AIRCAST v.7.20
Aircast 7.20 is built around a reliable, fully customizable playout engine, with automation and live assist mode, skinnable user interface, a built-in, touch-screen friendly, multi-tab cartwall, and Voice-Tracking support.
​
It features a Playlist, Cartwall, Cue Editor, Mix editor, events, screen objects and file logging. Voice Tracking, mixdown and scripting are standard.
Aircast 7.20 is a light-weight, full-featured radio automation system for Microsoft Windows.
​
It is targeted at small and medium-sized stations and for both terrestrial and Internet-based broadcast. It offers features often only found in some high priced, high-end professional packages.
​
Aircast 7.20 was designed to be as flexible and customizable as possible. It works with standard PC hardware, supports virtually any soundcard and offers an unbelieveable smooth integration with our Webstation, Airlite, Airence , Airlab-DT, AXITE and AXUM mixers.
features
- Playlist, Cartwall, Cue Editor, Mix Editor, events, screen objects, file logging
​
- Stream/line-in playback, special playlist items, layout/skin, HTTP/SQL logging
​
- Voice tracking, mixdown, scripting
​
- Built-in Shoutcast/Icecast compatible streaming encoder
​
- VST, Winamp DSP
- Database and Scheduling (standalone/local mode), music scheduling
​
- Ad scheduler, log import from 3rd party music/traffic schedulers, voice tracking.
​
- Use one STD-DB license as the “server” (and playout) and multiple STD (non-DB) or
VT license as the clients.
​
- Hotkeys, gamepad/joystick, IO-Warrior, MIDI, Velleman.
​
- Remote Control for digital Broadcast Mixers (MambaNet only)​
- Redesigned playlist GUI.
- WASAPI is now the default audio output method.
- DirectSound is still supported but only in "application level mixing" mode with higher latency.
​
- Layout Designer: Screen Objects are now using IDs that indicate their type.
​
- DB: Scheduler: Attribute filters starting with ~ will now be regarded as regular expressions.
​
- Built-in Dark Mode.
​
- Live skin editing.
​
- Redesigned Audio Routing configuration with improved identification/testing and built-in repair function
when device IDs change after Windows updates.
​
- Built-in sine wave and pink noise generator; use Stream playlist items, enter URL as "sine:
<freq>[,level[,samplerate]]" or "pink:[level]".
​
- Redesigned System Log with automatic archiving function and built-in viewer.
​
- DB: Unified configuration interface for all network/SQL databases.
​
- DB: Built-in user and group management for local and SQL databases; no longer uses SQL
roles for user management. Default login is the "admin" user with password "admin" which
can be changed in the database connection properties. Additional users/groups are managed
from the DB app Administration menu. DBServer application does not have a user database of
its own anymore but uses the one from the database.
​
- DB: New "Inbox" button in DB app, will check a configurable folder for new audio files, then
import and delete them.
​
- DB: Advertising: Ability to specify manual blocks (by date/hour/block) for campaigns, in
addition to the weekly schedule WASAPI: New "Windows Default Device" setting; will
automatically follow when you switch to a different device in Windows sound settings.
​
​
- WASAPI: Automatic recovery when devices are disconnected and reconnected.
​
- WASAPI: Newly connected devices can be used without restarting the software.
- DB: New "Auto-Repair" function in storage sync dialog.
​
- DB: Transitions: "Artist must match" option (used to schedule Station IDs).
​
- DB: Optimized SQL queries [*]
​
- DB: Database schema updated to 25.
​
- New item type: Automatic File Container.
​
- New screen object: Web Browser (requires Edge and WebView2 runtimes).
- Sound processing can now be used on soundcard output/input level.
​
- Redesigned progress dialogs.
​
- Various GUI fixups and improvements.
​
- ASIO: Simplified input/output channel configuration.
​
- Updated BASSmix to 2.4.11.1
​
- Updated Virtual Treeview to 7.6.1
​
- Re-implemented IOWarrior remote control based on hidapi.dll
​
- Re-implemented Ember+ Consumer remote control.
​
new features of Version 7.20
- Redesigned playlist GUI.
- WASAPI is now the default audio output method.
