Simian 1.

8
Manual
Information Validation Codes Website
[email protected] [email protected] www.bsiusa.com

Sales Technical Support

Phone: 541-338-8588 541-342-5250
Fax: 541-338-8656
[email protected] support.bsiusa.com

Broadcast Software International

503 East 11th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401 USA

Copyright 1989-2008. All Rights Reserved.

23 October 2008 – Manual Revision 1.8.6a

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Table of Contents:

QUICK START .............................................................................................................................6

QUICK CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................................................... 6
QUICK PLAYBACK ........................................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................8
SIMIAN FEATURES ........................................................................................................................................... 9
EASE OF USE............................................................................................................................................ 9
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 9
VERSATILITY ............................................................................................................................................. 9
OTHER SIMIAN FEATURES: ........................................................................................................................ 9
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................... 10
CONTACT US: ............................................................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................12
WINDOWS ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................... 12
PC MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 12
YOUR PC AS BROADCAST EQUIPMENT ..................................................................................................... 13
WHY USE PROFESSIONAL SOUND CARDS? .............................................................................................. 14
PRODUCTION ISSUES .............................................................................................................................. 14
CHOOSING AUDIO FILE FORMATS .................................................................................................................. 14
CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 14
SO, WHAT IS A FILE FORMAT ANYWAY? ..................................................................................................... 14
SIMIAN CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 16
EVENTS, LOGS, CARTS, AND SETS ........................................................................................................... 16
THE EVENT BUILDER IN A NUTSHELL .............................................................................................................. 16
SOUNDHOUND IN A NUTSHELL ....................................................................................................................... 17
THE WELCOME LOG IN A NUTSHELL ............................................................................................................... 18
THE ASYNCHRONOUS DECK IN A NUTSHELL ................................................................................................... 18
CHAPTER 3: SETUP & CONFIGURATION ..............................................................................19
BEFORE YOU INSTALL SIMIAN: ...................................................................................................................... 19
INSTALLING SIMIAN ....................................................................................................................................... 20
CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 20
VALIDATING SIMIAN ................................................................................................................................. 23
CONFIGURING SOUNDHOUND ........................................................................................................................ 24
SOUNDHOUND AND PATH CONFIGURATION .............................................................................................. 24
FOLDERS ................................................................................................................................................ 25
AUDIO FILES ........................................................................................................................................... 25
OPTIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 25
LOG ....................................................................................................................................................... 26
STATUS .................................................................................................................................................. 26
ABOUT BSI............................................................................................................................................. 26
SOUNDHOUND MENUS ............................................................................................................................ 26
SIMIAN OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 27
PRODUCTION MODE ...................................................................................................................................... 27
PRODUCTION SESSIONS .......................................................................................................................... 27
NETWORKING SIMIAN .................................................................................................................................... 28
WHAT CHANGED?................................................................................................................................... 28
SUMMARY OF CHANGES .......................................................................................................................... 29
HARD DRIVE SETUP ................................................................................................................................ 29
TCP/IP SETTINGS .................................................................................................................................. 30
INSTALL & CONFIGURE SIMIAN FOR NETWORKING..................................................................................... 32

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 SETTING UP PATHS................................................................................................................................. 34
SYNCHRONIZING AUDIO FILES AND PROGRAM LOGS ................................................................................. 35
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................................... 35
ALTERNATIVE NETWORK METHODS.......................................................................................................... 36
"LIVE UPDATE" IN SIMIAN .............................................................................................................................. 37
OVERVIEW:............................................................................................................................................. 37
CONFIGURING TRIGGERS ............................................................................................................................... 38
TRIGGER SETUP ..................................................................................................................................... 38
TRIGGER CONFIGURATION IN SIMIAN ........................................................................................................ 38
CONFIGURING RELAYS .................................................................................................................................. 39
RELAY DEVICE INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................. 39
RELAY SETUP ......................................................................................................................................... 39
CONFIGURING SERIAL COMMUNICATION ......................................................................................................... 40
PROGRAMMING SERIALS ......................................................................................................................... 40
SERIAL CONFIGURATION IN SIMIAN........................................................................................................... 40
CONFIGURING CATEGORIES ........................................................................................................................... 41
CONFIGURING MIXERS ................................................................................................................................... 42
CONFIGURING SPYGLASS .............................................................................................................................. 43
STATUS TAB ........................................................................................................................................... 43
TIMES/DEBUG TAB .................................................................................................................................. 43
PLAYBACK DECKS TAB ............................................................................................................................ 43
EXPERT TAB ........................................................................................................................................... 43
SERIAL PORT TAB ................................................................................................................................... 43
CONFIGURING SECURITY OPTIONS ................................................................................................................. 44
MENUS TAB ............................................................................................................................................ 44
STARTUP & SHUTDOWN TAB ................................................................................................................... 44
OPERATION TAB ..................................................................................................................................... 44
ADMIN PASSWORD TAB ........................................................................................................................... 44
CONFIGURING THE VOICETRACK EDITOR........................................................................................................ 45
CONFIGURING CRASH RECOVERY .................................................................................................................. 46
CONFIGURING AUTOREPLACE ....................................................................................................................... 46
CONFIGURING TIMESYNC............................................................................................................................... 46
CHAPTER 4 OPERATION .........................................................................................................48
LEARNING THE SIMIAN INTERFACE ................................................................................................................. 48
MENUS ................................................................................................................................................... 48
TIME & DATE .......................................................................................................................................... 49
PLAYBACK DECKS ................................................................................................................................... 49
PROGRAM LOG ....................................................................................................................................... 50
AUDIO LIST ............................................................................................................................................. 50
TOOL PANELS ......................................................................................................................................... 50
BOTTOM BUTTONS .................................................................................................................................. 51
STATUS BAR ........................................................................................................................................... 51
USING PROGRAM LOGS ................................................................................................................................. 52
CREATING PROGRAM LOGS ........................................................................................................................... 54
MANUALLY CREATING A NEW PROGRAM LOG ........................................................................................... 54
MANUALLY EDITING PROGRAM LOGS ....................................................................................................... 54
VERIFYING PROGRAM LOGS .................................................................................................................... 55
CHAINING LOGS ...................................................................................................................................... 56
IMPORTING AND MERGING LOGS .............................................................................................................. 59
USING THE AUDIO LIST .................................................................................................................................. 64
USING EVENT LOGS ...................................................................................................................................... 65
USING THE EVENT BUILDER ........................................................................................................................... 66
THE AUDIO TAB ...................................................................................................................................... 68
THE RECORD TAB ................................................................................................................................... 69
THE APP TAB .......................................................................................................................................... 70
THE LOG TAB ......................................................................................................................................... 70

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 THE MACRO TAB..................................................................................................................................... 71
TEXT/TAG TAB ........................................................................................................................................ 71
VIDEO TAB.............................................................................................................................................. 72
SCRIPT TAB ............................................................................................................................................ 72
COMMENT TAB........................................................................................................................................ 73
USING THE INFO EDITOR ................................................................................................................................ 73
THE DESCRIPTION/TONES TAB ................................................................................................................ 73
THE TIMES/ALBUM TAB ........................................................................................................................... 74
ALBUM – TYPE IN THE ALBUM NAME HERE................................................................................................. 74
THE AUTHORING TAB .............................................................................................................................. 75
THE COMMERCIAL TAB ............................................................................................................................ 76
THE MUSIC TAB ...................................................................................................................................... 76
THE ABOUT TAB...................................................................................................................................... 77
USING CARTS ............................................................................................................................................... 78
CREATING AND EDITING CARTS ............................................................................................................... 79
CARTS AS TOOLS .................................................................................................................................... 79
SMARTCARTS ......................................................................................................................................... 80
USING MACROS ............................................................................................................................................ 81
DEFINITIONS & PARAMETERS................................................................................................................... 81
USING HOTKEYS ........................................................................................................................................... 82
USING MIXERS .............................................................................................................................................. 82
CONTROL BETWEEN ONE AND FOUR FADERS ............................................................................................ 82
CONTROLLING THE MIXERS ...................................................................................................................... 82
RECORDING .................................................................................................................................................. 83
USING RECORD DECKS ........................................................................................................................... 83
RECORDING (AUTOMATED)...................................................................................................................... 84
TIME-SHIFT RECORDING ......................................................................................................................... 84
USING THE VOICETRACK EDITOR................................................................................................................... 85
TRACKS .................................................................................................................................................. 85
TOOL BAR .............................................................................................................................................. 85
QUICK VOICE TRACKING .......................................................................................................................... 86
USING PITCH SHIFT ....................................................................................................................................... 86
AUTOMATIC PITCH SHIFTING.................................................................................................................... 86
MANUAL PITCH SHIFTING ........................................................................................................................ 86
USING BACKTIME .......................................................................................................................................... 87
USING MEMORIZED EVENTS ........................................................................................................................... 88
USING SCHEDULED EVENTS........................................................................................................................... 88
USING RELAYS (GPO) .................................................................................................................................. 88
USING TRIGGERS (GPI)................................................................................................................................. 88
USING SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS .................................................................................................................. 89
USING AUTOMATION MODES .......................................................................................................................... 90
FULL AUTOMATION .................................................................................................................................. 90
LIVE-ASSIST ........................................................................................................................................... 90
AUTOMATION OFF .................................................................................................................................. 90
USING DYNAMIC HTML PAGES...................................................................................................................... 90
DYNAMIC HTML PAGES FOR THE WEB GEEK: ......................................................................................... 91
USING KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS ............................................................................................................... 92
VOICETRACK KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS ..................................................................................................... 94
CHAPTER 5 TROUBLESHOOTING ..........................................................................................95
OPTIMIZING WINDOWS® ................................................................................................................................. 95
INSTALLATION PROBLEMS ............................................................................................................................. 95
RANDOM PROBLEMS ..................................................................................................................................... 97
SOUND PROBLEMS ........................................................................................................................................ 97
WINDOWS® SOUND PROBLEMS ................................................................................................................ 97
BASIC SOUND TROUBLESHOOTING:.......................................................................................................... 97
SIMIAN SOUND PROBLEMS ...................................................................................................................... 97

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TROUBLESHOOTING TRIGGERS ...................................................................................................................... 98
TROUBLESHOOTING RELAYS ......................................................................................................................... 98
TROUBLESHOOTING SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS .............................................................................................. 98
TECHNICAL SUPPORT .................................................................................................................................... 98
TECHNICAL SUPPORT OR TRAINING? ............................................................................................................. 99
TECH SUPPORT ...................................................................................................................................... 99
TRAINING .............................................................................................................................................. 100
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CONTACT INFO ................................................................................................ 100
CHAPTER 6 REFERENCE ......................................................................................................101
MENUS ....................................................................................................................................................... 101
FILE MENU ........................................................................................................................................... 101
EDIT MENU ........................................................................................................................................... 101
LOG MENU ........................................................................................................................................... 102
ASYNC MENU ....................................................................................................................................... 102
TOOLS MENU ........................................................................................................................................ 103
MSMS MENU ....................................................................................................................................... 103
BSI MENU ............................................................................................................................................ 103
WINDOW MENU..................................................................................................................................... 103
HELP MENU .......................................................................................................................................... 103
SIMIAN PROGRAM OPTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 104
TOOLS | PROGRAM OPTIONS - GENERAL ................................................................................................ 104
STARTUP OPTIONS ...............................................................................................................................104
EVENT LOG SETTINGS ........................................................................................................................... 105
SYSTEM OPTIONS ................................................................................................................................. 105
PROGRAM LOG SETTINGS ..................................................................................................................... 107
COPY & TEXT DISPLAY .......................................................................................................................... 107
TOOLS | PROGRAM OPTIONS – CATEGORIES .......................................................................................... 107
TOOLS | PROGRAM OPTIONS – PATHS ................................................................................................... 108
SIMIAN HARDWARE OPTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 111
PLAYBACK TAB ..................................................................................................................................... 111
RECORD TAB ........................................................................................................................................ 112
HARDWARE TAB.................................................................................................................................... 112
SERIAL COM TAB .................................................................................................................................. 113
APPENDIX................................................................................................................................114
MACROS ..................................................................................................................................................... 114
CONTACT INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................. 145
OTHER PRODUCTS FROM BSI AND OUR FRIENDS ......................................................................................... 145
VENDOR CONTACTS .................................................................................................................................... 146
LEGAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................... 146
GLOSSARY..............................................................................................................................147
INDEX .......................................................................................................................................155

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Quick Start
This section is designed for those of you who don’t want to (or don’t have the time to) read the full
manual. We will go over the basics of how to make Simian play audio files, but we will go no further. If
you’d like to learn more, you’ll have to delve deeper and read this fantastic manual!

Quick Configuration
The Simian installation program will configure your computer with default settings and load a
demonstration Program Log and sample audio onto your computer. As soon as you start Simian the
demonstration is automatically loaded and runs continuously.
This Quick Configuration guide will provide an easy way to add more audio files to the demonstration –
for details of how to configure the more advanced features of Simian, please read the relevant section
of the manual.

Simian comes with a companion application, called SoundHound, which

is usually automatically launched. If you look carefully in the System
Tray, you’ll see a little pair of binoculars – that’s SoundHound!

SoundHound monitors specified folders on your

hard-disk drive looking for new audio files. When it
finds them, it extracts the Artist and Title information
and automatically adds them to Simian’s audio
database.

By default, SoundHound is only monitoring the

c:\bsi32\audio folder as shown here, which is
where the demonstration audio is installed. Here’s
how to add your own folders to SoundHound by
clicking the relevant icon.

Add Folder

Add Friendly Name

Remove Folder

Clicking the Add Folder icon will allow you to browse your
computer for folders containing audio files and add them one
by one. When you have finished, you can minimize
SoundHound (you need to leave the program running so it
monitors the audio folders).

SoundHound may take a few moments to scan all your folders

the first time and will add them all to the Audio Database…this
will depend on the number of files. It should only take a couple
of minutes at the most if you have 1,000 to 2,000 files – but will
take considerably longer if you have more files.

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 Simian is designed to work comfortably with audio file levels found at most radio stations. If
you have tens of thousands of audio files, you should limit the number of files being monitored
by SoundHound by storing them in different folders and only moving those files you are
actually planning to use at the time into a monitored folder.

Quick Playback
Now that SoundHound is monitoring these folders the files will appear in the Event Builder.

Event Builder is the section of Simian where all the Events that can be executed by Simian are listed.
This includes the most common Audio Files and Macro Commands. Events can be executed in the
Program Log, Scheduled Events, Trigger, HotKeys and Serial Sets.

You can start the Event Builder using the CTRL-B keyboard shortcut, Tools
| Event Builder on the main menu, or by clicking the Event Builder icon.

If Event Builder doesn’t start with the Audio tab

displayed, click it so that your screen looks like this
illustration here.

Scroll down the list to highlight different audio

files, then using the Drag From Here area
either drag and drop (holding the Left mouse
button) to insert the new audio into your
Program Log; or hold the Right button while
dragging to replace the log item (overwrite).

By using the Windows CTRL+CLICK and SHIFT+CLICK

shortcuts, you can select multiple files, or (within limits)
groups of sequential files in just the same way you’d
create / modify multiple file selections in Windows
Explorer.

Notice that the Cue option is a + which means AutoStart.

This causes events in the Program Log (or Virtual Carts)
to play one after the other when in Auto (full automation)
mode. The Cue column of the Program Log will also have the + sign displayed.

Once you have a selection of files in the Program Log, double-click the first
Event to load the Play Decks, or click the ‘Q’ Cue Up button. When you’re
ready to go, just click the Play button at the bottom of the screen.

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CHAPTER 1: Introduction

Welcome to Simian. BSI is proud to introduce you to the latest generation of powerful, easy-to-use,
professional broadcast software. Simian is truly a “radio station in a box” that can run your station
unattended or handle the most ambitious operator-assisted tasks. It combines the best features of the
most expensive systems with the flexibility of the Windows® PC environment to bring you affordable, high
quality digital audio software.

Simian is designed to be an open, flexible system. This design makes Simian compatible with the other
hardware and software you are likely to own. It doesn’t require expensive black boxes, accessories or
custom operating systems. If you’re accustomed to Windows® software, you’ll be comfortable moving
around in Simian. This is because the developers at BSI are Microsoft Certified and have experience in
either broadcast production or air studio environments. They designed the software to look and feel like a
traditional radio station tool without straying too far from the tried and true standards of Windows®
applications.
Simian's flexibility means more choices in the way you automate. Live-assist and manual modes give
moment-by-moment control to the operator. In live-assist mode, the operator decides exactly what and
when to automate as needed. Manual mode gives complete control to the operator at all times. Full
Automation mode allows your radio station to run unattended whether the programming comes from your
hard drive, a satellite content provider, or a mixture of the two.
Flexibility also means Simian can accept files from virtually any traffic and billing management or music
scheduling system. Simian uses a variable import filter when reading files from other systems. In other
words, as long as you can describe the way your incoming files look, Simian will be able to import them.
Simian has many other outstanding features -- true "cart" capability, HotKeys, external device control and
direct integration with any audio editor just to name a few. With over 900 successfully installed systems
worldwide and a continually improving product, we’re confident you’ll be pleased with Simian.
We hope you enjoy your new software.

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Simian Features
Simian’s best features are its ease of use, advanced technology and high versatility. Let’s take a quick
look at each of these features.
Ease of Use
Runs on Windows® 2000 Pro with SP4 or XP Pro with SP2 or SP3. (Simian is NOT supported on
Windows Vista, nor any server based version of Windows).
Drag-and-drop Program Log building and editing.
Click-and-record on-screen Voice Track editing.
Full satellite automation, audio-on-hard-drive automation, or live-assist operation.
Free upgrades with a current Tech Care Plan.
Wide-ranging technical support options with phone based Tech Care Plans and web based Ticket
System.
Advanced Technology
True background and timed recording while playing.
True “Triple-overlap” Voice Tracking with capable hardware.
Variable segue and intro times for each cut.
Label information can be embedded in audio files, no outside lists.
True overlap and segue from many single sound cards.
True “cart” capability (several audio cuts per cart).
Versatility
Run multiple instances of Simian on one PC for complete redundancy in multiple station environments.
Launch and run other Windows programs.
Controllable via console buttons or contact closures.
Up to 48 relays to control external devices (tape machines, satellite receivers, even coffee makers ☺).
Up to 32 incoming “Triggers” to accept control from the receiver, air board or other device.
Serial communication with external devices.
Programmable log import for compatibility with virtually any traffic and billing system.
Support for unlimited number of broadcast networks.
Other Simian Features:
Three main playback decks (plus fourth deck for HotKeys)
Two record decks
15 Mixers with user-defined labels
Voice Track recording & advanced voice-track positioning
Automatic segue controls
Dynamic HTML generation
Time-shift recording
Programmable serial port communication

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System Requirements
Although Simian will run on a variety of PC hardware platforms (we do not impose any restrictions) for
peace of mind, we strongly suggest that you consider purchasing 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).

These hardware configurations have been thoroughly tested with Simian and are known to work well
when properly configured by BSI Technicians. Most ‘off-the-shelf’ PCs will require careful configuration
as Multimedia machines, rather than general office computers.

BSI 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 branded components that we have tried and tested.

If you decide to source your own hardware from other vendors then you will be responsible for any
additional costs incurred to correctly configure your Hardware or Windows Operating System. BSI
Technical Support is limited to hardware or software that BSI has supplied and reserves the right to
charge for configuration of third-party hardware / software that has been purchased elsewhere.

Although Simian’s basic functions will run on less, our recommended platform is:

• Dell Optiplex GX745 Mid-Tower Computer configured with an Operating System hard drive and a
large storage hard drive dedicated to audio files. (A 250Gb hard drive will store 5,000+ songs in
Linear PCM format. We do not advise monitoring more audio files than this at any one given
time.)
• Intel Pentium Processor (if using dual-core processors, you should disable one core)
• 2GB of Memory
• Windows XP Professional with SP2 or SP3 with latest patches installed
• Professional AudioScience Audio Card with four playback devices and hardware mixer controls
and metering - plus decoding of MPEG Layer 2, or MP3 audio on the audio card. We publish the
latest tested drivers on our web site.
• 17" or larger monitor running at 1024 x 768 resolution
• Optional dual-output video card
• Optional touch-screen
• Optimized for multi-media play out by BSI technicians, rather than ‘appearance’ or office
applications. BSI Technical Support does not cover the cost of configuring computer systems or
other hardware not purchased by BSI.

Although Simian will run on lesser configurations this is known be a good, stable platform that will run for
extended periods of time. Please check with BSI Sales for latest model specifications. We do not
recommend running Simian on any server based operating System, including Windows 2003, nor
on Windows Vista.

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.
We have put together a list of some of the major pitfalls to avoid:

• Any server based operating system (including Windows 2003)

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 • Windows Vista (any type) is not currently supported.
• Celeron or AMD Processors – we prefer Genuine Intel (Pentium or Core 2 Duo) CPUs
• Non-Intel Chipsets (these have all proved troublesome in the past)
• RAID / SCSI / Emulated Drives / - use SATA drives
• 'Cheap' Memory - make sure you use a brand recommended by your motherboard manufacturer.
• Flimsy, thin cases with little RF shielding
• Consumer Grade Audio Cards (these almost always lack the features required for some of
Simian's advanced operations and virtually none provide audio level metering or 100%
compatible Windows Mixer control).

In general, we also recommend that for music-on-hard-drive stations, two PCs be used... one for the On
Air Studio and the other for Production. While it's fine to do log-building and other basic Simian functions
on the air machine, it is usually better to edit music files and do other resource-consuming tasks on a
computer that isn’t actually broadcasting.

Contact Us:
Home Page: http://www.bsiusa.com
Support Page: http://support.bsiusa.com

Info email: [email protected]

The front desk: (541) 338-8588
Sales phone: 1-888-274-8721
Tech Support phone: (541) 342-5250
Validation Codes: http://www.bsiusa.com/codes/

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Chapter 2: Overview
This section is intended to give you all of the information that you need before you set up Simian. It will
cover a variety of “Gotchas” and other issues that will make the whole process go much more smoothly.

Windows Issues
It has been said that the main strength of Simian is that it runs in Windows, just like any other application.
It has also been said that the main weakness of Simian is that it runs in Windows, just like any other
application. Simian is easy to use, and the interface has been designed to operate in ways that “radio
people” will find familiar. However, when you make the decision to run your radio station on a computer, it
becomes important that the people who set up and maintain that computer have an appropriate level of
knowledge. It’s usually pretty easy for the DJ’s and operators to learn enough to operate Simian with a
minimum of computer knowledge. However, just like you need a knowledgeable radio engineer to handle
all of the electronics involved in this industry, you’ll need a knowledgeable computer technician to handle
the computers that have become invaluable to this industry.
Which flavor of Windows® is the best for Simian? There are a number of considerations when picking an
operating system. To make things simple, we recommend Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2 as it is
considerably more stable and can run unattended without a reboot for longer periods of time. Windows
2000 is at the end of its life-cycle, but with Service Pack 4 installed has also proved reliable. We do not
recommend Windows XP Home for use with Simian, nor do we recommend any server or advanced
server flavors of Windows.

PC Management
Organizing your files well can make or break your success with Simian. Here are some of the most
important considerations:
File names – BSI highly recommends that you use the old DOS 8.3 file naming convention. Most audio
file formats have tagging information available directly in the file, so 100 character file names are not
needed. Simian does a lot of file lookups and it takes much more time for your PC to look up
“This_is_the_title_this_is_the_artist_this_is_the_album.wav” than to look up “71335.wav”
Working your on-air PC and your production PC into your existing network is very important to the future
efficiency of your organization. Make sure that you read our section entitled “Networking Simian” before
integrating your new PC’s or setting up a new network.
You have complete control over where you put any files on your computer. In Simian on the Paths tab
under Tools/Program Options you can completely control where Simian looks for the files that it needs
and writes the files that it creates. For information on how to index audio files, check out the section on
SoundHound.
Design your maintenance schedule now. It is important to have a schedule for rebooting, running
scandisk, and defragmenting your hard drive. These operations take much less time if they are performed
regularly.
Do not run antivirus software on your air machine. This is very important because in some situations
antivirus software can cause audio break-up on-air. Our recommendation is to install your choice of
antivirus applications on your production machine and run it, on a scheduled basis, from across the
network. This leaves the on-air PC without the performance hit and file availability issues caused by
antivirus software constantly scanning files.

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Your PC as Broadcast Equipment
Computers are often viewed as isolated devices much like any office machine, in that they can be
protected against power transients by a simple protected power strip. However, when you make the
commitment to install Simian and your entire library of music, commercials and station production
packages, your computer suddenly becomes a major piece of critical broadcast equipment.
Normally, broadcast equipment is mounted in grounded metal racks, and the individual devices that sit on
the rack are still separately bonded to a master station ground. This should also be done with the
computers and any other computer-connected equipment. Since a typical computer does not usually
have a specified bonding connection, you or your engineer should look for a convenient screw near the
power supply that is firmly screwed into the metal chassis. A # 14 or larger wire should be run from there
to the nearest equipment bonding (grounding) point.
You'll also want to use protected power strips to further isolate your system from interference or electrical
problems. These can also protect external connections like the telephone line that is connected to your
modem. By far, the best means of overall protection against serious electrical problems is to use an un-
interruptible power supply (UPS). The proper type to use is the kind that continuously charges a battery.
The battery then operates a power converter to provide power to the protected load (the computer and its
equipment). Some UPS devices use fast switching to transfer the load from AC mains to converted
battery power and therefore do not provide as much protection.
Another extremely important issue is adequate cooling and freedom of access. A reasonably dust free
environment, off the floor with good air circulation is what you should seek. Remember as well, that in
time of emergency or when certain support questions need to be answered, you may be asked to check
the connections on the back of the machine. A good installation requires accessibility.
If you are in a building with the broadcast transmitter locally installed, you should consult with your
engineer about possible ‘special’ protection that may be needed. This may include shielded network
cables, choke protected telephone lines, ferrite beads on Trigger wires, physical screening or other
specialized practices. Care should also be exercised with wire runs. For example, network and telephone
cables should be run away from AC wiring. All audio wiring should be shielded and the shield
appropriately grounded.
These simple procedures will not only make your station more reliable, but can save you time and money
spent troubleshooting "ghost problems".

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Why Use Professional Sound Cards?
Professional Audio Cards are the most important investment that you can make to transform your high
quality PC into a professional audio device. Professional audio cards provide the highest possible audio
quality from your PC. Think of all of the efforts of all of the people in your organization, from the GM, to
your talent, to your sales people… All of the efforts of all of these people flow through that one audio
device. This alone is a great reason to step up to professional equipment. Quality audio devices also
provide the functionality that you need to make your station sound the best! Here are a few examples of
the types of features available with professional grade audio devices:
Multiple audio devices provide true overlap. Many single professional grade audio devices can perform
triple overlap playback all by themselves!
Record while you’re playing back. You can play back, record, or do both at once. With many of these
cards you can record Rush Limbaugh while doing triple overlap. Try that on a consumer grade card.
Decompress and play back files with very little strain on your computer’s processor. That’s right, on-board
decompression takes over the load so that your processor is free to handle other automation tasks.
It all boils down to one simple fact. You could run your radio station with that “pro” soundboard from Radio
Shack, but you don’t. So why run your million-dollar radio station with a consumer grade sound card?
Production Issues
While Simian can be run on the air while you’re doing production work, we cannot guarantee that the
production features will not slow down the computer and affect on-air playback. Look at it this way; A few
years ago it was not uncommon for a radio station to pay $3000 for a single cart machine. A production
computer with a pro sound card can cost as little as $2000, and you can run Simian in Production Mode,
which is much less expensive than Full Mode. Do the right thing for your business and your employees…
Set up a production machine. You’ll thank yourself later.

