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Automation professional products for the Radio industry |
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Xtreme User Reports The following is a short list of current customer
comments about Digilink-Xtreme. If you are a user of
Xtreme and
would like to add your comments please contact Arrakis Sales
or Support. We would like to express our appreciation to the
many thousands of Digilink automation customers whose feedback
and input has made Digilink such a success. WSWV Rob
WMRS Radio in Monticello, Indiana has been using Digilink products since 1995. In 2009 we decided to go with the new DigiLink-Xtreme. The Digilink-Xtreme arrived at our station quickly and we were able to begin installing the system immediately. I like the ease of installation of the Digilink-Xtreme. I was able to do the installation of the system myself without the cost of bringing in our engineer. If I encountered any problems I did not fully understand a quick call to Arrakis got me a tech person, who was able to solve the problem and explain what I did wrong in easy to understand terms. Ease of operation is also something the Digilink-Xtreme provides to even the most inexperienced operators. We are able to record spots, news, weather and announcements and upload them directly to the Xtreme with speed and ease. Our station is automated overnight and Xtreme has been able to handle all of our satellite changeovers each hour without as much as a single hiccup. I would recommend the Xtreme to any station no matter how big or how small without any hesitation at all. In 2009 we were awarded the Indiana Broadcasters Association Station of the Year Award and I feel our Digilink-Xtreme System played a big part in helping us win this honor. Kevin R. Page
The Arrakis Digilink-Xtreme software has been the best investment our radio station has ever made. I took over as program director over two years ago, having never worked with Arrakis before. We started as just an AM station running automated national programs with a few local fillers here and there, and an FM that was programmed by a nationally syndicated Dial-Global service, and for that, Digilink-Xtreme worked perfectly. We rarely had problems with the software itself and our AM and FM stations plugged along, mainly on its own through the Xtreme software. We were very happy with the capability and price of Xtreme for our stations and didn’t really think more about it. The stunning revelation of Xtreme’s capability came for us when we decided to start running programming locally on our stations. Myself and the GM are both huge baseball fans, so we decided to start carrying the Houston Astros on our AM station. At first we were worried about trying to find a reliable board-op who could run 162 games each summer, and we wanted to be sure our revenue would far exceed the cost of having the board-op. One day I was putting in our traffic and noticed the “Game” function on Digilink-Xtreme. Instead of finding solitaire, which I secretly hoped to find, an entire new window opened. I didn’t know what it was, so I called Arrakis support, they explained it to me, walked me through set up and presto, the Houston Astros were completely automated through Digilink-Xtreme. To that day we had never even conceived that Xtreme, being priced so reasonably, would be able to handle something like game automation. We were further impressed the first time the Astros faced a rain delay. Xtreme handled it without issue. It went back to programming and when the network was ready to resume, Xtreme was equipped to join them immediately and without a hiccup in programming. At this point we thought we had uncovered a great extra feature from Digilink. Turns out, we had only just begun. In January 2009 our FM station, KJDL-FM changed from the nationally run “JACK-FM” to a country format. We continued to take a nationally syndicated service, but added our own morning show. The plan was to use the syndication, but slowly add in local programming. Our morning show was a team of old guys who would be more comfortable with 8-track cartridges than they would a computer, so they used CDs exclusively to run their music. When I decided to pick up an afternoon drive board shift a month later, I had the idea of loading all of our music into Xtreme to simplify my work on air. The results were phenomenal! The process of running the programming on Xtreme was so simple that even the old boys in the morning picked up on it and started using it themselves. As our programming expanded we learned so much more. We had not voice tracked a second of programming up until two months ago when we wanted to expand our local hours without expanding man-power. Xtreme’s voice tracking capability is unmatched in its ease and ability. We voice track those hours where we need a local presence but not a higher payroll. We still take the syndication service, but now mainly overnights. We’re required to run their dayspots as well, but the process of downloading them from the server and trying to follow their complicated logs is a hassle for our traffic manager. No fear, Xtreme is set to auto record spots off the network satellite and put them in automatically. The transition to local programming has been unbelievably simple and it’s all thanks to Xtreme. When we were nationally syndicated, we had Xtreme to thank for keeping us on air. Now that we’re locally programmed, we have Xtreme to thank for keeping us on air. This software is the best investment any radio station could make. As a program director, I put my 110% seal of approval on this software and would recommend it to anyone looking to make their station’s automation, voice tracking, or just on-air work easier. Jess Walker
