Every time I sit down to write a column, I end up learning something new. I either discover a previously unknown (to me) nuance of the subject, or in researching a specific term or event, I’ll stumble onto something profoundly different to my understanding. In my 15+ years of writing for RAP, there have been quite a few topics that I’ve touched on multiple times, and every time I have written about those topics, I have learned something new. In that spirit, I have decided to write a new Beginner’s Guide To Compression this month.

For those who may not know, in 1989, Radio And Production began collecting audio from producers worldwide and presenting it on the monthly “RAP Cassette”, which eventually became the “RAP CD”. The collection of audio represents a history of radio production over 26 years and features promos, commercials, imaging and more from some of the greatest and most creative radio production people our industry has ever known.

Promos are one of the most important layers of Radio Imaging and Production - they provide the listener with a highlight of what’s happening or what’s to happen on the Radio Station. They are basically “Tune In Alerts”, which should provoke some sort of connection or emotion with the audience in order for it to be effective.