If you want to record a show (or some other content!) in Studio A, you need to make sure you don't interrupt whatever is being broadcast.


Switching the station output

If the current programme on air is pre-recorded, voicetracked, or coming from another remote source, you'll want to switch the station output to Remote.


If the current programme is live from Studio B, switch the station output to Studio B.


On the Studio A desk, to the left of the meter bridge, find the green (Studio A), yellow (Studio B) and red (Remote) station output buttons: one of these will be lit:


Push and hold the Remote or Studio B button to switch the output. Keep it held in for a second until it lights up.


The clock screen should also show the new station output - briefly full-screen in red, then in the top-right corner indicators:


After the station output has been changed, you can safely put the remote fader in Studio A down. You should now hear silence in your headphones.


If you're not certain you've done this correctly, check the speakers in the green room - these should still be carrying on-air content. If in doubt, put the Remote fader back up and speak to the Engineering Team.


Preparing to record

Make sure the desk is set up correctly before you start recording:

  • Pull the faders for any unused channels (including Remote and Studio B) down.
  • PFL each mic you'll be using, and set its gain so you're seeing a level of about 5 on the meters while each person is speaking individually.
  • Check your headphone levels are comfortable.
  • Load any content you need into the playout system, and check it plays on the faders you expect.


Starting recording

On the Windows PC, open PlayIt Recorder. It may already be running in the system tray (by the clock) as a solid red circle:


If not, launch it from the Start menu:


Click the round red record button in the Quick Record section - this won't start recording right away:


Enter a name for your recording; make it something obvious that you can find later among everyone else's recordings:


Once you click the OK button, the recording will start, and you'll see the elapsed recording time, and your audio level (which should generally be between 50% and 80% of the bar graph on both columns, most of the time):

Most pre-recorded shows need to leave 1m59s of silence at the start, so take the opportunity to settle in ready for the start of your show, making sure the music playout faders are up, and your mic faders are down.


At the right moment, play your intro jingle - and you're away!


The elapsed time lets you keep an eye on how far through your show you are - remember to finish your audio at 58m30s elapsed time for a one hour show, or 1h58m30s for a two hour show.


After a few more seconds of silence, press the square black stop button, then confirm using the Yes, stop recording button:

You can review your recording by going to the Recordings -> Explore Recordings menu, then playing your file:


If you wish to download your recording at home, go to https://rot.cambridge105.co.uk/scratch/STUDIO%20B%20RECORDINGS/ - you'll need your Cambridge 105 Radio credentials.


Leaving the studio for the next person

Make sure you've stopped recording, and closed any web pages you may have been using.


Put all the mic and playout faders down.


Put the Remote fader up; if the current on-air programme is live in Studio B, also put the Studio B fader up. You should now hear the current programme in your headphones.


You can generally leave the station output set to Remote, as long as the Remote fader is also up.


Switch off the monitors using the switches on the top.