CookbookChapter00 - Revision history

DKlann: categorize

2020-09-09T03:06:28Z

categorize

DKlann: Begin section on the Library and RDAirplay.

2020-09-09T00:49:00Z

Begin section on the Library and RDAirplay.

DKlann: Wordsmithing and links

2020-08-17T02:50:00Z

Wordsmithing and links

DKlann: Typo's and new content.

2020-08-16T19:13:16Z

Typo's and new content.

DKlann: Created.

2020-08-16T18:39:35Z

Created.

New page

== 50,000 Foot View ==

The beginning of a Rivendell journey.

Rivendell is, at its core, a set of computer tools for automating the acquisition, playing, and disposition of audio. Rivendell achieves this through a coordinated set of applications which are tied together with a database containing configuration details, audio metadata, and historical records; a storage volume containing audio files (sometimes called “''audio assets''”); and all the necessary hardware to play and transport the audio. It is most commonly used in broadcast and Internet [[Stations_using_Rivendell|radio stations]].

After you obtain Rivendell, you start with a “blank slate”. That is, you get all the tools, and you must configure them for your station. This article is a brief guide to getting from “Zero” to “Playing” with links to necessary details.

The article assumes you have already [http://static.paravelsystems.com/rivendell-install-rd3/rivendell-install-rhel7.html installed] Rivendell on a computer dedicated to running only the Rivendell apps.

This article was originally written in August, 2020. Some of the links may be out of date or simply not work. The [[User:DKlann|original author]] intends to keep this article and the others in this “Cookbook” up to date.

=== Rivendell Block Diagram ===

This block diagram shows roughly how (some of) the various Rivendell applications work.

[[Image:50000-foot-view.png|center|700px|thumb|border|High-level Application Block Diagram]]

But in order to get to the point of actually playing audio, you need to get that audio into the system. And before you do that, you need to set decide ''how'' you’re going to organize things. Start with the basics of your station.

=== A Station is a “''Service''” ===

Tell Rivendell the basics of your station by configuring a “''Service''”. The Rivendell installation process defined a “default” Service for you, named “'''Production'''”. You can change that configuration by launching '''RDAdmin''' and selecting '''Manage Services'''. Here‘s how that looks:

[[Image:Peek_2020-08-16_13-29RDAdminManageServiceProduction.gif|center|border|The ''default'' Rivendell '''Service''']]