​
- DirectSound is still supported but only in "application level mixing" mode with higher latency.
​
- Layout Designer: Screen Objects are now using IDs that indicate their type.
​
- DB: Scheduler: Attribute filters starting with ~ will now be regarded as regular expressions.
why Aircast...
Playout
Aircast 7.20 is built around a reliable, fully customizable playout engine, with automation and live assist mode, skinnable user interface, a built-in, touch-screen friendly, multi-tab cartwall, and Voice-Tracking support.
​
It features a Playlist, Cartwall, Cue Editor, Mix editor, events, screen objects and file logging. Voice Tracking, mixdown and scripting are standard.
​
Database and Scheduling
​
Manage your audio files and playlist logs through Aircast Data Base, the built-in, network-enabled audio library (in version STD-DB).
It has built-in music scheduling, and can also import playlists from various 3rd-party scheduling software.
​
Studio Integration
​
With its various built-in remote control options such as hotkeys, gamepad/joystick, I/O warrior, Midi, Velleman, Aircast integrates perfectly with your professional studio equipment.
Direct control of many functions by D&R's own remote control protocol is also built in.
​
Streaming
​
The built-in streaming encoder feeds Shoutcast and Icecast servers, even from server hardware with no physical audio devices.
Winamp and VST plugins can be used for sound processing. With the Multi Instance option, you can run dozens of playouts from the same machine.
functionality
AIRCAST-STD Package:
- This is the license for 1 user.
- The user can locally (on his own PC) create a music
database.
- The user can log-on a PC that has an Aircast
STD-DB license and use the music that is stored on
that PC.
​
​
AIRCAST-STD-DB Package:
​
- (same functionality as STD)
- The SERVER version of Aircast to allow other
STD-licenses to connect with the Database of this DB-server version.
Also the VT-licenses will work with this DB-version.
​
​
​
AIRCAST-VT Package:
​
- User can remotely do VoiceTracking and log-on to
an Aircast STD-DB license anywhere (LAN/WAN)
basic playout
Playlist with Live Assist and Automation mode
The playlist contains all audio files that are going to be broadcasted during your show.
These audio items are handled by the main players – either started manually (live assist mode) or automatically (automation mode).
You can toggle between these modes at any time.
The number of main players is configurable.
In a live studio, you will usually want to have at least two players – each assigned to a separate sound card output connected to a separate fader strip on your mixing console.
Aircast offers numerous features that makes
the presenters’ lives easier, helping them to produce a perfect show.
For example, fix times are supported in Automation mode, so items can be started automatically at given times.
​
The anticipated starting times of all items are calculated and displayed continuously for perfect backtiming.
During the intro/ramp of a song, a large countdown is displayed.
​
main screen
Advanced Playout - Level 1
Stream and Line-In Rebroadcast
Using the “Stream” and “Live Feed” playlist items, you can rebroadcast Shoutcast/Icecast streams,
or any audio signal coming in via the line input of your sound card.
Special playlist items
In addition to ordinary audio files, Aircast supports a number of special items that can be added to the playlist, e.g. dummy items (non-playable items that can contain texts, notes etc.) and containers
(virtual items that contain an arbitrary number of other items - useful for ad breaks that consist of multiple spots).
​
HTTP and SQL logging
In addition to log files on disk, information about played items can also be sent to an HTTP or SQL server in realtime, for example to display the recently played songs on your website.
If you’re running a Shoucast or Icecast server, Aircast can update the title on the server, even if you do not use mAirList’s internal encoder.
Skinning and Custom Layout
The appearance of all elements in the playout window, and also their size and position in the main window, can be customized through skin and layout files.
The integrated Layout Designer helps you to move the objects around.
​
cartwall
The Cartwall can be used to play short jingles or other audio elements.
The number of players/slots is Technically unlimited.
Cart pages can be saved as favorites and reopened as new tabs quickly.
​
Inside the tabs, you can use the Design Mode to rearrange and resize the items freely, and also work with custom colors for easier access.
The cartwall is designed to be touchscreen-friendly.
It can be displayed as part of the main window,
or as a separate window, possibly on another monitor.
cue editor
The graphical Cue Editor allows you to edit the cue markers (ramp, fade out, etc.) of any item quickly based on a waveform image of the audio.
