Live traffic reports and commercial remotes require off-air monitoring and cueing. If the station broadcasts in delay, the reporter will hear his cue 7.5 seconds late which will result in 7.5 seconds of dead-air. In radio, 7.5 seconds of dead-air is a capital offense. There are operational procedures which will prevent the problem.

When using the full-dump mode: During delayed programs which include live traffic reports or news reports, the on-air talent must instantly return to real time for the live remote. This requires that the 610 be operated in the full-dump mode; all 7.5 seconds of delay must dump when the DUMP button is pushed. This procedure will not work properly when the 610 is in the two-stage dump mode.

Shortly before the live report the board operator must put the Symetrix 610 in the EXIT mode. The 610 begins backing down to real time. Next, the air talent gives the traffic reporter his standard verbal cue and stops talking. Immediately switch the studio monitors to off-air monitoring. When the verbal cue for the traffic reporter is heard, the board operator pushes the DUMP button on the 610. The station is now on-air at real time for the traffic report. At the end of the report the board operator should push the START button and the 610 will begin building back the 7.5 second delay.

1. Before the live report, put the 610 in the EXIT mode.
2. Give the remote talent their normal verbal cue.
3. Switch the studio to off-air monitoring.
4. When the verbal cue is heard on the air, push the DUMP button. (This puts the station on-air in real time.)
5. At the end of the live report, push the START button.
6. Switch the studio monitors back to “board output.”

When using the half-dump mode: During delayed programs which include live traffic reports or news reports, the on-air talent must instantly return to real time for the live remote. This method operates in either the full-dump or half-dump mode. You must provide the operator with the remote BYPASS function in the form of a SPST switch wired between pins 13 and 14 of the remote connector J8. (See your 610 User’s Manual.)

Shortly before the live report the air talent gives the traffic reporter his standard verbal cue and stops talking. Immediately switch the studio monitors to off-air monitoring. When the verbal cue for the traffic reporter is heard, the board operator pushes the remote BYPASS/OPERATE button. This forces the 610 into the BYPASS mode and the station is on-air in real time for the traffic report.

At the end of the report the board operator should push the remote BYPASS/OPERATE button and then the START button and the 610 will begin building back the 7.5 second delay.

1. While still in delay, give the remote talent their normal verbal cues.
2. Switch the studio to off-air monitoring.
3. When the verbal cue is heard on the air, push the remote BYPASS/OPERATE button. (This puts the station on-air in real time.)
4. At the end of the live report, push the BYPASS/OPERATE button and then the START button.
5. Switch the studio monitors back to “board output.”