Leading radio and broadcast industry people share their knowledge and experience.

Three Common Mistakes

The following are the three most common mistakes made by rookies or radio people who have been trained poorly. They also happen to be my personal pet peeves!

1. Not turning the microphone "on" and "off"

   Do not forget to turn off your mic! This is the most important skill to develop in the early stages of broadcasting study. I have heard Disc Jockey's in Los Angeles forget to turn off their mic -- then continue to have a conversation with someone in their studio while a CD or commercial is playing on the air.

   The Mic Switch is the most important button on your board. Get in the habit of keeping your left hand on that switch!
   
   
   

2. Not signing "on" and "off" the Program and Engineering logs

   I can't tell you how many times a week I go over logs on which Announcers have forgotten to sign "in" and/or "off" their shifts.

   When you operate a board, you are responsible for all commercials and paid advertisements running. A log is a legal document that offers proof of what has been played over the air and when. It is imperative that you remember to sign it.
   
   
   

3. Not setting proper modulation / mixing / levels

   Imagine how frustrating it is for your listeners when they can't hear a caller to a talk show because the level of the caller is too low.

   Watch your VU meters! Make sure that the level of your audio is not too low (barley audible) and not too high (distorted). All levels on your board must run at 100% The only exception is when talking over a music bed or song.

In order to succeed in radio broadcasting it is highly important that you learn the above three items.

by:

Jason Jeffries
Program Director
KIEV
Glendale, CA