Advanced Music Scheduling

Section 21: Advanced Music Scheduling

NextKast provides powerful tools for advanced music scheduling to help you create dynamic playlists tailored to your station’s programming needs. This guide will help you understand and utilize these advanced features to optimize your music rotation, playlist creation, and automated playout.

Getting Started with Music Scheduling

NextKast’s music scheduler is designed for simplicity and efficiency. With a streamlined interface and a focus on essential features, you can quickly set up and manage your station’s playlists and rotations.

Key Features of Advanced Music Scheduling

1. Control the Hour’s Atmosphere:
   • Adjust Track Types and Limits: Set specific track types and limits to shape the mood of each hour. This feature helps you maintain a balanced playlist that aligns with your station’s desired sound.
   • Navigate to the Scheduler and select Hour Control to adjust these settings.
2. Use Multi-Pass Scheduling (iPass):
   • Optimize Artist Play Frequency: The iPass system allows you to separate artists and apply a bias, ensuring your power artists get more plays.
   • Combine artist bias with Track Ratings to prioritize high-rotation tracks.
   • To activate iPass, go to Settings > Scheduling Options and enable Multi-Pass Scheduling.
3. Apply Subfilters for Category Positions:
   • Control Track Placement by Attributes: Use subfilters to manage the placement of tracks based on attributes like feel, tempo, or any other trait.
   • Go to Scheduler > Category Filters to set up subfilters and fine-tune your music programming.
4. Prevent Pattern Development with Randomized Picker:
   • Keep Playlists Fresh: The randomized picker feature prevents repetitive patterns, ensuring a unique listening experience every hour.
   • To enable this feature, navigate to Settings > Scheduling Options and turn on Randomized Picker.
5. Utilize the Day Segment Feature:
   • Ensure Equal Play for All Tracks: The day segment feature helps distribute playtime evenly across specified day parts, providing fair rotation and exposure.
   • Set this up under Scheduler > Day Segments.
6. Simplify Clock Structure for Syndicated Hours:
   • Minimize Complexity: Use the simplified clock structure to combine multiple macro commands into a single clock for syndicated programming.
   • Access this feature via Scheduler > Clock Builder and choose the Simplify Clock Structure option.
7. Integrate Syndicated Content with the Built-In FTP Downloader:
   • Easily Download and Schedule Content: For talk and sports stations, the built-in FTP downloader simplifies the integration of syndicated content.
   • Set up the FTP downloader under Settings > FTP Downloader and configure the necessary details.
8. Schedule Events and Games:
   • Plan Sports and Special Events: Use the event and game scheduler to plan ahead for sports broadcasts or special programming.
   • Access this under Scheduler > Event and Game Scheduler.

Diagnosing Common Scheduling Issues

A common question from customers is why an artist repeated too soon or a song is getting played too frequently. Here are some tips to diagnose and resolve such issues:

1. Check Music Scheduling Resources:
   • Ensure all tracks are properly tagged with correct artist and title information. Blank fields can cause scheduling errors.
   • Consider factors like:
     • How many times the category appears in the rotation.
     • How many tracks are in the category.
     • The number of unique artists in the category.
     • Artist and title repeat settings.
     • Whether the Audience Pleaser feature is enabled.
2. Use the Song Error Log:
   • The simplest way to diagnose scheduling issues is to check the Song Error Log in the Settings window.
   • Key terms to look for:
     • Search Depth: This indicates how deep NextKast had to search in a category to find a track that meets all rules. A number below 30% is optimal.
     • Artist or Title Repeat Issues: If these are set too high for the available tracks, it will be indicated in the log.
     • Broken Rules: Review any other broken rules listed and make adjustments as needed.
3. Run Hypothetical Playlist Generation:
   • Use this feature to simulate playlist creation and review results using the Played Search Screen.
   • Adjust song pick parameters, like artist and title repeat, and view tracks as if they were played out.
   • Enable this setting in Settings > Advanced > Debug Mode.

Advanced Scheduling Techniques

1. Creating Custom Clocks and Dayparts:
   • Define different clocks for specific times of day or special events.
   • Set up clocks in Scheduler > Clock Builder and assign them to dayparts under Scheduler > Dayparts.
2. Leveraging Audience Data for Scheduling:
   • Use listener data to adjust your scheduling for maximum engagement.
   • Review listener metrics under Reports > Audience Insights and adjust your scheduling rules accordingly.
3. Applying Advanced Scheduling Rules:
   • Manage track scheduling by setting rules for repeat plays, artist separation, gender balance, tempo, and more.
   • Configure these rules in Settings > Advanced Rules.

Tips for Effective Music Scheduling

• Regularly review and adjust your scheduling rules to match your station’s programming goals.
• Use the Randomized Picker feature to keep playlists varied and engaging.
• Apply subfilters to refine track placement for a balanced listening experience.
• Monitor your station’s performance and adjust your strategy based on listener feedback and data analysis.

By following these steps and using the advanced features in NextKast, you can create a compelling music schedule that meets your station’s unique needs and keeps your audience engaged.