As we approach another summer of specialty programming, why not review GSelector’s Twofers? Twofers are a great scheduling technique that allows songs to schedule, referencing the previous Artist or Vocalist, like a Classic Rock “Double Shot Weekend.” We’ll review how to enable Twofers, where to customize what Vocalists or songs are allowed to schedule and offer additional troubleshooting tips to maximize your Twofers.
Let’s start by outlining how Twofers work. Via the Clocks, GSelector will schedule the first song, just as it normally would, and then if the following position is a Twofer, then GSelector will reference the previous Artist/Vocalist and schedule another song by the same Artist/Vocalist. Although TWOfer is in the name, many users will continue the Twofer string, featuring three, four or even five songs by the same Artist in a row. The key here: Twofers will only reference the previously scheduled artist.
In order to view Twofers, each station must enable them via Setup | Station | Features | Twofers. There’s also a very important setting here: Match with Artist or Vocalist. Your GSelector Library should already be configured with Artists and Vocalists and this setting is best described with a question based on your music philosophy, using the example Artist: Soundgarden.
Are you ok with Soundgarden playing into Soundgarden?
Are you ok with Soundgarden playing into Chris Cornell?
Are you ok with Soundgarden playing into Temple of the Dog?
If you’re fine with all three examples, then use Match with Vocalist. If you only want Soundgarden into Soundgarden, then use Artist. OR – if you want a mix, then customize your Twofers via the Goals | Balance tabs.
Now, let’s pivot to the Clocks tab to build our new Twofer clock. We have past videos on how to customize your clocks and grids, so briefly, once enabled, you’ll see the Twofer position available to schedule. Again, there’s no restrictions for what is scheduled before the Twofer position. It can be a generic category or Theme song, as long as there’s an Artist/Vocalist for the Twofer to reference. And remember, you can schedule multiple Twofer positions, which will simply reference the previous Artist/Vocalist. Once the clocks are built, schedule your typical grid overrides.
Since GSelector will do exactly what you tell it to do, let’s discuss some Twofer behaviors. When it comes to Priority Lists, remember that Twofers can be isolated. So make sure to create and assign a solo Twofer Priority List because there’s no need to have Vocalist Minimum Separation or Segue Bans when we’re intentionally scheduling similar artists and songs. In addition, if you don’t see any songs scheduled past the initial artist, double check to make sure that you have enough music by that artist in the first place. Or, if there are unwanted songs, attributes, categories (like Christmas or Holiday music scheduling), then block those songs from playing. Head to Goals | Balance and either Participants | Vocalists, Attributes, Categories or Songs and ban those unwanted elements from the Twofer daypart. Also, don’t forget that if you want a specific element to play, then encourage GSelector to schedule the Twofer position with corresponding Clock Goals and Clock Constraints.
So where can you view past videos, like “GSelector Clocks?” Check out our RCS Live Archive! Or if you prefer, visit us on the road as the RCS Academy is headed out on tour. We have a bunch of exciting radio events coming up and reach out to your local RCS contact on how to schedule one on one time with our Academy team. Otherwise, we’re always looking for Beta users and we’ll see you next Thursday at 11am ET on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or Twitch!