Choosing Audio File Formats

One of the most common questions people ask when they’re setting up Simian is “What audio file format
should I use?”. Unfortunately, the answer from Technical Support is that there is no single “right” file
format. The reality is that you’ll need to do some research or call to set up some training time. In the
interest of making this question a little less daunting, (and saving our customers the cost of a training
session) we’ve gathered the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision regarding your
choice of file format.

Considerations
The file formats listed here are the most commonly used in the Broadcast Industry. This is by no means
an exhaustive list of file formats or compression schemes.
Simian can play any file format that Microsoft Windows® can play. You should use Windows Sound
Recorder (not Media Player) to test a format. In short, if it’ll play in Sound Recorder on a particular audio
device, it’ll play in Simian on that audio device (an audio device is a sound card or part of a sound card).

So, what is a file format anyway?

To truly understand file formats, we’ll need to discuss the different properties of file formats in general.
Let’s go ahead and look at the properties of an audio file:
Format. Common Formats are PCM, ADPCM, and MPEG. The word “format” simply describes the
method for keeping the audio information (and the compression scheme, but we’ll get to that later).
Windows requires a Codec (coder-decoder) to play each type of file format. PCM is standard
uncompressed windows audio.

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Bits-per-Sample. Bits-per-sample refers to the amount of bits in each sample, or the resolution of the file.
This sounds complicated, but boils down to this; An 8 bit file stores audio at 8 bits of computer memory
for each sample, or “snapshot” of the sound. A 16 bit file stores in 16 bit chunks, but provides a much
finer resolution, which means more accurate representation of the original file. A 16 bit file will be larger,
but will have better fidelity. There are few occasions where you will want to use an 8-bit file.
Sample Rate. Sample rate refers to the number of samples per second. Once again, the higher the
sample rate, the higher the fidelity, and the larger the file size. Typical sample rates are 44,100, 32,000,
and 22,050
Mono/Stereo. Just like it sounds. Stereo files store data for two separate "channels" of audio. They are
larger and are more realistic sounding than Mono files.
So, when you see a PCM, 44,100, 16 bit Stereo file, you know what all of it means. Oh, by the way, it may
seem like a PCM, 44,100, 16 bit Stereo file would be twice as large as a PCM, 22.050, 8bit, Mono file. In
fact, it’s 8 times as large! Think of it this way:
Bits per Sample * Sample Rate * Number of Channels
Now that we’ve cleared this up, let’s take the next step and look at Compression. There are two main
compression schemes used in the Broadcast Industry: MPEG and ADPCM
ADPCM is more easily edited than MPEG and has a fixed 4:1 compression ratio. ADPCM is supported
natively within Windows and therefore can be played on almost any Windows system. ADPCM can be
edited many times with little loss of resolution.
MPEG, Layer 2 (MP2) maintains slightly higher audio resolution and has a variable compression ratio.
Classically, the compression ratio is set 5.56:1 for broadcast use. MP2 is generally considered the
broadcast standard. However, it is not natively supported in Microsoft Windows and therefore you will
need to purchase a proprietary codec to handle compression and decompression of the files when you
want to play or record. Codecs can be installable software or can be “hard-wired” into a professional
audio card. MPEG audio loses resolution each time it is edited.
MPEG, Layer 3 (MP3) has a much more variable compression ratio and has recently become much more
popular in the Broadcast Industry. As with MP2, you’ll need a proprietary codec to code/decode MP3
files. This codec can be an installable software product or may be included within the logic chip on a
professional audio device. Once again, MPEG audio loses resolution each time it is edited.
So how does this affect file size? Well, think of it this way:
Bits per Sample * Sample Rate * Number of Channels / (Compression Ratio)
The trade-offs in sample rates/bits/channels are all about file size and fidelity. The better you want it to
sound, the larger the file will be. It’s really that simple. The rule for compression formats is to choose one
and stick to it. Mixing audio file formats and especially sample rates is a good way to cause audio break-
up.
Which Format is right for you? Only you can decide…but now you have the facts you need to make an
informed decision….

…the easy answer is that, for the highest quality, choose linear PCM, Stereo files sampled in 16 bits at
44.1 KHz. This is the same quality as CDs.

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Simian Concepts and Terminology
Throughout this manual we are going to refer to certain “BSI-centric” terms and concepts. This section is
intended as a primer to help you think about Simian from our angle. We fully cover all of these concepts
later in the manual, but we hope that this section will help you understand how it all fits together before
we hit you with the technical stuff.
Events, Logs, Carts, and Sets
Simian, at its core, does two main things. It sequences through lists and references lists.
Each line in a list is an “Event”, and each Event holds a particular set of instructions for Simian. Each
element of an Event is known as an Event Variable. Event Variables include Cue, Number, Status,
Scheduled Time, Actual Play Time, Length, Category, Name, and Description.
There are three types of lists in Simian. They are called “Program Logs”, “Carts”, and “Sets”. Simian
sequences through Logs and Carts, and it references Sets.
When Simian references a Set, it simply starts the Event that relates to the line item that has been
selected. A good example of this is HotKeys. Simian allows you to set up 16 on-screen buttons to perform
any type of Event that you’d like. These 16 buttons reference a Set with 16 event lines. To make button
#3 start an Event, you drag that Event into line #3 of the HotKey Set. Now, when you click button #3,
Simian references the HotKey Set and starts the Event that is assigned to HotKey #3.
When Simian sequences through a Program Log or a Cart, it uses the information in the Cue column of
that Log or Cart (such as the main Program Log) to control the sequencing. There are a number of
different “Cues” available. For now it's only important for you to know this: The first thing Simian does
when it sequences down a Program Log or Cart and reaches an Event is to read the Cue column which
causes Simian to start the Event, stop, or wait accordingly.
There are two types of sequenced Lists: the Program Log and Carts. The Program Log is the top-level list
that holds all of the other Events. The Program Log takes up the center-left section of the main Simian
interface. Carts are somewhat like mini-logs that run as Events within the Main Program Log. Carts
emulate the old-fashioned tape-based carts that many of us used prior to the advent of digital audio. The
main Program Log emulates old-fashioned play lists.
So, how do we get the Events into our Logs, Carts and Sets? We use the Event Builder to build Events,
which you can then drag into your Program Logs, Carts, and Sets.

The Event Builder in a Nutshell

The Event Builder is the tool that you use to create
Events to put into Program Logs, Carts, and Sets. The
Event Builder is the main tool used to manually build
Program Logs. It can also provide access to the Info
Editor where you can view, add and edit the label
information for carts and audio files. Think of it as the
‘Event construction kit’.

You can open the Event Builder in one of three ways:

• Select Tools/Event Builder.
• Press Ctrl+B.
• Click the Event Builder button at the bottom of
the Program Log.
Events in the Program Log can be changed or inserted
using the Event Builder. On opening the Event Builder
(Ctrl+B), you will see the Audio tab showing a list of the

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audio files that are available through SoundHound. To add a file, just select it and drag from the Drag
From Here spot into the Program Log, Cart, or Set.
You should also configure an Event’s “Event Variables” such as the Cue, Category, and Scheduled Time
before you drag it in. Different types of Events have different Event Variables. For instance, Macros have
configuration string that must also be configured. Scheduled Times will not always apply to all Cues (such
as AutoStart (+)). If the Scheduled Time does not affect a particular Event because of its Cue, the
Program Log will still display the Scheduled Time that you set in the “Sched” column in the Program Log.
Look for more on Cues and how they work in Chapter 4.

SoundHound in a Nutshell
It should come as no surprise that a digital automation system would need a way to keep track of all of
the audio files that you keep on your computer. Simian uses a helper application called SoundHound.
What SoundHound does, simply enough, is “index” files. This means that you tell SoundHound which
folders your audio files are in, and it goes out and reads all of the information about those files, including
the header information or tags. As it reads the files it creates a database. That database is where Simian
gets its information about the audio files on your system.
Simian and SoundHound are actually two independent programs that live in a symbiotic relationship.
Here’s how it works:
SoundHound indexes the folders (i.e. reads through the files and gathers information about them) that
you tell it to look at in the Folders field on the Folders tab within the SoundHound application. You can
open SoundHound by double-clicking the black binocular icon in your system tray by your Windows clock.
Once SoundHound has indexed the files, it puts the gathered information in the Audio Database (the file
name is audio.mdb). You’ll find the Audio Database in the folder that is designated in the Audio
Database field on the Folders tab in SoundHound.

Simian then references the Audio Database whenever it needs to fill the Audio List. You tell Simian where
to look for the audio.mdb in the Other Paths field on the Paths tab under Tools/Program Options.
Once Simian is looking in the proper place for the audio.mdb file that SoundHound has created, we have
synergy (and files in the Audio List).

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The Welcome Log in a Nutshell
When you start Simian, it will
automatically launch the “Welcome”
Program Log shown to the right.
The Welcome log is designed to show
Simian in action and to give you an
example of a simple Program Log. It is
important to remember that the Program
Log emulates the play logs historically
used in the Radio Industry. The
Program Log is little more than a list of
Events, each of which instructs Simian
to perform an action. Simian then simply
sequences through the Program Log
one Event at a time. You can use the
Welcome log as a template for the
creation of your own Program Logs and
as a test log for editing practice. Try adding Audio Events, Macro events, Cart Events, from the Event
Builder (on the Tools menu). This will help familiarize you with the Event Builder as well.
You can edit Program Logs in many of the same ways as you would any Windows application. For
example, clicking on an Event and pressing Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C or Ctrl+V. These shortcuts will cut, copy or
paste the highlighted Event. Right clicking on Events brings up additional menu options as well. Items
can also be dragged around within the Program Log as well as into and out of the Program Log from
other parts of Simian such as the Event Builder. Check out the "Using Program Logs" section in Chapter
4 for more information on using Program Logs.

Please do not delete the Welcome Log. You may need it for testing, should you ever need
assistance from our technical support team.

The Asynchronous Deck in a Nutshell

Simian has a fourth playback deck that you can
view by selecting Async/Show Asynchronous
Deck from the main Simian menu bar. This deck
plays all events that happen out of sequence as
Simian moves through its Program Log. All
Triggers (signals from a satellite receiver),
HotKeys, Serial Events, Scheduled Events, and
any Events with a Non-Sequential cue (N) play in
the Asynchronous Deck. Events played in the
“Async” deck play on their own, outside of the
normal sequence of the three main playback
decks.

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Chapter 3: Setup & Configuration

Before You Install Simian:

Verify that your computer is running properly and that it is properly connected to your network if you have
one. A machine that is not running properly will not run Simian properly. Similarly, a machine that’s having
problems communicating across a network will not run Simian properly in a networked configuration.
Verify that all your peripherals are installed and configured in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications. Peripherals are any devices that attach to the computer and add functionality. Typical
peripherals for a Simian machine are trigger/relay devices and professional quality sound cards.
Install Simian using the full installation of the newest version (available for free download on our support
website and on CD-ROM for a nominal fee) then restart your computer.
Remember that Simian does not control the actual audio playback functions of your machine, but rather
directs the Windows audio subsystem. Therefore, if you cannot play audio in the Windows Sound
Recorder, you won’t be able to play it in Simian. Windows Media Player is not a valid test for this
subsystem, as it can use DirectSound to bypass certain functions that Simian needs to control pro audio
cards.

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Installing Simian
Considerations
Installing Simian is an easy task, and to make it easier, we'd like to point out a few things that you should
take into consideration before installing the software.
1. Do you have a properly working audio card installed in your computer? Simian will not run without
an audio device.
2. Does your computer meet or exceed our Recommended System Requirements? Not sure?
Check out Chapter 1.
If both of these items are true, then it's time for us to install Simian. Simian installation is performed in
three parts:
Part 1: Shut Down Unneeded Processes
Windows 2000/XP Pro
1. Shut down all items running on your Task Bar and System Tray.
2. Move on to Part 2.
Part 2: Installing the Sentinel Protection Driver

Simian’s Validation Process utilizes a USB Hardware Key (shown left) which
requires the ‘Sentinel Protection’ Windows Driver.

You should always ensure that you have the latest BSI-tested version of this driver,
available on our ‘Drivers’ page, or from the BSI Install CD when purchasing a new
product – and that is it correctly configured.

The following instructions are a step-by-step walk through of how to install and configure the Driver that
will only take a few minutes. (This driver is NOT provided with the Simian demo download, nor required
for the demo version).

Part 3: Installing from the BSI Install CD

The BSI Install CD should automatically launch when inserted into your CD-ROM drive. If you have
disabled that feature, double-click the Install.exe file on the CD.

You will then see the Application Selection window (see below). Choose “Sentinel Protection Installer –
for BSI Dongles” (the first option from the dropdown list) and click Install.

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Part 4: Download the Driver

If you do not have your BSI Install CD available, the latest BSI-tested version of the driver is also
available for download on the ‘Drivers’ page at http://www.bsiusa.com

Save the .zip file to your hard-drive and extract it (Windows 2000 users will need to ensure that they have
www.winzip.com installed to extract the file, Window XP has this functionality built in).

To install, double-click the .exe file that is extracted by the above process.

Note: The following images may change as drivers / installers are updated and depend on the Operating
System installed on your computer.

Part 5: Installing the Sentinel Protection Installer

After starting the Sentinel Protection Installer from the BSI Install CD, no further configuration should be
required. However, you should ensure that you install the driver PRIOR to inserted the USB Hardware
key.

Part 6: Install Simian

You can install Simian from the BSI CD, or from a downloaded installer file. Both the CD and the
download contain the same Simian_Setup.exe file.
1. Start the Installer
• If you downloaded the Simian_Setup.exe file, double-click it.
• If you are using the BSI CD, simply put it in your CD ROM, wait for the BSI window to show
up on your desktop, then select Simian and start the installation.
2. Click Next and you'll get to the License Agreement screen. You'll have to click the radio button
that says "I accept the terms in the license agreement", and then click Next to continue with the
installation.

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 3. In the Customer Information screen, you will be asked for your User Name and Organization.
Just enter your information and click Next.
4. The Setup Type screen will allow you to select between Full, Update, or WaveStation setup.
• Full Installation will install Simian and wipe out any settings from previous installs. Use this
setting for a new installation of Simian.
• Update is used for upgrading Simian. It will preserve Program Options and Hardware
Options settings from a previous Simian installation.
• WaveStation is for our customers who are migrating from the WaveStation product. This
installation will seek out the old WaveStation Program Options and migrate them to Simian
automatically.
Click Next
5. The Select Options screen allows you to specifically install components that Simian needs to run
on different platforms. The rule of thumb here is that if you're unsure… Install it. It is very rare for
any of these components to interfere with Windows or other software. Select what you'd like here
and click Next.
6. The Shortcut Folder screen allows you to change the name of the folder in which Simian will
show up under Start/Programs. Once you have the name the way you'd like it, click Next.
7. The Ready to Install screen allows you to review your installation choices and start the
installation. Make sure that you like what you see here and click Next.
8. The Windows installer will automatically install Simian and bring you to the final screen, which will
let you know that installation has completed successfully. Just click Finish to finish the
installation.

Part 7: Restarting Your Computer

Once you have finished the installation process, restart your computer to make sure that everything
registers properly. This is not always necessary, but is always good practice whenever you install
software of any kind.

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Validating Simian

Simian is protected by security hardware and validation codes that allow for limited testing of the software
prior to purchase. These security measures are disabled when you purchase and validate the software.
In demonstration mode, Simian will run for one hour and then shut down automatically. This functionality
is designed to let you download and try out Simian before purchase.
When you purchase Simian, you are shipped a
small USB hardware key.
To validate Simian, simply plug the hardware key
in one of your computer's USB ports. When the
hardware key is installed, Simian will need a
validation code. You'll find it on a piece of paper in
the blue folder included with your hardware key.
Once you've located your validation key, simply go
to Help/Register and fill in the required information.
It's really that simple. Plug in the hardware key,
then go to Register on the Help menu and enter
the Validation Code, and Simian is ready to go.
The same process applies when you move Simian
to a new computer so please keep a note of your
Validation Code in a safe place!

Simian can be validated for three different modes. These different modes correspond to the three
different types of licenses available. Let's take a look:
• Full Mode allows you to run a single copy of Simian on the air and a single instance of Production
Mode (with nine sessions) on the same computer.
• Production Mode allows you to run a single copy of Simian in Production Mode with up to nine
sessions on any computer.
• Multi Mode allows you to run multiple copies of Simian in Full Mode and/or Production mode on
one computer, and up to nine production sessions for each instance of Production Mode.
If you lose your validation code, you'll need to visit the Validation Codes page of www.bsiusa.com and
enter your:
• Customer ID number
• Version number
• Serial Number
• The name under which
Simian was purchased
We normally return validation
codes within 1 hour during
business hours. The required
information can always be
found by going to the Help
menu and choosing Register.

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Configuring SoundHound
Simian and SoundHound are actually two independent programs that live in a symbiotic relationship.
Here’s how it works:
SoundHound indexes the folders (i.e. reads through the files and gathers information about them) that
you tell it to monitor in the Folders field:

Once it has indexed the files, it puts the gathered information in the Audio Database (the file name is by
default c:\bsi32\audio.mdb). You’ll find the Audio Database in the folder that is designated in the Audio
Database field on the Folders tab in SoundHound.
Simian then references the Audio Database to fill the Audio List. You tell Simian where to look for the
audio.mdb in the Other Paths field on the Paths tab under Tools/Program Options.
Once Simian is looking in the proper place for the audio.mdb file that SoundHound is creating, we have
synergy (and files in the Audio List).
SoundHound and Path Configuration
Whenever Simian is running in normal mode,
SoundHound will also be running by default.
Open SoundHound by double-clicking the
binoculars symbol in your Systray.

To add a folder to the Folders list, click the

Folders tab, then use the Add a folder button
to add all the new paths to all of the folders
that contain the audio files that you want to
reference in Simian. This will take a few
moments as SoundHound adds each file to the
audio database. You can click the Audio
Files tab to view the information from your new database when it is finished loading the file names. If you
have a large audio collection, and SoundHound seems to take a long time to perform the initial inventory,
you can also select High Priority in the Options tab. This option is intended for times when you need to
index a large audio collection. High Priority mode is not intended for day-to-day use.
SoundHound’s file management capability is more efficient and more accurate than previous methods.
This is because it records every file change automatically to a central database, which is shared by
Simian and other BSI software. Changes are made in the background while your programs are running,
and SoundHound always receives a lower resource priority than any application that is playing audio so
that it will not interfere with on-air playback.

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Because SoundHound automatically records any changes made to files within its specified directories, no
manual updating or refreshing is necessary. This is true only as long as SoundHound is running in the
background when you are creating, editing or deleting audio files. If it is not, you will want to refresh
SoundHound manually the next time you start it.
SoundHound contains six tabbed windows: Folders, Audio Files, Options, Log, Status, and About. The
next section describes each tab and option so that you can decide which options are right for your
configuration.
Folders
The Folders window is on top when you open
SoundHound, and shows your audio database
path and the paths of any music folders you
have added. The audio database is named
audio.mdb. SoundHound will always create the
audio.mdb file in the same folder as the
SoundHound executable file (sndhound.exe).
You can, however, put SoundHound anywhere
that you want on your computer. You'll just need
to let Simian know where to look for the audio
database. You can do this on the Paths tab of
the Simian Program Options dialog box (under
the Tools menu).

DO NOT PUT THE SOUNDHOUND PROGRAM IN THE SAME FOLDER AS AUDIO FILES! The
SoundHound program file is sndhound.exe. Putting this file in a folder that SoundHound is indexing will
create a loop where SoundHound will refresh constantly - each message to refresh will cause a write to
the Audio.mdb, which will cause a message to refresh, and so on.
Below the Audio Database path is a list of all your music folders. This is where SoundHound searches for
audio files to index. All the audio files found in the folders listed here are indexed and added to your
audio database. The buttons to the right let you add a folder, create a friendly name for the path (the
smiley face icon), or remove a folder. This friendly name is the only place you want to be using long
names with special characters such as apostrophes.
Audio Files
The Audio Files tab allows you to see a list of the audio files that are currently indexed. You can also
refresh that list, cancel a refresh, and see if you have any duplicate files. You’ll also find a small window
with statistics such as how many of what kind of audio files you have.
Options
Manual mode can be used when you want SoundHound to run, but you don’t want it to constantly refresh
files that have changed. For example, if you are making a lot of changes and just want to update
SoundHound at the end, you might use it in Manual mode until you are ready to switch it back to normal
mode.
With High Priority unchecked (the default setting), SoundHound lowers itself to a very low processor
priority and introduces wait states when manipulating files. Choosing High Priority causes SoundHound
to run at the same (normal) priority as other applications on the system (like Simian). The High Priority
setting is designed for situations where you are refreshing very large numbers of audio files and you want
your computer to make that operation its main priority. This setting can cause audio break-up if you run it
while Simian is on-air.
Auto refresh is available for use when you are using files across a network. SoundHound will only
automatically update files that are changed locally. If someone is changing files across a network and
SoundHound needs to see these changes, you may want to use the auto refresh option to schedule
refreshes regularly.

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Compacting your database is very important, especially when you are working in Live-Assist mode, where
many changes are being made to files and carts within your audio database. Compact at Startup removes
all previously deleted files from your audio database. When you delete a file from your audio database, it
disappears but isn’t permanently removed until the database is compacted. Auto Compact does the
same thing automatically, while letting you manage the frequency.

We recommend compacting once a day (as a scheduled event). The drawback to compacting
too frequently is that it takes a minute or so and you cannot access your files through Audio List while a
compact is in progress, therefore compacting at startup is no longer a recommendation (though still an
available option for those who wish to use it). Try a few different settings to determine what works best
for you.
In some advanced configurations, you may want to use an INI file to hold path information instead of the
Windows Registry. For example, if you are managing a cluster of stations that are sharing a single
database. The INI file can be used to store your paths so they can be updated for several stations
simultaneously. Editing the .ini file manually also allows you to re-order in which the folders are displayed
within Simian. Prior to restarting SoundHound after editing your .ini file, make sure you delete the
audio.mdb file so that the database and folder list (held in the database) can get updated correctly.
You can use the Hide File List option to hide the file list on the Audio Files tab in SoundHound. This
option allows the SoundHound interface to react more quickly on slower computers.
The Notification filter allows you to control when SoundHound will update a file's entry in the audio
database. The Name option will cause an update whenever a file's name changes and/or whenever a file
is added or deleted. The Attributes option will cause an update whenever a file's attributes (such as read-
only or archive) are changed. The Size option will cause an update whenever a file's size changes.
Finally, the Last Modified feature will cause an update whenever a file's modified date or time changes as
it is seen in the file's Properties dialog box (this is useful to ensure that updated times and dates in your
audio files are reflected in the database).
Log
SoundHound’s Log tab shows you a log of its operations. You can come here to read logs and set
parameters on how they are created and kept.
Status
The Status tab displays internal statistic information in case there should ever be a problem. This tab is
designed to help our Technical Support department expedite resolution of SoundHound issues.
About BSI
This tab gives you information about the version of SoundHound you are running and a link to the BSI
web site.
SoundHound Menus
There are two menu choices in SoundHound – File and View. The File menu lets you compact and repair
your database, save and read configuration files, or exit. The View menu allows you to view each of the
window tabs.

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Simian Options
To open the Simian Options windows choose Tools/Program Options or Tools/Hardware Options from the
menu in the main menu bar. You can switch between different sets of options in both windows by clicking
on the tabs near the top of the windows.
Review the options in each tab, and make any changes you wish to the default settings. For example, if
you are doing production work, you may want to deselect “HotKeys visible at startup” in the General tab.
The configuration options you select are saved when you click “Done”. Different sets of configuration
settings cannot be saved, except when using Sessions in Production Mode.
A full overview of each option is available in Chapter 6.

Production Mode
Production Mode is a simple way to have all of the production functionality that you need at a much lower
cost than a second copy of Simian. In Production Mode, the playback decks are disabled, the record
decks, and all automation features are disabled too, but you can still create, modify, and verify Program
Logs. You can also use the VoiceTrack Editor (including recording the voice-tracks) and listen to Audio
Events through the audition device.
To run Simian in Production Mode, you'll need to purchase a Production Mode license. When your
hardware key arrives, just install Simian and validate it according to the instructions in the "Validating
Simian" section earlier in this chapter.

Use of a ‘demonstration’ version of Simian in a full-time environment is expressly forbidden in the license.
Production Sessions
What if you work in a cluster operation where you have multiple air machines running multiple stations in
the same location? Wouldn't it be nice to have one production machine instead of one for each station?
Even better… Wouldn't it be great to have that production machine hold all of the different settings for
each of those machines so that you could switch between them easily? Well, if all of your machines are
networked, you can. Here's an example:
Let's say that you have a cluster with three on-air computers and a Production machine. We'll call them
AIR1, AIR2, AIR3, and PROD1.
Now, let's say that you want to edit tomorrow's Program Logs for AIR1. You'd go into Program Options
and tell Simian to look across the network at AIR1 for its Audio Database, Program Logs folder, and any
other folders that you may need. You do your editing, and then you need to make all of those changes
again to edit Program Logs on AIR2, then again for AIR3. The next day, you're making all of those
changes again. Now imagine that your cluster has seven stations instead of three…
This is why we designed Simian so that you can choose between up to nine individual sessions. Sessions
allow you to have nine different sets of Simian production configurations (including different paths, audio
databases, and Options settings) to do production work for up to nine different air machines without
needing to change all of your options every time you want to do production work for a different station.
To run multiple sessions of production mode, use the File/Change Session menu item to switch between
different sessions. Each session will hold its own set of Program Options. The Station ID for each session
will even show up next to the session number in the Change Session menu.
To make life even easier, you can also set up different shortcuts for each session right on your
computer's desktop. Just add the /session:2 switch to the Target field for the shortcut. Here's a quick
walk-through:
1. Create or select a Windows shortcut to Simian.
2. Right-click on the icon and choose the Properties option.

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 3. Select the Shortcut tab.
4. In the Target field, you’ll see the path to the Simian executable file, for example,
c:\bsi32\simian.exe. Add “/session:6" (without the quotes, with the appropriate session number)
after the path. The whole line will then read:
C:\bsi32\simian.exe /session:5
Click OK and launch Simian from the newly modified shortcut.

Networking Simian
In response to changes to the way in which Microsoft Networking has evolved (since Windows 98 and the
original Simian release), BSI has changed the recommended setup for networked Simian workstations.

It’s very important to understand what the changes mean, why they are needed and how to correctly
network Simian computers.

What Changed?
Firstly, beginning with Windows 2000, any operation to a UNC path (i.e. \\air\c\bsi32\audio) is routed via
the Windows Network, even if that UNC path points to the local machine. Thus, even though the machine
could be playing the audio locally, it actually passes via the Networking Layer of the Windows operating
system.

This effects performance in Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional (and also Windows 2003,
though Simian has not been designed to run on Windows 2003 or any other ‘server’ based operating
system).

With Windows 2000, there’s the added problem of a ‘NetBios’ limit which prevents more than 8 folders
being automatically monitored by Simian’s SoundHound application.

And with Windows XP Professional (and Windows 2003), all networking is shut down if the Network Card
loses a connection (to the local switch, has a cable error, or is connected via a cross-over cable to a
Production machine that is rebooted). So, even if the UNC paths point to a local hard drive on the air
machine, it no longer has access to those files.

