Training
Last update: April 1, 2008
Please see the videos below for a (hopefully) continually updated list of training videos I’ve created in the hopes of helping our programmers.and others interested in radio. They’re a combination of tutorials/instructionals, chats on best practices, and interviews with programmers on effective tools. This is a direct response to those who’ve requested trainings that are accessible 24/7 as well as to replace and expand on video tutorials I did internally for KPFT a year or so ago. If you have requests for particular tutorials to be created, or wish to share your knowledge for others, please let me know.
Technical
Software can be a huge help for radio activists. Hopefully these tutorials will help you make the most of such tools.
Audacity
My quick online training on how to use open-source audio editor Audacity.
Programming
A pretty broad category for sure, these chats and trainings are aimed at helping share skills.
Voice Techniques
KPFT News Co-Anchor Marlo Blue, whose professional expertise includes voice work for TV, games and more, gives programmers a few tips for better on-air presence, breath control and microphone position.
Music Programming
Yogi G. and Alxxx of GenerAsian Radio talk about how their show works, how to select music well, listening to airchecks and doing an effective music program.
Legal Issues and Programming
Questions from National Federation of Community Broadcasters conference attendees to attorneys about what one can and can’t broadcast.
Interview Techniques
One of the best known community radio trainers, Dick Brooks, teaches interview techniques for community radio programmers and managers.
KPFT Assistant News Director Ron Reynolds talks about how to do crisp interviews.
Sample Interview
Ron puts his training to use with this sample interview.
AudioPort
This is an overview for using AudioPort, Pacifica’s online content delivery system. I walk you through what AudioPort is, how to upload items, and how to use the workroom function. If you want to distribute your program or content you create, AudioPort is a great way to do it.
Archiving Programs
Ever been interested in saving high-quality versions of your programs and sending them to the Pacifica Radio Archives? Here’s a tip video on saving those shows and getting them to PRA.
Pledge Drive
KPFT and virtually every noncommercial station must fundraise, so why not take some tips for a great pitch?
Fundraising Pitch Primers
Duane Bradley is best known as KPFT’s General Manager, but has a well-deserved reputation as a badass “pitcher,” who leads on-air fundraising. He sits down to give a basic, intermediate and advanced training session, filled with tips, anecdotes and more.
Basic Session
Internediate Session
Advanced Session
Engineering
The sound board can be intimidating for newcomers. These tutorials are intended to demystify engineering.
Basic Board Training
KPFT Operations Coordinator Bobby Moddad gives you the skinny on the control room sound board, how it works and basic functions. Good, quick overview.
Intermediate/Advanced Board Training
I give you a longer training guide on the sound board, turntables, Wireready, phones and such. I cover most everything you need to know to run the board, but caution, because it’s best to shadow someone before running the board. Don’t learn like I did! (smile)
Production Room Guide
I show you how to use our Production Room and do three of its most basic functions: mic recording, CD recording and telephone interviews. There’s, of course, a guide in two different places in our production studio, but I know some of y’all are more visual and all.
Disclaimer: I’m not a videographer, and am filming with an Aiptek IS-DV2, a low-cost handheld camera. The video and sound quality, at various points, isn’t very good, and probably have more to do with my learning-as-you-go video skills than the camera itself, and those of the various helpers. I appreciate your patience in forgiving whatever technical flaws in my/our first video forays you notice. I’m uploading them in the interest of helping our programmers and other community radio folks who want to get better at the radio craft by learning from others, including some extremely skilled professionals.