​
Cue markers can be saved to file tags (selected file formats only) or metadata XML files for later use.
DirectSound, WASAPI, ASIO
Aircast works with any DirectSound, WASAPI or ASIO compatible sound card (incuding virtual sound cards like Axia Livewire or Dante Virtual Soundcard).
No need to spend hundreds of Euros for expensive pro audio hardware, even most budget cards will work out of the box.
All audio connections (player outputs etc.) can be routed freely to the available soundcard inputs/outputs.
The stereo outputs of most multichannel sound cards (even cheap onboard 5.1 cards) can be used separately for the player output. Playback of multi-channel audio (4.0, 5.1 and 7.1) is supported as well.
​
​
Powerful audio engine
Aircast’s audio engine is built around the well-known and reliable BASS audio library.
The most common audio formats, including MP3, MP2, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC and WMA, are supported out of the box. Additional formats (e.g. FLAC or Opus) can be added through free BASS add-ons.
Aircast will work with your existing audio library and does not require you to recode any audio files.
You can even mix different file types when required.
mix editor
Using the Mix Editor, you can easily set up segues between audio items using a multichannel waveform view.
​
The Mix Editor supports volume envelopes for voice tracking, and is available in both the play-out module and the Aircast-DB Management application.
Events
Using the Event Scheduler, you can execute arbitrary actions at scheduled times, e.g. insert news items or load the playlist for the next hour from an Aircast-DB.
This makes it very easy to set up a fully automated program.
​
Custom screen objects
Extended the main window by a variety of customizable screen objects, e.g. date/time display, countdowns, buttons that trigger commands or actions etc.
​
Log file output
You can create log files of all played items in any customizable format.
​
Multi-language GUI
Aircast comes with an English GUI, and an official German language file is included in the setup; other translations, e.g. French, are contributed and maintained by the community.
voice tracking
The Voice Track Recorder is also available in the database playlist editor, so you can record and insert voice tracks into any future playlist.
Advanced Playout - Level 2
Voice Tracking
Use the integrated Voice Track Recorder to record new voice tracks directly from the playout GUI and add them to the current playlist.
​
​
Mixdown
The mixdown function allows you to create a single audio file of a sequence of audio files, including tracks recorded in the Voice Track Recorder, based the segues defined in the Mix Editor or Cue Editor, accurate to the sample.
available packages
​
AIRCAST-7.20-STD package:
This is the basic software for standalone applications incl. Voice tracking.
​
Only € 625,--
​
​
AIRCAST-7.20-STD-DB package:
This is the basic software for standalone applications, but now with an added Database server application.
You can now use multiple STD (non-DB) or VT licenses as the clients in a LAN or WAN.
​
Only € 775,--
​
AIRCAST-7.20-VT Management License + Voice Track package:
For additional workstations that require AircastDB access, e.g. office or production PCs, we offer management+VT licenses.
Management+VT licenses require an Aircast 7.1-STD-DB license running on the main playout computer.
​
Only € 260,--
​
more of Aircast..
Built-in music scheduling
Aircast-DB includes the Mini Scheduler that creates random playlist or music logs based on freely configurable hour templates.
Thanks to the two-phase scheduling approach, clocks and music templates can be defined separately, and combined freely.
Playlists generated through the Mini Scheduler can be reviewed and edited through the Playlist Editor at any time.
For fully unattended systems, just-in-time scheduling is available through the Event Scheduler in the playout module.
​
Third-party databases
The flexible database layer of Aircast allows you to connect not only to Aircast-DB but also to databases from third-party vendors.
A number of database types, e.g. iTunes, is supported out of the box.
Others can be added using AircastScript, accessing arbitrary SQL databases, XML files or web services.
​
Advanced Database and Advertising Scheduling
Aircast-DB includes a simple ad scheduling function that allows you to set up scheduled playback of spots according to a configurable day/hour/block grid.
The number of available blocks per hour is technically unlimited.
Again, you can choose to import logs from 3rd party software (e.g. uki.system) instead of using the internal scheduler, or combine internal and external scheduling.