When the program was first released, networking Simian involved setting up UNC paths across an Air
and Production machine. Clearly with the newer operating systems this will cause huge problems sooner
or later.

The following pages outline the recommended setup for a basic network of Simian computers which has
been well tested and proven to provide a trouble-free, robust solution, with the added advantage of
redundancy.

Customized multi-station and production workstations on a single network are outside the scope of the
level of support we can offer in this recommendation; this is where the skills of a Network Administrator
come into play. However, by understanding the reasoning behind the recommended Network, the
principles can be adapted to suit different customized solutions.
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When finished with this guide, you will be able to completely remove Network Connections from the Air
computer and it will continue without error.

Also, in the unlikely event that the Air machine fails, the Production machine is ready to pick-up instantly,
with its own backup copy of audio files.

Summary of Changes
The changes in Networking Setup and Configuration (from the original recommendation) can be
summarized as follows.

• Each computer maintains an exact copy of the audio files (usually using our Second Copy utility)
• Each computer runs a copy of SoundHound to index new files
• Each computer plays the audio files from its local hard drive
• The Production Computer references the Air computer’s Program Logs across the network so that the
Air log can be edited ‘live’
• A backup copy of the Air computer’s Program Log(s) is maintained on the Production Computer
• Two Simian sessions are setup on the Production Computer. One for normal network operation and
a second ‘local’ session using the local copy of the Program Log files. (In both cases, a backup copy
of the audio files is stored on the Production Machine locally)

Hard Drive Setup

While not strictly ‘Networking’ your hard drive configuration will determine your network settings.

For best performance (both with and without a Network) use a dedicated (hard-disk) drive for your audio
files or at least partition your hard-drive. This also allows you to format your drive or partition and re-
install Windows without affecting your audio files.

If you currently use a single hard-drive and do not have a separate partition for your audio files, we
strongly suggest purchasing a utility such as Partition Magic from Symantec software:
http://www.partitionmagic.com/partitionmagic/

For a number of technical and practical reasons, an 8.4Gb partition provides optimum performance for
Windows (and Simian). The remainder of the drive (or better still a second hard-drive) can be dedicated
to your audio files.

One big advantage of the 8.4Gb partition is that all your operating system files are at the beginning of the
hard drive (and can be read more quickly) – this includes the Windows disk memory (used when your
physical memory is full).

Following these recommendations, you should have a C:\

and D:\ drive (if you have a CD-ROM installed, this may by
default be installed as drive D:\).

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To change this and ensure your two drives (or partitions) are installed as C:\ and D:\, go to Control
Panel | Administrator Tasks, Computer Management | Disk Management and change the
letter of your CD drive first of all (away from D:\ and then setup your audio drive or partition as D:\).

From the My Computer window, we re-label the drives “System” and “Audio” for clarity.

TCP/IP Settings
In the examples below we are using two Computers ‘Air’ and ‘Production’ which already have their hard
drives shared to other Network users. (If you have multiple machines, you can call them Air1,
Production1, Air2, Production2 etc)

You should always consult with your Network Administrator or IT Manager before adding or changing
network settings and/or Network Computers as there may be an impact elsewhere on your Network.
Special consideration must be given to the IP address of each computer on your Network, which must be
unique.

The following generic Network settings will ensure a basic connection between two machines providing
that these IP addresses are not being used elsewhere on the Network.

Many modern computers are capable of network speeds of 1Gbs (rather than 100 Mbs or the much older
10 Mbs) though they do require the correct cabling to connect the Network together; and when using
more than two computers, the correct hardware too.

You may refer to this piece of hardware as a HUB, but the correct equipment is a Network SWITCH. A
switch ensures that signals between two computers are only transmitted between those two computers,
whereas a HUB broadcasts that information to all computers. (Therefore, using a switch will ensure that
high-volume data transfers between two computers do not affect other machines on your network).

We favor brand name switches (Netgear, Linksys, D Link etc), preferably in metal enclosures with internal
power supplies as these are less prone to RF interference.

When using a switch, all computers are connected to the Switch (usually located centrally) in a ‘star’
configuration.

In a very simple setup, an Air/Production pair of computers can be connected ‘back to back’ with a simple
cross-over Network Cable without the need for a switch.

If you are utilizing a 1Gbs connection (with or without a switch) we urge you to ensure that your cable is
rated for that speed of Network (see our Network Cabling guide for connection details and cabling
advice).

To access the Network Properties, right-click My Network Places and select Properties. Right-
click your LAN card and select Properties. You should see a box similar to the one on the next page.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

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As previously stated, every computer on the same network must have a unique IP address. Larger
networks may include a DHCP server so that each computer can Obtain an IP address
automatically each time it starts (which can result in your computer having a different IP address
each time). In the example above, we have setup the settings manually with a static IP address and we
recommend that you do the same as there are advantages in so doing.

Your Network will generally be either DHCP or Static IP, though some advanced configurations can mix
the two. In our example, we’re going to setup Static IP addresses manually on a closed Network of just
the Air and Production machine. The actual numbers we use in the examples will almost certainly
already be in use in most Networks.

Enter the IP address of 192.168.1.1 for the Air machine and 192.168.1.2 for the Production
machine. If you add more machines (or those IP addresses are already in use on your Network), use
192.168.1.3, 192.168.1.4 etc. up to 192.168.1.254 with the subnet mask 255.255.255.0 for
all machines.

The 192.168.x.x range is a special number range for internal networks. You may also use 10.0.0.x
as a numbering scheme, but every computer on your Network MUST have a unique IP address.

In our example, the Network is not connected to an Internet Gateway or Router (which would usually
have a DHCP server) so there is no Default Gateway to enter and that can be left blank as can the DNS
server addresses. You will normally need to ‘populate’ these DNS server addresses when requiring
access to the Internet (for Windows updates / FTP / Weather info etc). There are no generic settings
here, the information must come from your Network Advisor.

Networking is a specialized skill. The details provided here are a starting point only and will work for
almost all Simian users. But for more flexibility, Internet sharing, Remote Access etc – you need to
contact a Network Specialist.

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Install & Configure Simian for Networking
If you have not already done so, install Simian using the default program path (C:\bsi32).

(Optionally) Create the following folders

C:\bsi32\triggers
C:\bsi32\serial
C:\bsi32\hotkeys
C:\bsi32\scheduled

These folders are for storing sets of Triggers, Hotkeys, Serials and Scheduled Events and generally make
things much easier to manage as otherwise these files could get muddled up in c:\bsi32.

Now, on the D:\ drive create the following folders

D:\archive; D:\audio; D:\audio\carts; D:\audio\effects; D:\audio\jingles;
D:\audio\recordings; D:\audio\songs; D:\audio\spots; D:\audio\vtracks

You can modify the list of audio folders to match your own needs but we do suggest that you maintain a
\carts folder for any virtual carts; \vtracks for voice-tracks and \recordings for Simian’s record
decks to save to.

Using dedicated folders for these files prevents them being mixed with your main audio library and
prevents unnecessary audio database updates.

IMPORTANT: NO AUDIO SHOULD BE STORED IN D:\AUDIO ITSELF (THIS WOULD CREATE A

NESTED FOLDER) ONLY SAVE AUDIO IN THE SUB-FOLDERS. Nested folders cause continuous
database updates leading to Database Bloat (where the audio.mdb file because so large, the
performance of Simian will suffer).

Now, in Tools | Program Options, ensure that the Use SoundHound box has a tick in it on both
the Air and Production machines. Your screen should look something like this:

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Click Done when finished and then shut down and restart Simian to make sure all the changes take
effect. This ensures that each computer runs its own copy of SoundHound and maintains its own audio
database. We now have to configure SoundHound to monitor the local computer’s hard drive.

When Simian restarts you’ll also see a pair of binoculars in the System Tray next to the clock (see page 9
for images and more details). Double-click these to view SoundHound.

Use the Add Folder button to add D:\audio\carts; then repeat the process for
D:\audio\effects; D:\audio\jingles; D:\audio\recordings; D:\audio\songs;
D:\audio\spots; and finally D:\audio\vtracks.

It’s also a good idea to give these folders a friendly name. To do this, highlight each of the folders in
SoundHound and click the ‘Smiley Face’ – you can use descriptions like ‘Voice Tracks’ for your
d:\audio\vtracks folder; and ‘Sound Effects/Production Elements’ for your effects folder
etc.

Try and avoid the ampersand (&) and other punctuation marks in the friendly description as these may
not be displayed correctly.

Once finished, there may be a flurry of disk-activity as the audio.mdb database is created and updated
by SoundHound. Thereafter, SoundHound will only refresh a folder in which there has been a change.

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Setting Up Paths
From Tools | Program Options select the Paths tab. From the drop down box at the bottom of the
screen select the following options and set the correct paths for them:

Record Decks and Voice Track (Select the ‘Recordings’ and ‘Vtracks folders from the top list and
click the ‘Set’ button). It’s also a good idea to chose the ‘Show Friendly Paths’ option as this
displays the ‘friendly’ names for the paths instead of the full windows path.

For Triggers, Serial and Scheduled event sets, you’ll need to click set and browse to the
c:\bsi32\triggers, serial and scheduled folders that you setup.

On the Air machine, you’ll point Program Logs to c:\bsi32\logs and Hotkeys to c:\bsi32\hotkeys.

As the Production machine will operate either as a Network machine or as a stand-alone Local machine
in its own right (as a backup to Air), we need to take a few more steps.

This is very easily done using Simian Sessions as different sessions maintain their own paths and other
unique settings.

Start by creating two Simian Desktop Shortcuts and name one ‘Simian – Network’ and the other
‘Simian – Local’

Right-click each of the shortcuts and look at the Properties for the Target as shown in the diagram
below. To create Session 1 we simply add /session:1 and for Session 2 we just add /session:2 as
shown in the diagram below.

We suggest using Session 1 as your Simian – Network and

Session 2 as your Simian – Local.

Startup ‘Simian – Local’ by clicking the Desktop Icon you

just created. Go through and adjust all your Simian settings as
per your Air machine (you may wish to add a reminder that this
is a LOCAL Simian setting in the Station ID field of Tools
|Program Options)

There are different ways of reaching the other session of

Simian, the easiest being clicking the appropriate Desktop
Shortcut.

However, if Simian is already running, you can select File |

Session and select the appropriate session (in this case 1 for
Simian – Network).

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 The Network settings for Simian on the Production machine are identical to the local settings, except that
in Tools | Program Options | Paths – the Program Logs should look at the Air machine across
the Network (usually \\air\c\bsi32\logs) so that you can edit the ‘live’ Air log from your Production
machine in real-time.

Optionally, you may wish to edit the Air Hotkeys from the Production room, in which case set up the path
to the Hotkeys folder as \\air\c\bsi32\hotkeys

Synchronizing Audio Files and Program Logs

The final part of the set up is synchronizing the audio across the two machines (mirroring) and
maintaining a copy of the Air program logs on your Production computer.

This is a simple task using Second Copy software (www.secondcopy.com) which should be installed and
run on the Production Computer only.

Second Copy synchronizes audio (including file deletions) on both machines with any deleted audio going
in to d:\archive ‘just in case!’

Please refer to our separate document on how to configure Second Copy – it’s a five minute task to mirror
audio files across two machines.

Once you have configured your Network and Mirroring your audio files, then no matter what happens on
your Network, the Air machine will continue playing audio from its local drive.

In the unlikely event that the Air machine fails, the Production Computer can pick up immediately by
starting the ‘Simian – Local’ session and opening the current program log (which Second Copy 2000
has copied automatically into the c:\bsi32\logs folder).

Conclusion
• The Production computer is now a ‘Hot Swap’ backup machine
• All audio is now being played (and recorded) onto the local hard drives of each machine and is therefore
unaffected by Network performance or failure
• Audio is mirrored across the two machines, each with its own copy of the entire music library so there is a
constantly maintained full backup in case of drive or PC failure
• Potentially more than 8 folders can be used in SoundHound – though we recommend keeping it at around
that level.

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Alternative Network Methods
The following are alternative solutions that can be applied to the Production Computer, though are more
limited than the previous solution. They may be more suitable in multi-station or custom configurations
where it is not possible or desirable to keep multiple copies of audio libraries.

As alternative methods these suggestions are only suitable in specific circumstances. They are NOT the
recommended method of Networking Simian for most users and are offered for information only. If your
station needs to implement one of these alternative solutions, you should also be consulting a Network
Specialist too.

Drive Mapping
If you do not want to Mirror your audio across a Network, or have limited hard-drive space on your
Production Computer (a 250Gb drive holds 5,000+ songs and we do not recommend using more than this
number of audio files) you can ‘map’ a Network Drive to d:\ on the Production computer so that it can
see the audio across the Network.

As SoundHound cannot receive notifications across a Network that files have been changed, you must
then ensure that the path to the audio database is set to:

\\air\c\bsi32\audio.mdb

… and that you DO NOT run SoundHound locally.

The Air machine will continue to play audio from its local hard drive, without being affected by network
performance as it is not using UNC paths. As the Air database references local d:\audio paths, when
the Production computer has this drive mapped to its d:\ letter, it’ll also see the audio files (but will be
affected by Network Performance and there is no longer a backup of audio files and therefore not ‘Hot
Standby’.

Subst
SUBST is a legacy DOS command that can be used to automatically assign one drive letter and path
(including a network path) to another.

For example, SUBST d: \\air\d\ would create a d:\ drive on the local machine which had all the
information in the Air machine’s d:\ drive. (The drive must not have existed on the local machine prior to
running SUBST).

As SoundHound cannot receive notifications across a Network that files have been changed (even when
the drive letter is mapped), you must then ensure that the path to the audio database is set to
\\air\c\bsi32\audio.mdb) and that you DO NOT run SoundHound locally.

The Air machine will continue to play audio from its local hard drive, without being affected by network
performance as it is not using UNC paths. As the Air database references local d:\audio paths, when
the Production computer has this drive mapped to its d:\ letter, it’ll also see the audio files (but will be

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affected by Network Performance and there is no longer a backup of audio files and therefore no ‘Hot
Standby’).

As each session of Simian can run different applications when it starts (and ends) you can create multiple
sessions using different SUBST commands to communicate to multiple stations on the same network;
when you close each session you run the /D switch to disconnect the SUBST drive, thus leaving the
drive letter free for the next session.

"Live Update" in Simian

Overview:
Simian can allow you to update Program Logs from your Air or Production machine and have the
changes appear in both places in "real time". To do this, Simian uses a combination of three options from
the General tab under Tools/Program Options. Let’s look at each option individually, and then see how
they work together:
Save event play and error info - This function causes Simian to save the log each time the information
in the Status column changes.
Automatically Save Log Changes - This function causes Simian to automatically save the log any time
a change is made by the user.
Auto-refresh log when log changed by others - This function causes Simian to sense when the log is
saved and refresh the log to show the changes.
How does all of this allow our fearless Simian power users to see each other’s changes in real-time?
Think about it like this. We have a situation where both the Air and Production studios have the same
Program Log open for different reasons such as last-minute spot insertion (something that never
happens… right?). The Traffic Manager (sitting in the Production Studio where talent just wrapped up)
opens the Program Log that’s currently on-air from across the LAN and replaces a PSA with the new
spot. Simian automatically saves the log changes. The air machine automatically senses the change and
refreshes the Air studio’s log. Boom… Both people see the changes immediately and effortlessly. This
pretty well explains the usage of Automatically Save Log Changes and Auto-refresh log when log
changed by others. So what does Save event play and error info do for us?
Let’s take a look at it. When the air machine successfully plays a file, it puts an “X” in the Status column of
the log. When Simian does this it automatically saves the log changes, and the production machine auto-
refreshes the log when it is changed. In short, the Traffic Manager can see the X’s appear on the
production machine as each file is played on the air machine.
There’s one thing to remember (isn’t there always?). To work properly, both studios need to use the same
audio file and audio database paths so that the air studio can see the actual audio files that were added in
the production studio. Otherwise, the Jock and the Traffic Manager will both end up seeing “E” where “X”
should be. You can find instructions on setting this up under the “Networking Simian” section.

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Configuring Triggers
Trigger Setup
Simian now has many more options for General
Purpose Input/Output (GPI/O) than ever before.
In Simian, we refer to General Purpose Input as
“Triggers”. Due to the many different possible
configurations, please refer to the proper
documentation for your GPI/O device or our
Support Website (which can be found at
http://support.bsiusa.com) for
instructions on installing your GPI/O device.
Trigger Configuration in Simian
Once your GPI device is installed and tested,
you need to set up Simian to talk to it. Simply go
to the Hardware tab in the Simian Hardware
Options window.

All that you need to do is select your type of GPI device from the drop-down list. Make sure that Triggers
are turned on (check the Status Bar at the bottom of the main Simian window), and test. When you
simulate a Relay closure on the originating piece of equipment (such as the satellite receiver), the
appropriate Trigger number should light up green.
You can also use the numbers to test Triggers internally within Simian. If you want to simulate Trigger 1
coming in, simply click on the number 1 and Simian will react accordingly.

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Configuring Relays
Relay Device Installation
Simian now has many more options for General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) than ever before. In
Simian, we refer to General Purpose Output as “Relays". Due to the many different possible
configurations, please refer to the proper documentation for your GPI/O device, or our Support Website
(http://support.bsiusa.com) for instructions on installing your GPI/O device.

Relay Setup
Once your General Purpose Output (GPO)
device is installed and tested, you need to set
up Simian to talk to it. Simply go to the
Hardware tab in the Simian Hardware Options
window.
All that you need to do is select your type of
Relay(GPO) device from Switcher drop-down
list, and test.
To test Relays, close the Simian Hardware
Options window, go to the Tools menu in the
main Simian window, and select Relay Rack.
The Relay Rack option will not appear on the
Tools menu unless you have a Relay Device
selected in the Switcher Drop-down list (on the
Hardware Tab in the Simian Hardware Options
dialog box).
The Relay Rack window allows you to test your
Relays. Just click the appropriate number and
listen for the click or watch for the reaction of
the device that’s connected to the Relay. You
can also turn all Relays on or off here. You’ll
also notice that if you click on one of the
buttons with the right mouse button it will cause
the button to “lock” down. Just click the button
again to release it.

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Configuring Serial Communication
Programming Serials
Information can be both sent to and received from external devices using your serial port. Use the Serial
window (under Async/Serials/Edit Sets on the main Simian menu bar) to define the character string(s) you
want to listen for. To enter a string, choose Edit/Insert Event and a window will open that asks, "What
string do you want to watch for?" After you assign a string, a line will appear in the Serial Set that you can
then fill normally from the Event Builder. You can also use the SERIAL macro command (in the Event
Builder) to send strings such as "xyz" and "*120" to other devices. These macros go right in the Program
Log and can be cued like any other Event.
Serial Configuration in Simian
For Simian to communicate with a peripheral via the serial port, you’ll need to configure a number of
different options that may be required by your particular peripheral. Start by going to Tools/Hardware
Options and selecting the Serial Comm tab.
The information needed to set up serial communications options is available from your peripheral’s
manufacturer.

Port — Choose your preferred

communication port setting. Valid options
are COM1 through COM4.
Baud Rate — Choose the baud rate.
Valid rates range from 300 to 28,800.
Parity — Choose the parity setting. This
is the method of byte validation. Valid
options are Even, Odd, Mark, or Space.
Data Bits — Choose the data bit transfer
rate. Valid options are 4 through 8.
Stop Bits — Choose the stop bit rate.
Valid options are 1, 1.5 and 2.

Flow Control — Choose the flow control setting. Valid options are Hardware, None, XOn/XOff, as well
as Both Hardware and XOn/XOff.
Input Terminator — Choose CR (Carriage Return), LF (Line Feed), or CR/LF.
Output Terminator — Choose CR, LF or CR/LF.
DTR — This is a non-standard hardware-level option that is sometimes required by an external device.
Normally set for Low (disabled).
RTS — This is a non-standard hardware-level option that is sometimes required by an external device.
Normally set for Low (disabled).
You can turn Serial Communications on when Simian starts up by selecting the "Serial ON at
startup" option on the General tab under Tools/Program Options.
You can turn Serial Communications on and off by clicking the serial port item on Simian's status
bar at the bottom of the main interface.
To verify Serial Communications functions, you can go to Help/Spyglass and select the Serial
Port tab. Here you can send strings and monitor the serial port.

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Configuring Categories
Events have a lot of different characteristics. Most of these, such as Name and Description, are self-
explanatory. Categories, on the other hand, are a little different. So, what do Categories do? They tell
Simian how to handle an Event. Should the Event be played in a deck or read as a Macro? Simian reads
the Category of the Event to find out how to handle that Event. Simian has 11 Categories by default, but
you can also make your own. Why would you want to make your own? Let’s say that you wanted to have
a way to easily see all of the commercials in your Program Log. You could use a file-naming scheme and
look down the Name column in the Program Log, but wouldn’t it be easier if they had a label, and maybe
showed up in a different color? You can easily do these things by creating custom Categories.
Let’s take a look at the Categories tab of the
Simian Options window. The first thing you’ll
notice is a list of Categories that are split into
columns labeled Code, Type, and Description.
• The Code is a simple description. You
can assign any code that you want to any
Type. For instance, you can create a code
called “Spots” for all of your commercials.
The Code is what shows up in the
Category column of your Program Log so
you'll be able to easily pick out your
commercials in the Program Log.
• The Type describes how Simian is going
to handle events that are assigned a
particular category. If a category of Type
“Log” is assigned to an audio event, the
Event will error when played. In short, if
you want Simian to recognize an event as if it is a macro, instead of trying to play it as an Audio
Event, you’ll need to make sure that the category that is assigned to that macro has Type of
“Macro” and not “Audio”.
• The Description is an easy way for you to show a simple description for your category in the
Categories tab of the Simian Program Options window.
For instance, if you want to have the Code of “PSA” show up in the Category column of the Program Log
for all of your Events that are PSA’s, just follow these simple steps; Click the Add New button, enter
“PSA” into the Letter Code field, select Audio from the Type Drop-down, and enter “Public Service
Announcements” in the Description field.

You’ll also notice that in the Create New Category dialog box,
you can assign a Text Color and a Background Color. This
allows you to set up all of your PSA’s with a red background and
blue writing (or whatever you'd like). This works in conjunction
with the drop-down list near the bottom of the Categories tab of
the Simian Options window. That drop-down allows you to
control how Simian goes about displaying custom category
colors in its Program Log. Let’s take a look:
• Color all columns by continuity – Disregards Category colors. It uses the standard Simian
scheme of coloring events in groups that will play together.
• Color category column by category, others by continuity – Allows you to keep the standard
Simian log coloring scheme, but still see Category colors in the Category column of the Program
Log.
• Color all columns by category – Allows you to disregard the standard Simian coloring scheme
so that the entire Event is colored according to the Category color.

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So, we’ve created a new Category called PSA. Now when we go into the Event Builder to build our PSA
Events, we will see PSA available in the Category drop-down. We’ll be able to see “PSA” in the category
column of the log, and we can even change the colors of all of our PSA Events.
Now, there is one potential problem with Categories that you need to be aware of. If you create a custom
category, assign it a Type, and then assign that category to the wrong kind of Event, the Event will error.
For example, if you were to create a category with a Type of “Macro” and then apply that category to an
audio file Event, Simian would try to run that Event as a macro. The Event would then fail, turn red in the
Program Log, and Simian would move on down the log. In short, a Category’s Type needs to match the
kind of Event to which you plan to assign that Category.

Configuring Mixers
Simian has 16 on-screen mixers. To see them, click the
Mixers button near the bottom-right of the main Simian
interface. You can assign up to four individual audio devices
to each mixer (most consumer grade cards have one audio
device, while professional cards often have many). You can
then use the mixer slider on the Mixers Panel to directly
control those devices. To assign an audio device to a mixer,
just click the button under the slider. You’ll see the dialog box
to the right:
Now, let’s look at these options individually:
Friendly Name – You can call the mixer anything that you
want up to 5 characters. Whatever you type in this text box
will display on the button under the mixer in the Mixers Panel.
Mixers – Let’s say that you have an AudioScience 4334 card
and a standard SoundBlaster card installed in your computer.
This option would allow you to select the individual card that
you want to control with this mixer.
Lines – Your sound card will have a number of different lines
(volume controls) available to control different devices, inputs,
or outputs. You can select any of the lines here. Generally,
only input lines are assigned to Simian’s mixers, as the play
device mixers are automatically assigned by Simian. You can
find a great deal of information on mixer setup on our website.
Just check out www.bsiusa.com/support.

Faders – Audio devices often have more than one fader. This drop-down allows you to select which of
the faders that you want to control on an individual device.
Selected Controls – Once you have selected your fader, just click the "+" button next to one of the
Selected Controls lines to add your configuration to the list. You can control up to four faders with each
mixer by adding them to the list. This is handy for multiple-device audio cards.
AutoMute controls during audio file playback. – If you want to automatically mute this mixer whenever
the playback devices become active, you can select this option. This is handy for people who use pass-
through to control a satellite feed.

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Configuring Spyglass
The SpyGlass dialog box can be found under Help/SpyGlass Diagnostics. It is a great tool for
troubleshooting and testing. Let's look at the available options:
Status Tab
The Status tab shows file use and performance information. This information is usually used by our Tech
Support Team to gather certain information that is not available elsewhere. You’ll notice two buttons
toward the bottom.
The Expanded Simian Information button will open your text editor and create a SpyGlass File. These
files help our Tech Support people help you. They may ask for them if you should ever need to call. The
button simply opens your text editor and fills it with information that you can save and send to our Tech
Support Team.
The Windows System Information button opens the Windows System Information application where you
can save a snapshot of your system configuration. Our Tech Support people may also request this file if
you should ever need to call them.
Times/Debug Tab
The Times field displays the current status of the Timed Events in your Program Log and how Simian’s
audio engine is working with them, if they have been played or not, etc. The Debug field displays any
status messages (innocuous or not) being generated by Simian’s audio engine.
Playback Decks Tab
Shows the current status of all of the interactions between Simian and your audio card for each of the
three playback decks.
Expert Tab
The Expert tab provides information on system variables and a few options. The Audio Interface settings
are second-level options designed to be implemented with the assistance of BSI Technical Support, or
people with the word “Engineer” in their job title.
Serial Port Tab
Here you can see the serial port status, as well as what’s coming in through the Serial Port. You can also
send messages directly out to the Serial Port. This tab is great for setting up serial devices such as the
Broadcast Tools SS8.2 audio switcher.

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Configuring Security Options
The first time that you select Security (under the
Window menu on the main Simian menu bar), it
will ask you for a password. Make sure that you
hold on to the password, as there’s no way to
retrieve it.
The first thing that you’ll notice across the top of
the Simian Security window is the User Name
drop-down list, and three buttons. These controls
allow you to create different users and give each
of them different security settings. The settings on
all four tabs change for each user that you define.
Let’s look at each of these individually…

User Name – This drop-down list holds a list of all of the users that you’ve defined.
Add New User – This button allows you to define new users and add them to the User Name list.
Delete This User – Lets you delete the selected User Name from the drop-down list.
Save User’s Settings – If you make changes on the four tabs, click this button to apply them to the
selected user.
Menus Tab
Here you can hide any of the menus on the main Simian menu bar.
Startup & Shutdown Tab
Here you can configure options that will allow you to make Simian the OS shell. You can also keep
people from shutting Simian down, and/or keep people from running multiple instances of Simian.
Operation Tab
Enables you to set limits on several of the functions of Simian.
Track program log editing – This option causes Simian to create a log file (Leyymmdd.txt) in the Logs
folder (by default c:\bsi32\logs). This file will give the time and nature of all Program Log edits.
Prevent program log editing – Prevents users from editing the Program Log.

