Quick Summary...
The MusicMix Menu
This section is a brief overview of MusicMix system features. Other Help topics offer a detailed explanation of each section. The summary is listed in the order shown on the system main menu.
Files:
Inventory:
In the inventory section you may add, change or delete information in your music
library. You may edit one title at a time in the "Full Screen" section, or work
on several titles at once in the "Browse" section. You'll find many short-cuts
to make title-entry easier. You'll be able to assign music characteristics to
titles, link the song's artist to other artists, designate how many minutes
should pass before another title by this artist plays, restrict a title from
being played during certain time periods, or assign a group of titles to a
packet so that they'll rotate among themselves.
Rotations:
Define "categories" of music. You specify the order they're scheduled,
protections to prevent play in similar time periods on previous days, and how
deep you'll allow the system to "dig" in each rotation to attempt to find the
perfect title for air-play.
Music & Event Sources:
The system can automatically number and report titles from numerous different
sources (carts, CDs, hard disk, etc.).
Attributes:
You can create up to nine classifications (or music characteristics) each with
up to five traits. Attributes could include tempo, artist-gender, style, sound,
genre, twang, hard-ness, age, lyrics, research results... you name it!
Scheduling Rules:
You decide what types of titles you will allow to play back-to-back with other
types (i.e.: don't play an up-tempo back-to-back with a slow-tempo). Define how
many titles of certain types may play in a row (i.e.: don't play more than 3
females in a row). Designate artist and duplicate title separations. You even
decide --in the event that NO title is perfect-- which protections to ignore in
which order.
Events:
This section is useful for automated stations that wish to use MusicMix to
schedule jingles, IDs, voice tracks, etc. You may schedule program events to run
during a specified time with start dates and kill dates, to run only during
certain hours of the day, or to run only on certain days of the week. You may
also set automation commands like linking events or time jumps if they are
supported by your automation.
Format Clocks:
Define which rotations play in each slot of the hour, and which hourly clocks
are used each day. You also may "force" a particular music attribute at a given
time. (i.e.: force an up-tempo out of a stop set). Develop up to 99 clocks and
99 different days. If you like, you may: Schedule a "double-play" by the same
artist, insert non-music elements or program notes, and "recycle" a music hour
by repeating the same songs in a different hour in the same day.
Packets:
Placing several titles in a "packet" causes them to cycle among themselves
within the normal rotation. This is ideal for titles by profuse artists,
different versions or mixes of the same song, or titles that you wish to
schedule on a very limited basis.
Schedule:
This is where the system will create daily playlists (and automation log files) based upon the criteria you have defined. You can also edit playlists in this section.
Reports:
Listings may be directed to the computer screen or your printer. Available
Reports include:
Inventory Lists:
Print several different types of music library listings. You may limit these
lists to include only those rotations, year-groups, and music characteristics
that you choose.
Playlists:
This is used to print additional copies of the daily music sheet (or automation
log file) used on-air.
Analysis:
Several reports showing various music statistics:
- How various music attributes (tempo, style, etc.) are divided among the rotations that you have defined
- Music repetition for each rotation
- Title, artist and program event airplay counts
- Last-scheduled information for each title
Music History:
Shows times and dates of actual airplay... title by title. Chronological or
graphic print-outs enable you to see at a glance how evenly your music is
rotating through dayparts.
System Lists:
Provides miscellaneous listings about criteria you've input related to
scheduling music. Here you can print out your Rotations, Events, Sources,
Attributes, Scheduling Rules, Format Clocks, Day Lists, Dayparted Titles and
Packets. Most of these reports are also available on
their respective input screens.
Utilities:
Batch Edit:Allows mass changes or deletions to the music library based on common traits of a set of titles. Take care of massive updates in a few keystrokes.
Shuffle:
Allows you to occasionally "mix-up" the music library to assure maximum randomness in playlists. You're in control of if and when to do it.
Rebuild Databases:
This option reorganizes and compacts your databases. It may be necessary after a power failure if data becomes corrupt.
Back Up/Restore Data:
Copy critical MusicMix data to floppies or other network drives.
Reset Counter:
The system keeps track of how many times each title is played. You may reset the counter to track play beginning at a specific date.
Log Files:
Set-up seamless playlist and library output for digital automation.
System Options:
- Allow the system to "dig deeper" in scheduling titles when you "force" a music attribute.
- Specify how long to store airplay history.
- Set playlist line spacing and truncation.
- Limit scheduling properties
- Set-up rotation input screen criteria