Studio & Broadcast Handbook

Welcome! This handbook is designed to make your time on air safe, smooth, and rewarding. Broadcasting from our street-front studio means you’re part of a live performance: listeners outside the glass and those tuning in depend on your care and professionalism. Whether you’re brand new or experienced, use this guide as your companion before, during, and after every broadcast.

Studio Overview

Our booth is more than a control room—it’s a performance window onto the street. Passersby can see the energy inside while listeners at home hear the results. Think of it like a stage and a sound lab combined. Every mic, light, and fader carries that live vibe, so we treat the space with intention.

Street-front presence: expect people stopping, waving, or taking photos. Stay professional at all times—you are the public face of the station.
Open but controlled: only scheduled staff and approved guests enter. Politely redirect curious onlookers to enjoy from outside.
Energy management: being visible can feel like pressure. Take a breath, focus on the conversation at hand, and let the glass be your audience, not your distraction.
Performance mindset: remember, broadcasting is live storytelling. Pace yourself, keep posture open, and imagine speaking to one engaged friend rather than a faceless crowd.

Before You Go On Air

Preparation is your strongest tool. A well-planned show leaves space for creativity while preventing stress.

Run-of-show

Outline the order of songs, talk breaks, interviews, and features.
Share a copy with co-hosts and the producer if present.
Build in buffers for transitions—you’ll thank yourself later.

Roles

Lead host: drives the broadcast, keeps time.
Co-host/guest: supports conversation, follows cues.
Board operator (sometimes also host): runs faders, cues, playback.
Producer (if scheduled): handles off-mic communication, wrangles guests, tracks timing.

Tech check

Headphones on, mics tested, levels steady in green.
Playback sources queued—music, stingers, pre-recorded IDs.
Remote lines tested, with backup connection ready.
Internet stable and devices charged.

Backups

Keep a phone or spare laptop logged in with your playlists.
Know where the emergency automation playlist lives.
Write down the studio emergency contacts.

Pre-Show Checklist

Arrive 30 minutes early.
Review run-of-show with co-hosts.
Test microphones and headphones.
Cue music, IDs, and stingers.
Confirm remote guest connections.
Load emergency automation.
Silence phone (unless used for show).
Hydrate, settle, and breathe.

Mic Technique & On-Air Etiquette

Your voice is the heart of the broadcast. Strong mic habits mean professional sound and fewer headaches.

Positioning: sit or stand tall, mouth 2–3 inches from mic, angled slightly off-center to avoid pops.
Consistency: don’t drift or swivel in your chair—the mic won’t follow you.
Levels: aim for green activity, not red clipping. Ask a co-host for feedback if unsure.
Breath & pace: slow down slightly on air; nerves often make people speed up.
Avoiding doubles: one mic per speaker; mute when not in use.
Content warnings: if a sensitive subject arises, provide a short, respectful heads-up so listeners can choose whether to stay tuned.
Profanity rules: FCC standards and station policy prohibit obscenity. If there’s a dump button, know how to use it. Safer still: avoid altogether.
Vocal care: sip water, avoid dairy or soda beforehand, and use breaks to rest your voice.
Filler words: “um” and “like” creep in under pressure. Pause instead—it sounds more confident.
On-air behavior: no eating, chewing gum, or private chatter into live mics. Assume every mic is live.

Remote Guests

When your interviewee isn’t in the booth, clarity and reassurance make the experience smoother.

Set-up: connect via phone line, web call, or approved remote app.
Briefing: in plain English: “We’ll call you, you’ll hear us in headphones, wait for your name before speaking. If anything drops, we’ll ring back.”
Tech check: ask them to use headphones, a quiet room, and mute notifications.
Balancing levels: board operator adjusts guest volume to match in-studio voices.
Delay awareness: pause briefly after questions—latency can cause talk-over.
Backup: have their phone number or second contact method ready.

A calm guest feels confident; a prepared host makes them sound their best.

Music Use

Music sets mood but comes with rules.

Clean edits only: explicit language is not permitted. Screen tracks in advance.
Talkover: fade music down when speaking—clear voices take priority.
Stingers & IDs: short clips refresh listener focus and station branding.
Transitions: choose intros/outros that give space for announcements.
Logs: record what you play for copyright reporting. Accurate logging is both legal compliance and respect for artists.

Community Standards

We are a community space first. Everything broadcast reflects our shared values.

Inclusive language: choose words that welcome, not exclude. Say “everyone” instead of “guys,” and avoid assumptions about identity or background.
Respect: humor is fine; harassment is not. No discriminatory jokes, no personal attacks.
Representation: when possible, highlight diverse voices, genres, and stories.
Ad disclosure: if money changes hands, say so clearly: “This hour is supported by…” Transparency builds trust.
Boundaries: if a guest says something inappropriate, redirect calmly, then move on.

Listeners must feel safe and valued; that is our measure of success.

Health & Safety

Your wellbeing and that of guests and the public comes first.

Crowd/door policy: only scheduled guests enter. If onlookers knock, wave politely but don’t open the door mid-show.
Emergency exits: know the route. Keep cables and bags away from doorways.
Equipment care: coil cables loosely, never yank plugs, wipe down gear after use.
Sanitation: clean microphones and headphones between shows. Shared gear means shared responsibility.
Ergonomics: adjust chair height, keep scripts at eye level, and take stretch breaks. Good posture protects your voice and back.
Wellbeing: fatigue, dehydration, or stress show up on air. Take care of yourself first; the show will benefit.

After the Show

Closing a broadcast properly sets the next team up for success.

Exporting logs: save playlists, track titles, and timestamps accurately.
Archiving: back up any recordings immediately—don’t leave it to chance.
Social copy: write a 2–3 sentence recap highlighting key guests or moments. Keep tone consistent with station voice.
Highlight markers: note strong quotes or standout songs for future promos.
Studio reset: return faders to zero, log out of accounts, tidy cables, wipe surfaces.

Post-Show Checklist

Fade out automation smoothly.
Save/export playlist and logs.
Back up show recording.
Mark highlight segments.
Draft social recap.
Power down unused gear.
Clean headphones/mics, remove trash.
Lock studio door if last to leave.

Troubleshooting

When things go wrong—and they will—stay calm and follow the decision path.

No sound in headphones?

Volume up? Plugged in? Try another jack.

No sound on air?

Is mic fader up and channel on?
Check program meter.
If silent, load emergency automation and call engineer.

Remote guest silent?

Connection live? Fader up? Ask if muted.
If dropped, redial immediately.

Music not playing?

Source selected? File loaded?
Try alternate player or backup device.

Computer frozen?

Note the time, restart application if possible.
If not, load automation from backup device.
Call engineer and log the incident.

Everything failing?

Trigger emergency automation.
Announce to listeners you’re experiencing a brief technical difficulty.
Contact engineer.

The golden rule: never panic aloud. Calm voices reassure the audience that you are in control, even when troubleshooting behind the scenes.

Closing Note

Broadcasting is a team sport, even when you’re the only one in the booth. Listeners trust you to keep them informed, safe, and engaged. With preparation, respect, and care for equipment, your time in the studio will be rewarding for you and your community alike.