Verify program log date for time events – Prevents Time Events from playing if the Program Log goes
out of date.
Prevent replay of events – This option prevents Simian from playing any Events with information in the
Status column.
Lock the main window’s status bar buttons – Locks the Time Events, Triggers, Serial port, Event Log,
but not the Audio List buttons on the status bar.
Admin Password Tab
Go here to change the password to enter the Simian Security window. DO NOT LOSE THIS
PASSWORD as you will be unable to administer security settings without it.

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Configuring the VoiceTrack Editor
Voice Tracking is pretty intensive work for your
computer. We highly advise doing your Voice
Tracking on your production machine.
Voice Tracking requires four separate audio
devices, three devices for playback and one record
device. This is where your professional grade
production audio card really shines.
Before you can use the VoiceTrack Editor, you
must set up the VoiceTrack audio devices in the
Tools/Hardware Options/Playback screen.
The Voice Track Editor Assignments area allows
you to select which audio devices you'd like to use
to play back VoiceTrack Cut #1, VoiceTrack Track,
and VoiceTrack Cut #2. These three settings
correspond to the three main rows in the
VoiceTrack Editor Panel.
To configure the record device for the VoiceTrack
Track, you'll want to go to Tools/Hardware
Options/Record, click the VoiceTrack Record radio
button, and then designate the record device that
you'd like to use.
Finally, if you want Simian to be able to play back
your VoiceTracks, you'll need to make sure that
you're recording to a folder that SoundHound is
indexing. You designate this setting under
Tools/Program Options/Paths.
Just select VoiceTrack default record from the
Other Paths drop-down list and click the Set button
to designate the folder. You'll notice a list of the
folders that are currently indexed by SoundHound
at the top of the Paths tab.

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Configuring Crash Recovery
Crash Recovery is a feature of Simian that will help you get back on the air quickly and automatically after
a power outage. It's no replacement for an un-interruptible power supply (UPS), but for the station on a
budget, it will get Simian running again as soon as the power comes back on. It'll even take you back to
the same spot in a long file that was playing when the lights went out.

To set up Crash Recovery:

1. Go to Tools/Program Options and select the General tab.
2. Put a check mark in Use Crash Recovery.
3. Close the Simian Options Window, then close Simian.
4. Find the simian.exe file and put a shortcut to it in your Windows Startup folder.
5. Configure Windows to bypass any login screens at startup.
That's all there is to it. Now you'll be able to automatically return to the place where you left off whenever
the power company fails you.

Configuring AutoReplace
AutoReplace will help you keep your Program Log "on time" by replacing any failed Audio Events with
another Audio Event of similar length. Events can fail for a number of reasons such as missing audio files,
or incorrect spelling of audio file names in a particular Event. AutoReplace can also replace out of date
files for you, so that you'll never have to worry about airing that big Christmas Eve sale spot on the 26th.
To configure AutoReplace, just follow these steps:
1. Go to Tools/Program Options and select the General tab.
2. Select Engage AutoReplacement and click the Settings button.
3. At the top of the AutoReplacement dialog box are two options. Replace Missing Items and
Replace Out-Of-Date Items. If you'd like to replace missing items such as missing audio files,
select the first option. If you'd like to replace out of date Events, the second option is for you.
4. The bottom section of the AutoReplacement window allows you to select four audio files and four
time ranges. Simply set your time ranges and drag Events in from the Event Builder. Feel free to
use Carts as AutoReplace replacement Events.
5. Click Done and you're all set!

Configuring TimeSync
TimeSync is a feature that allows you to synchronize your system clock with a satellite network using
Triggers. Basically you're allowing a window of system clock time where Simian will listen for a Trigger to
come down, and then reset the system clock to the designated time when the Trigger comes in. Here are
some simple instructions:
1. Go to Tools/Program Options and select the General tab.
2. Select Engage TimeSync and click the Settings button.
3. Set the TimeSync Time to the time that you expect to receive the Trigger.
4. Set the window larger than the amount of time that your computer typically gets "off time" from
the network.
5. Select the Trigger that you want to listen for.

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 6. Click OK and test.
For instance, we tell Simian that a Trigger normally comes in at 13:02, the Trigger to watch for is number
2, and we want to monitor that trigger for two minutes. Now Simian will listen for two minutes, starting at
13:01 computer time for the Trigger. When the Trigger comes in, Simian will set the system clock to 13:02
so you'll be TimeSynced up with the network.

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Chapter 4 Operation

Learning the Simian Interface

When Simian opens, you can see the main window – if it doesn’t look quite like the example above, click
the ‘Audio List is Visible’ option on the bottom right of your screen.
The Simian interface has a lot of the familiar Windows® features such as a Title Bar and menus across
the top.

The middle area, however, has “BSI-specific” features. This chapter covers all the elements but will focus
on the BSI-specific items; the three Main Playback Decks, the Program Log, and the Tool Panels.
We recommend taking the time to familiarize yourself with the interface. Learn where the basic
configuration options are (in the Tools menu and the Window/Security menu). Learn how to open Sets
(Memorized Events Sets, Trigger Sets, HotKey Sets), and how to drag events into them from the Event
Builder. You'll also want to check out the shortcut keys (Ctrl+B for Event Builder for example) and right-
click menus to move quickly around the program.
Menus
Menu selections can be made by clicking on the menu title or by pressing the first letter of the menu
name along with the ALT key on the PC keyboard. To open the File menu, press ALT+F. The sub-menu
items can then be activated by clicking on their names or by pressing the letter that is underlined in the
sub-menu name.

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Time & Date

The first thing below the menus at the top of the Simian main window are the time and date indicators.
You can click on them to change their format.
Clicking the time toggles between 12-hour to 24-hour time. Clicking the date indicator will toggle from an
extended "January 1, 2000" type display to a shorter "1/1/00" display. You can further modify the way the
Time and Date are displayed in the "Regional Settings" icon of the Windows Control Panel. Simian uses
the Windows settings as the template for the time and date displays. Just right-click the time or date to
bring up these settings.

Simian will also display temperature and weather information in this bar if you’ve opened the weather
dialog box and updated current conditions. Click CTRL+W to open the weather dialog box
Playback Decks
Simian has three playback decks toward the top of the program. Events are cycled through the decks
from left to right as Simian sequences through the Program Log. All Events in the Program log except for
Non-Sequential Events cycle through the Playback Decks. Each deck is made up of a few different parts.
Let's look at them individually:
Clocks – The three clocks, Intro, Count
Co Co
Up, and Count Down show you, Int un un
t
ro t Up
Do
respectively, the time left before the Intro Clo
Clo
w nC
ck loc
Tone in the Audio Event, the count up ck k

from the beginning of the Audio Event,

and the count down to the end of the
Audio Event. You can configure the decks Event Information
VU Meter
to count down to the segue tone in the
Audio Event by selecting the Clocks count
down to segue option under
Tools/Hardware Options/Playback.
VU Meters – The VU meters are standard on on on r to
n
tt tt tt be
t
u Bu
meters telling you the audio levels for the Bu
e
B Bu r ub n
tio
device assigned to that particular deck. ay us op Sc di
Pl Pa St Au
You can hide the VU Meters by selecting
Hide audio meters under Tools/Hardware
Options/Playback.

Play – The play button on a deck will start playback of that specific deck.
Pause – Pressing this button pauses playback for that deck.
Stop/Eject – When it looks like a stop button, it stops what's playing in the deck. When it looks like an
eject button, it ejects the Event that's currently loaded and loads the next available Event (NTL) in the
Program Log.
Scrubber – You can scrub through your Audio Events here. You'll also notice a little white coloring
toward the beginning and the end of the blue area under the slider control. The white is the area before
the Intro Tone and after the Secondary Tone. Scrubbers are hidden by default. You can turn them on
under Tools/Program Options/Playback.

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Audition – This button allows you to play Audio Events in the deck through your audition speakers. If you
click it, it turns red. This tells you that you're using the audition speakers. If you click it again, it turns blue
and whatever's playing goes out over the air.
Event Information – This area shows you all of the pertinent information about the Event that's loaded
into the deck. The information changes based on the type of Event. Macro Events will show different info
than Audio Events, etc.
Program Log
Simian's Program Log is its own version of the standard
radio industry program log. Simian simply sequences
down the log and plays Events. It may stop, start, or jump
forward based on information in the Cue column. You'll
find much more useful information on Program Logs a
little later in this chapter.

Audio List
The Audio List holds a list of the files that are currently
available in your Audio Database. This database is
created by SoundHound, which is covered completely in
Chapter 4. The Audio List can be hidden using the right-
hand button on the Status bar.

Tool Panels
As we move down, we come to the Tool Panels area. Here you will see one of four Panels. You select
your panels using the five buttons at the bottom-left of the main Simian window (see the Bottom Buttons
section on the next page). Let's look at each one individually:

Record Panel

The Record Panel has two Record Decks that you can use to manually record audio. You'll find
instructions on recording audio a little later in this section.

HotKeys Panel

HotKeys are a simple interface to push a button and play a sound. We'll go over their usage a
little later in this section.

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 VoiceTrack Panel

The VoiceTrack Panel holds the VoiceTrack Editor. Here you can easily create great-sounding
Voice Tracks with a simple-to-use interface. For all of the details, check out the Using The
VoiceTrack Editor section a little later in this chapter.
Mixer Panel

The Mixer Panel has two parts. On the left are sliders for Simian's four playback decks. On the
right are 16 configurable mixers. Check out the Using Mixers section of this chapter and the
Configuring Mixers section of Chapter 3 for more information.

Bottom Buttons

Simian has a row of buttons at the bottom of its main window. These buttons allow you to select the
active Tool Panel (or hide the Tool Panel with the Extend Log button), play and stop all playback decks,
and change the Automation Mode. The Automation Mode button changes color. Green for Full
automation (displayed as ‘Auto’, as shown), yellow for Live Assist, and red for Automation Off (displayed
as ‘Off’).

Status Bar

At the very bottom of the main Simian window is the Status Bar. The Status Bar gives you information on
the current state of Time Events, Triggers, and the Event Log. You can also hide and view the audio list.
This allows you to see the Program Log more easily during times when the Audio List is not needed.
There is a security setting to disable all of these buttons except the Audio List button, so if these buttons
stop working, ask your system administrator.

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Using Program Logs
Simian's Program Log is its own version of the standard radio industry program log. Simian simply
sequences down the log and plays Events. It may stop, start, or jump forward based on the data in the
Cue column.
Different kinds of Events cause Simian to do different things. An Audio Event may play a song, while a
DECKFADE Macro Event could change the volume of one of the three main play decks. Basically,
anything that takes up a line in a Program Log is an Event.
Events have Cues, which cause Simian to play differently. For instance, if Simian sequences down to an
Event that has an AutoStart Cue (+ in the Cue column), it will automatically play that Event. On the other
hand, if Simian sequences down to an Event that has a Manual Cue (Cue column empty), it will stop and
wait for some other reason to start. Those other reasons could be a Start Next Macro Event that's played
based on a HotKey, a Trigger, or from a press of the spacebar.
Let's page over and take a look at the
different parts of the Program Log:
At the top, you'll see the name of the
Program Log and the Air Date. To the right
is Runtime & Position Info. You can turn
Runtime & Position Info on and off under
the Log menu. You can also set an Air
Date for the log by clicking on the Program
Log name or the Air Date. Lastly, you can
turn the Runtime & Position Info off by
deselecting its option under the Log menu.
Below the Runtime & Position info, you'll
see the Column Titles. These simply point
out the different bits of information in the
individual Events. You can show and hide
them by right-clicking the Program Log
and selecting Show Column Titles.
The buttons across the bottom are pretty
self-explanatory, but let's go through them:
Cut – Cuts the selected Event out of the Program Log and places its data onto the Windows Clipboard for
later use.
Copy – Places a copy of the selected Event on the Windows Clipboard for later use.
Paste – Pastes an Event from the Windows Clipboard into the Program Log below the selected Event.
This will only work if an Event has been Cut or Copied.
Move Up – Moves the selected Event up in the Program Log.
Move Down – Moves the selected Event down in the Program log.
Event Builder – Displays the Event Builder interface.
Cue Up – Loads the selected Event into the next available Play Deck.

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You can also right-click the Program Log and get this menu:

Edit Info – Opens the BSI Info Editor for the selected Event.
Edit Audio – Opens the selected Audio Event's audio file in the selected
audio editor. You define your audio editor under Tools/Program
Options/Paths.
Undo – Reverses your last action
Cut, Copy, Paste – These work just like their corresponding buttons at
the bottom of the Program Log.
Quick Insert – Allows you to quickly type in the file name for an audio
file. It will be automatically assigned to an Audio Event and inserted into
the Program Log below the selected Event.
Make Next – Cues up the selected Event to play next.
Toggle AutoStart – Will toggle the selected Event's Cue information
between AutoStart and Manual.
Clear Status – Clears the information in the Status column for the
selected Event.
Set Runtime Start – Starts the Runtime & Position info at the time it is
clicked.

Set Runtime Start – Starts the Runtime & Position info at the time it is clicked.
Event Builder – Works just like its corresponding button at the bottom of the Program Log.
Show Column Titles – Shows or hides the column headers in the Program Log.
Change Font – Allows you to change the font displayed in the Program Log and the Audio List.

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Creating Program Logs
There are several ways to create Program Logs. If you are not using a traffic or music scheduling
system, you will probably create your Program Logs from scratch using the Event Builder. If you are
using traffic and/or music scheduling software, you will be importing “raw” logs from those systems and
then editing them in Simian.
The Event Builder is the tool that you will use to manually build and edit all your Program Logs (and any
other lists, such as HotKey Sets) in Simian. The basic strategy for building your lists is to simply open
Event Builder, configure the Events with the options provided, set the Event Variables, then drag and
drop Events from the Event Builder “Drag From Here” spot into the place in the Program Log where you
want them to go. Once you have all your Events in your Program Log, you can drag them around or cut
and paste them using familiar Windows Cut, Copy and Paste commands.
To chain one Program Log to the next, you can add a "Log" event to the bottom of your log that calls the
next Program Log. When Simian sequences down the Program Log to a Log Event it will load that
Program Log and start it according to the cue of the first Event in the new Program Log.

Manually Creating a New Program Log

To start a new log from scratch:
1. Select File/New Program Log.
2. Select Tools/Event Builder.
3. Select an Audio Event from the list on the Audio tab of the Event Builder.
4. Set its Event Variables. These are the Cue, Category, and Scheduled Time. In this situation the
Cue will be AutoStart, The Category will be Audio and the Scheduled Time will be 00:00:00, as
we are not configuring this Event to be a Timed Event.
5. Drag from the Drag From Here spot into the Program Log.
6. Repeat steps 3-5, using different types of Events until you have a working Program Log.
Audio Events are just one type of Event, and we used them here as an example because they are easy to
configure. Once your Events are listed in the Program Log, you can cut and paste them from one line to
another or use your mouse to drag and drop them into different places.

Manually Editing Program Logs

There are several different ways to manually edit a Program Log in Simian. You can insert Events,
modify Events, move Events, and delete Events. You can even change an Event's Cue by pushing a
single button.
To change the Cue of a highlighted Event, press the appropriate Cue symbol key on the number pad or
keyboard. For example, you can change many events to AutoStart at once by highlighting them and
tapping the "+" key.
You can cut, copy, paste, or delete Events by using the right-click menu, the buttons at the bottom of the
Program Log, or by using the standard Windows Hot Keys:
To cut events press Ctrl + X
To copy events press Ctrl + C
To paste events press Ctrl + V
To delete events press the Delete key

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You can cut, copy or delete multiple events by holding the SHIFT or CTRL keys to select many Events at
once. Click on the first Event you want to select, then press and hold the SHIFT key. Click on the last
Event you want. The entire range in between will be highlighted. Or click on the first event you want, hold
the CTRL key, and select Events out of sequence. Now you can cut or copy the whole range. You can
also paste the entire range into the current Program Log, Memorized Events window, or any other list
item.

You can use the "quick insert" function to insert an Audio Event in your Program Log if you know
the filename. Press Ctrl-Q or right-click on the program log where you want to insert the Event
and choose "Quick Insert" from the pop-up menu.
Saving Changes to Program Logs
To save any changes you’ve made to a program log, select File/Save. To give it a new name, select
File/Save As, type a new name, and click OK.
To change the description or other properties of a Program Log, click on the Properties button in the Save
As dialog box, make the desired changes, and click OK.
Calculating Run Times
Simian will calculate the run time for a selected group of Events. To do this, go to the Log menu and
choose Display Runtime & Position Info. The information will appear on the right at the top of the
Program Log. For Example, if you highlight Events five through nine, (5/9) will appear and the calculated
run time will appear next to it. To the right of this figure is the number of the currently highlighted Event
(H) and the total number of Events in the log (T).

Verifying Program Logs

You can check a Program Log at any time for errors
using the Program Log Verification routine. This will
help you identify any Event whose associated file
might be missing (wave files, text files, Program
Logs, and carts). Select Log/Verify Program Log
from the menu bar. This will give you Program Log
statistics, verification options and a window to view
the error log results. These are each described
below:
Program Log Statistics
EXTENDED INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURRENT
PROGRAM LOG IS AVAILABLE IN THE TOP OF THE
PROGRAM LOG VERIFICATION WINDOW. THIS
INCLUDES THE PROGRAM LOG NAME, ITS
DESCRIPTION, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS AND
THE CURRENT LINE (THE LINE CURRENTLY
HIGHLIGHTED).

Log Verification Options

In the middle portion of the window you can choose your verification options. These include Mark Errors
in Program Log, Create Error List, Verify Length of Audio Files and Check Start and End Dates as of a
certain date. Simian can check Start and End dates relatively, meaning what would be early or late as of
a future date. For example, if it’s Friday and you are checking Monday’s log, any spots that don’t start
until Sunday will be flagged as being out of date, which won’t be true on Monday. Simian allows you to
check the log as of Monday, meaning it will know that the Sunday spots will be valid as of Monday. This
also works with spots that will expire before a certain day. You can check the log “as of” any date up to a
week in the future.

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Results
If you select Create Error List, Simian will review the currently loaded Program Log for errors then
generate an error list that you can view on-screen or print. You can go back and review the results of the
most recent error check by selecting View Error List.
Automatically check logs when loaded
This option will cause Simian to automatically check for missing/expired events in your Program Log
whenever Simian loads one (When opening a log, when a log is loaded with the CHAIN macro, or if
Simian has been configured to, when Simian starts and loads the last log).

Chaining Logs
In most fully automated situations, you will want Simian to automatically load up and start the next day’s
Program Log to create a continuous chain of logs. The CHAIN macro in conjunction with the Scheduled
Events function of Simian is used to accomplish this.

First, go to the Async menu and

choose Show Scheduled
Events.
The Scheduled Events window
will appear as shown at right.

Open Event Builder either by clicking on the

Event Builder icon , or by going to the

Tools menu in the main Simian window and
choosing Event Builder.
Once in the Event Builder, go to the Macro
tab and choose ”CHAIN” from the Macro
name dropdown list.

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Click your mouse cursor into the Macro name dropdown. Move the cursor to the end of the word
“CHAIN”, add a space, then add the name of your program log. The CHAIN macro has the ability to
use meta variables to represent the file name. This means that it can dynamically find your program
log based on the current day or date using the following codes:
%W [the first three letters of the day, Ex: Mon, Tue]
%M [two digits representing the month]
%D [two digits representing the day]
%Y [two digits representing the year]
Therefore, if your program logs are named with the date that log is going to air, your CHAIN macro
should be entered as shown.

Now you are ready to add your CHAIN macro to your Scheduled Events.

Click and drag from the Drag From Here icon and drop it onto the Scheduled Events window.

Now that the event has been added, we need to set

the days and time it is to occur.
To set the days, highlight the CHAIN event added to
the Scheduled Events window in the last step. Click

on the Set Event Schedule icon .

The window shown at right will appear. In most cases
you will want to CHAIN your logs every day, so click
on the Every Day button, then click OK.

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Make sure the CHAIN event is still highlighted. To set
the time the event will occur, click on the Set Event

Time icon .
The CHAIN macro should be set to 23:59:50 under
most circumstances. Because the meta variables
always reference tomorrow’s date, running the CHAIN
macro before midnight will load up the next day’s log
to be ready to play at the top of the hour.
After setting the time, click on the Set button.

You are now done adding the CHAIN event to your

Scheduled Events. Make sure to save your
Scheduled Events set. Just as importantly, make sure
you set your saved Scheduled Events set as the set
Simian is currently using, and also that it is the set
automatically loaded when Simian starts by setting the
Startup Scheduled Events and Current Scheduled
Events dropdowns to your saved set before closing
the Scheduled Events window.

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Importing and Merging Logs
Considerations
All scheduling software exports either a character delimited or position dependent text file regardless of
the three-character filename extension.
Simian simply reads these files to find the columns and then rearranges the columns.
Let’s talk about text…
Text files are very simple containers that hold characters. Characters are letters, numbers, punctuation
marks, Symbols, etc. Basically, characters are anything that take up one “placeholder” in a text file such
as “A” “8” “#” “+” “ “ or even “☺”
Program Logs are saved as text files, but with a special character to represent the separation between
the different ‘pieces’ of data. There aren’t really any scheduling programs out there that export “smiley
delimited” text files, but the point is that the delimiting character is a unique character that separates the
information and that won’t be used within the text (this means that comma or apostrophe delimited might
not be a good choice if you use those characters in your Artist Names and Titles. Also note that “#” or “+”
delimited would be a bad choice of delimiting character because those characters are both used to
represent cue types in Simian. Most commonly used delimiting characters are “|” or the [tab] key).
So, we’ve got our text file with a bunch of characters all in rows. Now it’s time to talk about a couple other
terms; Records and Columns. For our use, records are individual horizontal lines in the text file. Columns,
however are a little more complicated. In its simplest form, column means information in a stack, but how
do we split up groups of records into columns?
There are two different ways; Character Delimitation and Position Dependence. We’ll examine each one
individually.
In a character delimited text file, the individual record has a particular character inserted into it to delimit it
into columns. Here’s an example of a comma delimited text file:
Column1,Column2,Column3,Column4
Column1,Column2,Column3,Column4
In a position dependent text file, the records are split into columns based on the number of character
placeholders (counted from the left). Any information that falls within the number of placeholders belongs
in that column. Here’s an example of a position dependent text file where each column is ten characters
wide:
Column1 Column2 Column3 Column4
Column1 Column2 Column3 Column4
[ 4 Columns = 40 placeholders ]
In a position dependent text file, each column can be a different length or number of characters. Here’s
an example of four columns that have lengths of 3, 5, 7, and 9 characters:
+ info name address
[3][ 5 ][ 7 ][ 9 ]
Let’s Tie It In:
Now that we understand the difference between a character delimited and position dependent text files,
let’s look at the process for setting up the import filters for each type of text file. The first thing that we
need to find out is what kind of text file your individual scheduling software creates. There are two ways to
do this. You can call up the manufacturer of the scheduling software and ask (if you do, and if it’s
character delimited, make sure that you find out the delimiting character as well) or you can simply open
the file in a text editor such as WordPad and use your newfound knowledge to discern the nature of the
file yourself! Once you know, you can move down to the appropriate section of this area and continue
from there…

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Character Delimited:
So, you’ve ferreted out the nature of your text file, but after analyzing it with the previous instructions, it
looks like it is bar delimited (the character “|”). Now we can go about setting up the filter appropriately.
When you open the Log Import tab under Tools/Program Options in Simian, it looks like this:

Let’s look at each section of the Log Import tab one at a time:
1. Import Format: These three radio buttons allow you to choose between three completely different
import formats. All of the other import settings change based on which format you choose here.
2. This section allows you to set up the import filter to accept either a Position Dependent or character
Delimited text file. If you choose Delimited, it will also allow you to choose the delimiting character.
3. This is where the rubber meets the road. If we look at the Simian interface, then your text file, it will
become very apparent that our columns are probably not in the same order. Let’s look at an example
of a “real life” scheduler log:
00:03:00|+|1460|FORTUNATE SON|CREEDENCE|AUDIO|00:00
00:06:00|+|1266|TAKE IT EASY|EAGLES|AUDIO|03:25
00:09:00|+|8030|JUST LIKE STARTING OVER|JOHN LENNON|AUDIO|04:50
00:12:00|+|1083|BROWN SUGAR|ROLLING STON|AUDIO|03:44
00:15:00|+|1172|I SHOT THE SHERIFF|ERIC CLAPTON|AUDIO|00:00
00:18:00|+|1318|AINT THAT PECULIAR|MARVIN GAYE|AUDIO|03:57
00:21:00|+|1634|BOOGIE SHOES|K C AND THE|AUDIO| 02:09
00:24:00|+|1213|SUPERSTITION|STEVIE WONDE|AUDIO|04:22
Now, let’s have a look at this… Sure looks like the Cue information is in the second column. In this case,
we’d put a “2” in the Cue text box. It’s that simple! If there’s information in the text file that Simian doesn’t
ask for, feel free to omit it. If there’s information that Simian asks for, but the text file doesn’t have it, don’t
worry, Simian doesn’t always need all of the information that it asks for. Here are a couple common
examples:
The log doesn’t include information for the Category for all or some of the records. If the information in
the Category field is missing, Simian will automatically assume that the Category is “Audio”. In this
situation, if the Event is not an audio file it will error.
Length is used only for log verification, and is unimportant during actual playback.

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Description is optional for all events other than Macros.
Time is only important for sorting and for Timed Events.
4. This ominous looking little area is there to keep you from having to go back and forth between the
main Simian interface and the Log Import tab. You’ll notice that the columns correspond to those in
the main Simian Program Log. The reason for this is that you use this area to open and test a text file
to make sure that the settings in section 3 are correct. Once they line up properly here, you’ll never
need to use this section again. Simply use the Set Test File button to open the text file, and then use
the Test button to test the file as you make changes to section 3. Once you have things the way that
you want them, just click the Save Changes button to save the import format.
5. Section Five will, just as it says, put a “+” in the cue column for every Event. This is used mostly by
music-on-hard drive stations whose scheduler logs don’t include cue information.
6. The Save Changes button simply saves the changes that you’ve made to this particular Import
Format.

