ABSTRACT
Equipment is an integral part of the broadcast voice performer’s world. While program directors look for excellent vocal qualities in the announcers they hire, they also expect announcers to be completely adept at operating the equipment that will surround them in a studio. Many broadcast voice performers find themselves in production situations where they are expected to operate equipment with great proficiency and artistic sensibility. Broadcasting is an art and science, and voice performers must, out of necessity, wear the hats of both the artist and technologist. The audio console is the central nervous system of the radio studio. The reel-to-reel tape recording machine plays a central role in the production of most prerecorded programming material. Most audio studios are equipped with two or more “cart” machines. Cassette machines have risen to popularity since the late 1960s.
