As we helped to develop Radiomax, we can offer an excellent Radiomax support. For those who are not yet familiar with Radiomax, here is some information about this very powerful broadcasting system.

The development of the broadcast automation software Radiomax began in 1989 initially as a solution for night-time automation. The first installation as a 24-hour broadcast automation system in 1990 at Klassik Radio in Hamburg was also the largest in terms of hardware, as 24 Sony CD changers (with 60 disc magazines) were controlled in a network. Since then, Radiomax has been continuously developed and is now a system with an outstanding range of functions and flexible configurability.

Radiomax is a product from Germany. Many well-known radio stations, mostly large public broadcasters, appreciate the individual configuration options and the good integration capability in existing IT environments.

Despite its wide range of functions, Radiomax is easy to use. No setup is necessary for the installation, copying the programme directory and configuration via INI files is sufficient. In larger operating environments, loader mechanisms and a control-centre-dependent, dynamic INI configuration support the maintainability of the systems.

The 4 basic components of a Radiomax system are

• Playout system (radiomax, cartmax, newsmax, takeplayer, etc.)
• SQL database (Microsoft, MySQL, SQLite)
• Administration client (Radiomax Manager)
• Task programmes (e.g. cache manager, advertising data import, metadata import/export (web, RDS, MOS))

Key features

• Operating system Windows 32Bit/64Bit (Windows 10/11 compatible)
• Any number of audio channels (also stereo/multichannel mix configuration and operation)
• Multi-line and multi-station capable (e.g. dynamic jingle and contribution regionalisation “on the fly”, RadioBASE multi-station database)
• Crossbar module (external line switching via Radiomax playlist)
• DDE coupling with common audio editors
• Cache and standalone function (autonomous playout only with control computer in the event of an emergency)
• Interfaces to all common mixing console systems
• Interfaces to music planning systems Powergold, Musicmaster, Selector
• MOS gateway for data exchange with Openmedia
• Special functions such as Quickscan, Faderrecording, Beatsync, RadioMotion
• Radiomax web services for standardised data exchange with third-party systems
• Customised software development according to customer requirements
• Fast and competent support

RADIOMAX-ONAIR is the front end in the studio for reliable 24-hour broadcasting. During the day, the software relieves the moderator in self-propelled operation with numerous, easy-to-use functions (e.g. quick scan, clock research), at night it ensures a reliable automatic night programme including precisely timed automatic line switching, e.g. for news takeovers.

The envelope displays above the playout channels provide the presenter with immediate visual information about the initial dynamics of the next tracks. Large track intro and track end back timers provide information about time-relevant track details. Changes to the play list, e.g. changing the order or inserting new takes, can be made very quickly and without waiting times. Caching of all broadcast-relevant audio and metadata in the background ensures maximum broadcast stability, as the audio is played back from local hard drives and not via the network. Fluctuations in the network therefore have no influence on audio playback. Caching is also the basis for standalone operation, i.e. autonomous continued transmission using only the Radiomax control computer, even over several days, e.g. at weekends, in the event of major faults. If configured, radiomax onair can also automatically switch to standalone mode, e.g. in automatic night mode, in the event of network problems. It is also possible, for example, to run night-time automation in standalone mode, which allows significantly more flexible maintenance windows for servers and databases. Large configured keys and buttons allow convenient touch operation if required.

Furthermore, the playout software can also be combined very well with broadcast content systems from third-party manufacturers. A current example of this is WDR - Funkhaus Europa: The playout system in the studio is “radiomax onair”, which receives the playlists from “Openmedia” (Annova) via a MOS gateway and the presenter can use an openAPI interface from the broadcast CMS system “dira! Highlander” (Scisys) broadcast CMS system. In turn, “radiomax onair” immediately reports these new tracks or playlist changes back to Openmedia via the MOS gateway.

Key features

• Flexible configuration of the broadcasting interface, if required also according to customer requirements
• Quick scan (up to 10 tracks) for fast preparation of automatic areas during daytime operation (gives the presenter time for off-air recording, listener phone calls, etc.)
• Optional Beatsync and Radiomotion function for precisely timed track changes, loops and changing the “audio density” during playback, e.g. of music beds
• Transmission protocol and export functions for web, RDS etc.
• Sophisticated automatic functions, e.g. AOT (Auto-On-Time) and NOT (Next-On-Time)
• Combination with broadcast systems from other manufacturers possible
• Caching and standalone function included as standard

CARTMAX from the RADIOMAX product family, is the presenter's tool for playing jingles, music beds, packages and show openers. The decisive factor here is the fast provision of the carts required for the respective broadcast situation from a pool of usually several thousand carts via easy-to-use and combinable filter functions. Freely definable cart colours for each cart type increase the visual clarity. With “user functions”, carts that are needed quickly, e.g. in the event of ghost driver warnings, can be made available on the playout channels with just one click. There is one cart stack per playout channel, in which cart sequences can be compiled or loaded as a setup. These cart sequences can then be conveniently played in crossfade mode, for example, with just 1 start button.