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Position Dependent

Well, now. You’ve looked at your text file and found that it’s position dependent. In this case, when you
go to Tools/Program Options and select the Log Import tab, you’ll want to select Position Dependent
(in box 2) right away. Once you have, the interface will look like this:

Let’s look at each section of the Log Import tab one at a time:
1. Import Format: These three radio buttons allow you to choose between three completely different
import formats. All of the other import settings change based on which format you choose here.
2. This section allows you to set up the import filter to accept either a Position Dependent or character
Delimited text file. If you choose Delimited, it will also allow you to choose the delimiting character.
3. Here’s the heart and soul of this dialog box. If we look at the Simian interface, then at your text file, it
will become very apparent that our columns are probably not in the same order. Let’s look at an
example of a “real life” log:

00:03:00+1460 FORTUNATE SON CREEDENCE AUDIO 00:00

00:06:00+1266 TAKE IT EASY EAGLES AUDIO 03:25
00:09:00+8030 JUST LIKE STARTING OVERJOHN LENNON AUDIO 04:50
00:12:00+1083 BROWN SUGAR ROLLING STONAUDIO 03:44
00:15:00+1172 I SHOT THE SHERIFF ERIC CLAPTONAUDIO 00:00
00:18:00+1318 AINT THAT PECULIAR MARVIN GAYE AUDIO 03:57
00:21:00+1634 BOOGIE SHOES K C AND THE AUDIO 02:09
00:24:00+1213 SUPERSTITION STEVIE WONDEAUDIO 04:22
00:27:00+1015 SON OF A SON OF A SA JIMMY BUFFETAUDIO 03:17
[ 8 ]1[ 8 ][ 23 ][ 12 ][ 6 ][ 5 ]
[------------------------63 Placeholders----------------------]

Let’s have a look at this. Using the knowledge that we picked up earlier, it looks like the cue starts on
placeholder 9 and is one character long. Therefore, we enter a 9 and a 1 (respectively) in the boxes after
Cue. It’s really that simple! If there’s information in the text file that Simian doesn’t ask for, feel free to omit

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it. If there’s information that Simian asks for, but the text file doesn’t have it, don’t worry, Simian doesn’t
always need all of the information that it asks for. Here are a couple common examples:
The log doesn’t include information for the Category for all or some of the records. If the information in
the Category field is missing, Simian will automatically assume that the Category is “Audio”.
Length is used only for log verification and is unimportant during actual playback.
Description is optional for all events other than Macros.
Time is only important for sorting and for Timed Events.
4. This area is there to keep you from having to go back and forth between the main Simian interface
and the Log Import tab. You’ll notice that the columns correspond to those in the Program Log. The
reason for this is that you use this area to open and test a text file to make sure that the settings in
section 3 are correct. Once they line up properly here, you’ll never need to use this section again.
Simply use the Set Test File button to open the text file, then use the Test button to test the file as
you make changes to section 3. Once you’re done, use the Save Changes button to save your import
format.
5. Section Five will, just as it says, put a “+” in the cue column for every event. This is used mostly by
music-on-hard drive stations whose scheduler logs don’t include cue information.
6. The Save Changes button simply saves the changes that you’ve made to this particular Import
Format.

Implementation:
So, once you’ve got your filters set up, how do you use them? Just go under the File menu in the main
Simian interface and select Import, then select the format that you want to use (remember area 1?).
Where’d the file go? For Simian to see the files, they need to be put in the folder that you designate under
Tools/Program Options/Paths. You can designate the location for the Log Import folder (the folder
where the “raw” text files go) and the Program Logs folder (the folder where the .bsi logs are created
when you import your log) under the Other Paths drop-down list.
So, why the two folders? When you import your file, Simian reads the “raw” text file from the Log import
folder and uses that information to create the .bsi file in the Program Logs folder.
Tech Only Information: The .bsi files are just Access 97 database files with a different extension. Feel
free to edit them there if you want to. You can also use the Paths tab to have Simian read raw logs
directly from the folder where the scheduling program writes them. Just path across the network.

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Using the Audio List
The Audio List holds a list of the files that are currently available in your Audio Database. This database is
created by SoundHound, which is covered completely in its sections of this manual.
At the top of the Audio List, you'll see information on
how many files are currently in the Audio Database
and how they are sorted or filtered. Below that, you'll
see a list of audio files and carts. These can be
made into Audio Events by simply dragging them
from the Audio List into the Program Log. If you
right-click on the Audio List, you'll get options to
show the details of the audio files in the list and
change the default Cue used when you click on the
Add button.
At the bottom of the Audio List there's a set of
buttons. Let's look at each of these individually:
Add – This button will add the selected audio file
into the Program Log as an Audio Event directly
underneath the selected Event. If you'd like to
change the default Cue for items that you add to the
Program Log using the Add button, simply right-click
on the Audio List and select Default Event Cue, then AutoStep or Manual.
Filter – Opens the Filter audio list dialog box, which will let you filter the items in the Audio List down to a
subset so that you can easily find what you're looking for. Want to single out all of your audio files with an
Artist/Advertiser tag of "Aerosmith"? Here's the place to do it.
Sort By – Allows you to quickly sort your Audio List by most of the major Audio Tags. Want to put the
Audio List in order by Year? Here's the feature you're looking for.
Folders – Allows you to select any single folder that SoundHound is currently indexing. Want to only look
at items in your "spots" folder? Simply select it from the list.
Z-A – Sorts your Audio List alphabetically according to file name, ascending or descending. In other
words, from A-Z or from Z-A.

Find – Helps you quickly find an audio file in the

Audio List. When you click on the Find button, the
Audio List will change to look like what you see at
the right. You can use the buttons at the top to
automatically find files alphabetically or type in a
search string. The 0-9 button will change the letters
to numbers. Click the Find button at the bottom a
second time to return to the normal Audio List
interface.
Audition – This button will look like a play or stop
button depending on whether or not you are using it.
It plays the selected file in the Audio List through
your Audition Device.

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Using Event Logs
If you selected the Event logging on at startup
option on the General tab of the Simian
Program Options window, Simian keeps a
record of all the events that happened that day
in a file.
The file will be named that day’s date and will
be created in the program log folder for your
review at a later time. The file names are six
characters long followed by the "lst" or “mdb”
extension (You can choose ASCII or MS
Access database format on the General tab as
well). For example: the events on Saturday,
September 16, 2001 would be kept in a file
called 010916.lst or 010916.mdb in the
program log folder. You also have an option to
add the station ID and session number to the
file name under Tools/Program Options on the
General tab. This helps avoid overwriting files
in multi-station installations.
To open an Event Log, just select Log/View
Event Logs from the menu bar, then select
your Event Log and click Open. You can print
an Event Log by selecting File/Print from the
Event Log dialog box.
Event Logs are often used for creating As Run
lists for reconciliation.

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Using the Event Builder
The Event Builder is the main tool used in manual
Program Log production work in Simian. It is your
best tool for manually building Events, editing
Program Logs and all other list items such as carts,
HotKey Sets and Trigger Sets. It can also provide
access to the Info Editor where you can view, add and
edit the label information for carts and WAV files.

You can open the Event Builder in one of three ways:

• Select Tools/Event Builder.
• Press Ctrl+B.

Click the Event Builder button at the bottom of the

Program Log. Events in the Program Log can be
edited or created using the Event Builder. On
opening the Event Builder, you will see the Audio tab,
which shows you a list of files available in your Audio
Database. To add an Audio Event, just click on an
item in the list, set the Event Variables and drag from
the Drag From Here spot into the Program Log. You'll
notice that on different tabs you'll have the ability to
change different Event Variables. One example is on the Macro tab, where you can edit the text string
that will go into the Description Event Variable. Which Event Variables are available for editing depends
on the type of Event that you are building.
The bottom section of all of the tabs on the Event Builder are the same. It includes the following Event
Variables:
Cue
The Cue variable corresponds directly the Cue column in the Program Log. It holds information on how
an Event starts. For Instance, the “+” or “AutoStart” cue causes the item to play automatically as soon as
Simian sequences down to it. Individual cues have many different uses. Let's take a look at each one
individually:
Manual Start (no symbol) -- When the Program Log sequences down to a manual Event, it will load that
Event into the next available deck and then stop.
AutoStart (+) -- When the Program Log sequences down to an AutoStart Event, the Event will load into
the next available deck and start automatically.
Time Immediate (@) -- A Time Immediate Event will not wait for Simian to sequence down to it. If the
Scheduled Time for a Time Immediate Event comes about before the Program Log reaches it, Simian will
stop whatever it is doing and immediately jump down and start the Time Immediate Event.
If Simian sequences down to a Time Immediate Event before its Scheduled Time, then Simian’s behavior
is dependent upon an option on the General tab of the Simian Program Options window. That option is
called "AutoStep through time events".
If AutoStep through timed events is on, and Simian sequences down to a Time Immediate Event prior to
its Scheduled Time, Simian will step through the Time Immediate Event as if it had an AutoStart cue .
If AutoStep through timed events is off and Simian sequences down to a Time Immediate Event prior to
its Scheduled Time, Simian will load the Time Immediate Event, but then wait to start the Event until the
scheduled time occurs.

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When you choose to make an event a Timed Event by assigning the Time Immediate, Time Next or Non
Sequential cue, you must configure the Scheduled Time Event Variable in the Event Builder.
Time Next (#) -- A Time Next Event will not wait for Simian to sequence down to it. If the Scheduled Time
for a Time Next Event comes about before the Program Log reaches it, Simian will finish the currently
playing event, then jump down and start the Time Next Event.
If Simian sequences down to a Time Next event before its Scheduled Time, then Simian’s behavior is
dependent upon an option on the General tab of the Simian Program Options window. That option is
called "AutoStep through time events".
If AutoStep through timed events is on and Simian sequences down to a Time Next Event prior to its
Scheduled Time, then Simian will step through the Time Next Event as if it had an AutoStart cue.
If AutoStep through timed Events is off, and Simian sequences down to a Time Next Event prior to its
Scheduled Time, Simian will load the Time Next Event, but then wait to start the Event until the scheduled
time occurs.
When you choose to make an event a Timed Event by assigning the Time Immediate, Time Next or Non
Sequential cue, you must configure the Scheduled Time Event Variable in the Event Builder.
Back Fill (!) – The Back Fill cue will cause Simian to change the pitch of the Events leading up to it in
order to make sure that the Back Fill Event plays at its scheduled time. Check out Chapter 4 for more
information on Back Time.
Non-Sequential (N) -- Non-Sequential Events are usually non-audio Events you want to initiate at a
certain time, but aren’t related to the current Program Log. They are typically added after the last Event
in the log. For example, a File Backup Event or a Satellite feed that you want to record and play later
might be used as a non-sequential timed Event. Non-Sequential Timed Events will occur at the time set
by the Scheduled Time Event Variable. Non-Sequential Events play in the Asynchronous Deck.

Non-sequential Events are for the most part obsolete due to the fact that Simian has gained a new
function called Scheduled Events (Under the Async menu). Non-sequential events have been retained to
protect backward compatibility.
Category
The Category drop-down list allows you to assign a category to your Event. Categories are fully explained
in Chapter 3.
Scheduled Time
Scheduled Time is normally used to assign a time for a Time Event to play. You can, however, assign a
Scheduled Time to any Event.

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The Audio Tab
The Audio tab of the Event Builder is basically a way for you
to sort, filter, and select audio files and carts so that you can
create Audio Events and move them into the Program Log, a
cart, or any other list that you’d like. This is also the best
place to create carts.
Audio Tab Toolbar

Let’s look at each button on the Audio Tab Toolbar, one at a time:
New Cart – creates a new cart that you can then configure. Carts are a kind of "mini log" that you can run
inside of the main Program Log. They are designed to emulate the old-fashioned tape carts used in Radio
for years. With their ability to add macros, they become a very powerful tool. Check out the section on
Carts in chapter 4.
Delete Selected Items – Permanently deletes any items that you have selected in your Audio List from
the hard drive.
Search – Allows you to search the items in the Audio List for a particular phrase.
Filter – This button opens the Filter audio list dialog box. Here you can look at a subset of the Audio List
by filtering out items based on many different criteria.
Remove Filter – After you’ve filtered and want to see all of the Audio List again, press this button.
Sort A to Z – This will put the Audio List in alphabetical order from A to Z.
Sort Z to A – This will put the Audio List in reverse alphabetical order from Z to A.

You can filter, then sort or sort, then filter.

Print Audio List – Will print the current Audio List to any printing device that is properly installed in
Windows. Printed lists will reflect sorting and filtering.
Audition – Press this button to play any selected file. The file will play through the audio device that is
assigned to the Audition/Preview deck on the Playback tab of the Simian Options window. When an
audition is playing, the button will change to a stop button.

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The Audio List
The Audio List displays a list of audio files. Its contents will vary depending on how you sort and filter the
list. You can double click on a cart or WAV file to open it up in the Info Editor window. You can have
multiple carts and WAV file view windows open at one time. If you right-click on a file in the Audio List,
you can choose several options from the menu that appears, including:

Edit info - opens Info Editor so you can change the audio label
Edit audio - launches your audio editor
Delete file – Deletes the file from your hard drive
Sort By - lists files in ascending or descending order, by file name,
title/description, category, start or end date, length, artist/advertiser, year,
album or genre
Folders - Show all paths or just one specific folder
Refresh – Refreshes the selected folder or set of folders.
Print current list – Prints the current audio list to any available printing
device

Show Details – displays full WAV file label in file window

Change list font – Allows you to change the font in the Audio List

The Record Tab

The Record Tab has now largely been replaced by the
RECORD Macro and we advise customers to use the
RECORD Macro as Scheduled Events. The information
remains here for legacy users.
The Record Tab is designed to help you create Record
Events. This gives you the freedom to schedule your
recordings, start your recordings based on triggers, or start
and stop them using any of the other features of Simian.
On the top-left, you'll see a list of the items that are stored
under the folder that you have designated as Record Deck #1
default record in the Other Paths drop-down list on the Paths
tab under Tools/Program Options.
You can delete files from the list (and permanently from the
hard drive) by selecting them and using the button with the
black x.
To the right, you'll see text boxes where you can manually fill
a File Name and Description for the audio file that your
Record Event will create.

The Record File Length drop-down list will allow you to select a length for your Record Event.
Here are some considerations when dealing with Record Events:
Remember that in order to play back files later; you’ll want to make sure that that deck is recording into a
folder which is indexed by SoundHound, and therefore available to Simian. You can set the destination
folders for your record decks under Tools/Program Options/Paths.

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Remember that you are choosing one of the two record decks to handle your record Event. Make sure
that the record deck that you choose is set up correctly on the Paths tab in the Simian Program Options
window.
You’ll need to manually set the record input volume level on your audio card. If the record volume is set
to zero, Simian will record only silence. You’ll want to open your audio card’s mixer to set the record
input level. If you need help, give your audio card manufacturer a call.
Remember to set the Record Length by selecting one of the preset times in the “Record File Length” pull
down list or type in a length in the 00:00 format (minutes: seconds).
Make sure that you set the Cue. The default Cue is Manual. You can also select Auto Start or one of the
time modes, which will require you to enter a specific time.

The App Tab

The Applications (App) tab allows you to start any executable
file available to your computer as an Application Event.
What this means is that if you wanted to, you could launch
Microsoft Word as an Event in Simian.
This function is really powerful because you can use it to run
all different kinds of applications, batch files or VB Script files
by setting them up as Events in Simian.
Simply select the executable file from the list, set the other
Event Variables, and drag your new Application Event into
your Program Log.
(In the event your application, path and parameters are too
long, use a batch file to launch it instead).

The Log Tab

The Log Event has now largely been replaced by the CHAIN
Macro and we advise customers to use the CHAIN Macro as
a Scheduled Event to load each day’s Program Log.
Log Events allow you to load another Program Log as an
Event. This means that at any point in your Program Log, you
can have Simian start another Program Log automatically.
Although sometimes referred to as “Chaining” logs, this
should not be confused with the CHAIN Macro..
Just select the Program Log that you want, set up the Event’s
variables, and drag it into the currently loaded Event Log.
Remember that for Program Logs to show up in the list on the
Log tab, the Program Log files must be in the folder that you
designate for Program Logs on the Paths tab of the Simian
Program Options window. There’s also a big black X button
that allows you to delete any selected logs from the list, which
deletes them permanently from the hard drive.

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The Macro Tab
Simian has a number of macros available that allow you to
automate all sorts of things such as control of peripherals via
the serial port, fade decks, start & stop decks, etc. You’ll want
to check out all of the different macros, and their descriptions,
which are available a little later in this very chapter. For now,
just know that if you want to manually insert Macro Events in
your log, you’ll do it from the Macro tab in the Event Builder.
Simply set up the Event Variables, including the text string,
and then drag your Macro Event into your Program Log just
like any other Event.
Unfortunately for you computer geeks out there, you cannot
create macros in Simian using VBA or the like. You can
however, create any application that you want and run it as
an APP Event (see The App Tab section on the previous
page). You'll find a visual reference for all of the available
macros in the Appendix.

Text/Tag Tab
Text Events are useful because you can put text in front of
your DJ any time you want. Just create a text file using
Notepad or the like, then put it in the folder that you
designate for text files on the Paths tab of the Simian
Program Options window. Once your text files are in that
folder, they’ll show up in the list on the Text/Tag tab of the
Event Builder. All you need to do at that point is select the
file, add a Description if you'd like, set up your other Event
Variables and drag in your Text Event.

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Video Tab
You can set a video as an Event and it will show on the
screen on the on-air computer. Just put the video file in the
folder that you designate for video files on the Paths tab of
the Simian Options window. Once the video is in that folder, it
will show up in the list on the Video tab of the Event Builder.
Once that's done, all that you have to do is select it, set your
Event Variables, and drag your new Video Event into your
Program Log.

Script Tab
If you’re using Simian for Internet broadcasting using the
Microsoft Media Services encoder, then this tab’s for you.
First, go to the Internet tab of the Simian Program Options
window, enable MSMS functionality, and designate your
.WME file. Once that is done, you can send any one of the
scripts available on the Script tab to the encoder. Just select
your script, set your Event Variables, and drag in your Script
Event.

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Comment Tab
If you want to put an Event in your Program Log that does
absolutely nothing more than exist as an Event in the
Program log, then the Comment Event is the Event that
you’re looking for.
You can assign any cue to a comment Event and it will do
nothing when it is started. This is a good way to put
"information only" lines in your Program Log.
Comment Events are also a good way to keep yourself time-
aligned. Just set a Comment Event as a Timed Event (Time
Immediate or Time Next) and Simian will jump to that
Comment Event (which does nothing) at the scheduled time.
You can also keep your comments in the drop-down list for
later use by clicking the Memorize comment button. The
Delete from memory button allows you to clear entries from
the dropdown list.

Using the Info Editor

The BSI Info Editor is actually a separate application that is installed with Simian. This allows you to
launch the Info Editor from within BSI applications and from within Windows right-click menu:
• Right-click any file in any List Item in most BSI products, then select Edit Info.
• Right-click any audio file in any folder in Windows, then select Edit Info.
• Open Info Editor in ‘Standalone’ mode from the Broadcast Software folder or Desktop shortcuts.
The Info Editor allows you to add internal tagging information to your audio files. This allows you to keep
all of the information about an audio file directly within the file. The Info Editor has five tabs to allow you to
enter a multitude of data. Let's look at them individually:
The Description/Tones Tab
Title/Description – Here you can enter the name of your
audio file.
Artist/Advertiser – Here you can enter the name for the
creator of the file.
Location – Shows you where the file is stored on your hard
drive.
Category – You can assign a category to a file so that it will
always display the correct category in the Audio List and
Event Builder.
Format – allows you to view the file attributes of your file.
No fade at segue – This option will assure that the file will
never fade out at the end no matter what settings are
configured in Simian. Great for spots.
Play/Stop/Pause – These buttons allow you to preview
your file right inside of the Info Editor. This makes setting
Tones much easier.
Tones/Hook – When you set Tones, you can set both
regular Intro and Secondary Tones. You can also set Hook
Tones for use with Simian's Hook Cart functionality.
From Start – Allows you to see how far the slider is from the beginning of the file during playback.
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Length – Shows you the length of the file.
From End – Allows you to see how far the slider is from the end of the file during playback.
Slider – the Slider control allows you to scrub through the song during playback. Secondly, you can see
the Tones or Hook within the Slider. Just look for white space on both ends of the blue bar under the
Slider. The white at the beginning is your Intro and the white at the end is your Segue.
Intro – Visible when Tones is selected – This button allows you to set the Intro Tone for the audio file,
while the time window allows you to see exactly where the tone is set.
Segue – Visible when Tones is selected – This button allows you to set the Secondary Tone for the
audio file, while the time window allows you to see exactly where the Secondary Tone is set.
Hook Start – Visible when Hook is selected – Here you can set the start for the "hook" for the audio file.
Hook End – Visible when Tones is selected – Here you can set the end for the audio file's "hook".

The Times/Album Tab

Start Date/End Date – If you designate a start and end date for
your files, Simian can use its AutoReplace feature to replace
them if they are out of date.
Album – Type in the album name here.
Year – Holds the year info for the file.
Genre – Holds the genre info for the file.
Track# – Holds the track info for the file.

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The Authoring Tab
Producer – Holds the producer info for the file.
Talent – Holds the talent info for the file.
Composer – Holds the composer info for the file.
Publisher – Holds the publisher info for the file.
Copyright – Holds the copyright info for the file.
Comments –Holds any comment information that you would
like to include in the file.

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The Commercial Tab
OutCue – Holds the OutCue info for the file.
Agency – Holds the agency info for the file.
Account Executive/Sales Person – Holds account exec and
sales person info.
Copy – Holds information that you'd like to add to the file. This tag
can be displayed in a text box within Simian any time the file is
played. Just select Tools/Program Options/General and put a
check in the Display Copy Field option.
URL – You can associate a URL with each file and then send that
URL to the Dynamic HTML Page, or the MS Encoder.

The Music Tab

Key – Holds the key in which the cut was performed.
End – Holds information on how the cut ends.
Energy – Another common descriptor for audio cuts.
Texture – Helps you sort your cuts by audience.
Tempo – Holds the tempo in which the cut was performed.
Beats Per Minute – Holds the BPM info for the file.

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The About Tab
The About tab gives you the version of the Info Editor that you're
using, as well as a link to our website and some information on the
versions of supporting .dll files.
The really important thing on this tab is the Output device for
audition. This device allows you to select which audio device
you'd like to use for playback while you're tagging files.
If you’d like you can force your computer to use the Windows
CODEC instead of any on-soundcard CODECs that you may
have. Just click Force use of ACM CODEC.
You'll also find a link to our website here.

Info Editor Standalone Mode

In Standalone Mode, the interface also displays a list of files for a given folder.

Using this mode, it’s also possible to bulk-change some fields in multiple files. To do this, first make sure
that the field you wish to edit is available as a column.

Then highlight the files you want to change in bulk and right-click the column heading of the field you want
to edit. A dialog box will open prompting you to enter the value that will be tagged to all the files.

BE CAREFUL WHEN USING THIS POWERFUL FUNCTION – THERE’S NO SANITY CHECK OR

UNDO SO IF YOU DECIDE TO TAG A 3000ms SEGUE MARKER TO ALL YOUR CAREFULLY
TAGGED FILES, ALL YOUR FILES WILL NOW SEGUE 3000ms BEFORE THE END OF THE AUDIO
FILE

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Using Carts
For those who are not familiar with carts, they are like mini-Program Logs. They're a list of Events that are
sequenced through based on their Cue. The difference here is that Simian will not stop when it finds a
Manual Event in a Cart, instead, it moves the next item in the Program Log.
Carts mark Events when they've been played, so if you put three Manual Events in a Cart, the Cart will
play a different one, in order, every time that the Cart is played. But if you use AutoStart Events in a Cart,
they will sequence within the Cart (the first event of which must always be a manual event to prevent
continuous looping. You can create alternating groups of Manual and AutoStart Events to play a different
group of Events every time the Cart rolls around in the Program Log.

This Cart will play Welcome the first time the Cart is
This Cart will play all of the Events every time it is
played, J0001 the second time the Cart is played,
played.
S0002 the third time, and so on.

You can also randomize Carts. If you randomize a

Cart, Simian will randomly pick an Event from the
Cart, play it, and then mark it as "played". Simian
will repeat this process each time the Cart is played
until all of the Events within the Cart have been
played. Simian will then clear all of the "played"
flags in the Cart and start over the next time the
Cart Event is played.

This Cart will play two Events each time it is

played.

For even more flexibility, you can call another cart from within a cart (nesting). While we do not advise
nesting too deeply, you can create some very random carts and basic scheduling using this method.
NOTE: Carts are designed for a maximum of around 25-50 events although there is no physical limitation
on the number of events that they can hold, too many events (with SmartCarts enabled too) will cause
undue delay each time a cart is opened.
IMPORTANT: As carts are written to each time they are used, it is vital that carts are placed in a folder of
their own. Otherwise, each time SoundHound detects a cart being written too, it could potentially refresh
your entire music database! This would very quickly lead to database bloat.
You can put almost any kind of Event in a Cart. Macros and Audio Events can often be mixed together in
a Cart to create a special tool. Check out the Carts As Tools section a little later in this chapter for more
info.

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Creating and Editing Carts
To build a new cart:
1. Click Tools/Event Builder.

2. Click the New Cart icon . This will open the Cart Viewer window.
3. In the Event Builder, select your event, set up your Event Variables and drag and drop your Event
from the Drag From Here spot into the Cart Viewer window.
4. Set up the Cue information for your Events. Make sure that the first Event in a Cart is never Cued
with the AutoStep Cue. This could cause an endless loop.
5. Click File/Save As and give the cart a name.
6. Close the cart.

Editing Audio Events in Carts

If you want to edit the Tagging Info for an audio file from within a Cart, simply right-click the Event in the
Cart and select Event Builder. The Event Builder will pop up with the Audio Event file already highlighted.
You can then double-click it to edit it right there.

Cart Properties
You can open the Cart Properties dialog box by Selecting File/Properties in the Cart Viewer window. Here
you can add Title/Description, Artist/Advertiser, OutCue, Producer, Comment, Agency, Account/Sales,
and Talent information as well as set a Category, average length, and start/end dates. You can also
select the Randomize option here. Average Length and Start/End dates are used with the AutoReplace
feature so that you can replace an out of date Cart with another item of a similar length.
Carts as Tools
Events within a cart can be auto-
sequenced (given the AutoStart
cue, which means they are played
automatically). You can have
multiple sets of auto-sequenced
Events in a single cart. This is
useful if you have a situation where
you need to group a single Event
with many other events.

For example, if you have a news feature that you play several times a day, and it has several sponsors,
you can have the news feature Event in the cart multiple times, each time sandwiched between different
sponsors’ commercial Events. A cart with that setup might look like the figure above-right.
As you can see, the 90 second Paul Harvey Event is listed three times, with different commercial Events
following each time. The plus signs next to the commercial Events mean the same thing as they do on
the main Simian program log. That Event will be played automatically after the previous Event.
Therefore, each time the Paul Harvey Event plays, it will be followed by a different commercial Event.
The first time the cart is played, you will hear the 90updat.wav and the renegade.wav. The second time
the cart is played, you will hear the 90updat.wav and the wct001.wav. The third time, you will hear the
90updat.wav and the rotation.wav. The fourth time, it will return to the top and play the first pair of files.
If you want a particular cut to be the "next" one played when the cart is called up in Simian, check the
"Make Next" selection in the Edit menu of the Cart Viewer window or double click on the Event, which will
then turn gray.

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SmartCarts
Smart Carts allow you to exercise some very limited scheduling control without the use of scheduling
software. While not designed replace your scheduling software, this feature simply allows you to control
the days and times when Events within Carts will be allowed to play. This is done by using Simian's
AutoReplace feature together with the Start/End date tags which are embedded in audio files by the BSI
Info Editor.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SMART CARTS DO NOT SUPPORT THE USE OF THE AUTOSTART CUE
MARKER AS THIS COULD CAUSE A CART WITH NO VALID OPTIONAL AUDIO EVENT TO LOOP
CONTINOUSLY.
Turning On Smart Carts
For Smart Carts to work the first thing that you need to do is turn on Simian's AutoReplacement feature.
Just follow these steps:
1. Go to the General tab under Tools | Program Options and put an "x" in the box next to Engage
AutoReplacement.
2. Click the Settings button next to the words "Engage AutoReplacement"
3. Put an "x" in the box next to "Replace Out-Of-Date Items”
4. Click Done in the AutoReplacement dialog box and in the Program Options window
5. If you add Events to the fields in the Auto Replacement dialog box, those Events will be used to
replace Smart Carts that have no valid Events.

