For the past twenty years, broadcasters have used cart machines (analog audio) for playback of commercials and music. The cart machine has proved itself reliable and functional. Before the advent of the cart machine, commercials were played back via reel to reel machines. The on-air personality had to thread the tape, manually cue the tape and then rewind the tape. The cart machine solved these inconveniences but brought along it’s own problems.
Cart Machines Need constant attention
Daily - Clean the heads
Monthly - align heads
Yearly - check heads, replace if necessary
Carts must be bulk erased before they can be used
Most tape decks have three heads. “ERP”, erase, record, and playback. Cart machines are missing the “E” in the “ERP”, they don’t have erase heads, so it is necessary to bulk erase each cart before it is recorded.
The irregularities of each cart usually cause phase (time delay) problems No two carts are made exactly the same. The minute differences caused by the manufacturing process prevent us from exactly aligning the cart machine to more than one cart! The irregularities of each cart usually cause phase (time delay) problems between the left and right channels. (Phase problems are most apparent to the mono listener. The more time delay between the left and right channels, the less bright the cart will sound to the listener.)
Cart libraries require a substantial continuous investment
A large investment is required in order for you to have your commercial and music libraries on cart. As old carts wear out, new ones must be purchased. (Average cart price $4.00 each)
Carts don’t last forever!
Every time you playback a cart, the quality is slightly degraded. Different tape manufacturer's formulations give different results.
Manufacturers have solved most of the cart machine problems
Equipment manufacturers have made a concerted effort over the last 10 years to solve most of the cart machine's problems. We now have reliable cart machines that erase, locate splices, and adjust for phase problems automatically. New tape formulations give carts more plays with less degradation of quality.
D I G I T A L
Digital storage systems overcome the Cart Machine’s Inadequacies plus much more
The ole' reliable cart machine’s days are numbered. There is a new generation of digital storage devices that have not only overcome all of the cart machine’s problems, they have surpassed reel to reel specifications. No noise, no distortion, unlimited plays without degradation, instant access to any commercial, almost maintenance free, and no bulky cart storage. Computer based systems and digital cart machines are starting to pop up all over the place!
Most digital storage systems require extremely large disk drives
Digital storage seems to good to be true... but there are some limitations. Most digital storage systems require extremely large hard disk drives just to store the station’s commercial library. Usually CD’s are played directly on the air to avoid using up large amounts of disk drive space.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket -
When purchasing a digital storage system, make sure there is a fully redundant system for backup. How’d you like to have your entire commercial library disappear because of a blip from the power company?
You Can Own Your Own Digital Dinosaur!
Right now there is a proliferation of manufacturers of digital audio storage systems. Each week , more and more companies jumping on the digital storage bandwagon. Some systems have more features than others, and prices vary greatly. When the dust settles in a few years, many of these companies will be long gone. Be very careful which digital system and which manufacturer you choose today, because you could end up with your own digital dinosaur tomorrow! It will take a few years to see where this is all going, so be patient...if you can!
Old cart machines can be very useful!
Each cart machine is a potential income center.
Don't let those old cart machines sit around and collect dust! Each cart machine is a potential income center. By using a cart machine/telephone interface (available from ITC, Harris Allied and others) you can turn any cart machine into an income center. It could be a concert line , job line, weather line, the possibilities are limitless. Sell it to clients or use it as an added value.