Over the past several years we have put in new automation equipment at several of our other stations in our group. This included 'brand X', and 'brand Y'. (bad news) In June of 2008 we up-graded one of our AM stations WMYJ-AM and we were looking at automation. I decided to try the DigiLink Xtreme I had very poor results with 'brand X' and 'brand Y'. Plus the cost of the Xtreme was much more affordable for this small 500 watt day timer. I was very very very surprised by the ease of installation and by how well it preformed. The most impressive part was the LIVE and knowledgeable support that you get from Arrakis. When I called they were able to get on line with our system and walk and talk us through any situation. In October of 2009 WMYJ-FM a Non Com FM 88.9, the DL 3 died and we were faced with replacing it ASAP. I was so impressed with the Xtreme I decided to buy another one for this station. After delivery within 3 hours the system was installed and ready to load with audio. The bridge uses the same wiring as the DL3. You do not need to purchase an external (costly) switcher. The unit has been flawless since installation. Then in late December 2009 our DL3 at WVNI was starting to die,
so again I ordered another Xtreme, WVNI is a 6000 watt Contemporary
Christian Music station.This station has live hours, live ballgames,
and automation local hours. Same story easy install, and great
support. We put it in operation January 14. So far very few problems. Steve Ross
After struggling with the system for the last fourteen months – the station’s operations were regressing to a point of diminishing returns. I’d reviewed many software packages, only to realize the better quality systems were well beyond our budget. Being an IT professional in Corporate before retiring, I specialized in software evaluations, acquisitions, implementation and training. My career required that I knew quality software with regards to power, durability and use-ability. So what I expected of software – required top dollar. After looking for months for suitable program we could afford, back in November, I’d decided to settle for an economical automation program. I’d decided that an average program is better than the old dated system we were currently using. I had resigned to just acquiring the basic automation program. However, one night, just before I was about to order the program – the Spirit told me to take one more look on the web. So I Googled once again – and my search returned a link to Arrakis-System website. The rest is history. Man – talking about prayers being answered – having limited funds – and being able to acquire a top shelf, multi-component automation package – with hardware! WHAT A BLESSING! After evaluating the program – I am still in awe at the quality, practical design and power of Xtreme! The program is designed for practicality, convenience and proficiency! Furthermore, the cost! Being less than a normal support package cost is simply unbelievable! We are in the process of setting the system in place now – giving the proprietary nature of the older system’s audio requirements – we are rebuilding our song catalog and other audio files. I am excited about the software and the console we purchased also. For us it will be like moving from horse and buggy to a jet liner. The program you are offering is certainly blessing for smaller financially strapped stations! Now we can drive a Rolls-Royce on a “go-cart” budget. Rev. Lester A. Smalls,
KAKJ
WHCG On WBMZ, Xtreme starts our day with a syndicated morning show from 6 to 9 AM allowing us to operate the station unmanned. Using the floating breaks, scheduling could not be easier. The system does exactly what it is programmed to do at exactly the right times. At 9 AM Xtreme flows seamlessly into hard disk operation and plays music selections from the library in ultimate high quality sound. The way the voicetracking system is designed, allowing crossing, etc., we are able to sound just as big as the big boys! We love the way our timed records work, allowing us to pick up news & network commercials for playback when we choose. This feature too operates flawlessly! On WHCG our gospel satellite feed is covered 24/7 without a single failure. Windows based networking allows us to produce something in one room and simply send it to the other in seconds after it is put together using X-edit, another powerful feature that is part of Digilink Xtreme. There are so many other features we have not yet even used but plan too in the future. Finally,
the
best feature of Xtreme is not a feature, it
is the price of operation, unbeatable. Arrakis-Systems has
provided support on several issues since we put Xtreme on the air
and
have always stayed with us until any problems were resolved.
WE LOVE Xtreme and use it proudly!
