OUR STUDIOS

Hospital Radio Perth have now occupied our current premises since 1994. With two studios, a large record library a reception area / meeting room, kitchen and toilet, we are a lot better off than many stations.

Both our studios have recently undergone a complete refit and are, we believe, among the best appointed in the country. In addition to new equipment we also fitted false ceilings and Soundsorba wall panels to improve the sound quality.

	STUDIO 1	STUDIO 2
Mixing Desk	Sonifex S2 16 Channel Split Configuration	Sonifex S2 16 Channel
Automation	Myriad 24 hour - 3 channels.	Myriad 24 hour - 3 channels
Compact Disc	2 x Denon	2 x Denon and an LG CD Recorder
Cassette	Aiwa	Aiwa
Minidisc	2 x Sony	2 x Sony
Tuner	Denon	Denon
Records	1 x Technics	1 x Technics
Television / Teletext	TV / Teletext PC Card & AOC Flat screen monitor	TV / Teletext PC Card & AOC Flat screen monitor
Microphones	Audio Technica & 2 x Sennheiser	1 x Bayer Dynamic 1 x AKG
Distribution	Drawmer LA12 Amp	Drawmer LA12 Amp
Power Amp	Denon PMA 255UK	Denon PMA 255UK
Speakers	Tannoy Reveal x 2	Tannoy Reveal x 2
Compression	Behringer Compressor Limiter	Behringer Compressor Limiter
Distribution	Sonifex Station Master	Sonifex Station Master
Editing	Adobe Audition	Adobe Audition
News	via Satellite	via Satellite
Outside Broadcast	Direct feed to desk from SBS FM link receiver.	Direct feed to desk from SBS FM link receiver.
Telephone	2 x Sonifex HY03 providing 2 lines - external and internal line.	2 x Sonifex HY03 providing 2 lines - external and internal line.
Headphones	3 x Beyer Dynamic DT100	2 x Beyer Dynamic DT100

In the record library stands the magic box of tricks - this is the device that sends whatever we do in the studios to the various hospitals. We don't think anyone is very sure of how it operates - but it needs to be treated with respect - especially since John got stuck behind it!

Norman, we've been fiddling about with this box for three hours - do you have any idea what we are doing? Of course I do, John, it's quite simple really.
	John, I thought you said that you'd done this before? Sorry Norman, I knackered it last time too - maybe I should have said...
Ah well, if all else fails, have a can of Coke and read the instructions. Now where do all these bits go?

From time to time we fiddle with it - we always regret it as soon as we start! Lately we have hidden most of the buttons behind a glass panel. It doesn't stop us fiddling - but it is a bit of a pain having to take the glass off first.

We really have to thank Jim Reid and Norman Riley who between them take care of the technical side of things - they get us out of the trouble we get ourselves into! Not only that they fitted our entire new studio despite a great deal of interference from John and Steven.

The record library is host to our huge collection of records and CDs. all are indexed on our computer filing system - over 120,000 individual pieces - ask Caroline Reid, she's the poor soul who indexes it all!

To give you some idea, we have over 70 versions of Amazing Grace and nearly 900 pieces performed by Sir Jimmy Shand! Patients are often amazed when we play a request a few seconds after they ask for it - but our system is incredibly fast.

We have every No.1 single ever; from "Here In My Heart" by Al Martino which topped the first chart in 1952, to the hits of today. Over the years we have developed a game which we invite the public to play at our fun-days. They request any song which made it to Number 1 in the singles charts and we must find it and start playing it within 60 seconds. Hundreds have taken part - but we've never been beaten - although once or twice it has been pretty close.

In general members tend to congregate in the record library where they can cause maximum irritation to the presenter! We have a large cupboard for our outside broadcast gear and enough shelves and cabinets to rival Tesco, but still we gather junk at an alarming rate! Every now and again we have a blitz and fill the hospital skip with things which until then we felt were absolutely vital to keep.

They might not be the most attractive parts of the organisation, but it's great to have premises with a small kitchen and more importantly a toilet. No longer do we have to play the 9 minute version of "American Pie" then run as fast as we can!