Dynamic Content And Macros

Macros let Power Studio place dynamic content in a generated playlist. A macro line starts as a placeholder and is replaced when the content is processed.

Common macro uses are:

• Downloaded news bulletins.
• Syndicated or prerecorded programs.
• Commercial blocks.
• Imported content blocks.
• Generated bulletins.

How Macro Playback Works

When a playlist is generated, the macro appears as a placeholder track. About five minutes before the placeholder is due to play, Power Studio executes the macro. The result replaces the placeholder in the playlist.

If the macro downloads or renders audio, the final file is inserted automatically.

Operators can also execute a macro manually from the playlist when troubleshooting or preparing content. This is useful when checking a download before air or when a macro needs to be refreshed after a provider updates a file.

Downloaded Programs

For syndicated shows, configure a download task in the Item Download plugin and add it as a macro line in the Clock Format.

Use wildcards when file names depend on date, hour or day. Keep the macro duration close to the expected program length so playlist timing remains accurate. A macro duration that is much longer than the real item can make playlist generation reserve too much time.

Keep normal playlist items after a syndicated-show macro when you want fallback music to remain available if the file is missing.

See Syndicated Programs for the complete station workflow.

Live Streams

Live sources can be used in Clock Formats for remote broadcasts or streams, including sources from devices such as Barix or Comrex codecs and Icecast or Shoutcast streams.

Test streams before scheduling them. Confirm the source is reachable from the on-air computer and decide what should happen if the stream is unavailable.

For a scheduled live stream, add the live source at the correct point in the Clock Format and review the generated playlist before air. If the stream joins at a fixed time, use the same timing discipline as news or commercial blocks.

Keep a fallback item or fallback playlist content after the live source. If a stream is late or unavailable, the operator should have a known way to continue the broadcast.

See Live Sources And Streams for the complete station workflow.

News, Commercials And TOTH

A common top-of-hour structure is:

1. News download macro.
2. After-news commercial block macro.
3. Static top-of-hour item.
4. Regular music or show content.
5. Before-news commercial block as a fill-out item at the end of the hour.

Use non-floating hours when exact timing is required. Use floating hours when the station prefers complete songs and natural transitions around the hour.

For a half-hour news or commercial sequence, add the same kind of macro structure later in the Clock Format. Generate several test playlists and adjust the line position until the sequence lands close to the intended time.

Use Link to Previous Item when several items should stay together as one flow, such as news followed by weather and commercials.