NEW Simian 1.8

Radio Automation Software

The most feature rich version of Simian ever. Our own in-house tests (using our recommended hardware and network configuration) ran Simian fully automated performing a number of standard tasks in excess of 250+ days without error or reboot.

Simian is a fully featured, professional radio automation and computer playout system for radio, Internet and Satellite broadcasting that's very flexible and cost-effective too.

Customer Comment: Just wanted to say that Simian is ROCK SOLID!! I'm asking it to do a hell of a lot and it hasn't let me down once.

Main Features:

Packed with features and backed up by industry class support around-the-clock from the US and Europe, Simian is the choice of thousands of radio stations around the World, from major international broadcasters, to pioneering Internet stations and HD radio channels...as well as in-store radio, background music services and even music on hold systems.

• Full Automation or Live Assist
• Triple-overlap Segues
• Automatic Weather and Time announcements
• Voice-Track Editor built-in
• Background Recording
• Supports GPI/O Devices
• Dynamic HTML Web Page
• Exports track data for RBDS/RDS/DAB
• Touch-screen capable
• Multiple HotKey Sets
• Easy Satellite Integration
• Very easy to use
• Imports and Merges Traffic & Music Logs from virtually any scheduling system.

Customer Comment: I've had a lot of experience with a lot of automation systems over my past 40 years in radio. I have to say that BSI has one of the better systems and probably the best support!

Advanced Audio Features:

Using fully Windows Compliant audio cards (others will work, but won't support all of Simian's features) Simian will playback Linear PCM, MPEG Layer 2, MP3 or ADPCM audio files. We recommend using Linear PCM files for the highest quality and AudioScience 6xxx series 'built for broadcast' Sound Cards so that you can use all of Simian's advanced features including voice-tracking and time stretch and squeeze without changing pitch.

Dynamic self-building Database:

Simian includes a copy of SoundHound, BSI's automatic dynamic database system (compatible with Content Depot) which automatically updates the database in virtually real-time - no more manual configuration and backup, if you ever need to, you can delete the entire database and Simian will rebuild it in minutes. You can even export the Artist, Title and Genre into our recommended Natural Music scheduling software to avoid having to re-type thousands of Artist and Title names!

Easy File Tagging:

Information about the content of audio files (including Intro and Segue Markers) is stored inside the audio file itself, using the supplied Info Editor utility. This supports standard Linear .wav files as well as MPEG Layer 2 and MP3 (CBR) files.

Forward Sell Songs:

Automatically play snippets of a selection of songs coming up with ease, to forward sell and build listener interest. You can use the supplied Info Editor to mark the songs 'hook' or rely on Simian to select the first few seconds of a song. Simian will automatically ignore jingles and spots etc.

Internet Ready:

Dynamically creates a web page with 'now playing' information - with additional software, this can also be used to display track and title information on supported Media Players (see examples below).

Sample HTML templates show how easy it is to add CD covers to the now playing items; and it's easy to add ecommerce links too. Simian has built-in FTP Macros to send / receive files).

Internet Example Web Stream

(Requires free Winamp Player).

(Requires free RealAudio Player).

(Note: Windows Media Player is provided by default with most non-European versions of Windows but does not dynamically update the Artist and Title information from this particular stream for which the two options above should be used).

Multi-Instance Option:

For light-use such as sustaining services or web casting, you can utilize the optional multi-instance version of Simian allowing you to run several instances of Simian on the same computer at the same time, all doing different things! The multi-instance version is perfect for spot substitution or split breaks / commercials etc; or can also be used to create multiple time-shifting record machines. (Certain limitations apply, please ask for technical advice before purchasing).

Music and Traffic Log Import:

Simian can import program log data from virtually any traffic management or music scheduling system. - including our recommended Natural Log & Natural Music; plus CBSI / Wicks, RCS Selector, Marketron, Music 1 Power Gold, etc. Simian creates a reconcile file that can be used by many traffic or music scheduling systems.