Using Smart Carts

To limit the airplay of an Audio Event, simply open that Audio Event in the BSI Info Editor (right-click and
select Edit Info), switch to the Times/Album tab and fill out the start and end dates and/or times (or the
Time Window). There are four ways to fill out these fields:

1. Filling out only the Start & End dates will only allow the Audio Event to play on the days in the
range specified. Do this to have the Audio Event play only on the 13th-17th of the month.
2. Filling out only the Time Window fields will allow an Audio Event to play between the two times
regardless of the date. Do this if you want the Audio Event to play only between 17:00 and 03:00
with no date limit.
3. Filling out the Start & End dates and the Start & End times will allow the Audio Event to play only
from a certain time on a certain date to another time on a different date. Do this when you want
the Audio Event to play between 17:00 on the 13th and 08:00 on the 17th.
4. Filling out the Start & End dates and the Time Window will allow the Audio Event to play between
the Time Window times only on the dates between the Start & End dates. Do this if you want the
Audio Event to play between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm from the 12th to the 18th.

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Using Macros
Macro Events are among the most powerful features of Simian. With Macros, you can control many
advanced functions such as—among others—adjusting the auxiliary and primary volume settings of your
system, creating programmed fades, commanding a record deck, FTP’ing files, and setting your system
time.
Simian Macros are more like meta commands than what other products call Macros (such as in Microsoft
products). The Simian Macro functionality cannot be used to record keystrokes or be assigned to scripts.
Macros can be fired from the Program Log, a Cart, a Trigger command, Scheduled Events or a HotKey.
To use a Macro:
Think about what you want to do and then identify the macro that fits your need. You can view all
available macros in Chapter 6 of this manual or on the Macro tab of the Event Builder. Most macros have
required parameters that must also be entered following the command name.
Locate the place in your Program Log, Trigger Set, Cart, or other Set where you would like to insert the
Macro.
Open the Event Builder window, select the Macro tab and choose the Macro you want from the pull down
option list.
Enter the appropriate parameters according to the example given in the text below the command.
To move the Macro Event into place, simply set the Event Variables and drag your completed Macro
Event into your Program Log (or other List Item) from the "Drag from here" spot.
The structure of some Macro commands can be quite complex. Take your time creating them
and double-check your work. If you use the same Macro over and over, it may be a good idea to
store it in the Memorized Events List. This will allow you to copy or drag and drop it into the Program Log
without having to retype it every time.

Definitions & Parameters

Macro names are shown in all caps. Some Macros are simply one-word commands, such as
SPACEBAR, which simulates pressing the spacebar. Others need further instructions from you to run
properly. These instructions are called parameters and are described in the examples after each macro.
Some parameters are required and some are optional. The format and order of the parameters is very
important and should be entered after the macro name and separated by commas without spaces.
Required parameters are enclosed in angle brackets < >. Optional parameters are enclosed in curly
brackets { }. Some parameters have only a few possible values. These choices, such as "1", "2", "3" or
"ALL" for possible Deck Numbers are shown in parentheses and are separated by a forward slash /.

For a full list of Simian’s macros and their usage with syntax, refer to the
Macros section of the Appendix.

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Using HotKeys
HotKeys are the 16 buttons located on the HotKey Panel at the bottom of the main Simian window. You
can view HotKeys by clicking the HotKeys button at the bottom-right corner of the main window.

Simply put, you click a HotKey, or push its corresponding F-key and the Event that is loaded in that
Hotkey plays through your async deck (the F-keys work even when the HotKeys panel is not visible). You
can add Events to HotKeys by dragging them from the Event Builder or Audio List directly onto the
HotKey where you want them. Once you’ve added your Events to your HotKeys, you’ll probably want to
save the set so that you can use it later. This is done from the right-click menu. Just right-click on a
HotKey to clear that key, save the set, open the HotKey set editor, or change the current HotKey set. You
can also scroll through the available HotKey sets by using the two buttons at the bottom-left hand corner
of your screen. Finally, you can view the HotKeys panel and/or open the HotKey editor from the Async
menu. The HotKey editor can be used to add or edit HotKey sets just like any other Simian list item. You
can also set the current and startup HotKey set from the HotKey editor.

Using Mixers
Control between one and four faders – in the Mixer Setup dialog box, you can assign up to four
individual faders to the same Simian mixer. Check out Chapter 3 for information on how to set up your
Mixers.
Controlling the mixers – You can control the individual mixers manually by sliding the sliders in the
Record Decks/Mixers panel, or you can use the MIXFADE or MIXVOLUME macros to automate the
process.
When you view the mixers, Simian constantly has to watch to see if the levels move and then
update the positions of the sliders. This eats up more than its fair share of system resources, so
we usually recommend that you leave this panel hidden unless you’re actually using the controls.

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Recording
Make sure that you have read and understand the Audio File Formats section of Chapter 2
before beginning recording projects for on-air use.

Using Record Decks

The recording function in Simian is designed for use with long-form files, such as network programs.
Simian will record these programs in the background while you are using other functions including audio
playback. However, if your system is not equipped with a multi-sample-rate pro audio card (such as the
AudioScience 6000 series audio cards), only one play/record sample rate can be used at a time. This
means all your playback audio must be at the same sample rate (also keep in mind that a stereo file is
twice the sample rate of a mono file) and format, or the recording must not be completed before can play
back files.
Most commercial production and song recording is done with a separate audio editing application such as
Adobe Audition or Syntrillium’s Cool Edit applications. The recording function (via the Record Decks)
within Simian is designed for recording only and not for production.
If you are using Simian to record a long-form program, follow these steps:
Make sure the record decks are visible by clicking the Record button at the bottom-left of the main Simian
Window.
Make sure your audio system devices are properly set in the Tools/Program Options/Record tab.
Check the record path. You can configure Simian’s record decks to automatically record to any folder that
you want by modifying the record deck paths on the Paths tab in the Simian Program Options window.
Make sure that you are creating the file in a location where you can find it later.

If the default record path is not set to one of the folders indexed by SoundHound, Simian will be
unable to locate the files when it needs to play them back.

Set the record input volume on your audio card. If the record volume is not set properly, Simian will
record only silence. This is not a Simian function; it is a function of your audio card and its mixer. Consult
your audio card's manual for instructions on how to set up the record input volume for your audio card.
Click the Record As (Save) button on the deck you want to use.
Enter a file name and click Save.
Click Record to begin.
Click Stop when you are finished.
Click Play to preview your recording.
You can abandon recording by clicking the Stop button (blue square) or by pressing the Esc (Escape)
key.
The Record Tab in the Simian Options window also lets you choose the default audio file-sampling rate,
number of channels (stereo or mono), and sample size. Always use your standard file format and sample
rate when recording. Don't have a standard file format? Check out the Choosing Audio File Formats
section of Chapter 2.

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Recording (Automated)
Recording can be done manually via the Record Decks (as described in a previous section) or
automatically via a Record Event or the RECORD Macro. In either case, you’ll want to schedule your
recordings by using Simian’s Scheduled Events feature. This will keep your recordings from interfering
with your Program Log.
Make sure that your record decks are configured properly. Verify settings on the Record tab of the Simian
Hardware Options window and verify that the record decks are configured to record into the proper folder.
This can be done on the Paths tab of the Simian Program Options window. You must select a folder
which is indexed by SoundHound if you want to play back files in Simian.
• Verify that the mixer for your sound card is properly configured. If the line-in volume is set to 0 in
your sound card’s mixer, Simian will end up recording silence.
• Open the Event Builder and configure a Record Event or the RECORD Macro Event.
• Select Show Scheduled Events from the Async menu in the main Simian window.
• Set the Event Variables and/or Macro parameters in the Event Builder and drag your Record
Event or RECORD Macro Event into the Scheduled Events Window.
• Set the Event Schedule and the Event Time in the Scheduled Events window, then make sure
that the correct Event Schedule is loaded at the time that you want the recording to happen.

Time-Shift Recording
One of Simian’s most powerful features is time-shift recording. This means that a file can actually be
played while it is still being recorded.
Time-shift recording allows you to start recording a network program via satellite, for example, and begin
playing it back on schedule even if the file is still open and recording at the “other end”. Previously, you
would have had to wait for the entire recording process to finish, close the file, and then reopen it and
play it back. This would often disrupt schedules unnecessarily. Time-shift recording gives you the
freedom to schedule your clock as you’d like. This is just another way for Simian to make your life easier.

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Using The VoiceTrack Editor
To open the VoiceTrack Panel, click the VoiceTrack button at the lower-right corner of the main Simian
window.

Let's look at each piece of the Voice Track Editor individually:

Tracks

At the top of the Voice Track Editor, you'll see three "Tracks". These three tracks are designated as Cut1,
VoiceTrack, and Cut2. Cut1 and Cut2 can only play back files. The VoiceTrack track can record and play
back audio files.
The intent behind the VoiceTrack Editor is for you to put two audio files in the Cut1 and Cut2 Tracks, then
record your voice on the VoiceTrack Track. Once your voice is recorded, you can slide the three tracks
over and under each other (if you have appropriate audio hardware) and line up everything just as you'd
like. You can then export a recording of your voice that will always line up correctly with the other two
tracks, but without modifying the other two tracks in any way. This is done by adding special tones to the
VoiceTrack file which is recorded in the VoiceTrack Track.
On the left, each Track has a "+" and a "-" button. The "+" buttons will add the currently selected Event in
the Program Log to that Track. The "-" button will clear that Track.
Below the three tracks you'll see a Quick button and a timeline. The Quick button allows you to quickly
load Audio Events from the Program Log. Just select an Audio Event in the Program Log and click the
Quick button. Simian will automatically load that Audio Event and the one that follows it into the Cut1 and
Cut2 tracks. Now you can simply start recording your VoiceTrack.

Tool Bar

On the left of the VoiceTrack Editor you'll see standard play, stop, and record buttons. These control the
Record function of the VoiceTrack Track. Directly to their right, you'll see a set of VU meters. Here you
can see the level of your recording.
To the right of the record controls are the Save, Save As, Delete, Paste, Autoset, and Editor Audio
buttons. You can use these to open a new VoiceTrack, Save your VoiceTrack, kick all of the files out of
the Voice Track Editor, Paste your VoiceTrack right into the Program Log, align your three tracks
according to their Intro and Secondary Tones, and open your VoiceTrack in the Audio Editor that you
chose under Tools/Program Options/Paths.
To the right of the buttons you'll see the Artist drop-down with its "+" and "-" buttons. Use the buttons to
add names to the drop-down, then you can select the names and have them automatically added to the
Voice Track File Tag.
Finally, all the way to the right, you'll see the Time scope slider and time window. This is kind of like a
zoom control. You can increase the Time Scope to see and hear more of all three files or decrease it to
see and hear less in the Tracks.

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Quick Voice Tracking
Voice Tracking can be done quickly and easily using keyboard shortcuts. The spacebar will not segue
the main decks while the Voice Track Editor is open – it is “taken over” by the editor for its own purposes
when you are recording Voice Tracks.
Highlight two songs that need a Voice Track between them.
Press Q to QuickLoad the cuts from the Program Log into the editor.
Press R to start playback of the first cut.
Press R to start VoiceTrack record.
Press Spacebar to start the next cut (you can do this at any time).
Press R to stop VoiceTrack record.
Press R to end playback.
Press Spacebar to playback the whole sequence.
Press V to paste VoiceTrack to the program log.
You can also use the buttons. The red circle is the record button. It is the main control for VoiceTrack
recording. Clicking this button performs four functions in order:
Starts playback of Cut #1.
Starts VoiceTrack record.
Stops VoiceTrack record.
Stops playback of Cut #1 & Cut #2.
**Don't forget to save the VoiceTrack to the program log when you are finished!

Using Pitch Shift

Simian can now change the pitch of Audio Events as it plays them. This feature allows you to
automatically change the pitch as well as manually change the pitch of a particular Event on the fly. You
can also scale the length of your audio without altering the pitch if you have an AudioScience 6XXX
series soundcard. Scaling works just like pitch shifting once the Utilize Time Scaling (TSX) feature is
enabled.
Automatic Pitch Shifting
Simian can automatically Pitch Shift Audio
Events based on their Category. You set
up these preferences on the FlexTime tab
of the Simian Program Options window
(under Tools/Program Options). Simply
select Enable Pitch Shifting from the
drop-down list. You will then be able to
select each Audio type Category and set its
individual Pitch Shift.
You'll notice that when you Pitch Shift an
Audio Event, the Playback Decks will
display the amount in their upper-left
corners. The clocks will also change to
reflect the new length of the Audio Event.
Manual Pitch Shifting
To manually Pitch Shift a particular audio
Event, simply right-click on the deck in
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which it is loaded, then select Pitch Shift,
and then the percentage. Simian will
automatically play that Audio Event at that
speed. If the Event is already playing, then
Simian will Pitch Shift from that point.
Just like automatic Pitch Shifting, manual
Pitch Shifting will cause the Play Decks to
display the amount of shift in their upper-
left corners. The clocks will also change to
reflect the new length of the Audio Event.

You can use automatic Pitch Shifting or Back Time, but not both at the same time.

Using BackTime
BackTime allows you to time portions of your
Program Log up to the minute. This is done by
Pitch Shifting or scaling all of the songs before
that time by the necessary amount to have the
Back Timed Event start at a particular time.
Scaling allows you to shrink or expand the
length of audio files without altering their pitch.
Scaling is only available with the AudioScience
6XXX series of sound cards. Simply create an
Event with a Cue of "!" and set its scheduled
time to the time that you want it to play. Simian
will automatically Pitch the preceding Audio
Events so that the "!" Event starts at the exact
time that it is scheduled.

The FlexTime tab of the Simian Program

Options dialog box allows you to set your configuration options for Back Time. Just bring up the tab and
select Enable Automatic BackTime from the drop-down list. Here you'll find three settings:
Maximum Stretch (Pitch Down) – This drop-down list allows you to select the maximum percentage that
Simian will pitch shift negatively. This will allow you to keep your music from sounding like James Earl
Jones.
Maximum Stretch (Pitch Up) – This drop-down list allows you to select the maximum percentage that
Simian will pitch shift positively. This will allow you to keep your music from sounding like Alvin and the
Chipmunks.
Maximum FlexTime Period – This drop-down list allows you to set the time window that Simian will use
to pitch Audio Events to get to the Event with the "!" cue.
This may seem a little complicated at first, but it works like this; If you set both the maximum stretches to
4% and the maximum period to 60 minutes, Simian will start 60 minutes out from the scheduled time for
the "!" cued Event and pitch shift as much as 4% either way to make sure that the "!" cued Event will start
exactly at its scheduled time.

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You can also display the length of file runtime (DR) remaining to the next BackTime (!) Cue, the actual
computer clock time remaining until the next BackTime Cue (TTM), and Simian will even do the math for
you so that you can see the difference! Just select "Display BackTime to Mark" from the Log menu.

Using Memorized Events

Sometimes, you’ll have a more involved Macro Event with many specific parameters, or a particular Audio
Event that you want to add to the Program Log very often. To save time, we have Memorized Events
Sets. Simply drag an Event into the Memorized Events window and you’ll have your very own “quick list”
for commonly used Events.
You can even have different sets for different people, or for whatever reason you'd like. Just use the Save
As item under the File menu in the Memorized Events window. You’ll then be able to open any Set that
you’d like to use.

Using Scheduled Events

Let's say that you want an Event that has little or nothing to do with the currently running Program Log to
start at a particular time. A couple good examples might be a recording Event that creates an audio file
that will not be played back until later, or maybe you want to send that Relay Macro Event to start the
coffee at exactly 06:00. What’s the best way to do this? With Scheduled Events, of course. All you have
to do is go to Async/Show Scheduled Events, drag your Events into the Scheduled Events List, then give
them a schedule and a time using the buttons on the toolbar.
You can even have different sets for different days, day parts, or people. Just use the Save As item under
the File menu in the Scheduled Events window. You can then use the drop-down selectors to establish
the current set and which set loads automatically when Simian starts.
You can also automatically change the Scheduled Events Set by using the LOADSCHEDULED Macro.

Using Relays (GPO)

Relays are started in Simian using the RELAY Macro Event. To automate the Relay process, simply
configure the RELAY Macro in the Event Builder and drag it into the Program Log, or any other list item
such as HotKey or Scheduled Event Sets. To fire Relays manually, you can use the Relay Rack window
under the Tools menu.

Using Triggers (GPI)

Once you have your General Purpose Input (GPI) device set up and working, all you need to do is go to
the Async menu and select Triggers, then Edit Sets. This will bring up the Triggers window. Here you can
drag Events into lines that correspond to Triggers.
You can also save multiple Trigger Sets that can be changed automatically using the LOADTRIGGERS
Macro. What this means is that you can start your day with Trigger Set “A” loaded and have Trigger #1
play a spot, then later in the day use the LOADTRIGGERS macro to change the Trigger set to set “B” and
have Trigger #1 launch a RECORD macro.
You’ll notice two drop-down lists at the bottom of the Triggers window. You can use these to define the
current Trigger Set and define which Trigger Set launches automatically when Simian starts.
Remember that Triggers will not work if Triggers are OFF in Simian’s Status bar. You can control the
“Trigger state” of Simian with the Triggers On at Startup option on the General tab of the Simian Program
Options window (on the Tools menu). You can also turn Triggers on and off using the TRIGGERS Macro
or use Async/Triggers/Enabled to turn Triggers on and off. The most common way to turn Triggers on and
off is by using the "Triggers are" item on the status bar. Just click it on or off.

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You can also simulate incoming Triggers by using the TRIGGER Macro. The TRIGGER Macro will
simulate whichever Trigger it is configured to fire.

Using Serial Communications

You can set Simian to “listen” for text strings from the serial port or send text strings through the serial
port. To do either, you’ll need to configure the options on the Serial Comm tab of the Simian Options
window (Tools/Hardware/Options). These settings are dependent on the peripheral device with which you
are trying to communicate. You can get information on which settings are needed from the device's
manufacturer.
To send text strings, use the SERIAL Macro. Just set it up according to the instructions on the Macro tab
of the Event Builder. Once you have set up the macro’s parameters, you can set the rest of the Event
Variables and drag the Event into your Program Log. When the Event is started, the string will be sent to
the serial port.
To receive strings, you’ll need to set up a Serial Set. To do this, go to the Async menu and select Serials,
then Edit Sets. You can then go to Edit/Insert Event. You’ll be asked for the string that you’d like Simian
to listen for. You will then get a line in the Serial Set so that you can drag in any Event. When Simian
“hears” that string on the serial port, it will start the assigned Event.
Remember that you can save more than one Serial Set. Just go to File/Save As in the Serial window.
This will allow you to have pre-made serial sets for different day parts. You can even use the drop-down
selectors at the bottom of the Serial window to set the current serial set and which serial set loads when
Simian starts up.
You can manually turn Serial Communications on and off under Async/Serials/Enabled and you can also
set Serial Communications to start up automatically (or not) when Simian starts up. Just use the Serial
ON at Startup option on the General tab of the Simian Program Options window. To quickly turn serial
communications on and off, just click the "Serial port is" item on Simian's status bar.

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Using Automation Modes
Full Automation
Content can come from your local hard drive or from an outside source such as a satellite receiver. Let's
look at a couple examples…
Audio on Hard Drive Automation
Audio on Hard Drive means your digital audio files are kept on your PC hard drive so that everything
Simian plays is locally stored. Simian reads the Program Log off the hard drive and automatically
sequences through Events based on their Cue. Proof of performance logs can be generated for later
review by turning on Event Logging. Event Logging is controlled by settings on the General tab of the
Simian Program Options window. To open the Simian Program Options window, simply select Options,
then Program Options on the Tools menu in the main Simian window.
Satellite Automation
Simian can use a number of hardware peripherals to control satellite audio. With the proper hardware,
Simian can accept Triggers from the satellite receiver and interact with the receiver (or other peripherals)
via the serial port or contact closure, as well as directly control the internal mixers of most audio cards.

Live-Assist
If you want to completely control the start of every event while live on the air, you can use Live Assist
mode, which will load all of your decks automatically. Just press the space bar to play an Event, talk live,
press the space bar to play an Event, talk, and so on. You can use Carts to have blocks of commercials
play between Events in the Program Log. HotKeys are another function of Simian that are great for Live
Assist use. Want to punch a short laugh track while you’re talking? Just hit a HotKey.

Automation OFF
With Automation OFF (or in MANUAL mode – the two are the same), Simian will do nothing for you
automatically. You will have to load the decks and start them manually if you want to play Events.

Using Dynamic HTML Pages

To post your play list on the World Wide Web, you need a browser and Internet access. If you don’t have
Internet access yet, you can still play with this feature and have a page displayed to anyone who’s on
your computer network or intranet.
Simian uses two HTML pages. One is a template (source) page and the other is the destination page.
Simian recreates the destination page every few seconds based on the template page. Therefore, you
should only edit the template page. The destination page is constantly deleted and rewritten
automatically.
To use the Dynamic HTML Page, simply follow these instructions:
1. Go to Tools/Program Options, and then go to the Internet tab.
2. Select “C:\BSI32\BSI_Template_Page.htm” for the Template File Name field by clicking on the
button
3. Manually type “C:\BSI32\BSI_Destination_Page.htm” into the Destination File Name field (you’ll
have to manually type this path/filename because the file won’t exist)

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 4. Place a check mark in Generate HTML File.
5. Close the Simian Program Options dialog box.
6. Go to C:\bsi32 and double-click BSI_Destination_Page.htm. This will open the destination page in
your default Internet browser.
Watch the Destination page and as you play events from your program log. Notice how the Dynamic
HTML Page reloads with the information of the currently playing song.
Dynamic HTML Pages For The Web Geek:
The Dynamic HTML function of Simian is similar to a mail merge…except that it is merges the information
of the currently playing events into an HTML template file. You do not need to keep the Dynamic HTML
Page in its current form. In fact, we'd rather have you customize it. Therefore we're going to give you the
lowdown on how it works.

If you open Simian and go to Tools/Program

Options, then select the Internet tab, you'll see a
set of options for Dynamic HTML.
Generate HTML File – Turns on the Dynamic
HTML function.
Template file name – Simian writes the
Template file and then automatically copies it to
the Destination file. You'll want to edit the
Template.
Destination file name – This file is automatically
overwritten with the Template file information.
You'll want to put this file on your local web
server.

Default URL – You can associate a URL with the different audio files so that you can set up spots to link
to their advertisers. You define the URL in the audio file tag for the audio file. If no URL is specified,
Simian will use this URL.
Exclude Categories – You keep Simian from sending tags for certain kinds of Events. Just click the
Categories that you want to exclude from the list.
Number of Entries – This is the number of items coming up and those recently played that will be written
when you use the Recent and Coming Up tags.
HTML Tag Generator – This is the bread and butter for the web developer. You can select tags from the
drop-down, click the Copy Tag to clipboard button, and then paste your tags into your code.
The tags available are:
• Current Artist/Advertiser • Current Publisher • Weather Availability
• Current Description/Title • Current / Default URL • Weather Time
• Current Event • Current Item Year • Weather City
• Current File Name • Coming Up Events • Weather Temp
• Current Album • Coming Up File Names • Weather Conditions
• Current Category • Coming Up Time • Weather Wind
• Current Comments • Coming Up Date • Weather Pressure
• Current Composer • Recent Events • Weather Humidity
• Current Copy • Recent Events – Short • Weather Visibility
• Current Copyright • Recent File Names
• Current Duration • Station ID
• Current Genre • Weather Information
Now that we've gone over the controls, let’s go over how this works. Simian reads the Template file and
looks for its proprietary tags. It then replaces those tags with the appropriate information. It then copies

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the file to the Destination file. This means that you can edit the existing Template page, or create a new
one and drop in the tags from the HTML Tag Generator.
If you do not have a web server in-house and use a service provider, you will need to upload the
destination file each time the template file is updated (…a perfect use for the FTP Macro in conjunction
with the “When a Main Deck Starts” field on the Events Tab in Simian’s Program Options).
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
1, 2 or 3 Plays Deck 1, 2 or 3 (if option is enabled)
Ctrl + A Select all
Ctrl + B Opens Event Builder
Ctrl + C Copy
Ctrl + D Edit Audio File
Ctrl + E Opens selected file with Info Editor
Ctrl + F Find phrase in the Program Log
Ctrl + G Go to Current Event in the Event Log
Ctrl + H Selects HotKey Panel
Ctrl + M Make Next
Ctrl + N New Program Log
Ctrl + O Open new Program Log
Ctrl + P Print
Ctrl + Q Quick Insert
Ctrl + R New Cart
Ctrl + S Save
Ctrl + T Selects Voice Track Panel
Ctrl + V Paste
Ctrl + X Cut
Ctrl + Y Displays the Async Deck (Deck #4)
Ctrl + Z Undo
Ctrl + F3 Find Again
Ctrl + W Opens the Simian Weather dialog box
Shift + Ctrl + F2 Launches Speedy if installed
Shift + Ctrl + F3 Launches Stinger if installed
Shift + Ctrl + F4 Launches TimeShift if installed
Shift + Ctrl + F6 Launches WaveCart if installed
Return Make current selection next to play
Space Segue, play next (Depends on Program Options)
FKeys Hotkeys
Esc Stop all decks
+ Toggles a selected Event's Cue between manual and "+"
! Toggles a selected Event's Cue between manual and "!"
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# Toggles a selected Event's Cue between manual and "#"
@ Toggles a selected Event's Cue between manual and "@"

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VoiceTrack Keyboard Shortcuts
"A" Autoset
"P" Play
"Q" Quick Reload
"R" Record
"V" Paste
"X" Clear
"Esc" Reset, Set all tracks

Voice Track Session - Sequence:

R (or H) – Starts Playback
R (or J) – Starts Recording
[optional] SPACEBAR, Starts next song
R (or K) – Stops Recording
R (or L) – Stops Sequence

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Chapter 5 Troubleshooting
Optimizing Windows®
When using Windows (98SE), 2000 Pro, or XP Pro, there is little that you can do to optimize the actual
Microsoft release of the operating system. Unfortunately many computer manufacturers decide that the
original version of Windows isn't good enough, and they add programs that run all of the time… Whether
you want them to or not. These types of programs can affect Simian's on-air performance. Always try to
use the cleanest Windows installation possible.
Try to avoid programs that constantly run in the background, such as the Task Scheduler or any Anti-
Virus programs on your on-air machine unless it’s one that we’ve tested and can mask our system and
audio files. Otherwise, these background programs can cause many problems such as audio skipping,
system lock-ups and program crashes when used in conjunction with Simian. Any situation where the
automatic protection features of an anti-virus program are constantly scanning files is bad news for your
air machine.
Try to avoid hard drive Power Management functions. These settings are in your BIOS, as well as in your
Control Panel/Power Management folder. You may need to call the technical support section of your
computer manufacturer to assist you with this. In the Control Panel, make your Settings for Always On
power scheme say Never for hard drives.
Because Simian is graphics-intensive, it’s best to minimize the fancy Windows tricks like mouse trails,
icon animations, etc. Do this by going to the Control Panel/Display/Effects tab and disabling Show
window contents while dragging and Animate windows, menus and lists.
Turn off Windows Sounds. In Control Panel/Sounds/Schemes, select No Sounds. This is important so
you don’t get unwanted beeps and tinkling from Windows while you’re on the air!
Don’t use wallpaper. Every time you move something on the desktop, Windows has to redraw every pixel
of the wallpaper graphic. This surprisingly simple thing can really slow your system down. Right-click
your desktop, choose properties, then (None) for Wallpaper.

