BBC Scotland has sought to re-assure radio producers that a new audio-editing programme is ‘fit for purpose’ despite concerns, expressed in some quarters, that it is slow and cumbersome.
It seems that not everyone is happy with the new, VCS dira! programme, just as the BBC Scotland HQ is preparing to move to new premises, from Queen Margaret Drive in Glasgow, to Pacific Quay.
When the BBC first switched to digital editing, different systems were adopted: BBC Scotland used Dalet, BBC London had D-Cart while other parts of the organisation used Cool Edit or Radioman.
The move to a single system for everyone seems sensible, but at a meeting with Sharon Mair, overseeing the BBC’s move to the new media village on the Clyde, concerns are said to have been raised.
Said a BBC Scotland spokesperson: “We are going through an interim process at the moment where we are moving from our current systems until the new VCS dira! system is complete and fully functional. During that period of time we will be addressing issues as they arise. We are meeting staff on a regular basis to discuss issues as they arise and are addressing them. BBC Scotland has chosen VCS dira! as the content production and playout system for BBC Radio Scotland and Radio Nan Gaidheal.
The spokesperson added: “Within this system, there are two editors ‘Orion’ a simple digital editor, and ‘Startrack’, a 16 track digital editor. Startrack will be used for editing and delivering content across all of our output. BBC Scotland has also selected Sadie as the craft editor of choice.
“Sadie interfaces with the VCS dira! system and will be used if and when programme makers need to use another editor. This facility will also be on site if programmes makers from around the UK are visiting key sites in Scotland and need to use this facility. VCS dira!, together with the key interfaces, will deliver, on completion, an end-to-end digital solution that will be fit for purpose and enable programme makers to deliver their content across Scotland and to network radio.”
