A day in the life...

This is a new blog and in it we'll be talking alot about what happens behind the scenes. I hope that all of us at SLB will contribute -- Jeff, Rikki and me.

Our days at SLB are filled with variety. Because we're a small organization, we all pitch in as needed. Sometimes I feel a need to do something specific and tangible. The engineer in me often manifests itself when I feel this way, so I spent alot of time in the studio today.

First I re-configured our AKG WMS 4000 wireless systems. These systems allow us to place wireless microphones or mixers virtually anywhere in the 40,000 square-foot Children's Museum. The changes I made today simplify the use of this equipment so we can deploy it more quickly when the mood strikes.

Along the way, I sorted through some of our other technical equipment and made some strides in organizing our microphones, cables, adapters and the like. We keep an incredible variety of equipment onsite because we do so many different things. Panel discussions require certain types of mics and stands, live musicians require specific mics and cables in order to sound their best, and the workshops we do require a variety of digital recorders, mixers and other teaching aids. As a result, we have a remarkable inventory of gear. The cable alone is challenging -- we deal with balanced audio, unbalanced audio, mono audio, stereo audio, digital audio, composite video, computer, Ethernet and telephone cables daily, all of which have a myriad of potential plugs and jacks they may be connected to. I tried some new organization strategies -- we'll see how long they last this time around :).

Finally, I tested some theories about how our existing Klotz Digital studio control board could be used to make automatic "scoped airchecks" (recordings that focus on things that happen only when mics are live). While we'll continue to do full program recordings, these "scoped airchecks" will lead to new SLB services -- (1) providing short clips of memorable calls an interviews that are easier to navigate than our full shows and (2) allowing listener downloads of puzzles, games, calls and portions of the recorded music we play in a way that respects copyrights. I had some initial success and we hope to have this implemented soon.

While in the studio enjoying getting my hands dirty, I saw a curious face outside of the glass. Ty (about 4 years of age) and his brother Ian (2) were looking inside of the studio with their mom. I gladly took a break and opened the door. While Ian looked on with curiosity, Ty experimented with our alphabet-controlled sound-effects demonstrator and had a great time. I was delighted to learn that his family already listens to SLB regularly as well as Zombo's Record Party, a wonderful eclectic program heard Fridays on WRCT. Ty's mom expressed a great passion for radio that is creative, original and "human". While we have every confidence in our SLB mission (which indeed embodies these principles), it is always wonderful to have a member of our community validate and appreciate our work. Visiting with Ty's family reminded me of how important it is to me to make sure our studio is open for demonstrations whenever possible.

Jeff (who had been working on guest bookings and CD production) and I then headed out to do a workshop at Lincoln Elementary School, Pittsburgh Public Schools, during which we listened to a montage SLB produced based on recordings made last week in which these 4th Graders expressed "What Martin Luther King Means To Me". After discussing the montage, we made new recordings on the theme of "Someone I Love" and also recorded a rap about fast food and a few gospel songs.

I arrived back at our offices around 6:30 p.m., picked up Rikki (who had been doing some administrative work) and headed home. I promised myself I'd get our new blog started today and now will turn to finish reading "Resurrecting Allegheny City" by Lisa Miles, who joins us this Saturday at 9 a.m.