Installation Problems
If an installation fails, or Simian will not launch after a power failure or similar traumatic experience,
please call our Technical Support Team. They will be more than happy to lend you a hand. The following
clean reinstallation instructions are for the computer expert who knows that a clean reinstallation is
needed, or as a guide for when Tech Support says it's time to clean reinstall.
Reinstallation should be one of the last troubleshooting steps, not the first. If you cleanly reinstall Simian,
you will have to reconfigure most of the options in SoundHound and Simian. You will need to re-enter
your validation code after a clean reinstall.
Do not attempt the following step unless you are a knowledgeable computer expert. Always
backup your Registry files before attempting to edit the registry.
Instructions:
1. Download the newest full install of Simian.
2. Shut down any applications that are running on the Taskbar, including Simian.
3. Shut down SoundHound manually if it is still running.
4. Remove Simian from the Add & Remove Programs Control Panel.
5. Verify that the following files have been removed from the C:\windows\system folder (Win98) or
the C:\winnt\system32 folder (Win 2000/XP):
• BsiGeode.dll
• BsiNet32.dll
• BsiUtl232.dll

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 • BsiUtl32.dll
• Extract32.dll
• HolyGrl32.dll
• mmbsi32.dll
• Sx32w.dll
• wavinfo32.dll
6. Verify that the following files have been removed from the C:\bsi32 folder:
• simian.exe
• sndhound.exe
• audio.mdb
7. Search the Windows Registry for the word “Simian” (no quotes), and remove any Keys (not just
Values) that refer to it. Make sure to search repeatedly (F3) until you see a message that says
“Finished searching through the registry”:

8. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

9. Shut down any TSR’s other than Explorer and Systray.
10. Install the newest version of Simian.
11. Restart your computer.
12. Launch Simian.
13. Make sure your dongle is installed and enter your Validation Code.
14. Reconfigure Simian and SoundHound.

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Random Problems
Errors that seem to occur sporadically and that are difficult to reproduce may indicate a DLL conflict or a
corrupt audio database (audio.mdb). Try deleting your audio.mdb and letting SoundHound recreate it.
Also, verify that you have only one copy of each of the following DLLs and that they are all in your
c:\Windows\System (C:\WINNT\System32 for NT based machines) folder and no other.
• BsiGeode.dll
• BsiNet32.dll
• BsiUtl232.dll
• BsiUtl32.dll
• Extract32.dll
• HolyGrl32.dll
• mmbsi32.dll
• Sx32w.dll
• wavinfo32.dll
Each computer with BSI software installed should have only one copy of these files. They should all be in
the c:\windows\system folder (C:\winnt\system32 on Windows 2000). Use the Find Files feature under
the Start button to confirm that you have only one copy of the files and that they are in the right place.
Using long file names for your audio files can also lead to errors that appear random. Make sure you are
not using long file names or long folder names (keep with the 8.3 file naming convention). In addition,
make sure that you do not have apostrophes or other special characters in these names.
Finally, random errors can be caused by conflicting hardware. Have your PC technician check your
device manager for hardware and IRQ conflicts.

Sound Problems
Windows® Sound Problems
You must determine whether the sound problem occurs in the Windows Audio Subsystem or in Simian
before troubleshooting. Beginning your tests in Windows will help you isolate the problem. Use the
Windows Sound Recorder (not Media Player) to test it. If the problem happens in Windows Sound
Recorder, you’ll want to troubleshoot the playback process, not the individual BSI application. Skip to the
"Simian Sound Problems" section if you can play your files properly in Sound Recorder. Otherwise, start
with "Basic Sound Troubleshooting".
Basic Sound Troubleshooting:
Check the Audio connections – If the soundcard’s outputs aren’t connected correctly, no sound can
come from the card.
Check the volume level – Check the playback volumes in Windows’ mixer, the soundcard’s mixer
application, and the external monitor or audio console.
Start with the basics – Can you play an uncompressed .wav file in Windows Sound Recorder? If you
can’t then Simian will be unable to play audio files as well.
Simian Sound Problems
Two of the more common sound problems relating to Simian are audio breakup and skipping. Skipping
audio means that parts of songs are actually dropping out and therefore not being played. Audio breakup
is something different – breakup is when nothing is lost but there are pauses where there shouldn’t be.
Breakup occurs when there is a drain on system resources and your audio card or processor is not
getting access to all the resources they require. The solution to this is to stop doing any non-essential

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activities (such as production work on the on-air machine), then remove all background applications,
virus-checkers, task schedulers, or anything else that will take up system resources (stuff like Unreal
Tournament running in the background).
Skipping audio can happen when you are using a consumer-grade soundcard and trying to segue (which
most of these cards don’t support). These cards may appear to support multiple audio streams, but there
is a difference in the way they do this compared with professional audio cards. Professional cards have
controls programmed into them, which allow Simian to control what audio passes through a specific
channel. Consumer-grade cards simply take all the streams and control them internally without allowing
Simian to control segues or overlapping. This means the card is in control and not the automation
software. This can lead to audio skipping. The problem is that it’s impossible to tell what will happen at
any given time. That’s why professional cards are so essential for professional sounding overlap.

Troubleshooting Triggers
YOU MAY FIND OUT TRIGGER TRACKER DIAGNOSTIC SET USEFUL IN TRACKING DOWN
PROBLEMS.
There are several things to check if your Triggers are not working properly:
• Make sure that Triggers are ON (look at the Status Bar at the bottom of the main Simian
Window).
• Check that the proper Trigger Set is active (go to Async/Triggers/Edit Sets and look at which Set
is selected in the Current Triggers box at the bottom right of the window). Choose the correct Set
if it is not already selected.
• Verify that the correct Trigger Events are associated with the correct Trigger number in the
Trigger Set.
• Go to Tools/Hardware Options/Hardware and verify that the appropriate GPI/O device is selected.
• While on the Hardware tab, try clicking on the Trigger number. If the number lights up and you get
the expected result, Simian’s Trigger functionality is working properly.
• Check whether the Trigger number you're testing lights up when the appropriate Relay is closed.
This will tell you if the Trigger interface with your GPI/O device is working properly.
If these steps fail, contact technical support. We understand that this functionality can be complicated in
some situations, and we’ll be more than happy to lend a hand.

Troubleshooting Relays
The first thing that you can do to verify that Relays are working properly is to open the Relay Rack dialog
box (Tools/Relay Rack) and click one of the numbered relays. If you hear the familiar click of a relay
closing on your Switcher device, then you know that Simian is communicating properly with the device. If
this fails, try the software that comes with the device. You should be able to test it there. If that works, call
BSI Technical Support. If that fails, call the tech support department for the device manufacturer.

Troubleshooting Serial Communications

Troubleshooting Serial Communications is much easier with the Serial Port tab of the Spyglass window.
Just go to Help/Spyglass Diagnostics and select the Serial Port tab. Here you can send strings and
monitor the serial port.

Technical Support
BSI offers different Tech Care Plans to reflect the different levels of technical support required by
individual users.
Everyone has access to our web based user forum & knowledge base; as well as non-urgent first-line
support via email. Customers can choose between our GOLD and PLATINUM Tech Care Plans for
additional support.

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 FREE GOLD PLATINUM
Email Support
BSI User Forum
Web Based Help Center
Utility & Driver Updates
24/7 Off-Air Phone Support -
Telephone Support 5am-6pm (PST) -
FREE BSI Software Upgrades -
FREE Simian Prod to Air Mode Upgrade1 -
Remote Access Support - -
System Check & Configuration - -
Remote updates of BSI Software - -
Senior Tech Care Consultant - -
5 Hours of Telephone training - -

GOLD Tech Care Plan - $999 per year

Simian customers are automatically enrolled in the GOLD Technical Care Plan for the first 12 months from date of
purchase.

1 Limit of one Prod to Air upgrade per FULL mode license purchased for the duration a Tech Care Plan is valid.

PLATINUM Tech Care Plan - $1,999 per year

All the features of the GOLD Tech Care Plan, with additional Remote Access via Internet, ISDN or Telephone Dial-
up and 5 hours of training.

A La Carte Support - from $99

Per Incident telephone support for customers requiring occasional basic support or training on a pre-booked basis,
or for additional assistance not covered by the above plans. Remote Access via Internet, ISDN or Dial-up available
as an optional extra.

Technical Support or Training?

BSI has two sections designed specifically to assist you; Technical Support and Training. While they are
both here to help you out, their backgrounds and goals are a bit different. Let's take a look at each:
Tech Support
Our Technical Support department is made up of hardcore computer people who work hard to fix
problems with BSI software. They're here for you when BSI software is not functioning properly to help
you get your software (and sometimes hardware) up and running properly. These people can tweak
Simian and shuffle IRQ's with the best of them. When BSI software is broken, contact Tech Support.

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Training
Our Training department is made up of Radio Engineers who work hard to help you integrate your BSI
software into your radio station. These people know about things like ferrite beads, grounding, and
scheduling software. When you need help building a Program Log, or wiring your Triggers, Contact our
Training section to set up an appointment.

Customer Assistance Contact info

Technical Support Phone Number: (541) 342-5250

Technical Support Email: [email protected]

Technical Support on the Web www.bsiusa.com/support

Training Section Phone Number : (888) 274-8721

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Chapter 6: Reference
Menus
File Menu
New Program Log [Ctrl+N] — Creates a new blank Program Log.
Open [Ctrl+O] — Opens the “Open Log” dialog box that automatically shows you all logs available in the
folder that you indicated for Program Logs in the paths tab of the Program Options dialog box.
Save [Ctrl+S] — Saves changes to the current Program Log.
Save As — Opens the “Save Program Log” file window, which allows you to save the log and rename it if
you’d like. This is very useful if you are building template logs. You can save the same log under
different day names and then change only the particular elements that are different for each day.
Import
Use Traffic Format — Allows you to import a raw text log into Simian using the Traffic settings that you
choose on the Log Import tab of Simian’s Program Options window.
Use Music Format — Allows you to import a raw text log into Simian using the Music settings that you
choose on the Log Import tab of Simian’s Program Options window.
Use Alternate Format — Allows you to import a raw text log into Simian using the Alternate settings that
you choose on the Log Import tab of Simian’s Program Options window.
Sort Log by Scheduled Time — Sorts current program log by scheduled time.
Print
To a File — Prints current log to an ASCII text file.
To a Printer [Ctrl+P] — Prints current log to the default printer.
Properties — Displays current log info including Air Date, Title, Description, Creator and Comments.
Change Session — Shows the various sessions you are set up to run from this machine (available as a
faster alternative to the “session” switch previously used on the icon command).
Last Session Reminder (number) — Shows all available sessions so that you can switch between them
easily.
Exit — Exits Simian.
Edit Menu
Undo [Ctrl+Z] – This works just like the Undo feature in many other popular software applications. It
simply reverses your previous action(s).
Cut [Ctrl+X] — Cuts the currently highlighted line in the current program log and holds it in memory for
pasting into another section of the program log or other window.
Copy [Ctrl+C] — Copies the currently highlighted line in the current program log and holds it in memory
for pasting into another section of the program log or list window, such as the Cart Viewer.
Paste [Ctrl+V] — Pastes the line held in memory to the line following the currently highlighted line in the
current program log.
Quick Insert [Ctrl+Q] — Pops open a window where you can type the name of a file in your audio
database. Just type in the file name and go!
Select All [Ctrl+A] — Selects all lines in the current program log for copying or deleting.
Audio File [Ctrl+D] — Whenever you have an audio event highlighted, you can select this item to open
the audio editor that you indicate on the Paths tab of the Simian Options window.
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Edit Audio Info [Ctrl+E] — Whenever you have an audio event highlighted, this item will open the Info
Editor that contains audio and cart file-tagging information.
Go to Current [Ctrl+G] — If you’re working on the log a couple hundred Events down from the Event that
Simian is currently playing, you can use this feature to automatically zoom the Program Log back to the
current Event.
Make Next —Schedules the currently highlighted item in the current program log as the next item to play.
Find [Ctrl+F] — Searches the current program log for any occurrence of the specified text.
Find Again [Ctrl+F3] — Continues most recent search in the program log.
Log Menu
Automation — Switches automation modes. You can select Off, Live Assist, or ON. You can also click
the Automation button on the status bar to perform this function.
Time Events — Turns time events ON and OFF. This can also be accomplished by clicking on the Time
Events indicator on the Status Bar at the bottom of the main Simian window.
Verify Program Log — Opens the Program Log Verification window which provides you with a means to
find and correct errors prior to running the log. This is where you can verify the existence of all audio files
in the current program log, check start and end dates and verify audio file length. You can also choose to
create an error list, which you can print out for later reference.
Event Logging — Toggles event logging ON and OFF. This can also be accomplished by clicking on the
Event Log indicator on the Status Bar at the bottom of the main Simian window. The Event Log is a
record of the actual as-run broadcast day.
View Event Logs — Opens the View Event Logs window where you can edit, delete or open an Event
Log.
Hide Audio List – Hides the Audio List
Display RunTime & Position Info — Shows the run time calculations on the program log properties bar.
You can disable this option on slower machines to conserve system resources.
Display BackTime to Mark – Shows the length of file runtime (DR) remaining to the next BackTime (!)
Cue, the actual computer clock time remaining until the next BackTime Cue (TTM), and Simian will even
do the math for you so that you can see the difference!
You can display RunTime & Position Info or BackTime to Mark info, but not both.

Set Run Time Start — Sets the starting event for the start from which subsequent time calculations will
be referenced.
Clear all status information — Clears the Status column of the log.
Update Descriptions – Updates the information in the Description field of the Program Log. Information
is pulled from the Audio Database.
Async Menu
HotKeys – Allows you to display the HotKeys Tool Panel or edit HotKeys Sets.
Serials – Allows you to enable and disable serial functionality. You can also edit Serial Sets here.
Triggers – Allows you to enable and disable serial functionality. You can also edit Trigger Sets here.
Show Memorized Events – Opens the Memorized Events window.
Show Scheduled Events – Opens the Scheduled Events window.
Show Asynchronous Deck – Opens the Asynchronous deck interface.

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Tools Menu
Audio Editor — Launches the audio editor that you select on the Paths tab of the Simian Options
window.
Event Builder [Ctrl+B] — Opens the Event Builder window. The Event Builder is covered in Chapter 4.
Relay Rack – This menu item only appears if you have selected a Switcher device on the Hardware tab
under Tools/Hardware Options. It allows you to open the Relay Rack dialog box which allows you to
manually control your relay device.
Text Editor — Launches Notepad for your enjoyment.
Weather Info [CTRL+W] — Launches the weather information screen.
Program Options — Opens the Simian Program Options window, where you can set up options for
Simian. See the Configuration section for details.
Hardware Options – Opens the Simian Hardware Options window, where you can set up options for
your hardware peripherals. See the Configuration section for details.
MSMS Menu
This menu is only available if you have selected the Enable MSMS functionality feature on the Internet
tab of the Simian Options window.
MSMS Encoder Engaged – You can engage and disengage the encoder here.
RTE Properties – This will open the RTE Properties dialog box.
BSI Menu
Allows you to quickly switch to other installed BSI products.
Window Menu
Save Window Position — Saves the current position and size of the main Simian window so that when
you close and reopen Simian, it will look just like you left it.
Users – Allows you to switch between different users. When you change users you will be asked for that
user's password.
Security — Opens the Simian Security window where administrators can control access to certain Simian
features. The Simian Security window will ask you for a password the first time it is accessed, and will not
re-open without that password.
Help Menu
Help Contents — Opens the Simian help system.
Release Notes — Opens your browser and opens the Simian release notes web page.
Check for updates – Opens your browser and goes to the Simian Updates web page.
Tips & Tricks — Opens the Simian Tips window and gives the option to show tips at startup.
Technical Support — Opens the Technical Support information dialog box that provides support times,
phone numbers and email addresses.
SpyGlass Diagnostics — Opens the SpyGlass window, which gives you access to all kinds of useful
information for Simian setup and troubleshooting.
Register – Allows you to register your copy of Simian.
BSI on the Web — Allows you to directly access a great deal of useful information on the BSI Website
directly from Simian. This is a great way to get to these resources:
About Simian – This is the standard Windows “about this application” window. You can use this to check
the version of Simian that you’re using, as well as view the license agreement.

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Simian Program Options
The following screen shots illustrate typical default settings suitable for most Simian users. These
settings are stored in the Windows Registry, which is unique for every different user. For that reason
(and because Simian needs read/write access to the registry and other parts of Windows) we suggest
limiting User Accounts to a single Simian user with Administrator Privileges. You can back up these
settings using the RegSave utility in the Broadcast Software folder.
Once you’ve configured your options, we suggest taking screen-shots of each screen as well as the
RegSave file for backup.
Tools | Program Options - General

Startup Options
Time events ON at startup – Simian will respond to Timed Events in the Program Log and Scheduled
Events. If not selected, Simian will ignore all Timed Events in Scheduled Events and the Program Log,
including BackTime, Non-Sequential and Timed Next events.

Triggers ON at startup – Simian will respond to the currently loaded Triggers set. (The actual trigger set
loaded at start-up is configured in Async | Triggers | Edit Sets)

Serial ON at Startup – Simian will ‘listen’ to the default Serial Port and respond to any Watch Strings set
up in the currently loaded Serial Sets

Event logging ON at startup – events within Simian are logged to a file that can be viewed from Logs |
View Event Logs

Automatically load last program log – If Simian was shut down with a Program Log loaded, this option
will automatically load the last Program Log when Simian restarts.

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Event Log Settings
Each time an audio file or Virtual Cart is played, Simian will log the details in either a plain ASCII text log-
file (that can be read with any text editor including Windows Notepad, or imported into Microsoft Excel) or
in MS Access format allowing users with Microsoft Access to customize their own reports. Simian will
display either format.

Log Triggers & HotKeys – Triggers and HotKey Events will be added to the Event Logs, which is useful
for debugging and when multiple events are ‘fired’ from Trigger inputs.

Log cuts within carts – rather than just log the Virtual Cart, Simian will add the actual Event within the
cart to the Event Log.

Append ID and Session to log file name – the default file name for the Event Log is the Year, Month
and Day with an .lst extension. Appending the ID to the log file name will add the station call letters at the
end of the filename. This may be useful where Event Logs are being transferred to a central computer for
review.

System Options
Use Crash Recovery – Simian keeps track of the Program Log position and current audio file so that, in
the unlikely event that the computer crashes, it can resume playback from the same point when the
computer is rebooted and Simian is placed in the Startup group. Using this option uses more computer
resources and unless you are experiencing problems, we suggest that you leave this option un-checked.

Show cut labels during cart play – will display the Event inside a virtual cart (in the play decks) rather
than just the cart label itself.

AutoStep through time events – Instead of waiting for an Event’s Scheduled Time, Simian will play the
Event as soon as it is reached. By default, this option is NOT selected and Simian will wait until the
Scheduled Time before executing the event. (Timed Immediate and Timed Next events are otherwise
unaffected by this option).

Engage TimeSync – Simian will synchronize your computer clock with an incoming Trigger (typically a
Network Time Sync from your Satellite provider). Any other event associated with that Trigger is
unaffected.

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 TIP: Ensure that the Windows option to
‘synchronize with an Internet Time
Server’ is turned off at all times. When
left on, we’ve seen the computer clock
mysteriously change an hour at a time.

TIP: It is best to avoid resetting system time around

midnight (or at a time when an event is scheduled
to play). If the clock was running a second or so
fast at midnight and is moved back, your
commands to load the following days log could
operate incorrectly, or possibly even twice.

Engage AutoReplacement – although Simian allows you to verify program logs, there are occasions
where a file is not available. Using this option will substitute a missing file with a file of your choice.
Typically, the replacement file will be a Virtual Cart with a randomized selection of audio files (for example
PSAs, or jingles)

In the example above, we have used Event Builder to drag and drop and assign the Return C Liner
Virtual Cart that will replace missing items up to 10 seconds in duration. Virtual Carts 300 and 600 (30”
and 60” PSAs) are used to replace material of a similar length.

Typically, your third-party Traffic and Music Scheduling software will ensure that Out-Of-Date items are
not played, so this box is left un-ticked unless you are using SmartCarts.
Station ID – allows you to personalize the title bar of the Simian program and provide an on screen
reference to the station which is useful when viewing multiple desktops using Remote Desktop
Connections; or different Simian sessions (as on the Production Machines).

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The station ID appears above the time (and weather if using the GETWEATHER Macro).

Program Log Settings

Save event play and error info – Simian updates the Program Log play Status and Actual time
columns as each item in the log is reached. An X in the status column indicates that the log item
occurred as expected, while an E (usually with the entire line marked red) indicates that there was an
error. Simian can save this event play and error info with the program log (useful for diagnostics),
otherwise do not check this option.

TIP: To clear the Status and Actual

columns, select Log | Clear all
status information from the main
menu. Alternatively, select a single
item in the log, right-click and select
Clear status.

Automatically save log changes – selecting this option will automatically save the program log each
time an item is changed (added, deleted, or moved) rather than using File | Save.

Auto-refresh log when log changed by others – when using a production computer to modify the on air
program log, selecting this option will ensure that the on air log is updated to reflect the changes made by
the other user.

Flash playback deck seconds – Simian’s main playback decks will flash red towards the end of an
audio cut to act as a visual warning. This setting effects how long before the end of a cut that the deck
will start flashing.

Copy & Text Display

Display copy field – select this option to display the copy field embedded inside an audio file.

Set Font & Colors – choose the font and color for the copy display and for any text events in the
program log.
Tools | Program Options – Categories
Simian can deal with a number of different events, rather than just audio. These events are sub-divided
into a series of different categories which can be customized with different colors.

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With the popular CBSI/Wicks scheduling software for example, all events in the traffic log are hard-coded
to a category called WAV which doesn’t currently exist in Simian and must be added.

This can be setup from Tools | Program Options | Categories.

Select Add New to add the WAV category using WAV as the Letter Code and Audio as the Type of
category. The Description is optional, as are the Text and Background Colors.

Tools | Program Options – Paths

Audio file paths are setup in the SoundHound application as described elsewhere but are also displayed
in the Paths tab of the Program Options. From here you can also choose to display these paths as
Friendly Names within Simian.

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The following paths are also setup from within this section of the Program Options:
Audio database – This is where Simian will look for the database of audio files. For Air machines, this
will be c:\bsi32\audio.mdb. For production machines, this will be the UNC path to the audio database on
the on air computer (for example \\air\c\bsi32\audio.mdb).
Audio editor - this is the path to your third-party editor, typically c:\program files\adobe\audition
1.5\audition.exe
Program Logs – This is where Simian will look for the Program Logs. For Air machines, this will be
c:\bsi32\logs. For production machines, this will be the UNC path to the Log folder on the on air computer
(for example \\air\c\bsi32\logs).
Log import – When using File | Import Log Simian will look inside this folder for the traffic log from
CBSI/Wicks (or Music Schedule Log etc)
Text files – Folder for text documents that Simian will display (see Event Builder | Text / Tag feature).
Record Deck #1 default record (select path above) – path for storing recordings made using Simian
Record Deck #1 (default is D:\AUDIO\RECORDINGS)
Record Deck #2 default record (select path above) - path for storing recordings made using Simian
Record Deck #2 (default is D:\AUDIO\RECORDINGS)
Voice Track default record (select path above) – path for storing recordings made using Simian Voice
Track record (default is D:\AUDIO\VTRACKS)
Video files – Using the built-in capability to play video files, Simian will look inside this folder for the video
files. (default c:\bsi32\video)
Trigger Sets – default c:\bsi32\triggers
HotKeys Sets – default c:\bsi32\hotkeys
Serial Sets – default c:\bsi32\serial
Scheduled Event Sets – default c:\bsi32\scheduled

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The following example shows an alternative structure for the paths layout, prefixing each folder name with
the station call letters. This can be useful in multi-station clusters, though we prefer to rename the audio
folders audio1, audio2, audio3 etc to try and maintain an 8.3 folder and filename structure.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In the example above, we have added the station name to the default folder name.
This is useful when running a network of multiple stations, so that production computers can synchronize
copies of the audio libraries for different machines on the network. We have used the station call letters
here as an example for clarity, you may wish to use FM/AM or 1/2/3 etc. and keep the folder name down
to 8 letters or less which has certain advantages owing to the way in which Windows accesses files and
folders greater than 8 letters long in non-NTFS file systems.

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Simian Hardware Options
The Simian Hardware Options Window allows you to set up all of the options that you'll need to interface
with your computer's expansion boards and peripherals. You'll find these options under Tools/Hardware
Options.
Playback Tab
These settings are dependent on the kind of
audio card(s) you have installed in your system.
Some Simian functions require a professional
audio device.
Main Deck Assignments – This area allows
you to select which audio devices you would like
to assign to your four playback decks. You have
the option of assigning all available devices to
each individual deck or splitting them up as you
see fit. If you have multiple professional grade
audio cards, it’s usually best to have the decks
alternate between devices on different cards.
Playback Faders & Meters – In this area you
can choose to hide the audio meters that appear
next to the three main playback decks and
control your fader assignments. Configuring custom assignments is a very complex task, and we highly
suggest contacting our Training Department before utilizing this feature. Turning off meters is a good way
to conserve system resources on slower computers. You can also hide the audio scrubber sliders on the
main playback decks here.
Auxiliary Deck Assignments – This is the device to be used when you audition or preview an audio file
in the Play Decks, Event Builder or Info Editor. That is, when you listen to a cut on a separate or auxiliary
channel (connected to studio monitors) while another event is being played on-air.
Voice Track Editor Assignments – These are the assignments that will be used when you are
producing your Voice Tracks, not when you’re actually playing them in the log. During playback in the
Program Log, the regular settings for the main decks are used. To play Voice Tracks in the Voice Track
Editor, you’ll need to assign audio devices to play back the three tracks. You'll need three devices so that
you can overlap audio. The three drop-down lists correspond directly to those three tracks.
Voice Track Ducking – The Duck Ramp and Ducking % features allow you to control the length and
percentage at which the background track(s) are ducked when the VoiceTrack is played back.
Main Deck Segue – allows you to turn the segue feature on and off, fade the last deck at segue, have
your clocks count down to segue, reset decks to default volume level when they load and control the
default segue length. The default segue length is disregarded if your audio files have intro and secondary
tones. The default segue length also defines the length of segues that are started by pressing the space
bar.

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Record Tab
Recording settings for both the record decks and
the Voice Track recorder are located in the
Record tab of the Tools/Hardware Options
window. Just select the radio button for the device
that you'd like to configure. The record decks in
Simian are designed for use with long-form files
such as network programs. For commercial
production or song recording, you’ll want to use
your audio editor.
Both record decks and the Voice Track Record
function need to be mapped to specific devices on
a specific audio card so that you can make sure
that you’re recording on the same device that you
have hooked up to your audio source. You also
need to specify the formats for your recordings.
The options vary depending on the capabilities of
your installed soundcards. Once again, a
professional grade sound card will give you the
most options and highest quality.

Hardware Tab
This tab allows you to configure the way that
Simian interacts with Switcher Kits, Triggers Kits
and the keyboard.
Triggers – You can define and test Triggers here.
For more information, check out the Configuring
Triggers section in Chapter 3.
Switcher – You can define your Switcher (GPI)
device here.
Keyboard – Here you can define how Simian will
react to common keyboard inputs, including the
spacebar and escape key. Check out the
Configuring Relays section of chapter 3 for more
information.
Disable Enter key action – Simply disables your
Enter key.

When the Voice Track Editor Panel is active, the space bar is controlled by the Voice Track
Editor. We do not recommend using the Voice Track Editor while you are on-air. It is best to run
Simian in production mode on another PC so that you can do production tasks such as recording
Voice Tracks.

