Software Update History Notes

These notes are here to keep you informed about the continuous software improvement taking place at OnAirWare.  We are driven to keep our products the most useful, helpful, easy, and bulletproof tools we can provide for you and your station.

If the version running at your station does not have these fixes or new features, you could benefit from an update.  Get in touch with us, and we will schedule a time to download it to you.  (Yes, we have a plan to make updates available in a self-service download operation, but for now we will be happy to help you with the process.)

v 7.1

KillFill feature added, allowing the system to automatically replace expired spots with a filler PSA, maintaining proper timing of the schedule (or giving you an audible clue that something was scheduled improperly).  If this feature is not used, the system's default action is to simply skip over any "dead" spot that is scheduled.  

More audio import/export methods added, including direct right-click import of a group of files from Windows Explorer, or any Windows file listing.  

Windows XP now supported as an additional approved OS platform, and the recommended one for our systems.

v 6.9

MP3 format added as an additional "native" audio compression choice.  In addition to the MP2 and "linear" PCM formats already supported, you now have the option to store some or all of your AirTrafficControl audio using MPEG Layer 3.  

Note that MP3 and many other formats were already supported for import/export from AirTrafficControl, but now the system can directly record, store, and play MP3 audio as well.  So now, PCM,  MP2, and MP3 can be recorded, imported, exported, and played ...and this is true whether you have professional MPEG-capable audio cards or not!  Still, professional MPEG cards are highly recommended, especially for on-air workstations.

v 6.8

Schedule Search functions added.  From the Schedule Editor menu , you can now search your schedules for any file number, any text, or even any file that is scheduled past its Killdate.  If a match is found, you will be brought to its location in the schedule.  Make any necessary changes (or go pester your production guy), and then move on to the next match with just a click.  Scan up to a week at a time, with various options to fit your needs.

v 6.7

On-Air Notes / Live Tag Display implemented.  Every audio file can now have a Rich Text note attached to it, which can be displayed automatically for the jock on the On-Air Playlist window (and the Schedule Editor).  These can be used for live tag scripts, “secret song” and other contest/promo information, or jock reminders of any kind.  A note is created or edited by clicking a button on the audio Recorder window. 

Voice-Tracking Module implemented.  This feature is accessed from the Schedule Editor screen.  It allows you to record and manipulate Voice Track files in context with the audio scheduled before and after.  This means you can listen to the end of one song, start your voice recording when you think it sounds right, start the next song while still recording, and stop recording when you hit the transition point you like.  Then you can manipulate the transitions, and listen to the whole series again.  A few stations have been trying out this feature, and thanks to their feedback and suggestions, it is now improved and available for all users under the Schedule Editor’s “Menu” button.

Minor changes/fixes:

When dragging audio files between windows in AirTrafficControl, the lists will now automatically scroll if necessary to get to a different part of the list.  For example, when dragging a file from the File Picker to the On-Air window, if you realize that you need to scroll down to get to the desired “drop” location, just drag your mouse down to the bottom of the list, and the list will scroll for you.  Move your mouse up to stop the scrolling, and then you can drop the file where you want.

Some stations have reported an infrequent problem where the information at the beginning of a daily as-played log was lost.  While this problem was so rare that its exact cause was impossible to determine, we have re-worked some of the logging processes so that this should be completely eliminated now.  

On Windows 98 systems, you had to manually close AirTrafficControl or it would not allow a normal restart of the PC.  This has been changed so that if you try to shut down or reboot the system, AirTrafficControl will allow it after giving you the usual warnings (like: "This will stop on-air playback...") and getting your confirmation.

v 6.6

Audio File Export feature added to File Picker.  Easily create MP2, MP3, or linear WAV files from your AirTrafficControl files, no matter what format they are in now.  This greatly simplifies the process and increases quality of the files you make when you need to create a CD, or transfer an existing file to other stations.  Allows format conversion using Windows ACM codecs (QDesign, LAME, Fraunhofer, etc.)… The codecs are like plug-ins for Windows, and are not included automatically on your system.  Contact us if you need help finding the ones you want on the web.

Note:  Audio files can also be IMPORTED into your AirTrafficControl system, and automatically converted into the correct format for your system, by dragging a file and dropping it onto the Recorder window.  (This may also require third-party ACM codecs as described above.)

Real-time software encoding/decoding of MPEG files while recording or playing.  This was only available in limited ways before, and for playback only, unless you had MPEG-capable audio cards.  This redesign also eliminates a problem with having a Windows ACM MP2 codec installed on a machine that was being used on the air, while also having an MPEG audio card… the combination would cause problems with hardware decoders on AudioScience cards (and others) and in some cases would garble the audio.

v 6.5

Serial Output/Web Streamer Interface implemented.  AirTrafficControl can now interface with web streamers and other systems that need real-time info about what is on the air.  Web Streamers use the information to block commercial content from going out on the net.

Minor changes/fixes:  Auto-Recording process refined to deal better with “stop trigger” and manual stopping of the recording, and files are now closed as soon as they are done recording to avoid issues with editing the files later.

v 6.4

Extensive review, modification, and testing for Windows 2000 operation.  While some AirTrafficControl systems have been running on Win2000 for a while without problems, it was not officially supported until this time.

Minor changes/fixes:  certain mouse clicking and dragging operations modified to be a little more forgiving.