By Landon Allison
News Editor
At the start of the semester, the Buzz received new equipment to use for the radio station.
Assistant Professor Carole McNall is the faculty adviser for the Buzz.
“I’m the person that they touch base with. I’m the one that generally gets pulled into the loop,” said McNall. “I sat in on pretty much all of the meetings about getting the equipment, and getting the funding for the equipment.”
McNall said she was already involved with the Buzz before becoming adviser, as she had been on the air doing a radio show for several years.
Getting the equipment was, for the most part, a student-led process said McNall.
“Steve Wilt did the managing of the shopping list,” said McNall. “He had called a couple of different providers so that we could go back to the university and compare quotes.”
Steve Wilt, a junior journalism major, is the station manager at the Buzz.
“The equipment was critical for our everyday broadcast and our ability to produce the best equipment possible for WSBU,” said Wilt.
The equipment was gotten through donations and was being installed immediately, Wilt said.
“The old equipment was very old and had kind of been nursemaided along, and it finally got to the point where it died on us,” said McNall. “So, we made an inventory of what was needed, the station manager called around and got a couple of quotes and the best quote by far was the firm that we had been dealing with.”
“The university was able to come up with the money to assist us in that, because that would not have been in the budget,” said McNall. “We got it ordered.”
“Then it took awhile for the equipment to get in,” said McNall. “There had been the hope to maybe be able to get it installed before the end of last semester. The equipment didn’t get here fast enough.”
Wilt said that this new equipment was crucial to the Buzz properly operating.
“What was replaced was our streaming system, a key part of making the station broadcast without the need of CD’s or tapes,” said Wilt.
McNall said that the Buzz didn’t have enough money in its budget to purchase the equipment without help, and they needed that equipment.
“A lot of the DJs play newer stuff, and they’re pulling it off the streaming service, which is why you got a little bit, at the tail-end of last semester, those of us who were still bringing in music on CDs could still do shows, because we had the music,” said McNall. “Those who were relying on the streaming service generally could not, and that is why you saw some live shows on and a lot of live shows off.”
Amber Canbek, senior strategic communications major and Buzzworthy director, said there were also needs for new equipment in the Buzz in other departments as well.
“Getting new equipment would help the Buzzworthy Department with laying out the Buzzworthy,” said Canbek. “Right now, the three Buzzworthy directors have had to buy Adobe Creative Cloud to successfully create the magazine, which costs a lot. Having at least two computers in the Buzzworthy room with Adobe on them would help immensely.”
“This equipment is only one of the many aspects and systems in WSBU,” said Wilt. “We always have the need for something, and as time comes, aging equipment needs to be replaced.”
McNall said the Buzz was able to go on air again.
“We can do the 24/7 streaming again,” said McNall. “If there is not a live show, you can still pick up music on the Buzz. With the problems with the equipment we were having, they had rigged up a system that would almost work, but it wasn’t ideal.”
“The system allows us to be able to produce the best possible product while giving our DJs the leading technology radio has to offer,” said Wilt.
McNall said it was a delight to have the new equipment arrive.
“I’m grateful that we have been able to get this equipment and get moving again and get heading for a better place,” said McNall.
Wilt said that any students who are interested in joining the Buzz should email wiltsa16@bonaventure.edu or stop down at the radio station itself in Reilly Center room 210.
allisolj17@bonaventure.edu
