Here is a basic guide to hosting a radio show with CHMA
Arrive approx. 5-15 min early. Sit down, put the studio headphones on. Make sure the three volume dials on the right of the soundboard are aligned with the silver dot. This goes for the room speaker (‘SPKRS’), your headphones (‘PHONES’), and your Guest’s headphones (‘GUEST PHONES [this is the volume for Guests 1 & 2]’).
Introduction to the Soundboard
The channels are clearly marker. Fader up and red button “on” means that channel will broadcast to air.
Using the Mics
Always use a foam when using a microphone. Put your designated foam on the mic — Foams marked MASSIE are for guests.
Situation yourself, your chair, your notes and anything else you may use for your show. You should be central to the board and have easy sight lines to the screen, your guest, your notes and sitting with your shoulders straight.
Before you talk, move the mic to within half an inch from your mouth. Make sure you adjust the mic arm to a comfortable position and have it placed so you can have eye contact with any guests you have on. We also recommend sitting up straight as your voice will sound full and consistent this way.
If there is no music playing from either the live radio feed or the computer feed it is important to talk to your audience. To do this move the ‘MIC 1’ fader up to the tape. When you are ready to speak you simply press the button directly above ‘MIC 1’ (so that it is red) and begin talking. The same goes for any guests you have on your show, designated as ‘MIC 2’ & ‘MIC 3’.
Introducing Your Show We recommend sharing your name, reading the station tag, and introducing the next song. For example: “Hi everyone, this is the Afternoon Show, I am your host Craig, and you are listening to CHMA 106.9 FM in Sackville, New Brunswick. Up next for your listening pleasure, Here Comes the Sun, by the Beatles.” Then press play on the song and mute all MICS by pressing the same red button(s) you used to unmute them.
Using the Station’s Playlist (PLYOUT)
Our main automation system is designated as ‘Plyout’ (live radio feed). It’s our primary source of programmed, pre-recorded and other elements that broadcast through that computer. It always has to be on when there isn’t a live show from the booth. That means that it needs to be faded up and the button red depressed (like the image). This fader will be taken down when you’re ready to go live with any of the other channels. There is always audio playing on this channel. If you have any issues, just bring this back up.
Using Your Own Playlist If Music from the screen in front of the board is the Host computer and comes up on the channel marked Host. When you are using a playlist from device or browser-based audio, log into your account and ready the song for your playlist before beginning your show. You will want to fade down the ‘Plyout’ (live radio feed) and make sure the button is off, while you fade up the ‘Host’ (computer feed) to the tape and press the button (so that it is red).
Other Sources
The CD players are each on their own channels, CD1 and CD2. The turntables are on the TT channel. This channel has to be up and on and the turntables are then used from the DJ mixer between the decks. Please get training from a staff member if you’re not familiar with using the turntables.
Note: If the live radio feed is not turned all the way down and off the two feeds will play over one another.
Playlist Submission and Show Log
The CRTC requires us to record and document everyone and everything that’s On Air. Please sign the Log In list with everyone that was broadcast during your show and be sure on complete and submit the playlist form available on our website: https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/playlist-form/
When you are done your show
When you have finished your show make sure that ‘Plyout’ (live radio feed) is faded up while the ‘Host’ (computer feed) is faded down and turned off. Additionally, it is important to leave the on-air booth in good condition when you are done, hang up your headphones, reset the speaker and headphones levels, log out of anything you signed into, make sure the live feed ‘Plyout’ is on and fade it back up to the tape, Sign in on the Host sheet, and close the door behind you. If someone is in after you, please give them 5 minutes to set up their show while you are playing your final song.
10 EASY STEPS FOR A GREAT SHOW
1. Be Preprared. Come into the booth at least 10 minutes before your show.
2. Get Comfortable. Sit in the chair and move it into place, central to the board. Fit your foam over the mic.
4. Get Ready. Setup your program material (CD’s, Vinyl, browsers) and have the first tune ready to play.
5. Get Set. Check that the headphones volume is at the silver dot (9:00) and then put headphones on.
6. Feel free to have the HOST channel fader up and on, ready to play the first song with a click of the mouse, or press of the button.
7. Just before your show is about to begin make sure the booth is quiet and bring up the mic fader and turn the Mic channel on. You’re now live waiting for the show to begin on the hour.
8. GO. At the top of the hour, bring down the PLYOUT channel and give an intro that includes “CHMA, 106.9 FM, Sackville, New Brunswick”
9. Press play on the first song. When it starts to play, turn off the Mic channel by either bringing the fader down or pressing the On button so that it’s no longer lit.
10. Have the next song cued and ready to fire. Just before the end of the first song, turn the Mic channel on again and wait until the sweet spot at the end of the track to start talking. When the time is right, fire the next track and turn the mic channel off.
