Radio programmers and rights holders in Black music and urban radio gain a critical operational advantage as Reach Media implements Wheatstone’s ScreenBuilder virtual development suite to consolidate production workflows, reduce hardware costs, and maintain precise control over audio routing and signal rights across its syndicated network.
Virtual Consoles Replace Physical Hardware
Don Stevenson, chief engineer for Reach Media and Radio One in Dallas, has transformed the facility’s technical infrastructure by utilizing ScreenBuilder to create custom touchscreen interfaces that function as virtual consoles. This suite taps into the WheatNet IP audio network, allowing engineers to access full control over elements and codecs without purchasing expensive physical hardware or building out additional room space. Stevenson describes the tool as a “Swiss army knife” that enables the creation of diverse environments for talent to perform different functions, from monitoring signals to controlling signal routing to multiple transmitter sites. The system replaces the need for traditional consoles with a flexible, menu-driven interface that includes clocks, faders, and dozens of other widgets, all accessible through basic scripting.
Syndicated Shows Run on Custom Interfaces
The impact of this deployment extends across Reach Media’s national syndication portfolio, including high-profile shows like the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and the D.L. Hughley Afternoon Show. For Rickey Smiley, producers use a small Microsoft Surface tablet to manage call-ins, mic controls, and VoxPro inputs, effectively turning a compact device into a full production console. Similarly, the D.L. Hughley show operates out of a room originally intended as a voice booth, where a desktop ScreenBuilder screen serves as a custom-built console for controlling mics and monitoring levels. The master-control interface in the Reach Media TOC (Technical Operations Center) provides operators with a comprehensive view of all communications, allowing them to listen to feeds from any studio or remote location and talk back to talent instantly. This centralized control ensures that audio files for shows like D.L. Hughley can be uploaded to the Synchronicity media distribution service and routed to the Westwood One XDS satellite platform with precision and efficiency.
Cost Efficiency and Operational Agility
By adopting ScreenBuilder, Reach Media has achieved significant cost efficiency while maintaining operational agility. The original touchscreen has been in use for several years, evolving through various iterations to meet the network’s changing needs. Stevenson notes that whenever a new request arises, he consistently returns to the ScreenBuilder toolset to solve the problem. This approach allows the network to adapt quickly to new technical demands, such as adding intercoms between studios or creating news workstations with automatic gain and multiple source selection. The result is a streamlined production environment where talent, producers, and staff can communicate seamlessly, regardless of whether they are in the studio or remoting in from anywhere in the United States.
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