How the TuneTracker™ System Works

The "Flow of Things" Format Clock Master Log TuneStacker™ Program Log TuneTracker™

The following page contains some of the most important information in our manual! It explains the logical flow the TuneTracker™ System follows. For that reason, we explain and illustrate the concepts four different ways to help assure it's clear to everbody. If any of it is not clear, go back over it until it is, including clicking on the links below for more information if necessary.

As you can see by the little flow chart on the right, you start by creating simple "example hour" text files called format clocks for each unique kind of hour you plan to broadcast. Format clocks contain the criteria you want used when selecting music and other audio files, as well as automation control commands that tell TuneTracker™ how you want things done. These format clocks are combined to create a full day's worth of information called a master log. The master log gets dragged into the TuneStacker™ music selection program. TuneStacker™ uses the information in the master log to create the program log (the final product...the playlist file that you'll be dragging into TuneTracker™ to do the actual broadcasting.) The same master log can be used over and over again to create additional program logs, and each one will have its own randomly-selected playlist of music.

Now, let's look at those elements one at a time.

1.   The Format Clock
   
   The format clock is the heart of any radio operation. It is not a clock, per se, but rather, it is a very simple text file containing a list...a schedule...of the events that are all part of one hour of radio programming. Using our templates, your own design, or a combination of both, you will be creating a simple, text-based format clock for each unique hour you anticipate broadcasting, then merging the hours into single text file called a master log that represents an entire broadcast day.
   
   In addition to music and announcements, the format clock also contains time-sensitive automation commands which are the "brains behind the brawn" in the TuneTracker System.
   
   
   
2.   The Master Log
   
   As indicated above, the hourly format clocks are combined to create a master log for each unique programming day in your broadcast week. Master log files can be named whatever you would like, to make their contents easy to remember. A full 24 hour master log can be instantaneously created from a single format clock using an included utility called Make My Day. You will eventually create a master log for each unique programming day you anticipate having. As examples, your weekday master log might be different than the one you use for Saturdays, or Sundays, or Easter, or Christmas, or on days when you have an evening football broadcast scheduled.
   
   If you've worked in radio, this talk of format clocks and master logs is very familiar. If not, you'll discover that with our system it's an intuitive process, and our templates make it a quick learn.
   
   Note that format clocks and master logs normally contain no music of their own, but instead, contain instructions about the kinds of music TuneStacker™ should select. For that reason, a master log can be used over and over again to generate an unlimited number of program logs.
   
   
   
3.   TuneStacker™
   
   Traditionally, radio stations have had to use different processes to select music, merge the music into the daily program log, and if it's a commercial station, merge-in the commercials. TuneStacker™ does all three in one shot. It uses the music selection criteria you specified in the master log to create a fresh mix of music and messages, which get saved to a finished, ready-to-broadcast program log, complete with merged-in commercials (if you're using Traffic software).
   
   
   
4.   The Program Log
   
   Created by TuneStacker™ the program log is a full day's programming, ready for broadcast by TuneTracker™.
   
   
   
5.   TuneTracker™
   
   The last step is to drop your completed program log file into the TuneTracker program log queue, so it can be broadcast over the air.
   
   

So again, to summarize the TuneTracker System in one paragraph:

The format clock you create is combined with other format clock hours to create a master log. The master log is processed in TuneStacker™, which selects your music for you, and generates a finished program log (playlist). The program log is loaded into TuneTracker™, which broadcasts it to your listeners.

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