KCLT
WHBS
WKNG
WMBM
We started using the Digilink Extreme automation system about three or four years ago and it has been the single BEST upgrade we have made to our station since purchasing it 5 years ago!! We first got the system in November I remember this because the Thanksgiving holiday as just a couple weeks after we installed everything, and it was also the first weekend we had off in a long long time. We set it up, loaded all our songs and carts, scheduled the whole weekend and let it run, I listened all weekend long from my house just waiting for it to hang up or something causing me to have to run to the station to fix it, never happened! (Our previous system hung up a lot) It has worked almost flawlessly ever since. We carry a lot of sports, Pro, college, local, and they all come from different sources. The Digilink-Extreme system allows us to run ball games fully automated even on the weekends when no one is at the station! We can even go from one game to another flawlessly, and the breaks in the games work so that we have a very smooth and professional sound. We also love how the logs keep track of our BMI reporting, what used to take a long time now is a simple email and we are done! One of the very best things about the system isn’t the software, or the hardware it’s the people at Arrakis, we have used the technical support several times for little things as we have learned the system, and for some bigger things that we messed up!, and have found the folks at Arrakis to always be friendly and helpful. The people there have even taken our suggestions and worked them into the updates, like the don’t load the next hour till the timed record is done, or the end game function in the schedule for multiple games, the listen to us, we like that! Never have we not gotten a call back right away, never have we not gotten concern from the person we talked to, never have we not gotten the help we needed, the customer service is the very very best part of the system in my opinion and is worth the money we spend all by itself. We would never ever go back, never change systems, we love it! And have recommended it to several other stations. Can’t wait for the new update and see what things have been added this time! Rob Clutter
The original Digilink arrived at WNTK almost 20 years ago. Today, Digilink is the engine that's run the stations ever since. Digilink I, Digilink II, and now Digilink Xtreme give us a seamless sound. Like Digilink, we've matured, too. WNTK is now on FM and AM. NewsTalk 99.7 WNTK occupies revenue and leadership positions in our market. We simulcast on our sister station, 1490 WUVR. In fact, a separate Digilink Xtreme runs breaks unique to WUVR giving us the ability to sell two stations featuring geographically-targeted advertising to our coverage areas in both New Hampshire and Vermont. Digilink Xtreme is more than our audio engine...it's cash flow for WNTK and WUVR. And just like the (not so) little audio engine (Digilink I) that could almost 20 years ago, WNTK has grown up. In January 2010, WNTK was the originating station for "The Rush Limbaugh Show." Rush's fill-in host, Mark Steyn, lives in the WNTK coverage area. Premiere Radio asked us to originate Mark as he fed the "EIB Network." Audio used (sound bites, drops) for Mark's shows ran off WNTK's Digilink Xtreme!! Portions of the most-listened-to radio program in North America came from a Digilink Xtreme. That's a powerful endorsement. We've just gone through the software upgrade and our operators and talent love it! Thank you for more than twenty years of reliability. Oh, and the same goes for the 1200 series board we've had, too! John Harper
Every single game runs using the "Games" feature and we are on the verge of wrapping up the current NFL season by running the Super Bowl next week....and every single game in 2009 and so far in '10 have run absolutely perfect! They run so flawless that I don't think a live operator could do any better! On a daily basis, we switch networks at least twice a day, plus add news from another source, both live and delayed (recorded by Xtreme), all unattended. The system has never left us down. We use the "Games" feature to run all our high school and local college sporting events as well. Those run with live assist (since there are no network automation cues) and our operators have found this feature extremely easy to use and mistake free. Our station has saved tens of thousands
of dollars annually by not having to staff these sporting features.
Also, the customer support is second to none, if we need help
solving a problem, incidentally, we have not had to ask for help
for about
the past 2 years. Sure can't complain about that!!
