Zetta 5.21.2 is officially released! Since the latest version of Zetta includes redesigned Hot Keys features, we thought we would breakdown all the traditional and nontraditional ways users interpret Hot Keys. In addition, we reviewed how to add, edit, and customize Hot Keys, adjust play streams, use Hot Keys Bank navigation, On-Air versus Audition, Zetta2GO Hot Keys behavior and more. Don’t forget, with Zetta2GO, you can continue to remotely control Zetta by executing non-audio Hot Keys triggers.
Starting with the basics, we added a new Hot Keys Bank via the + and defined the number of rows, columns, stations and more. Users could always edit an existing bank, including adjusting these same rows and columns. Since Zetta features a simple drag and drop, just left click, and drag an asset from any other Zetta module into a Hot Key. Or, brand new to Zetta 5.21.2, editing a Hot Key will open the new Edit Hot Key window. Now users can edit the name, color, Event (type of asset) and Stream, all from a single location. Use the highlighted boxes from the top right to make a mass change to a single Hot Key, row, column or entire bank. Make a note of the new Event: Execute Command, Load Bank and Macro for quick advanced Hot Key designs. Speaking of Load Banks, users can now build out their Zetta layout with quick and easy navigation. Either create a new master Hot Key Bank or embed navigation Hot Keys in each local bank to toggle between the master and specific banks.
Next, let’s talk about Zetta’s flexibility. We know that programmers can customize their Zetta experience, but to demonstrate how extensive this customization can become, look at Hot Keys’ Play Streams. You can define a Zetta Play Stream based on a single Hot Key button, row, column or an entire bank. So, if we’re a morning show team member, who’s role is to play Hot Keys, be it sound effects, winner beds, or whatever, you can have multiple Hot Keys Banks assigned to “Audition 1,” followed by “Hot Keys 2” or “Utility 3” on the board. There really isn’t a wrong way to configure your Hot Keys or Play Stream assignments in your Zetta environment. It’s also important to note that if an asset is not allowed to play on a station, be it activations, run dates or hour restrictions, there is no way for that element to play – via the On-Air or Hot Keys module.
Now that we’ve reviewed Hot Keys basics, let’s start to understand more advanced workflows with non-audio triggers in the form of macros, execute commands, GPIOs, etc… For example, in the Hot Keys Bank featured in the RCS Live, we featured an Empty Voice Track that can quickly be dragged into the log (Editor’s Note: Don’t forget that every Zetta transition can be voice trackable. In this exercise, it’s a Program Director quickly dropping in voice tracks for talent to know where they need to voice track). We have a Conference Link, our Revma feature for morning shows to remotely broadcast live, Rotators, and then we get into some simple play functionality. Many users prefer to have nice, large Hot Key with play commands like play, play next, stop, etc… We even feature a Publish macro that took five morning shows, each with their own five podcast destinations, combining them into a single Hot Key with custom name instructions for the board operator to trigger the Hot Key Fridays at 3pm. Or perhaps you’re syndicated overnights and you want to build a macro that will disable the board and change to Auto mode – all with a single click. Don’t forget, with Zetta’s detached play button, Zetta is always on the air, despite being closed. If anyone enters the studio after hours, they can press any board button without affecting the on-air product. Then, since Zetta is closed, there’s no way for them to compromise Zetta. When the morning show arrives, they log into Zetta with their username, which opens their corresponding layout, they trigger the “Live Studio” Hot Key, now Zetta is in Live Assist mode and the board is enabled.
But what about remote Hot Keys with Zetta2GO? If we follow the air chain, Zetta2GO is tied to Zetta, making live real time changes to the Zetta environment. So, if we’re in On-Air mode in Zetta2GO and we fire a Hot Key, then that Hot Key will play live over the air on its defined Play Stream. If we trigger a non-audio element, then it will still execute its function. For example, if we have a Hot Spare macro in a Hot Keys engineer Bank, then engineers can continue to switch Hot Spares via Zetta2GO. Even better, if your station is a News/Talk or requires multiple audio route changes or feeds, we can control those changes from the comfort of your couch with Zetta2GO’s Hot Keys. Enable a Comrex, Tielines, Bric Links or setup analogue telephone lines, activating them via Zetta2GO Hot Keys! Typically, if you’re looking to design a remote workflow, we recommend building out your Hot Keys within Zetta first and then you’ll be able to fire your newly created Zetta2GO Hot Keys.
Other highlights from our Hot Keys overview, when in On-Air mode versus Audition mode, users can specify if they want to include or exclude assets within the log for reconciliation purposes. This can be defined via Configuration | Stations | Log Event Settings and then note the “Reconcile plays from other modules via Log” settings. This includes Hot Keys, Stacks and Z-Player, as well as a percentage or value from the Played Threshold.
We have more helpful RCS Lives coming down the pipeline, each and every Thursday at 11am ET on your platform of choice: Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or Twitter Live. Don’t forget about confirming those backups or Data Exchanges and if you want to become a Beta user, we’re always looking for programmers who want to test out the next generation of innovative radio features. Simply reach out to your RCS contact or stop by your local radio conference, as we’re back on the road for 2022!