Welcome < Features < Multisite Voice Tracker

Multisite Voice Tracker®

The Zetta Multisite Voice Tracker feature allows users to voice track in a single log for multiple Zetta or NexGen sites. This topic covers the configuration and Multisite Voice Tracker window for voice tracking multiple Zetta Sites. Contact RCS Support to obtain the Zetta to NexGen Multisite Voice Tracking documentation. 

There are two methods of Multisite Voice Tracking, Log Based and Splits (tags) based. Log Based is where the Logs for all the stations being Voice Tracked match or are very similar in content. It uses the Asset ID to match what is scheduled in the logs with the Master Voice Tracking station. Splits (tags) based Multisite Voice Tracking is where a Voice Track is created and tagged for each splits station, so when the Master Station plays a Voice Track with a split behavior that is tagged the splits stations will split and play the tagged voice track for their local station. This topic assumes Computer, Stream Groups and Content Configuration have been complete. See the Voice Tracker topic for information on Voice Tracking a log in Zetta.

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Zetta System Settings for Multisite Voice Tracking

The site performing the Multisite Voice Tracking will need the Multisite Voice Tracker® Service and the ZCast Service enabled in the General tab of the System Configuration window. The receiving sites will need ZCast enabled. See the System Configuration topic for additional information on the system settings. If setting up MVT to Voice Track for multiple splits stations see the Zetta Splits feature first to configure splits.

1. Select System from the Configuration menu
2. In the General tab of the site doing the Multisite Voice Tracking select the following options.

ZCast Service

Multisite Voice Tracker

3. Select a Computer to run the ZCast Service.
4. Select the Computer to run the Scheduled Maintenance.
   
5. Click Save
6. Select the ZCast tab
   
7. Set the Max. Number Of Retries to 100. This is the maximum number of times Zetta will check sites for a voice track that has been sent. Once this limit is reached, the voice track status will change to error and Zetta will stop checking for the voice track.
8. Set the Time till retry after failure(s) to 15. This is the time that Zetta will wait before checking the system for the voice track. Fifteen seconds after sending the voice track Zetta will check the log hour for the voice track. This check will be repeated every 15 seconds until the voice track is seen in the log or the Max. Number Of Retries is reached.
9. Select the Voice Track and Quick Record tab.
   
10. Set the Voice Track Title Mask, Keep after log Date and Recording duration warning.
11. If Voice Tracking for Splits set the Multisite VT-Tag Prefix and Keep after log date for the Tag. The Days to keep after log date will set a Kill Date for the Tag in the Library.
12. Select the Scheduled Maintenance tab.
    
13. Enable the Pull Multisite Voice Tracker Logs option to have Zetta pull the logs for all the sites to be Voice Tracked when the Scheduled Maintenance runs.
14. Click the Save button to save the changes.
15. Restart Zetta and the Startup manager.

Zetta Station and Virtual Station Configuration

At the site where the Voice Tracks will be recorded a Master Voice Tracking Station is needed and a Virtual station for each remote station that is to be voice tracked is needed. In the Splits (tags) based Multisite Voice Tracking method the Master Voice Tracking station is the Master Splits station. These stations will be used in setting up Station Groups and ZCast Connections. See the Stations section of the guide to create a Master Voice Tracking Station. See the Virtual Stations section of the guide to create a virtual station for each remote station to be Voice Tracked.

Multisite VT Preferences

In the Voice Tracker section of the Preferences window, select the Select Stations for Multisite VT when applying Station Group filter. When Zetta is setup to use Station Groups to filter or group stations, this option can be used to have Zetta automatically select the stations grouped in the selected Station Group for voice tracking in the Multisite VT window.

