Timed Recorder

Timed Recorder Overview (APEX Plus only)

The Timed Recorder automatically records audio from a selected Bridge Switcher source according to a repeating weekly schedule. Recordings are saved as WAV files, entered into the station’s Audio Library, and can then be scheduled or played like other library carts. The recording engine runs on the APEX Server, so the Timed Recorder screen does not need to remain open.

Initial Setup

Before creating a recording schedule:

1. Confirm that the correct station is selected.

2. In Local Mode, select the appropriate Record Soundcard.

3. Use Source Monitor to select the Bridge channel you intend to record.

4. Watch the left and right source meters to confirm that audio is present.

5. Verify that the Bridge input and closure wiring are configured correctly when using closure-triggered recording.

Live meters, source monitoring, soundcard selection, and manual recording are available only in Local Mode. A remote user can manage the Timed Recorder schedule, but cannot directly control or monitor the station’s recording hardware.

Creating a Timed Record Event

Complete the event information on the right side of the screen:

1. Enter a Cart Number for the recording.

2. Enter a descriptive Title.

3. Select the Type that determines where the recording will be stored and how it will appear in the Audio Library. Type N is commonly appropriate for recorded programs or news material.

4. Select a Trigger method.

5. Enter the recording Length in seconds.

6. Select the Source or Bridge Switcher channel carrying the program.

7. Check one or more Days of Week.

8. Check one or more Hours.

9. Select the Minute and Second within each selected hour.

10. If using audio sensing, select the Trigger threshold.

11. Click Add Record Event.

AAE creates one event for every selected day-and-hour combination and automatically saves the updated Timed Recorder schedule. For example, selecting Monday through Friday and Hour 8 creates five events at the selected minute and second.

The Timed Recorder uses a weekly repeating schedule; these events repeat on the selected days every week.

Important cart-number behavior

If multiple events use the same cart number, each completed recording replaces the previous recording assigned to that cart. This is useful for programs where the newest episode should always use the same cart number. Use different cart numbers if previous recordings must be retained.

Trigger Types

• Timed: Recording begins at the scheduled time and continues for the specified length.

• Closure: AAE begins listening 30 seconds before the scheduled time for a Full Logic Pin 8 Start Record closure from the selected source. Recording begins when the matching closure is received.

• Timed with Audio Sense: At the scheduled time, AAE waits until the selected source rises above the audio threshold, then records for the full specified length.

• Closure with Audio Sense: Recording begins only after the matching closure has been received and the audio level is above the selected threshold.

Closure and audio-sense events remain eligible for up to 15 minutes after the scheduled time. If their required conditions are not met, the event expires without creating a recording.

Audio sense controls when recording starts; it does not stop the recording when the audio becomes quiet. Once started, the event records for its complete programmed length.

Audio-sense threshold

The threshold is expressed as a negative dB value. For example, selecting 30 means the trigger occurs when audio rises above approximately -30 dB. A setting such as -30 dB is more sensitive than -10 dB. Use the source meters to choose a level that detects real program audio without triggering from background noise.

What Happens When a Timed Event Records

When an event triggers, AAE:

1. Routes the selected Bridge source to the record input.

2. Starts capturing stereo WAV audio through the selected recording soundcard.

3. Displays the active cart, recording status, elapsed time, and input levels.

4. Stops after the programmed length.

5. Saves the file as:

<Audio Library>\<Type>\<Cart Number>+<Title>.wav

6. Adds or updates the cart in the Audio Library with Timed Record shown as the artist.

7. Records the source channel in File Info and queues the completed library entry for synchronization.

The recording is associated only with the selected station. If the cart number already exists, its library entry and previous audio file are replaced.

Copying a Day

To duplicate an entire day’s recording schedule:

1. Click a row belonging to the day you want to copy.

2. Click Copy Day.

3. Select the destination using Paste to Day.

4. Click Paste Day.

All events from the source day are copied to the selected destination day and the schedule is saved automatically. Click Cancel to leave copy mode without pasting.

Deleting Events

Delete selected events

1. Check the boxes beside one or more events, or click a single row.

2. Click Delete Event.

The selected events are removed and the schedule is saved automatically. The checkbox in the grid heading can be used to select or clear all displayed events.

Delete an entire day

1. Click any event on the day you want to clear.

2. Click Delete Day.

All Timed Recorder events for that day are removed. To modify an existing event, delete it and create a replacement with the corrected settings.

Hour Selection Buttons

• Select All Hours: Selects all 24 hours when creating an event.

• Deselect Hours: Clears all hour selections.

These are useful when creating recordings that run at the same minute during many hours.

Manual Recording

Manual recording is available in Local Mode:

1. Select the Record Soundcard.

2. Select a Bridge channel under Source Monitor. Do not leave it set to None.

3. Confirm audio using the source meters.

4. Click Start Recording.

5. Watch the recording timer and input meters.

6. Click Stop Recording.

7. Enter the cart number, title, and audio type.

8. Click Save Recording to add it to the Audio Library, or Cancel to permanently discard the recording.

Stopping a manual recording does not save it automatically. It remains temporary until Save Recording or Cancel is selected.

Status and Troubleshooting

• Next Record Event shows the next scheduled recording and its countdown.

• The recording timer shows how long the current capture has been running.

• The meters confirm whether the selected recording input is receiving audio.

• Status messages indicate when an event is waiting for a closure, waiting for audio, recording, saving, or has expired.

If a recording does not start, check the selected station, Bridge source, recording soundcard, source meters, trigger time, and trigger type. For closure events, confirm that the closure arrives on Pin 8 of the Full Logic connector associated with the selected source. A closure from a different source will not start the event. Also ensure another manual or timed recording was not already using the station’s single recording input during the event’s trigger window.

Setting up URL Timed Records (APEX Plus only)

1. Open Timed Recorder for the desired station.

2. Check URL Stream, then enter the direct HTTP/HTTPS audio feed in URL Address.

3. Enter the Cart Number, Title, Type, and Length in seconds. For example, enter 60 for one minute.

4. Select the recording day(s), hour(s), minute, and second. Times follow the station server’s clock.

5. Choose a trigger:

   • Timed: Begins recording when the scheduled feed connects.

   • Timed with Audio Sense: Waits for audio to reach Trigger (-dB) before recording. A setting of 30 means −30 dB.

6. Click Add Record Event. APEX checks that the server can open and decode the feed. If validation fails, an error appears and the event is not saved.

Keep AAE running with internet access. URL recordings do not require a Bridge or recording sound card. To edit an event, click its schedule row, change its settings, and save.