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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

LESSON 13

STUDIO

As we mention of a radio station what comes to the mind immediately is a studio from where

all transmissions are made and programs are recorded in a very orderly manner. It is true to

some extent but with the advancements made in the field of broadcasting, things have

drastically changed in the overall environment of the broadcasting world and also in the

setting up of studios for various purposes. What basically makes a studio appear different

from an ordinary room needs some details which must be understood by those interested in

broadcasting.

A studio is a primary requirement of a broadcasting house. It is a room-like structure from

outside but from inside it is different. The first thing which makes it diverse is the special

treatment given to its walls which are covered with a variety of substances to ensure that no

sound passes through them. That is why they are called sound-proof. To make sure that no

sound is produced even if some one is walking on the floor of the studio, special leather

covering, or a carpet is put on it. The doors are so tightly closed that any sound produced

outside is not heard inside.

Studios are fitted with proper microphones, recoding system, lights and booths for producers

to control recordings or transmissions.

Here below are details of different forms of frequently used studios:

News Studio

Perhaps the simplest of all studios at a radio station is the one meant for broadcasting news. It

is small in size, with a table fitted with a microphone along with a chair, a table lamp if lights

otherwise are not enough. Since radio news are read by one person, contrary to TV news

which are some time read by more than two people in a single bulletin, there is little room for

more people to stay there. Since no background effects are required at a news studio, no

other equipment is placed there.

Studios for Talk Shows/ Discussions

Since long it has been a practice by different broadcasting houses to invite people from

different walks of life, their representatives, city mayors, ministers and others to participate in

talks and discussions, there are studios which can facilitate such programs. In this case a

studio is not very large in size, its interior also look different. There is a rather long table,

which could help about half a dozen people to sit around. The arrangement of microphones is

also in a manner that all of them could easily get their voice recorded without creeping up to

the mike. Since a number of people are likely to talk at the same time during the course of

discussion, especially if it is a heated debate, special arrangements are made to beat the

extra noise with the help of different soundproofing systems. There is always a different

position given to the anchor-person so that he/she could easily address others and indeed,

control them if one of them does not come to terms.

Drama Studio

Very different from two categories mentioned above. At a radio station studios meant to record

dramas usually have a standing arrangement for the performers, so there is no question of

placing chairs there. The performers keep standing as they deliver dialogues by holding

scripts in their hands, and keep moving away a step or two and then coming back, to create

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

an impression that they are coming in or going out of the scene. Mike is usually placed in the

center of half circle. More when we will come in the chapter of dramas... But table and chair

are placed within the studio at some distance for people who have to give background effects,

by playing on the table itself or putting their equipment for playing musical notes for sound

effects. It is a fun watching a drama being recorded under such an arrangement. You can

watch it from the booth which is a separation within a studio with a glass sheet where director

and recording panel take their position. You may find more lights here as compared to other

studios so that performers could easily read their script and receive cues from the director.

Music Studios

Again, these facilities are tailor-made. These days no broadcasting house can afford to do

without these studios. Size of the studio can vary according to the need, but other facilities are

almost the same. Here, too, little arrangement for table and chairs is made available. Usually

the singers and composers sit on the carpets, rehearse and get their items recorded. It is

rather difficult for the directors to handle a music studio for you need proper cabling and

recording panels to record separately the singer and the musical instruments or the orchestra.

At times every thing is OK but the violinist is little away from the mike. When mike is moved

close to him, the drummer is not getting its effects recorded properly. And if it is duet to be

recorded, the mike problem may occur the same way. Since handling the performers, if one is

high in ranking, it becomes a very delicate job for the director and assistant directors to

manage matters in a smooth way. That is why most radio stations employ directors who have

a cut for such a job.

These are but few very well known forms of studios. In practice different broadcasting houses

may have purpose built studio which serve a more specific job like running commentaries, for

VIPs when they have to talk to people from a radio station and for recording children programs

where children are usually invited to participate.