As an aside, notice how the Rivendell windows typically contain large buttons and each task is opened in a new window. This is because Rivendell apps are coded with the intention of being used on a full&emdash;sized (that is, not a phone or tablet) touch screen display. Using a mouse or other pointing device works just fine, but you’ll find that navigating a Rivendell system is speediest and most efficient with a touch screen.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:06, 9 September 2020
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	But RDAirplay is also an interactive tool for live in-the-studio DJs and show hosts.		But RDAirplay is also an interactive tool for live in-the-studio DJs and show hosts.
		+
		+	[[Category:Cookbook]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 9 September 2020
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	Notice the colored ''Group'' names: people find it useful to make Rivendell things more easily identifiable by coloring them in a consistent manner. More on that later...		Notice the colored ''Group'' names: people find it useful to make Rivendell things more easily identifiable by coloring them in a consistent manner. More on that later...
		+
		+	=== Audio Tracks are Stored in the Library ===
		+
		+	All your audio resources (songs, commercials, promos, pre-recorded shows, etc.) are stored and managed in the Rivendell Library. The Library manager app is [[RDLibrary]] (creative, eh?). Every audio track belongs to exactly one Group.
		+
		+	=== “Playlists” are Played by RDAirplay ===
		+
		+	Rivendell playlists are called “'''Logs'''”, and they typically cover the duration of one day (from midnight to midnight). The Rivendell player is [[RDAirplay]]. RDAirplay is a tool meant to be used both interactively, and non-interactively. For a fully automated station, you typically start RDAirplay and simply let it run. New daily Logs are automatically loaded at the end of the day.
		+
		+	But RDAirplay is also an interactive tool for live in-the-studio DJs and show hosts.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 The beginning of a Rivendell journey.
-Rivendell is, at its core, a set of computer tools for automating the acquisition, playing, and disposition of audio. Rivendell achieves this through a coordinated set of applications which are tied together with a database containing configuration details, audio metadata, and historical records; a storage volume containing audio files (sometimes called &ldquo;''audio assets''&rdquo;); and all the necessary  hardware to play and transport the audio. It is most commonly used in broadcast and Internet [[Stations_using_Rivendell|radio stations]].
+Rivendell is, at its core, a set of computer tools for automating the acquisition, playing, and disposition of audio. Rivendell achieves this through a coordinated set of applications which are tied together with a database containing configuration details, audio metadata, and historical records; a storage volume containing audio files (sometimes called &ldquo;''audio assets''&rdquo;). It is most commonly used in broadcast and Internet [[Stations_using_Rivendell|radio stations]].
 After you obtain Rivendell, you start with a &ldquo;blank slate&rdquo;. That is, you get all the tools, and you must configure them for your station. This article is a brief guide to getting from &ldquo;Zero&rdquo; to &ldquo;Playing&rdquo; with links to necessary details.
-The article assumes you have already [http://static.paravelsystems.com/rivendell-install-rd3/rivendell-install-rhel7.html installed] Rivendell on a computer dedicated to running only the Rivendell apps.
+The article assumes you have already [http://static.paravelsystems.com/rivendell-install-rd3/rivendell-install-rhel7.html installed] Rivendell on a computer dedicated to running only Rivendell apps.
 This article was originally written in August, 2020. Some of the links may be out of date or simply not work. The [[User:DKlann|original author]] intends to keep this article and the others in this &ldquo;Cookbook&rdquo; up to date.
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 [[Image:Peek_2020-08-16_13-29RDAdminManageServiceProduction.gif|center|border|The ''default'' Rivendell '''Service''']]
-(As an aside, notice how the Rivendell windows typically contain large buttons, and each task is opened in a new window. This is because Rivendell apps are coded with the intention of being used on a full&mdash;sized (that is, not a phone or tablet) touch screen display. Using a mouse or other pointing device works just fine, but you&rsquo;ll find that navigating a Rivendell system is speediest and most efficient with a touch screen.)
+(As an aside, notice how Rivendell windows typically contain large buttons, and each task is opened in a new window. This is because Rivendell apps are coded with the intention of being used on a full&mdash;sized touch screen display (that is, not a phone or tablet). Using a mouse or other pointing device works just fine, but you&rsquo;ll find that navigating a Rivendell system is speediest and most efficient with a touch screen.)
 The Production '''''Service''''' contains &ldquo;global&rdquo; settings that apply to all aspects of that station.
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 === Audio Tracks are Organized by &ldquo;''Group''&rdquo; ===
-Similar to physical file drawers and sticky labels, we are going to ''file'' all the audio tracks. Rivendell uses the old-school radio term &ldquo;''Cart''&rdquo; for audio tracks (and other things), so the terms ''track'' and ''cart'' are interchangeable.
+Similar to physical file drawers and sticky labels, we are going to ''file'' all the audio tracks. Rivendell uses the old-school radio term &ldquo;''[[wikipedia::Fidelipac|Cart]]''&rdquo; for audio tracks (and other things), so the terms ''track'' and ''cart'' are mostly interchangeable.
-One ''Group'' may (and will) contain many ''Carts'', and each ''Cart'' belongs to exactly '''one''' ''Group''.
+One ''Group'' may (and will) contain '''many''' ''Carts''; each ''Cart'' belongs to exactly '''one''' ''Group''.
 Here is an example of the ''Groups'' for one station:

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 === A Station is a &ldquo;''Service''&rdquo; ===
-Tell Rivendell the basics of your station by configuring a &ldquo;''Service''&rdquo;. The Rivendell installation process defined a &ldquo;default&rdquo; Service for you, named &ldquo;'''Production'''&rdquo;. You can change that configuration by launching '''RDAdmin''' and selecting '''Manage Services'''. Here&lsquo;s how that looks:
+Tell Rivendell the basics of your station by configuring a &ldquo;''Service''&rdquo;. The Rivendell installation process defined a &ldquo;default&rdquo; Service for you, named &ldquo;'''Production'''&rdquo;. You can change that configuration by launching '''RDAdmin''' and selecting '''Manage Services'''. Here&rsquo;s how that looks (pretend that &ldquo;'''HD2'''&rdquo; ''Service'' isn&rsquo;t there):
 [[Image:Peek_2020-08-16_13-29RDAdminManageServiceProduction.gif|center|border|The ''default'' Rivendell '''Service''']]
-As an aside, notice how the Rivendell windows typically contain large buttons and each task is opened in a new window. This is because Rivendell apps are coded with the intention of being used on a full&emdash;sized (that is, not a phone or tablet) touch screen display. Using a mouse or other pointing device works just fine, but you&rsquo;ll find that navigating a Rivendell system is speediest and most efficient with a touch screen.
+(As an aside, notice how the Rivendell windows typically contain large buttons, and each task is opened in a new window. This is because Rivendell apps are coded with the intention of being used on a full&mdash;sized (that is, not a phone or tablet) touch screen display. Using a mouse or other pointing device works just fine, but you&rsquo;ll find that navigating a Rivendell system is speediest and most efficient with a touch screen.)