Splits (tags) Based Multisite Voice Tracking

Splits (tags) based Multisite Voice Tracking is where a Voice Track is created and tagged for each splits station, so when the Master Station plays a Voice Track with a split behavior that is tagged the splits stations will split and play the tagged voice track for their local station. Splits based Multisite Voice Tracking does not use matching in the MVT window; therefore the logs at the receiving sites do not need matching logs. When using Multisite Voice Tracker in the Splits mode, any transition adjustments made on the recorded Voice Track (trims, volume points, segue etc.) are saved on the VT asset rather than the VT event as usual. This allows for the same marks to be used when firing the VT on multiple stations in Splits setups. The following section will show how to setup Multisite Voice Tracking and how to use the MVT window to voice track multiple splits stations. This section assumes Zetta Splits has already been setup. See the Voice Tracker topic for information on Voice Tracking a log in Zetta.

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Create a Station Group for Splits (tags) Based Multisite VT

The Station Group Splits (tags) based configuration is used to group the Master Splits Station to the Virtual Splits Stations for voice tracking. Multiple Station Groups can be created allowing the Master Splits Station to be grouped with different Virtual Splits Stations. Creating multiple Station Groups allows the user to filter stations in the Multisite VT window. To use the filtering feature create a master Station Group that contains all the stations that can be Voice Tracked by the user. Then create additional Station Groups with a limited number of stations. Use the Master Station Group in the Multisite VT Destinations window. When the user opens the MVT window all the Station Groups with the selected stations in the Master Station Group will appear in the Filter drop-down. The following steps will show how to setup a simple Station Group and then continue with a more complex setup that can be used in the MVT filter.

1. Select Station Groups from the Configuration Menu
2. Click the Add Station Group  button
3. Type in a Name
4. Optionally, type in a Description of the Station Group.
5. Optionally, set an Imaging resolution priority. See the Imaging topic for more details.
6. Select the Master Splits Station in the Primary Stations section.
7. Select any additional stations from the Primary Stations to Voice Track any local splits stations.
8. Select the Virtual Splits Stations to be voice tracked for this Station Group from the Virtual Stations section.
   
9. Select the Multisite VT Setup tab
10. Select the Splits (tags) based from the Multisite VT Manager Mode section.
11. Select the Master VT Split Behavior. Selecting Master Monitor here will silence the Master Splits station while the Splits Client stations play their tagged voice track.
12. Select the Master Splits station from the Station to exclude from Voice Track Transfer status drop-down to exclude the Master VT from the Transfer status. If this option is selected and the Master VT Split Behavior is set to Silent or Master Monitor then the Master Splits station will not be seen in the MVT window and the first Voice Track recorded for a splits station will become the Voice Track for the Master Splits station.
    
13. Click Save  to save the Station Group. This is all that is needed for a simple Station Group setup for Splits based MVT. For a more Complex setup continue.
14. Now that we have a Master or Main Station Group, we can create smaller Station Group with specific stations that are also in the Master. In this example we will separate the Splits stations by region.
15. Click the Add Station Group  button
16. Enter The General information
17. Select the Master Splits Station in the Primary Stations section.
18. Select any additional stations from the Primary Stations to Voice Track any local splits stations.
19. Select the Virtual Splits Stations for this smaller Station Group, such as the West Coast Remote Splits Stations.
    
20. Select the Multisite VT Setup tab
21. Select the Splits (tags) based from the Multisite VT Manager Mode section.
22. Select the Master VT Split Behavior. Selecting Master Monitor here will silence the Master Splits station while the Splits Client stations play their tagged voice track.
23. Select Asset GUID for Zetta to Zetta Multisite Voice Tracking. Contact RCS Support for Zetta to NexGen Multisite Voice Tracking documentation.
24. Select the Master Splits station from the Station to exclude from VT Transfer status drop-down to exclude the Master VT from the Transfer status
25. Click Save  to save the Station Group.
26. Continue to create smaller Station Groups as needed for the desired filtering.
27. Now when the Master Station Group is assigned in the Multisite VT Destinations configuration window. All the filters will be seen in the Multisite Voice Tracker window Station Group Filter .
    