Powerful Macro Command Language:

Dozens of powerful Macro commands to automate many advanced features, including the ability to launch any other Windows application.

Satellite Operation:

Simian easily interfaces with your satellite receiver for satellite automation - using the optional BSI Trigger Kit or a variety of third-party hardare devices. Whether you're looking to pass-through or record a file for later playback (or both!), Simian can do it. Simian will even play back a file while its still recording or can trim silence from the start and end of a pre-recorded feed.

Voice Track Editor:

There's a built in voice-track editor, time and temperature announcements (with the option to use multiple voices); the voice-track editor will optionally automatically position your voice-tracks for you, providing perfect links every time!

Weather Conditions & Forecasts:

A supplied GET WEATHER application, retrieves headline weather information for US Zip Codes or International Weather stations in either degrees C or F; while Simian can also display US State 'zone' forecasts from NOAA. (Please note that due to recent changes by NOAA, the forecast feature may work less than optimally in some areas until the next release of Simian.)

Industry Class Support:

Customer Comment: Great software and Support

24/7 Emergency Telephone Support, optional remote Internet login directly to your machine from our technical staff together with a fast-response Support Ticket Center and thousands of on-line hints, tips and tricks in our User Forum make Simian one of the best support radio automation products availble with a range of different Technical Care Plans.

Download Simian

Don't just take our word for it - download and try Simian today and find out why its the choice of large and small broadcasters from around the world.

Customer Comment: I can honestly say that dollar for dollar there is not a more flexible, reliable, dependable, and solid system than Simian out there... ...Simian outscores any of the others that I have ever worked with... That's why we have standardized on Simian on all our stations and why I recommend it to anybody.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

EXISTING SIMIAN CUSTOMERS: 1.8 DOES require a new validation code. Make sure you request your new validation code BEFORE installing 1.8 on your system !! We do suggest using the RegSave utility to preserve your settings and using the upgrade option when installing this version.

Customers using Simian 1.7.x, 1.6.x, 1.5.x, 1.4.x or migrating from WaveStation will require new validation codes. These are available free of charge to customers with a valid Tech Care Plan; customers without a Tech Care Plan will need to contact sales to can purchase one.

WAVESTATION CUSTOMERS: WaveStation Users should only install this version of Simian if they are replacing WaveStation with the Simian. WaveStation and Simian are not designed to run on the same computer.

NEW CUSTOMERS: This version of Simian will run in limited demo mode for 60-minutes. It does NOT include the Sentinel Protection Installer which is supplied on CD (or can be downloaded) when you purchase the software and receive your dongle.

Download Simian 1.8.6 CURRENT CUSTOMERS GET YOUR VALIDATION CODE BEFORE INSTALLING (fully working software) North America (Self-extracting EXE) Full install (@29.4 Mb)

System Requirements

For peace of mind, we strongly suggest that you consider a fully configured system direct from BSI that is ready to operate out of the box (we can even pre-load a Music Library from our MusicStore for you).

While Simian uses no proprietary hardware, just an ordinary Microsoft Windows XP Professional® equipped PC, it is very important to have off-the-shelf machines configured and optimized professionally for multimedia performance.

Purchasing a complete system of hardware and software from BSI means that you benefit from our years of in-house expertise as we carefully select hardware components and then custom configure all the computers we sell for reliable and robust multimedia playout.

These systems are built using Dell computers and include a 3-year On-Site Warranty; or we can customize a 19" Rack Mounted solution for you using carefully selected and tested branded components.

Our recommended hardware platforms are detailed on our computer systems pages. If you are sourcing your own computers & hardware, please ensure that all the hardware is fully compatible with the motherboard - and pay particular attention to memory and cooling.

