Hooks are one of Zetta’s modern features that can be interpreted and executed in many different ways. Add the simplicity of defining and previewing Zetta Hooks and all types of users can begin to implement hooks themselves. From the Audition module, to isolating hooks in the Multitrack Editor, or creating a “Coming Up Next” promo on the fly, Zetta Hooks is a versatile feature.
Let’s begin by understanding what a “hook” is as it pertains to radio. Hooks are essentially the most important or ear grabbing part of the song. They’re not meant to be long, merely simple and quick excerpts from a song so that a listener will want to gravitate back to it. Zetta includes multiple areas to reference these ear worms. Just in case you don’t see a Hooks option under the Audition dropdown, double check your System Preferences (Configuration | Preferences | Audition) and make sure that Hooks are enabled under the Audition Module Customization and Context Menu Customization. You can also check the induvial System Preferences under the logged in username and System Preferences from the top right. Now, whenever you preview an element, Hooks will be displayed as an option.
Next, let’s review how to define a hook. This is as simple as opening an existing or new Metadata module and use the Hook In and Hook Out marks to create a start and end point. Note that users can also preview the hook within the Metadata window via the Hook playback control. And yes, feel free to adjust these hooks marks, just as you would for any other mark.
Now that we’ve identified the hook, let’s begin to incorporate it into everyday work. Aside from auditioning the hooks, users can also easily isolate the hooks by previewing them via Zetta and recording the audition feed into the Multitrack Editor. Then, if you want to continue to schedule only the hook, programming can use the Multitrack Editor’s simple export workflow to create a new Link of the hook snippet. If you need a Multitrack Editor refresher, check out our previous MTE video here: https://www.rcsworks.com/zettas-multi-track-editor/ . Another neat programming trick, users can open a Stacks module, drag in multiple songs, right click and select “Hook Enabled.” You’ll see a checkbox notifying the user that they’ve successfully enabled the hook and you should see that runtime shrink to an appropriate length. Add a couple sound effects and you have a quick “Coming Up Next” promo that sounds like, “Positioning statement | Jock Teaser | SFX 1 | Hook 1 | SFX 2 | Hook 2 | Followed by a Link to close out the break.”
When it comes to remote work, Zetta2GO’s Hot Keys also include an option to right click and select “Hook Enabled.” If On-Air is enabled, that hook will play over the air and Local is used for local voice tracking. Thanks to a savvy RCS Live attendee, in theory, users could drag songs into a Hot Keys Bank(s), enable multiple hooks, and then include those Hot Keys within the Zetta2GO Voice Track module and achieve the same “Coming Up Next” promo result.
Speaking of RCS Live attendees, we also answered some user specific questions, including ID3 tags. As of this post, Zetta will respect and import any MP3 ID3 tags. However, teased just after this video, there is a new enhancement coming down the line that will allow users to import metadata from multiple sources, making it even easier to automatically populate required metadata. Keep an eye out for that feature in a future RCS Live.
And if you want to check out past RCS Live videos, like the Multitrack Editor listed above, don’t forget about our RCS Live Archive that includes over 150 how to’s and tips and tricks videos: https://www.rcsworks.com/rcs-live/. If you’re looking for a deeper, better foundational education on RCS products, RCS Academy is here to help! Find out more information here: https://www.rcsworks.com/rcs-academy/). We’ll be hosting more RCS Lives throughout 2024, as well as hitting the road with RCS Academy. For a full list of events, don’t forget to follow us on our social networks.