28. Close the Station Groups window when finished.

Assign Station Groups to Days/Hours in the Multisite VT Destinations Grid

At least one Station Group must be assigned to the Multisite VT Destinations Grid for the Multisite Voice Tracker button to be visible when selecting an assigned day and hour in the Logs module.

1. Select Multisite VT Destinations from the Configuration menu
2. Select the first hour to assign, hold the Shift key and select the last hour to assign.
   
3. Select the Station Group to assign to the hours from the left pane.
4. Select the Assign button in the middle of the window.
   
5. Repeat from Step 2 to assign additional Station Groups to Days and Hours in the Multisite VT Destinations grid.
6. Click Save
7. Close the Multisite VT Destinations window.

Splits (tags) MVT ZCast Connections

Splits (tags) based Multisite Voice Tracking for remote sites requires a ZCast Connection with the Assets and VT & HT permissions to transfer the Voice Tracks and Tags to the Splits Stations.

1. At each of the Remote Sites create an Inbound ZCast Connection with the Assets and VT & HT permissions. This is a separate connection from the Split Forward Connection created for Zetta Splits.
   
2. Save the ZCast Connection
3. Export this connection from each remote splits site
4. Import them into the Master Splits site
5. Click Test to create the connection
6. Select the Local Stations
7. Set the Assets and VT & HT Permissions
   
8. Save the ZCast Connection.

Multisite VT Window Splits (tags) based

Once the Systems are configured and the ZCast Connections are created, open the log for the Master Splits station, click an Empty Voice Track or the event to be voice tracked and select the Multisite Voice Tracker® option from the Voice Track button . If this Multisite Voice Tracking button is not visible in the Logs Module check the hour selected and the Multisite VT Destinations configuration. The drop-down next to the icon allows the user to select the voice track editor to use and the default action for the button. The action can be open Voice Tracker or open Multisite Voice Tracker. The default will be Multisite Voice Tracker. Right-click an option in the drop-down menu to change the default action.

The Multisite Voice Tracker window by default is displayed in the lower left of the log window next to the voice tracker window. This Layout can be changed by undocking and re-docking the windows and saving the layout. The Voice Tracker can also be changed to the expanded view and save to the Layout. The Multisite VT window is used to select the stations to be voice tracked, view the status of the station and view the status of the voice tracks being sent.

The following tools are available in this window:

The following Columns are available in the Multisite Voice Tracker window:

Select - The Select column is used to select which stations will receive the saved voice track. The voice track is sent after the recording is saved. When no stations are selected the Voice Tracker and Segue Editor can be used to voice track and adjust segues for the master station. Enable the 'Select Stations for Multisite VT when applying Station Group filter', from the Preferences window, to have all stations selected when applying a Station Group Filter . Optionally, use the check-box next to the header name to select or deselect all stations. The Voice Track settings in the Station Audio Processing tab are used to set the trim for Voice Tracks. These settings override the system Voice Track settings that are set in the Configuration | System | Audio Processing tab. When Multisite Voice Tracking is used, if only one station is selected to be Voice Tracked, MVT will use that station's settings, otherwise, the system settings are used for all selected stations.

VT# - The VT# is the order number of the voice tracks created. That means the first voice track recorder is #1 for the first stations selected, then voice track #2 is assigned to the second voice track created for the second set of stations selected and so on. If the user wants to copy voice track #1 to another station they would check the station to copy to and select that stations row next to the Select column of the VT to copy, and finally choose the Copy Active Voice Track to the selected Station(s) from the MVT toolbar.

Station – The Station column shows the names of the Stations and Virtual Stations in the selected Station Group. The highlighted color will change from Red to Yellow to Green; Red is for needs recorded, Yellow is for sending in progress and Green is for voice track received by remote site and log has been updated. The station will also be highlighted in Red if the voice track recorded did not get to the receiving site and the Status column will show an error. User the Voice Tracks Themes and Appearances Configuration to change the color and font for the MVT Voice Tracks.