​
Music log import
For those who wish to work with an external music scheduling solution, a variety of import filters is available (e.g. MusicMaster, Powergold, M3U, etc.).
Music imported from external sources can be mixed with content scheduled by Aircast’s Mini Scheduler, or you can use the internal scheduler as a fallback if the import fails for any reason.
We also have import/export filters available (or can create them) for library synchronization with the most popular music scheduling systems.
​
​
Playlist editor
For each day and each hour, you can save a playlist (created manually or automatically through the Mini Scheduler) which is later grabbed and played by the playout module.
​
AircastScript
Using the Aircastscript language, you can extend the functionality of the software. For example, you can create
a script that adds custom content downloaded from the web to the playlist, or a script that sends commands to
a remote control device every time a player is started.
​
Streaming Encoder
Aircast includes a streaming encoder that broadcasts the audio output of the players and/or a signal recorded from a soundcard input to any Shoutcast or Icecast compatible streaming server.
Direct broadcast to the streaming server is supported even for PCs or servers that have no built-in audio hardware.
You can broadcast the signal to multiple servers simultaneously, and use the Aircheck function to create audio files of the streamed signal (supported audio file formats subject to available codecs.)
​
External DSP plugin support
In addition to the built-in effects, external sound processing plugins (in VST or Winamp DSP format) can be used in the encoder.
​
Database and Scheduling
Aircast-DB is an SQL-based database backend for managing your audio library and music schedules.
Setting up an Aircast-DB is optional - you can just load your playlist from the file systems - but Aircast is much less powerful without it.
In the base version, Aircast-DB stores all data in a single database file on the local hard drive (using SQLite), and is designed to be used from a single workstation.
​
Audio library
Pointing it at your audio folders, Aircast-DB will scan your hard drive for audio files and register them in the audio library.
This is where all metadata about the items is stored, e.g. artist/title information, cue markers etc.
The (virtual) folders you create here will be the basis for the music scheduling function (Mini Scheduler).
​
system requirements
Aircast works on any standard PC running Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10) or Windows Server
(2008 or above). Both 32 and 64 bit.
​
On Windows Server, you must install the Desktop Experience Feature in order to get the required codecs for MP3 playback. On Windows Desktop OS, these codecs are already included through Windows Media Player.
Aircast has very low requirements regarding the performance of your PC.
On a current i5 CPU, a running Aircast process will typically only consume 2-3% CPU (excluding encoders and sound processing) and less than 50 MB RAM. The required disk space for a base setup (without database and caches) is just about 30 MB.
Due to the extensive support for several audio APIs (DirectSound, WASAPI, ASIO), Aircast will work with virtually any Windows-compatible soundcard. In rare cases, it is necessary to tweak some advanced settings in the Aircast audio configuration or driver settings. Whenever possible, we recommend that you test the compatibility between Aircast and your existing audio hardware using our demo version.
​
For fully automated encoder-only instances (direct streaming to Shoutcast/Icecast), Aircast does not require any audio hardware at all – you can even run it on datacentre servers. Physical hardware is preferred over virtual machines though. Virtual machines will work if the Windows real-time clock is working properly.
upgrade of your current Aircast license
UPGRADE POLICY
​
In case your present software package is purchased not longer than 3 months ago you can download this new v.7.20 for free.
In case your software package is older we can offer you an upgrade to v.7.20 for 50% of the retail value of the v.7.20-STD package.
Please contact your dealer or us for the upgrade procedure.
direct access and integration with our consoles
WEBSTATION
- 12 Control Switches + encoder
- ON (USB channels only)
- CUE (USB channels only)
- FADERSTART (USB channels only)
AIRLITE
- 16 Control Switches
- ON
- CUE
- FADERSTART
- SOURCE SELECT
- ON-AIR1/2
- CUE RESET
​
AIRENCE
- 24 Control Switches + encoder
- ON (USB channels only)
- CUE (USB channels only)
- FADERSTART (USB channels only)
​
AIRLAB-DT
- Faderstarts
- 24 Control Switches + encoder (If Control module is present)
​
AXUM | AXITE
- Faderstarts
- 24 Control Switches + encoder (If Control module is present )