I can remember the days of turntables and cart machines and our multiple rack automation system that could play reel to reels, carts, and switch between audio sources. This old automation was a workhorse and while it was big and bulky it had everything in one place, all the pieces if you will were all right there. Now fast forward to today, you need a PC with high quality sound cards, a external switcher that rarely has enough inputs, in most cases you have to also add a external input device for satellite triggers and such. And let’s not forget the nightmare that can take place when it comes time for these external devices to be able to communicate with the PC in a reliable manner. All of this can work well with some time and help from support after you have purchased the “service and support plan” and the expensive software and in some cases hardware from them. Or you can subscribe to the simple idea that everything can consist of a standard PC with one external piece of hardware all for a low monthly price with full support and updates as well. If you haven’t taken a hard look at Digilink Extreme I would highly recommend you do so, this system can do it all. Have you ever tried to fully automate a Nascar race with rain delay switching?, well with Extreme it’s ready to do it. And just like that old workhorse multiple rack system, this workhorse can do everything it could do and much more, all in one place ready to go out of the box. I can only imagine what will be running the station 24 years from now, but I am confident that Arrakis will be there. Wayne B. Grant, GM, CE
WTKF So, why Digilink-Xtreme ? The main answer is “ease of use”. What could be better than an MP3 or WAV formatted automation software that uses a regular PC to run your radio station? What could be better than an automation system that allows you to drop your audio, spots, show segments, liners, promos … well, whatever audio you need to import, right into the system from any editing station on the network? What could be better than an automation system that works amazingly well with our trafficking software, and allows for superb automations sequencing as well as real hands on control during live programs? As we are an “All Talk” station nothing could be better than a system that does more than we could have asked for, in that it is designed for music and sports as well as talk. With yearly software updates, a standard PC based operating system, top of the line service, the easiest to install and operate…the question should be… Why NOT Digilink-Xtreme? Ok, that sounds like a commercial tag line… but it is all true. I shouldn’t say this, but because of the very affordable initial coast, and the low fees for the bridge controller, but sometimes I feel like we are cheating Arrakis Systems out of something really big, as they should be charging much more for this fantastic automation technology. Shhhh…. I think that will just be our little secret.
Did I mention I didn't like change.. well this was one change
I'm glad I made. We are able to program long-form programs, background
recordings, stop-sets and more- in fact, everything we need to
sound professional and competitive in the market place.
Howard Monroe
EnergyTalkRadio.com
WAPZ After being involved in Radio since 1975 I have always found myself being stuck in the old school ways. By the time automation came around I had already moved up into managament. So needless to say I always hired people that knew how to operate all this new fangled stuff so I never took the time to learn it myself and I am not just talking automation but computers in general. About 4 years ago I partnered with an old friend and bought a small station in Alabama. Not having much of a budget left after buying the place and getting the infrustructure in working order I had a problem. No Money to hire a staff nor an automation system. I was unsure what I would do. After having dealt with Arrakis numerous times over the years buying the studio furniture I was in need of a modification to a piece to fit the new station. While on the website I noticed that Arrakis was offering an automation system that could be leased at an extremely affordable rate. I was overjoyed that someone had a system for us poor folks. After ordering and installing it the joy suddenly turned to fear! Here I now have an automation system installed BUT who am I going to get to set it up and operate it. After once again looking at the check book I realized "it's me." Thank God that all of you at Arrakis were real helpful at helping me with the initial setup (thanks by the way for the countless hours of free support). But if I had to say what the one thing is that I like the most; Ease of use! Within just about 2 month,s a total novice like myself was able to learn, operate and teach other people how to use the Digilink. I had never ever operated an automation system before and here I am operating this thing like I had been doing it forever. Now that I am a TOTAL PRO at operating the Digilink I have discovered that you really get a lot of bang for the buck! Besides automation you get editing software and a music scheduler and it all works. An engineer friend at one of the big companies asked now that you have money coming in are you going to spring for one of those big named systems? So I told him look The Digilink Extreme is extremely easy to learn and operate, it has Editing software, It has Music scheduling software and when it comes to support they are second to NONE! so why should I go out and shell out $15 or $20 thousand dollars on a system that will also leave me needing to buy editing and music scheduling software. I can lease the Digilink Extreme from Arrakis for the rest of my life and it will not cost me as much as buying one of those other systems. So for me it is a no brainer. If you need an Affordable, easy to learn & use Editor, Music Scheduling Automation System with Fast and always friendly support with free annual update,s then relief for you is spelled ARRAKIS DIGILINK EXTREME. Thanks Guys for me you were/are a life saver!! Pat Sullivan
WEDJ I began using the Digilink automation in 1991 so this should really
age me. At many stations over the years, I have used Digilinks,
no matter what version they were on, to start CD players, play
Hard Drive Audio, Satellite for Music and Talk stations, and good
old Live Assist. I still have some stations using Digilink 3. The
ease of usage of the Digilink at the time was a plus, especially
at a time when not a lot of announcers were well versed with the
operation of computers. Add to that some of the most reliable tech
support that I had dealt with and it was a winning combination.
They were so reliable! Bob Henning
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