The old system died, and one of the new systems was used to replace it

• "KTR CH17 (Record/Replay)" computer replaced the old system, using Total Recorder in the "old way". It allows remote control through Teamviewer.
• The computer used was the "KPS" computer, which is intended for (Andy's) Production Studio.
  
• The monitor and USB hub intended for the KTR computer need to be swapped out
• Teamview provides an "upload" mechanism for pre-recorded shows.

Plans to replace the completely manual "Total Recorder" method with a script-based method have been shelved.

Note: this was originally supposed to be connected to Channel 18, but Ch 15 "External" is being used. Some documentation (particularly the diagrams) may refer to CH18.

• "Board Operator" (KBO) Computer", for playing off the web (music files, zoom ....)
• Connect a KPFZ Zoom meeting with the studio board, so callers on 263-3435 can participate. This will also allow remote reporting from a cell phone or a laptop.
• Allow a "Remote Board Operator" (RBO) to connect (through a Zoom meeting) to the studio board when it is unattended.
• This will connect to the studio board through Channel 15 (EXTERNAL).
• RemotePC software will be used to connect to it (Cheaper than Teamviewer)

John Saare is now responsible for this computer.

The "AOS" (Andy Office Studio) computer has similar capabilities to the KBO Computer

• Additional RAM is needed (16G?), but has not been ordered.
• An external Disk Drive might be needed, but not yet ordered.
• It could connect to the mixer board in Andy's office.
  

The actual computer for this is presently serving as the KTR computer. They need to be swapped.

This computer is maintained by John Saare.

Its main functions are to record and replay shows using Total Recorder.

• The studio board output (A) goes the distribution amplifier and then to the transmitter system (B), and the streaming computer (C).
• The distribution amplifier output also goes (D) to the main "CH17" (Record/Replay)" computer (E), where it can be recorded by Total Recorder on a local disk (F)
• The KTR/CH17 computer (E) also replays files via Total Recorder into Channel 17 (G) -- which is potted up for REPLAYS.
• The KTR/CH17 computer (E) has a monitor, keyboard in the studio for direct access.
• The KTR/CH17 (E) computer is also accessible from the web with Teamviewer. This is used to:
  
  • Upload (H) pre-recorded program files
  • Control (I): Access the login screen to set up the system, for example to edit the Total Recorder scheduler.
• The board operator / host / guest can bring in a portable device (O), connecting to the internet via wifi or LAN (P), and feeding into the "MP3" input (Q)
  

This computer is maintained by Alan Fletcher.

A KBO" (Board Operator) Computer (K) is connected to Channel 15 (which is POTTED UP when needed). In some documents this will be called the CH18 computer.

The KBO computer can be used to :

• Play off a USB stick or the web. (L)
• Host or Join a Zoom meeting (J): the Studio Board and the Zoom meeting are merged, so callers to the studio line can participate fully in the Zoom meeting. (L)
• Connect a remote Zoom meeting (J) when the studio is unattended.
• Access the KTR/CH17 computer for control purposes. (M)
• Act as a backup for the CH17 Record/Replay capability. (D,G) ??

Note that a headphone/mic (N) is needed if the studio board is NOT connected to a zoom meeting. For example, the Studio Host may wish to talk to the Zoom participants before the show goes on air.

Board MONO2 "Mix Minus"

At the time of writing the KBO computer gets a signal from the board from the Distribution Amplifer (by splitting the signal to the Stream Computer).

When joining a Zoom meeting the output from Zoom goes into the studio board on CH 15, but this signal comes right back from the Distribution Amplifier with a potential for Echo.

If I allow Zoom to apply all its algorithms to the signal -- particularly Zoom Echo Cancellation -- then the resultant quality is reasonable (about as good as a phone line, though it occasionally produces a 'squirrely chirp'.)

If the zoom invitation is set up incorrectly to allow "Original Sound", and if ANY participant turns off Echo suppression then the entire meeting is ruined unitl either:

Channel 15 has to be potted down, and listeners will no longer hear the zoom meeting (This is quickest, and is thus the recemmended solution).

The KBO Board Operator sets the Zoom microphone to MUTE, and the Zoom meeting can no longer hear what's happening in the studio.

Also, there is always the danger that Zoom may change something (or that we might switch to a different system entirely) and that this Echo would make the system unusable.

The solution is to do a "Mix Minus" on the External (Ch 15) input to the board (similar to what is done on the phone lines).  Then the Zoom sound will go onto the board and the transmitter, but it won't go back into the computer. Then I can set Zoom to "Original Sound Stereo" which is "FM" quality.  

The MONO2 output of the studio board is not being used.

Depending on some tests, the MONO2 output could either go directly to the USB Audio Card, or through an Amplifier (as is presently done).

The Board Settings will be as follows:

 

The KPS (Andy Production Studio) is essentially the same as the KTR Computer, except that it could connect to the mixer in his office.

This is an add-on to the previous plans. Shelved.

The local disks on computers KTR/CH17, KBO and KPS will be supplemented by a large (eg 8TB) disk accessed through the network.

The main advantage is that each computer needs only limited functionality. For instance, it might need only 8GB ram, a small (500GB) drive, and a slow processor (Speed kills!).
They will only have a minimum disk drive for the operating system and temporary files.

Most storage (recorded .WAV files) will be on a central network drive, which is mounted as a drive on every computer. I recommend a stand-alone NAS (Network Attached Storage) unit, with an error-tolerant RAID drive. Alternatively, a USB drive can be mounted on one of them (eg CH17), and accessed through the network.

We are trying to support both Windows and Apple Mac computers.

I general it is presumed that you will have "reasonable" interconnect connections. For example, Mediacom has 10MB upload speeds. WiFi is unreliable, so you should use a LAN connection to your modem. Satellite connections (Hughes etc) will NOT work.

The minimum equipment for Windows is 7 (or above), 8G RAM, and USB-2 ports.

The performance of Chromebooks and Tablets is unknown (in LCTC they didn't work for video -- might be OK for audio only).

Cell phones will not be supported for hosting, but can be used to dial in to a Zoom meeting.

You should get a good quality microphone (probably USB). You don't need Hi Fi headsets.

At present John Saare is handling uploads manually.

There are two main options here:

• Connect to the studio KTR/CH17 computer via Teamviewer and use the Upload mode.
• Upload a file to the "web" (Google Drive,iCloud....). Then TotalRecorder can download it automatically at a set time, and play it on schedule. (File names are fixed)..

• Do your show in Zoom (you can play music etc with "share screen/sound") -- you can set up the meeting either on your computer (Pro account), or from the studio computer (KPFZ Pro account).
• If a board operator is present in the studio, then the Studio Board and Zoom meeting can be merged, and you can take phone calls on the studio line
• If a board operator is NOT present in the studio, then you can connect to the board remotely (to the KBO computer).
• Guests can join zoom by computer or phone.
• We are investigating ways of connecting a local phone to zoom.

5.1.1. Audio

5.1.2. Computer Sizing

5.1.3. LAN and Storage

5.1.4. Windows 10 Pro

I have set up a (new refurbished) Lenovo M92 desktop as an initial CH17 computer (16G Ram/1T Hard Drive, DVD, Windows 10 Pro). I have tested stereo 2x2 connections (Behringer UCA202) to my own mixer (Yamaha). I have installed and tested Teamviewer, TotalRecorder Pro, Audacity and Zoom.

I have set up my Lenovo laptop as a "KBO" (Remote Board Operator) SYSTEM.