Pitfalls to Avoid:

We have put together a list of some of the major pitfalls to avoid when building your own system:

• Any server based operating system (including Windows 2003); our supported operating systems are Windows XP Professional with SP2, and Windows 2000 SP4. No other operating systems (including Home or Media versions) are supported.
• File should be played off the LOCAL PC's hard drive, not across a network or from a file server
• A file server is neither desired nor required, may decrease performance and introduces a single point of failure. We supply configuration instructions for a fully redundant networked system, with software file-mirroring suitable for an Air and Production system, or multiple workstations.
• Windows Vista - currently undergoing extended testing by BSI, it is not currently supported as there are major changes to the way in which Vista handles security issues and multimedia. At this time, we only envisage supporting AudioScience sound cards on the Vista platform in the future, once Vista has been certified by BSI.
• Intel Celeron or AMD Processors (or emulated PCs) - use Genuine Intel Pentium 4 or above CPUs
• Disable Hyper-threading and, where applicable, Dual-Core CPUs. Neither are required nor utilized by Simian and owing to the way in which they operate, can have a detrimental effect on long-term reliability.
• SCSI or IDE drives - use SATA 3Gb/s drives for best performance; using seperate hard-drives for Windows and Audio Files can also help in a number of ways.
• RAID Arrays - these can be detrimental to performance, place additional requirements on your computer system, and often make it more difficult to rebuild or restore a machine. They also do nothing to protect against viruses or accidental deletion of files (our Second Copy software file mirroring keeps multiple copies of deleted files safely).
• 'Cheap' or non-branded memory - make sure you use a brand recommended by your motherboard manufacturer. 512MB is enough for basic operation, but we're now fitting 2GB as standard to the machines we supply.
• Flimsy, thin cases with little RF shielding (often consisted mainly of plastic and with poor air circulation). A good technical ground is essential in a professional broadcast environment.
• Consumer Grade Audio Cards - Simian requires an AudioScience 6xxx series card to enable all features
• Drivers or Software Updates not yet certified by BSI. Manufacturers will often make newer drivers and utilities available on their web sites prior to them being fully tested by BSI. You can find the latest recommended drivers and utilites listed in our Support Forum.

For optimum performance, we also recommend that for music-on-hard-drive stations, two PCs be used... one for Air, the other for Production. When purchased together, the Production license is enabled as a Hot Standby Redundant Backup that can be used for backup Air (as well as production) use, during the validity of your Tech Care Plan. If you do not renew your Tech Care Plan, the play decks will be disabled which will limit usage to basic Production duties (including Voice Tracking) only.

Purchase Simian

The purchase price includes:

• Simian automation software
• USB port hardware key (dongle)
• BSI Software CD containing all BSI software (purchase and licensing necessary) and numerous utilities, manuals etc.
• Full Color Printed and bound manual
• SayTime Kit for Time Announce
• One year of free downloadable upgrades
• 30 day money-back guarantee
• One year GOLD Tech Care Plan

There are some choices available for your version of Simian, depending on the needs of your station.

• Single Station with One Year of GOLD Tech Care Support
• Single Station with One Year of PLATINUM Tech Care, Remote Support & Training
• Multi-Instance (allows up to three 'light use' stations to run from a single computer
• Production Mode (main decks not available)

Migrate from WaveStation

WaveStation was discontinued a number of years ago and was never designed to be used on newer operating systems, such as Windows XP Professional. Existing WaveStation customers can purchase our migration license to install the latest version of Simian (1.8.1) on Windows XP Professional (SP2) or Windows 2000 (SP4) using the options below. Carriage will be added if you do not already have a BSI Hardware Key (most WaveStation customers, although you may already have a dongle to license other software on the machine on which you plan to install Simian). A migration license is available either to replace Wavestation with single standalone version ($999) or as a package containing one full Production Studio version of Simian and one license to replace WaveStation with Simian ($1,198).

You must provide details of your ORIGINAL WaveStation purchase to take advantage of this migration offer.

QTY:

Migrate WaveStation to single Simian ($999) Migrate one workstation AND one production license ($1198) Migrate one workstation [Multi-instance Mode] AND one production license ($1798)

Radio Station Groups