By caching all audio and metadata, cartmax also has the option of continuing to broadcast autonomously in standalone mode without access to central audio storage or SQL databases in the event of an emergency. All cart filter functions are still available.

Key features

• Flexible configuration of the sending interface, if required also according to customer requirements
• Optional additional display of news and articles from news XML broadcast structures from other manufacturers
• Optional Beatsync and Radiomotion function for precisely timed track changes, loops and changing the “audio density” during playback, e.g. of music beds
• Broadcast log function for comprehensive cart usage statistics analyses
• Convenient data transfer from third-party cart systems incl. cart colour definitions and metadata
• Caching and standalone function included as standard

NEWSMAX is the tool for the newsreader in the news studio. Great importance was attached to very simple operation. News elements can be started using a PC keyboard, USB controller or fader start with a mixing console connection. Due to a wide range of customer requirements, the playback functions are now very varied. They range from newsmakers with only 1 audio channel to systems with e.g. 2 news channels + 2 jingle channels + 1 PFL channel. The extremely flexible configuration options of Radiomax software are most evident in Newsmax. Advantage for you: Your Newsmax screen only shows what you really need.

Newsmax also has the option of caching all audio and metadata in standalone mode without access to centralised audio storage or SQL databases. Continuous broadcasting operation without an SQL database is also possible.

Key features

• Flexible configuration of the broadcasting interface, if required also according to customer requirements
• Can also be used directly as a new playout front end for existing news XML broadcast structures from other manufacturers
• Access to any number of news waves
• Broadcast log function
• Caching and standalone function included as standard, regular operation without SQL database configurable
• Many different operating modes can be selected

Takeplayer is a simple playout tool with which you can easily play all professional audio formats in broadcasting mode. A tool that you can simply drag and drop from the file explorer or from third-party applications (provided they support drag and drop). And a tool that serves you as a simple and reliable average player or playback device that can still be connected to mixing consoles serially or via IP if required (fader start).

Key features

• 1-channel to 4-channel configurations
• Minimal space requirement on the studio screen (no full screen mode)
• No SQL database required
• Plays all professional audio formats (RF64, multichannel files, 16/24 bit)
• thanks to the mixing console core of the “big” Radiomax, can be linked to all standard broadcast consoles

BEATSYNC is a module for cartmax and radiomax-onairwhich allows you to play sound files in a clock-synchronised sequence in broadcast mode in the simplest possible way. Operation is child's play: you start the next take as usual, the playout delays your start process until your take is synchronised with the currently running take. Beatsync is particularly suitable for programme packages such as news > weather > traffic > show opener. The cart sequences can be grouped as required, saved as a jingle set and loaded automatically at the start of the hour, for example. Beatsync takes do not have to be cut at bar boundaries on the audio side, as the bar grid on which Beatsync is based can be moved very easily in the Beatsync editor. In Radiomax playlists, Beatsync enables easy-to-handle clock-synchronised changes between music tracks. Another advantage: The existing Beatsync clock grid means that loop marks (e.g. for music beds) can be defined in the take in a matter of seconds.

Key features

• easy to create clock grids using the Beatsync editor
• no need to cut audio at beat boundaries
• Can be combined with RADIOMOTION
• Simple creation of loop marks

RADIOMOTION is a module for cartmax and radiomax-onairwith which you can change the “audio density”, the “motif” or the “instrumentation”, for example, at the touch of a button during a running take. A Radiomotion file is a multichannel file and contains several stereo tracks that can be changed or grouped spontaneously on the audio side during playback.

Example 1: Weather bed with 3 motif stereo tracks, for changing weather-related during the weather report

• Track 1: Rain and thunder
• Track 2: windy and stormy
• Track 3: Spring with birdsong

Example 2: Music bed with 3 stereo tracks with different audio density

• Track 1: light: minimal instrumentation
• Track 2: medium: stronger instrumentation
• Track 3: full: full instrumentation

Example 3: Music track, divided into 3 submix stereo tracks that can be grouped or faded out

• Track 1: Drums
• Track 2: Guitars
• Track 3: Vocals

Example 3 in particular opens up completely new design possibilities and listener impressions for radios when playing music tracks, but requires that the record labels provide corresponding submixes with new releases, as is already the case with “Radioedit” and “Instrumental” versions.

Key features

• Spontaneous change of audio characteristics during playback
• Tool for converting several stereo files into one Radiomotion file (multichannel file)
• Can be combined with BEATSYNC