Length – The Length column shows the Length of the recorded voice track sent.

Status – The Status column shows the status of the sent voice track. Hover the mouse over the status text to view a tool tip.

Date/Time Recorded – The Date/Time Recorded column will give the Date and Time the Voice Track was recorded. The Date and Time are displayed based on the regional settings of the computer.

Transfer Message - The Transfer Message column shows information about the transfer of the Voice Track to the station.

Voice Tracking Splits Stations

The execution of Multisite Voice Tracks in the Splits environments is governed by the Master station. When the Master Station is voice tracked the segue into and out of the voice track can be adjusted. Once the Master Voice Track is saved the Voice Tracking of the splits stations will be executed based on the start and stop points of the master stations voice track. A progress bar is shown to indicate when the Mic opens for recording and then counts down to the length of the Master VT. The behavior of the One Button VT has been will be a two-phase process only, as the upcoming event cannot be fired when recording the Split station because it is governed by the Voice track of the Master station.

Voice Tracking Scenario 1

When no stations are selected in the Multisite Voice Tracker window only the master station will be voice tracked.

1. Select an Empty Voice Track or the event to be voice tracked in the Master Stations log.
2. Select the Multisite Voice Tracker® option from the Voice Track button .
3. Select no stations in the MVT window. Since nothing has yet to be recorded, the user will have full record/segue capabilities in the voice tracker.
   
4. Record the Master Station voice track, it should act like a normal voice tracking session.
5. Save the voice track. Saving the voice track will save it to the master station, as it is the one loaded in the log. This voice Track can be re-recorded and the segue points can be edited in the segue editor.
   
6. Select one or more stations in the MVT window. Since something has recorded, and the voice track will only be recorded for the non-master station(s), the voice tracker window will only allow for recording.
   
7. Clicking the record button will start playback, but not recording. The recording will not start until the segue of track 1 is encountered. Countdown to this segue mark (start of recording) will be displayed in the Voice Tracker window to the left of the play controls.
   
8. Track 3 will start on its own. The time at which it starts playing should mimic the time it will start playing on the master station. Click the record button to stop recording and playback. When the voice track is stopped using the one button feature it is automatically saved and sent to the selected station(s). Using the stop button will not save and send the voice track.
   
9. The segue editor will play back the voice track as it would at airtime meaning the segue mark of the first track will be that of the segue mark of the master station, and the start of the third track will mimic that of the master. Since this is a non-master station, editing in the Segue Editor is disabled.

Voice Tracking Scenario 2

When nothing has been recorded for a Voice Track full record/segue capabilities in the voice tracker are available for the master station and any selected MVT stations.

1. Select an Empty Voice Track or the event to be voice tracked in the Master Stations log.
2. Select the Multisite Voice Tracker® option from the Voice Track button .
3. Select the MVT stations to include for this recording.
   
4. Record the voice track, it should act like a normal voice tracking session.
   
5. Save the voice track. Saving the voice track will save it to the master station, as it is the one loaded in the log. Zetta will also create an asset for the station(s) selected in the MVT window. This voice track can be re-recorded and the segue points can be edited in the segue editor.
6. De-select the current station(s) in the MVT window, and select one the does not have a recording. Since something has recorded, the voice tracker window will only allow for recording.
   
7. Clicking the record button will start playback, but not recording. The recording will not start until the segue of track 1 is encountered. Countdown to this segue mark will be displayed in the Voice Tracker window to the left of the play controls. This progress bar color can be changed using the 'Recording Starts In' Progress Bar option in the Themes & Appearances window.
   
