas on the woman's hour there is many presenters and new guests talking about their experiences on each episode. There is new cast on each new episode.
