Feedback November 2002 (Vol 43 No 4)

Table 5Digital Camcorders and Record/Playback Decks UsedManufacturer Camcorders DecksFrequency/Percentage Frequency/PercentageCanon 30/(31.3%) 2/(2.1%)JVC 30/(31.3%) 18/(18.8%)Panasonic 26/(27.1%) 30/(31.3%)Sony 44/(45.8%) 28/(29.2%)Other 0/(0.0%) 18/(18.8%)N = 96 (total programs)Based on the findings of this study, digital tools for radio appear to be a differentstory. Two things stand out. First, there is no industry leader when it comes to digitalaudio workstations. Sixty percent of the respondents (58) indicated that they use aDAW not listed as an option on this survey questionnaire. Second, nearly one-fifth ofthe respondents (18) reported that their program does not even own a DAW (See Table6). While not listed in Table 6, it is worth noting that 52 percent of the faculty ( 50)reported having no scheduling software for their radio programs.Table 6Digital Audio Workshops UsedManufacturerFrequency/PercentageVegas Audio/Vegas Pro 10/(10.4%)Bias 4/(4.2%)Sound Forge 10/(10.4%)Tascam 2/(2.1%)Yamaha 2/(2.1%)Other 58/(60.4%)Don’t Have DAW 18/(18.8%)N = 96 (total programs)Enough digital tools?As mentioned in the open to this article, students are always voicing their concernsabout never having enough digital equipment. This survey asked faculty if they agree.Does your program currently offer students enough in the way of digital tools? Sixtypercent (58) agree with the students! Their answer was “no.” Only one third (32)believe their program does provide enough in the way of digital tools.In an open-ended question, some survey respondents acknowledged a problem, butdon’t appear to have a solution for the digital equipment shortage in their program. Doany of the following statements sound familiar?:• We’re barely making it in video—not enough for the number of students; nothingin radio!BEA—Educating tomorrow’s electronic media professionals 11