Lori Spencer is a Contributing Editor at Yahoo! News and This Can't Be Happening! Her work can also be seen regularly on Counterpunch, Truth Out, and OpEdNews, among others.
By Lori Spencer
If your treasured vinyl records are skipping, there could be several reasons why. Dirt, dust or other debris in the grooves of the record are the most common cause of record skips. Your turntable’s arm may need balancing, or the stylus could be worn out. The good news is that all of these problems can be fixed with a minimum of cost and effort. The bad news is, if the skipping is being caused by…
Continued at: http://www.ehow.com/how_8209913_fix-record-skips.html
By Lori Spencer
If you enjoy playing the radio as background music for employees and customers at your place of business, you may unwittingly be violating copyright laws. Without a proper license or permission from the copyright owner, re-broadcasting music is illegal. The best way to avoid this potential problem is to simply acquire a license from Broadcast Music International (BMI), the American Societyof Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) or the performing rights organization…
By Lori Spencer
Radio has always been a competitive and challenging industry to break into, even more so in the age of media consolidation. Jobs that pay well are few and far between, often requiring relocation to a city far from home. Computer automation of radio stations means less airtime available for live personalities. The frequent turnover of station management and format changes presents little job security; typically an entire staff is let go when a radio station changes hands. Despite these drawbacks, if you still want to become a radio programmer, there are some time-tested methods for getting your foot in the door.
Although a college degree is not necessarily required to become a radio programmer…
Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-a-radio-programmer.htm
By Lori Spencer
Programming a country music radio station is a challenge these days, radio programmers agree. What programmers can’t seem to agree on, however, is a format. While some DJs, program and music directors say this fluidity signals a healthyperiod of growth for country radio, traditionalists warn that playing too many crossover artists dilutes the brand. The good news for country radio today is that programmers have greater freedom in creating and defining their station’s unique sound. Whether playing traditional country or blazing new trails…
Make no mistake about it — the broadcast industry has changed significantly in the past two decades. Media ownership is now consolidated into fewer hands, major media outlets are suffering budgetary woes, automating programming, and cutting jobs. The Internet has revolutionized broadcasting as we know it, offering news and entertainment options galore with the click of a mouse. The programming consumers once paid for is now readily available for free online. As a result, many professional broadcasters now find themselves working for much smaller salaries, if they can find work at all.
While the broadcaster is in no immediate danger of becoming an endangered species….
By Lori Spencer
Audio engineering careers require versatility and the ability to adapt to working in a variety of sound formats and applications. One day, an engineer might be making an album for a major rock artist; the next day, he or she might be editing a film soundtrack or mixing a classical 120-piece orchestra‘s recording of Beethoven‘s Ninth Symphony. Jobs in sound engineering range include things such as running live sound at concerts, producing radio and television shows, creating sound for video games, performing audio post production or even designing entire public address (PA) systems and recording studios.
Continued at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-jobs-in-sound-engineering.htm
By Lori Spencer
If you love music, are fascinated by technology and are lucky enough to have very precise hearing, you may have what it takes to become an audio engineer. Producing or engineering an album for one of the world’s top artists is certainly a desirable goal for many, but competition for jobs in the recording industry is fierce. If you want to rise to the top of the heap, you’ll need more than just training or technical expertise. Being a successful audio engineer also requires determination, persistence, patience, industry connections, people skills, and of course, talent.
Continued at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-an-audio-engineer.htm
See also related story “How Do I Become a Broadcast Engineer” by Lori Spencer for radio, tv and film career-specific advice:
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-a-broadcast-engineer.htm
By Lori Spencer
Choosing the best professional microphone is a matter of both personal preference and matching the mic’s characteristics to the type of sound you want to capture. Certain types of microphones are better suited for recording vocals than instruments, for example. Others are more appropriate for live sound than studio recording. Regardless of the frequency response or cartridge type you choose, selecting the right microphone ultimately means finding whichever is the best microphone for you.
Continued at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-professional-microphone.htm
By Lori Spencer
To become an advertising coordinator, you should gain a thorough knowledge of advertising through various media, effective sales techniques, and customer service and communication skills. Experience in radio and television, print or Internet media, market research, public relations, marketing and promotions are also desirable. An advertising coordinator needs to work well with a team, manage budgets, and deliver ad campaigns that live up to a client’s expectations. As this job often involves working in a high stress, deadline oriented environment, the ideal advertising coordinator will be able to multitask and juggle several accounts simultaneously.
Continued at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-an-advertising-coordinator.htm
How to Set Up a Radio Broadcast | eHow.com.
By Lori Spencer
