Edf85
7x Platinum Member
Most definitely in the place to be. T-Boz. Chilli. Never forget Left Eye.
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 7,092
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Carts
Feb 9, 2004 4:07:14 GMT -5
Post by Edf85 on Feb 9, 2004 4:07:14 GMT -5
Do any radio stations still use carts or is everything computer?
Why the reason for carts, also? How are they different?
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ClassicCase
Gold Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 997
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Carts
Feb 9, 2004 15:11:20 GMT -5
Post by ClassicCase on Feb 9, 2004 15:11:20 GMT -5
There maybe a small little AM or FM station somewhere that still use the old standard. I believe the reason they're not ready for computerized automation, is that they don't have the budget. In fact before everything was computerized, it use to be where all commercials and music are put on cart. For those who have no idea what these stupid things are, they are like the predecessor of the 8-track (it's 3 1/2 x 5 inches) except you can only record one source on it instead of 10 (in 8-track it only gives you certain songs in four channeled programs on an 8-track tape player, but that's another subject to discuss at another time).
Another old standard was the automation system that consists of maybe 4 or 5 reel-to-reel machines for music, three carousels (sp?) for loading various carts for commericals, liners, etc., and a computerized console in which you had to program the whole thing altogether for the day or the week for that matter (I should know, I USED to work with one back in the 80s!).
The use for the carts are mainly for the music and commercials and other things that had to go on the air. Like when you record music from vinyl or CD, you had to cue it from the beginning of the source (preferably 45s and LPs) so that you would not have to hear that awful cue-burning sound at the begining of a record or the CD skip. That would keep the quality of the cart more maintainable and the vinyl records and CDs more preservable if needed. The quality of the carts can be anything from decent to badly warped. When a cart goes really bad, it gets recycled as new ones--new small playing pads and all. I'll have to e-mail you the cart and maybe later the machines that make them work.
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Carts
Feb 17, 2004 9:00:33 GMT -5
Post by reception on Feb 17, 2004 9:00:33 GMT -5
According to Michael C. Keith, carts come in various lengths- 10, 40, 70 seconds- depending on need. They consist of a hub (around which tape is loosely wound), guides, and pressure pads, which keep the tape against the heads of the machine. When the cart machine is activated, a pinch roller presses against the capstan to move the tape.
On R&R I mentioned 96.9 KFMN's music sounds distorted, not FM quality. The beginning of certain songs sounded warped. Commercials, live on-air announcers, and syndicated programming sound like FM quality. Ron Rodrigues mentioned it's likely a small market station like the one I mentioned probably still use cart machines.
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