8. Track 3 will start on its own. The time at which it starts playing should mimic the time it will start playing on the master station. Clicking the record button will stop recording and playback. When the voice track is stopped it is automatically saved and sent to the selected station(s).
9. The segue editor will play back the voice track as it would at airtime meaning the segue mark of the first track will be that of the segue mark of the master station, and the start of the third track will mimic that of the master. Since this is a non-master station, editing in the Segue Editor is disabled.
10. De-select the current station in the MVT window, and re-select the station from the 1^st recording.
    
11. Since we are recording over (or editing if in segue editor mode) the voice track that is part of the master station’s voice track, will have complete edit capabilities in the Voice Tracker/Segue Editor window.

Logs Based Multisite Voice Tracking

Log Based is where the Logs for all the stations being Voice Tracked match or are very similar in content. It uses the Asset ID to match what is scheduled in the logs with the Master Voice Tracking station. The following section will show how to setup Multisite Voice Tracking and how to use the MVT window to voice track multiple stations. See the Voice Tracker topic for information on Voice Tracking a log in Zetta.

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Create a Station Group for Log Based Multisite VT

The Station Group Logs based configuration is used to group the Master Multisite VT Station to Virtual Stations for voice tracking. Multiple Station Groups can be created allowing the Master MVT Station to be grouped with different Virtual Stations. Creating multiple Station Groups allows the user to filter stations in the Multisite VT window. To use the filtering feature create a master Station Group that contains all the virtual stations that can be Voice Tracked by the user. Then create additional Station Group with a limited number of stations from that master Station Group. Use the Master Station Group in the Multisite VT Destinations window.  When the user opens the MVT window all the Station Groups with the selected stations in the Master Station Group will appear in the Filter drop-down. The following steps will show how to setup a simple Station Group and then continue with a more complex setup that can be used in the MVT filter.

1. Select Station Groups from the Configuration Menu
2. Click the Add Station Group  button
3. Type in a Name
4. Optionally, type in a Description of the Station Group.
5. Optionally, set an Imaging resolution priority. See the Imaging topic for more details.
6. Select the Master MVT Station in the Primary Stations section.
7. Select any additional stations from the Primary Stations to Voice Track any local stations.
8. Select the Virtual Splits Stations to be voice tracked for this Station Group from the Virtual stations section.
   
9. Select the Multisite VT Setup tab
10. Select the Logs based from the Multisite VT Manager Mode section.
11. Select Asset GUID for Zetta to Zetta Multisite Voice Tracking. Contact RCS Support for Zetta to NexGen Multisite Voice Tracking documentation.
12. Optionally, select the Master MVT station from the Station to exclude from Voice Track Transfer status drop-down to exclude the station from the Transfer status. If this option is selected the Master MVT station will not be seen in the MVT window and the Voice Track position, in the Log, will be set to Empty Voice Track Slot - highlighted in Red for the Master MVT station.
    
13. Click Save  to save the Station Group. This is all that is needed for a simple Station Group setup for Logs based MVT. For a more Complex setup continue.
14. Now that we have a Master or Main Station Group, we can create smaller Station Group with specific stations that are also in the Master. In this example we will separate the Virtual Stations by region.
15. Click the Add Station Group  button
16. Enter The General information
17. Select the Master MVT Station in the Primary Stations section.
18. Select the Virtual Stations in for this smaller Station Group such as the East Coast Remote Stations.
    
19. Select the Multisite VT Setup tab
20. Select the Logs based from the Multisite VT Manager Mode section.
21. Select Asset GUID for Zetta to Zetta Multisite Voice Tracking. Contact RCS Support for Zetta to NexGen Multisite Voice Tracking documentation.
22. Optionally, select the Master MVT station from the Station to exclude from VT Transfer status drop-down to exclude the Master MVT from the Transfer status.
23. Click Save  to save the Station Group.
24. Continue to create smaller Station Groups as needed for the desired filtering.
25. Now when the Master Station Group is assigned in the Multisite VT Destinations configuration window. All the filters will be seen in the Multisite Voice Tracker window Station Group Filter .
    
