At this years BETT exhibition on stand V33, Sonifex are exhibiting a complete, ready to assemble, radio studio package. For media studies departments, the Solutions package is an easy way to get started in radio providing a fully functioning, professional broadcast studio ready for use immediately. Fusion Cray Youth Radio is an example of a community station using the Sonifex Solutions package.
Fusion Cray Youth Radio is based in St Mary’s Cray near Orpington in Kent. It was started initially as a result of wanting to provide activities for the young people of St Mary’s Cray and St Paul’s Cray. The age ranges and backgrounds of the youngsters are diverse, with ages ranging from 12 to 24 and backgrounds ranging from the very affluent to very poor. Additionally, university graduates as well as those with literacy problems and school exclusions are equally and pro-actively involved.
The studio, which is converted from a garage, is based around the Sonifex Solutions 1 studio package. All the members of Fusion Cray agree that it is an easy set up to use. All the equipment is of the same professional broadcast standard used in many commercial and community radio stations. The package was designed explicitly with ease of use in mind allowing the presenter to concentrate on presenting rather than worrying about any technical aspects of the equipment. Additionally, the installation of the studio can be done in a matter of hours. The diverse range of users with varying technical knowledge and ability, combined with the competitive price of the equipment, has made the Solutions package a very popular choice with schools and colleges who have to work within restrictive budgets.
The beauty of any project such as Fusion Cray is that it automatically involves the wider community in terms of listeners, supporters and sponsors. Although the project is managed by Bromley Youth Agency who organise the fundraising and deal with day to day issues, help has also come in the form of, to name but a few, local newspapers, the police, the local bus company, local colleges and the local housing association. Professional help comes from Sheila Smith, the Project Worker, who also teaches radio and audio at Bromley college. Sheila takes care of all training, the purchase of equipment, organises the broadcast and acts as programme controller. She cites a whole raft of benefits to the members of being involved in this kind of project, which are listed by the members themselves. These are many and varied from "team work", "feeling like a local celebrity" and "interviewing at the Millennium Dome" to "self confidence" and "creative freedom" – the list goes on. This is in addition to learning new technical and presentation skills.
This particular project is centred around obtaining an RSL (Restricted Service Licence) and all the work throughout the year is geared towards a 26 day broadcast in August. The terms for obtaining this particular RSL are educational which means that although the youngsters devise their own programming, it must contain items which are considered to be educational. Last year’s programme included items on drug use and safe sex, items that were written and pre-recorded by the youngsters themselves. This is in addition to a diverse music content, a drive time programme and phone-ins.
From humble origins, the project continues to go from strength to strength. Subject to licensing clearance, plans are already made for the August 2001 broadcast. Additionally, club promoters come into the studio on a regular basis to listen to the young DJs and mixers. Training is being formalised with the intention of offering a National Open College Network Certificate in Radio Production. A grant of £3,500 from Capital Radio’s charity ‘Help a London Child’ is also testament to the hard work and commitment that has gone into this project by all concerned.
To obtain more information on the Solutions package and Fusion Cray Youth Radio project, visit Sonifex at Stand Number V33 to discuss options available and costs.