26. Close the Station Groups window when finished.

Log Based MVT ZCast Connections

Log Based Multisite Voice Tracking requires the logs for the Master Voice Track station and the Virtual Stations be identical or very similar. This is because the Multisite Voice Tracker logic will compare logs and match up assets based on matching Asset ID's. The MVT window will show which log events match, and which ones don’t via the Match column. The ZCast Connections require Logs for the MVT system to Pull Multisite Logs as well as Assets and VT & HT permissions for the Voice Tracks.

1. At each of the Remote Sites create an Inbound ZCast Connection with the Can I Receive Assets, the Can They Request Logs and the VT & HT permissions. More permission can be enabled but this is the minimum need for the Inbound connection.
   
2. Save the ZCast Connection
3. Export this connection from each remote site
4. Import them into the Master MVT site
5. Click Test to create the connection
6. Select the Local Stations.
7. Set the Assets and VT & HT Permissions
   
8. Save the ZCast Connection.

Multisite VT Window Logs Based

Once the Systems are configured and the ZCast Connections are created, open the log for the Master MVT station, click an Empty Voice Track or the event to be voice tracked and select the Multisite Voice Tracker button . If this Multisite Voice Tracking button is not visible in the Logs Module check the hour selected and the Multisite VT Destinations configuration. The drop-down next to the icon allows the user to select the voice track editor to use and the default action for the button. The action can be open Voice Tracker or open Multisite Voice Tracker. The default will be Multisite Voice Tracker. Right-click an option in the drop-down menu to change the default action.

The Multisite Voice Tracker window by default is displayed in the lower left of the log window next to the voice tracker window. This Layout can be changed by undocking and re-docking the windows and saving the layout. The Voice Tracker can also be changed to the expanded view and save to the Layout. The Multisite VT window is used to select the stations to be voice tracked, view the status of the station and view the status of the voice tracks being sent.

The following tools are available in this window:

The following Columns are available in the Multisite VT window when using Log based Multisite Voice Tracking:

Select - The Select column is used to select which stations will receive the saved voice track. The voice track is sent after the recording is saved. Enable the 'Select Stations for Multisite VT when applying Station Group filter', from the Preferences window, to have all stations selected when applying a Station Group Filter . Optionally, use the check-box next to the header name to select or deselect all stations. The Voice Track settings in the Station Audio Processing tab are used to set the trim for Voice Tracks. These settings override the system Voice Track settings that are set in the Configuration | System | Audio Processing tab. When Multisite Voice Tracking is used, if only one station is selected to be Voice Tracked, MVT will use that station's settings, otherwise, the system settings are used for all selected stations.

Match – Match is to show how the Master Log matches the log at the receiving station. This column shows six different informational icons, use the mouse to hover over the icon to show a tool tip with additional information:

VT# - The VT # is the order number of the voice tracks created. That means the first voice track recorder is #1 for the first stations selected, then voice track #2 is assigned to the second voice track created for the second set of stations selected and so on. If the user wants to copy voice track #1 to another station they would select that stations row next to the Select column and choose the Copy Active Voice Track to the selected Station(s) from the MVT toolbar.

Station – The Station column shows the names of the Stations and Virtual Stations in the selected Station Group. The highlighted color will change from Red to Yellow to Green; Red is for needs recorded, Yellow is for sending in progress and Green is for voice track received by remote site and log has been updated. The station will also be highlighted in Red if the voice track recorded did not get to the receiving site and the Status column will show an error.

Length – The Length column shows the Length of the recorded voice track sent.

Status – The Status column shows the status of the sent voice track. Hover the mouse over the status text to view a tool tip.

Date/Time Recorded – The Date/Time Recorded column will give the Date and Time the Voice Track was recorded. The Date and Time is formatted based on the regional settings of the computer.

Transfer Message - The Transfer Message column shows information about the transfer of the Voice Track to the station.

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