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Serial Com Tab
Information can be both sent to and
received from external devices using
your serial port. Use the Serial window
(under Async/Serials/Edit Sets on the
main Simian menu bar) to define the
character string(s) you want to listen for.
To enter a string, choose Edit/Insert
Event and a window will open that asks,
"What string do you want to watch for?"
You can also use the SERIAL macro
command (in the Event Builder) to send
commands such as "START" and
"STOP" to other devices. These macros
go right in the log and can be cued like
any other event.

The information needed to set up serial

communications on this tab is available
from your peripheral’s manufacturer.
Here’s a quick overview:

Port — Choose your preferred communication port setting. Valid options are COM1 through COM4.
Baud Rate — Choose the baud rate. Valid rates range from 300 to 28,800.
Parity — Choose the parity setting. This is the method of byte validation. Valid options are Even, Odd,
Mark, or Space.
Data Bits — Choose the data bit transfer rate. Valid options are 4 through 8.
Stop Bits — Choose the stop bit rate. Valid options are 1, 1.5 and 2.
Flow Control — Choose the flow control setting. Valid options are Hardware, None, XOn/XOff, and Both
Hardware and XOn/XOff.
Input Terminator — Choose CR (Carriage Return), LF (Line Feed), or CR/LF.
Output Terminator — Choose CR, LF or CR/LF.
DTR — This is a non-standard hardware-level option that is sometimes required by an external device.
This option is normally set for Low (Disabled).
RTS — This is a non-standard hardware-level option that is sometimes required by an external device.
This option is normally set for Low (Disabled).

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Appendix
Macros
Macro commands are among the most powerful features of Simian which allow you to easily control many
of Simian’s functions automatically.
Unlike Macros in other programs (that work by making you ‘record’ different sequences of keystrokes),
Simian uses a series of different ‘keywords’ to control various aspects of your automation system. Thus,
the process is much easier to understand and operate – especially as the keywords are available from a
drop down list box!
Once you’ve entered any required options or parameters to the end of the Macro Keyword (typically,
these are separated by commas), the completed Macro Command Line can easily be ‘drag and dropped’
from Event Builder and added to the Program Log, Scheduled Events, Triggers, Serial Sets, HotKeys, or
placed within Carts in exactly the same way as you’d add audio events to a Cart.
If you’re already a Macro expert, then there’s no need to scroll through the drop-down list box, you can
simply write your Macro Command Line into the box then drag and drop it. (This is also the only way to
enter any ‘hidden’ Macros that do not appear in the drop down list).
The Macros are listed on the ‘Macro’ tab of Event Builder and are described more fully in the following
pages of this manual.

Although easy to use, some Macros can use several different optional parameters. If you find
that you are using the same Macro repeatedly, or would like to give the Macro a clearer
description, we suggest that you create a Virtual Cart and enter the Macro into the cart. The
Macro will run in the same way but the Virtual Cart allows you to assign a more meaningful
description of what you’re using the Macro for. The Virtual Cart can then be easily drag and
dropped wherever it’s needed.

In the following pages, the MACRO NAME is shown in BOLD CAPITALS.

Any additional COMPULSORY COMMANDS or PARAMETERS are shown in UPPER CASE ITALICS. If
the COMMANDS and/or PARAMETERS are optional, they will be contained within [SQUARE
BRACKETS].
Required customer parameters are shown in lower case italics
Multiple options are separated / by / slashes
Where you need to enter additional information about the Macro, details are usually separated by a
comma symbol ‘,’.
Don’t worry if that sounds a little complicated, we’ve added Examples and Descriptions for all the Macros
available and useful TIPS on how to get the most out of each of the Macros too.

(Simian 1.8 Macros – Doc Rev 1.8.6)

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ADDEVENT
Allows you to add a (one off) event to the program log at the Sec Tone or End of the currently
playing deck, or when the next deck Starts playing. The Additional Event can be an audio file,
virtual cart or Macro command.
The ADDEVENT Macro would normally be assigned to an incoming trigger.

SYNTAX
ADDEVENT SECTONE/END/START, AUDIO/CART/MACRO, command

EXAMPLES
ADDEVENT SECTONE, MACRO, RELAY 1,100
Your EAS unit sends an alert pulse to an incoming trigger, but rather than interrupt programming
immediately, you play the announcement at the end of the audio playing by sending a relay
command to your EAS unit.

ADDEVENT SECTONE, CART, GO2_GAME

To insert a Live Game report from a remote location using the CircuitWerkes DR-10, first you dial
into your DR-10 and send a trigger pulse to Simian. A cart (GO2_GAME) is assigned to that
trigger, containing the following sequence to play a jingle and put the DR-10 to air.

AUTOMATION ASSIST
+ jingle.wav
+ MIXVOLUME 1,100

On a second trigger pulse from the DR-10, you’d have another cart to restart automation

+ MIXVOLUME 1,0
+ AUTOMATION FULL
+ STARTNEXT

ALLSTOP
The equivalent of pressing an ‘Emergency Stop’ button - use with care!

If AUTOMATION is ON, then Simian will step to the next event to play.

AUTOMATION
Selects the different Automation modes (has the same effect as pressing the Automation mode
button.

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 SYNTAX
AUTOMATION OFF / ASSIST / FULL

EXAMPLES
AUTOMATION OFF
Turns off automation

AUTOMATION FULL
Selects FULL automation mode

AUTOMATION ASSIST

TIP
You can assign the different AUTOMATION macros to different hotkeys (to save having to cycle
through the opens using the automation mode button).

Add an AUTOMATION FULL Macro as a scheduled event at the end of your live programming to
ensure your automation system runs while the station is unattended.

CHAIN
Loads a new Program Log with optional meta-variables to automatically work out the next day’s
log.

CHAIN replaces the older LOG Macro as it is more versatile and can be run as a scheduled event
once a day rather than being added to every Program Log.

SYNTAX
CHAIN logname, [NORELOAD]
The logname can be the full name of your log (excluding the .bsi extension) or for more versatility
can contain any of the following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the correct values
each time the macro is run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY’S
DATE

%M – 2 digit month
%D – 2 digit day (for tomorrow)
%Y – 2 digit year
%Z – 4 digit year
%W – 3 letter day of week (for tomorrow)
%T – for TODAY’S DATE based on MMDDYY

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 NORELOAD – this optional parameter prevents the current log being reloaded in case of error

EXAMPLES
CHAIN %W
Loads tomorrow’s program log based on the 3 letter day of the week (i.e. mon.bsi, tue.bsi,
wed.bsi, thu.bsi, fri.bsi, sat.bsi, sun.bsi)

CHAIN %D%M%Y, NORELOAD

Loads tomorrow’s program log based on the Day, Month and Year (i.e. 060205.bsi, 060305.bsi
etc.)

You can also add a prefix or suffix to the variables (or even in the middle). If you have multiple
stations you might use:

CHAIN FM%D%M%Z, NORELOAD

CHAIN AM%D%M%Z, NORELOAD
CHAIN KBSI%D%M%Z, NORELOAD
CHAIN KUGN%D%M%Z, NORELOAD
This will load program logs for tomorrow based on the format FM06022005.bsi, AM0602005.bsi,
KBSI0602005.bsi and KUGN0602005.bsi

In the above four examples, there is a 4 digit year because we used the %Z variable).

TIP
Enter the CHAIN Macro as a Scheduled Event once only, to run at 23:59:50 every night. It will
always load the next day’s log based on your parameters. Set once and forget

CLEARSTATUS
Clears all status information in the currently loaded Program Log (the X or E in the Status column
and the time from the Actual Time column). This allows previously used Program Logs to
execute timed events again where the Save Event Play & Error Info setting would have marked
them as already played.

SYNTAX
CLEARSTATUS

COMPACTDATABASE

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 Refreshes and rebuilds the audio database (usually c:\bsi32\audio.mdb). This will reduce the
size of the database if there have been a high number of refreshes since the last
COMPACTDATABASE which will help to improve access speed.

SYNTAX
COMPACTDATABASE

TIP
Run once a day as a Scheduled Event. This is best done during a quiet automated period as the
Event Builder is not available for a short time while the Macro is running.

COMPACTHEAP

Attempts to free up unused memory which reduces Windows total memory usage and enables
Simian to run longer between reboots.

SYNTAX
COMPACTHEAP

TIP
Schedule the COMPACTHEAP Macro to run once a day (as a Scheduled Event).
COUNTDOWN
Performs a countdown in the Play Deck as if an audio file was being played(does not effect
triggers, hotkeys, or other asynchronous events). Can be canceled by the ESCAPE key or STOP
button. Useful for keeping track of satellite broadcast segments.

SYNTAX
COUNTDOWN Seconds

EXAMPLE
COUNTDOWN 120
Will cause the deck to count down for 120 seconds.

NOTE: While a countdown is greater than 3600 seconds (1 hour), the display resolution of the
clock is in hours and minutes

DECKFADE

Fades up or down the specified play deck(s) over a specified period of time.

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 SYNTAX (this command is all typed on one line but is split here to show the options)
DECKFADE DECK#/ALL/CURRENT, START%/CURRENT, END%, MS, UNLOAD/STOP,
[RETURN]

DECK# - the play deck number, ALL (all 3 play decks) or CURRENT (the currently playing deck).

START% - the start volume level. Usually you will enter CURRENT for the current volume, but
you can specify a fade to start anywhere from 100 to 0 (full volume to mute)

END% - the end volume level. Usually 0 being mute, but fades can go up as well as down to any
value between 0 and 100.

MS – duration of fade in milliseconds

UNLOAD – unloads the deck that was playing

STOP – stops the deck that was playing

RETURN – this optional parameter returns the volume level to the original value.
(Continued next page)
EXAMPLES
DECKFADE ALL, 100,0,5000,UNLOAD,RETURN
DECKFADE CURRENT, CURRENT,0,20000,STOP,RETURN

DECKVOLUME
Sets the volume level of the specified play deck.

SYNTAX
DECKVOLUME #,%

# - the play deck # (1, 2 or 3), CURRENT, NEXT or LAST

% - the volume level where 100 is full and 0 is mute

EXAMPLES
DECKVOLUME 1,80
DECKVOLUME NEXT,50
DECKVOLUME CURRENT,80
DECKVOLUME CURRENT,100

TIP
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 Using this Macro in a cart is an easy way to have a HOTKEY automatically ‘duck’ the level of the
currently playing deck.

DECKVOLUME CURRENT,80
+ filename
+ DECKVOLUME ALL, 100

ENTERKEY
Duplicates the behavior of the keyboard ENTER key. This Macro should only be used in Trigger,
Hotkey and Serial sets (never in the main program log).

In LIVE ASSIST mode this would load the currently highlighted event into a deck.

In FULL AUTOMATION mode this would load the currently highlighted event into a deck and start
playing it.

SYNTAX
ENTERKEY
FILECOPY
Copies a Source File to a Destination

SYNTAX
FILECOPY SourceFileName, DestinationFileName
Filenames must include the full path to the file

The SourceFileName and DestinationFileName variables can be a full path as entered, or for
more versatility can contain any of the following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for
the correct values each time the macro is run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE
CURRENT DAY’S DATE

%DDD% - three letter day of week [Ex: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun]
%MM% - month [Ex: 01=January, 02=February, etc.]
%DD% - day [Ex: 01 through 31]
%YY% - two-digit year [Ex: 08 for 2008]
%YYYY% - four-digit year [Ex: 2008, 2009, 2010, etc.]
%HH% - current hour [24 hour cycle, Ex: 23 for 11:00pm]
%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy
%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)

EXAMPLES

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 FILECOPY D:\AUDIO\SPOTS\%DDD%.wav, D:\AUDIO\SPOTS\today.wav
FILECOPY C:\BSI32\TIMES\header1.wav, C:\BSI32\TIMES\header.wav

TIP
Can be used to automatically ‘update’ a spot or other audio event automatically (from scheduled
events, or as an event within a cart) or to change the c:\bsi32\times\header.wav file to
have a different introduction each time SAYTIME is used.

FILEDELETE
Deletes a specified filename

SYNTAX
FILEDELETE FileName
FileName must include the full path to the file

The FileName variable can be a full path as entered, or for more versatility can contain any of the
following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the correct values each time the macro is
run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE CURRENT DAY’S DATE

%DDD% - three letter day of week [Ex: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun]
%MM% - month [Ex: 01=January, 02=February, etc.]
%DD% - day [Ex: 01 through 31]
%YY% - two-digit year [Ex: 08 for 2008]
%YYYY% - four-digit year [Ex: 2008, 2009, 2010, etc.]
%HH% - current hour [24 hour cycle, Ex: 23 for 11:00pm]
%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy
%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)

EXAMPLES
FILEDELETE D:\AUDIO\SPOTS\WEEKEND.WAV
FILEDELETE D:\AUDIO\LINERS\PROMO07.WAV

FLEXTIME
Sets the current FlexTime mode, using the parameters setup in:
Tools | Program Options | FlexTime

SYNTAX
FLEXTIME OFF/PITCH/BACKTIME

EXAMPLES

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 FLEXTIME OFF
FLEXTIME PITCH
FLEXTIME BACKTIME

FTP
Connects / Disconnects to remote FTP server and performs the FTP Get or Put functions.
NOTE: This macro requires Port 21 to be open, so make sure your firewall/router is set
accordingly.

SYNTAX
FTP CONNECT, Server, Account, Password
FTP [GET/PUT] LocalFile, RemoteFile
FTP DISCONNECT
The LocalFile and RemoteFile variables can be a full path as entered, or for more versatility can
contain any of the following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the correct values
each time the macro is run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE CURRENT DAY’S DATE

%DDD% - three letter day of week [Ex: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun]
%MM% - month [Ex: 01=January, 02=February, etc.]
%DD% - day [Ex: 01 through 31]
%YY% - two-digit year [Ex: 08 for 2008]
%YYYY% - four-digit year [Ex: 2008, 2009, 2010, etc.]
%HH% - current hour [24 hour cycle, Ex: 23 for 11:00pm]
%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy
%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)

EXAMPLES
FTP PUT c:\bsi32\webpage.html, /public_html/nowplaying.htm
FTP GET d:\audio\vtracks\forecast.mp3, /audio/weather/midday.mp3

When finished, disconnect from the FTP server using:

FTP DISCONNECT

TIPS
You must first open a connection to an FTP Server (using URL or IP address) using the
CONNECT command, entering your Account (username) and Password details.
Once connected, you can use the FTP PUT or GET commands to move files between the local
and remote machines.
When finished, you should DISCONNECT from the FTP server.

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GETFORECAST
Retrieves the current US NOAA weather service forecast for your zone area and displays the
forecast in the Weather Windows (CTRL-W). (Use the BSI ZoneFinder utility to discover your
local zone area).
NOTE: This macro requires Port 80 open, so make sure to set your firewall/router accordingly.

SYNTAX
GETFORECAST State, Zone
State your two letter State code (i.e. OR)
Zone your four character NOAA Zone area (i.e. ORZ001)

EXAMPLE
GETFORECAST OR, ORZ001
GETWEATHER
Retrieves the current weather conditions for your ZipCode, Airport or International Weather
Station code from Weather Underground.

NOTE: This macro requires Port 80 open, with access to www.wunderground.com, so set your
firewall/router accordingly.

Simian will also receive the weather conditions from a local file, allowing customers to write
interfaces between local weather stations to write the local information and have Simian use it.

SYNTAX
GETWEATHER ZIPCODE
GETWEATHER [ZIPCODE,] ZIPCODE
GETWEATHER STATION, STATIONCODE
GETWEATHER FILENAME, FILENAME
Zipcode is your five digit Zipcode or three digit Airport code
Stationcode is the Global Weather Station Code used by Weather Underground. To obtain
these codes, visit http://www.wunderground.com/auto/raw/global and drill down to your
Country and City (note that Global Stations are not updated as frequently as domestic US
weather stations). Then note the code at the end of the Weather Forecast URL.
Filename is the path and filename to a local .ini file containing the following information:

[Weather]
Temp=83
Conditions=Sunny
Visibility=10.5
Winds=WNW at 2

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 Pressure=29.95
Humidity=60%
Dewpoint=71
Time=9:00 AM PST October 4, 2005
City=Eugene
State=Oregon

EXAMPLE
GETWEATHER 97401
GETWEATHER ZIPCODE, 90210
GETWEATHER STATION, 08373
GETWEATHER FILENAME, c:\bsi32\weather.ini

TIP
In the event that Windows encounters a Network error, either locally or with the Internet
Connection, while attempting to retrieve the weather information, Simian may be given a lower
operating priority as Windows diverts resources to obtaining the weather. To prevent this having
a detrimental effect on Simian we now provide a GETWEATHER application which will write the
weather to c:\bsi32\weather.ini, from where Simian can read it. GETWEATHER.exe can be run
hourly as a Scheduled ‘APP’ event without affecting Simian

GOTO
Moves to a specified position in the program log based on scheduled time or the description field
of a COMMENT Macro and makes that event ‘next to play’. The optional NOW parameter has
the same effect as a timed immediate event.

SYNTAX
GOTO TIME hh:mm:ss/CURRENT, [NOW] or
GOTO label, [NOW]
EXAMPLES
GOTO TIME 06:00:00, NOW
Moves the program log to the first event with a scheduled time at or after 6am. This Macro will
have no effect if there are no Scheduled times entered in the Program Log.

GOTO TIME CURRENT, NOW

Moves the program log to the first event with a scheduled time at or after the time at which the
Macro was executed. (This Macro can be used to advance the log to the current time of day
when first opened.)

GOTO rockshow, NOW

GOTO end-of-game, NOW

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 Moves the program log to the line that says REM rockshow or REM end-of-game

HOTKEY
Plays a specified HotKey (never run this Macro FROM a HotKey).

SYNTAX
HOTKEY HOTKEY#
EXAMPLE
HOTKEY 5
Plays HotKey # 5 of the currently loaded HotKey set.

HTMLTEXT
Allows you to dynamically replace user defined tags in the HTML template file with user defined
text in the HTML destination file without having to edit the entire page.

Tags are entered in the template file as <!--usertag--> and are thus in a static position.

SYNTAX
HTMLTEXT usertag, usertext

NOTE: Since Simian uses the comma to parse macro meta variables, if you desire to use a
comma in the usertext, the HTML code for a comma ("&#44", without the quotes) must
be used instead so that it is parsed correctly.

EXAMPLES
HTMLTEXT usertag, My Text To Replace The Tag
Replaces <!--usertag--> in the template HTML file with ‘My Text To Replace The
Tag’ in the destination HTML file

HTMLTEXT anothertag, My Text To Replace Another Tag&#44 including a comma

Replaces <!--anothertag--> in the template HTML file with ‘My Text To Replace
Another Tag’ in the destination HTML file

HTMLTEXT usertag or HTMLTEXT anothertag

clears the replaced tag in the destination HTML file

TIPS
To illustrate the possibilities, the following examples are extreme!

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 Add <!--alarm--> to your template HTML file. Then, wire your station’s intruder (or other)
alarm to one of Simian’s incoming triggers with the following Macro assigned to that trigger.

HTMLTEXT <!--alarm-->, <B>Our building has been broken into&#44 please dial 911</B>

HTMLTEXT <!--alarm-->, <B><font color=red>Fire Alarm Activated&#44 please dial

911</B></FONT><BR>

HTMLTEXT <!--alarm-->, <B>We apologize for the dead-air&#44 please page our
engineer on xxx-xxxx to fix the problem</B>

Or, you could add <!--jockinfo--> to your template HTML file and allow your staff to alter
that line of text on the web site. For example:

HTMLTEXT <!--jockinfo-->, <I>Call me now for a chance to win!</I>

IMPORTLOG
Imports an ASCII text file using the default Traffic Log Import filter and creates and loads the file
as a Program Log if that options has been selected in the Import Filter. Simian can dynamically
generate the filename using the meta variables listed below. (See also the SORTLOGBYTIME
Macro).

You can also specify the Log Import Filter to use, by adding the optional MUSIC, TRAFFIC or
ALTERNATE parameter after the filename.

SYNTAX
IMPORTLOG FILENAME.EXT,[TRAFFIC/MUSIC/ALTERNATE]
TRAFFIC/MUSIC/ALTERNATE – selects the Import filter to use (default is Traffic)
FILENAME.EXT – is the full filename including file extension of the ASCII file to import (usually
.log, .txt etc). By default, this file should be in the c:\bsi32\import folder.
The filename can include any of the following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the
correct values each time the macro is run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING DAY’S DATE

%DDD% - three letter day of week [Ex: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun]
%MM% - month [Ex: 01=January, 02=February, etc.]
%DD% - day [Ex: 01 through 31]
%YY% - two-digit year [Ex: 08 for 2008]
%YYYY% - four-digit year [Ex: 2008, 2009, 2010, etc.]
%HH% - current hour [24 hour cycle, Ex: 23 for 11:00pm]
%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy
%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)

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 EXAMPLE
IMPORTLOG filename.txt
Imports a log called filename.txt using the Traffic format

IMPORTLOG filename.log, MUSIC

Imports a log called filename.log using the Music format

IMPORTLOG spots.txt, TRAFFIC

Imports a log called spots.txt using the Traffic format

IMPORTLOG %W.txt
Imports a log for tomorrow based on the 3 letter day of the week (i.e. mon.txt, tue.txt,
wed.txt, thu.txt, fri.txt, sat.txt, sun.txt)

IMPORTLOG %D%M%Y.log
Imports a log based on the Day, Month and Year (i.e. 060205.log, 060305.logi etc.)

IMPORTLOG KBSI%W.log
Imports a log for tomorrow, based on the filename KBSI followed by the three letter day
of the week (i.e. KBSIWED.log)

INSERTLOG
Inserts another specified Program Log into the current Program Log.

SYNTAX
INSERTLOG logname

The logname variable can be a full name as entered, or for more versatility can contain any of the
following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the correct values each time the macro is
run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE CURRENT DAY’S DATE

%DDD% - three letter day of week [Ex: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun]
%MM% - month [Ex: 01=January, 02=February, etc.]
%DD% - day [Ex: 01 through 31]
%YY% - two-digit year [Ex: 08 for 2008]
%YYYY% - four-digit year [Ex: 2008, 2009, 2010, etc.]
%HH% - current hour [24 hour cycle, Ex: 23 for 11:00pm]
%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy
%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)

EXAMPLE

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 INSERTLOG newshour
Inserts the newshour.bsi log into the current Program Log
TIP
There are a number of potential uses for this Macro, for example – calling a ‘rain stopped play’
log during a ball game; pre-compiling a magazine program (or news sequence) on a remote
machine and importing that log into the Program Log when it’s ready to air.

LOADHOTKEYS
Loads a specified HotKey set and uses this set as the current set

SYNTAX
LOADHOTKEYS setname

EXAMPLES
LOADHOTKEYS amdrive
LOADHOTKEYS overnight

TIP
To have a blank HotKey set, create a blank set entitled none and use the following:
LOADHOTKEYS none

LOADSERIAL
Loads a specified Serial set and uses this set as the current set (or unloads all sets using the
NONE parameter).

SYNTAX
LOADSERIAL setname/NONE
EXAMPLES
LOADSERIAL amdrive
LOADSERIAL overnight
LOADSERIAL NONE

LOADTRIGGERS
Loads a specified Triggers set and uses this set as the current set (or unloads all sets using the
NONE parameter).

SYNTAX
LOADTRIGGERS setname/NONE

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 EXAMPLES
LOADTRIGGERS amdrive
LOADTRIGGERS overnight
LOADTRIGGERS NONE

LOADSCHEDULED
Loads a specified Scheduled Events set and uses this set as the current set (or unloads all sets
using the NONE parameter).

SYNTAX
LOADSCHEDULED setname/NONE

EXAMPLES
LOADSCHEDULED amdrive
LOADSCHEDULED overnight
LOADSCHEDULED NONE

LOG
Although it will still work, the LOG Macro has largely been replaced by the more versatile CHAIN
Macro and we advise all customers to adopt CHAIN (as a Scheduled Event) instead of using the
older LOG Macro in the Program Log. The LOG Macro loads a specified Program Log or
generates a new one. Never run the LOG Macro as a timed immediate event.

SYNTAX
LOG LOAD/NEW logname

The logname can be a full name as entered, or for more versatility can contain any of the
following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the correct values each time the macro is
run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE CURRENT DAY’S DATE

%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy

%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy

EXAMPLES
LOG LOAD welcome
Loads c:\bsi32\logs\welcome.bsi
LOG NEW
Creates a new untitled Program Log (it is not possible to give a new log a name until
events have been added to the log)

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MIXFADE
Fades (up or down) the specified Mix# for the specified duration. This Macro requires an audio
card with a hardware mixer.

SYNTAX
MIXFADE MIX#, START%, END%, MS, [STOP], [WAIT]
Mix#- the Mix# to fade (from 1 to 16)
Start% - the start volume level (from 100 to 0)
End% - the end volume level (from 0 to 100)
MS – the duration of the fade in milliseconds
STOP – this optional parameter will stop and unload any playing decks
WAIT – this optional parameter waits until the end of the fade before going to the next
event

EXAMPLES
MIXFADE 1,0,100,5000
Fades Mix1 from 0% (muted) to 100% (full) over 5,000ms

MIXFADE 1,100,5000
Fades Mix1 from 100% to 0% (full to muted) over 5,000ms

MIXFADE 2,80,10,10000, STOP, WAIT

Fades Mix2 from 80%-10% over 10 seconds. Unloads any decks that were playing and
then once the fade has finished starts the next event in the Program Log (if in full
Automation). This sort of fade won’t be very common but shows the flexibility available.

TIP
Use the MIXFADE Macro to opt in and out of satellite fed programming for a smooth fade in or
out, especially where the network is using filler music and you are rejoining slightly early; or you
are joining a program already in progress.

MIXVOLUME
Sets the specified Mix# to the specified volume

SYNTAX
MIXVOLUME #, Volume% or
MIXVOLUME #, ON/OFF

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 EXAMPLES
MIXVOLUME 1, 100
MIXVOLUME 2, 0
Sets Mix1 volume to 100% (full) and Mix2 volume to 0% (muted)

MIXVOLUME 1, OFF
Prevents Mix1 being controlled by subsequent MIXVOLUME 1 Macros (until MIXVOLUME 1,
OFF is executed)

PAUSE
Pauses events for the specified number of seconds (though will not prevent a trigger or hotkey
from starting audio). Can be used in the main Program Log or within a Cart.

SYNTAX
PAUSE seconds

EXAMPLE
PAUSE 120
Causes the next event to be delayed by 120 seconds (2 minutes)

TIP
Use a PAUSE 1 Macro when sending mulTIPle commands to some external serial devices which
do not allow commands to be sent one after the other.

PLAYASYNC
Plays the specified audio file (or Cart) in the Async Deck (Deck #4)

SYNTAX
PLAYASYNC filename

(Continued next page)

EXAMPLE
PLAYASYNC filler
Plays filler.wav or filler.krt out of the Async Deck

TIP

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 When coupled with a DECKVOLUME 4 Macro, PLAYASYNC can be used for filler music (catch-
up music) by setting the volume of the deck to 0 prior to starting the stop set. At the end of the
stop set, a DECKFADE 4,0,100,3000 will fade up the already playing ASYNC deck.

The same feature can be used to ‘dip’ in and out of a long-form recording to play audio from the
main program log.

PLAYDECK
Plays the specified (or Next) play deck. This Macro should NOT be used in the Program Log.

SYNTAX
PLAYDECK, Deck#/NEXT

EXAMPLES
PLAYDECK, 1
PLAYDECK, 2
PLAYDECK, 3

PLAYHOOKS
PLAYHOOKS allows you to ‘forward sell’ your hour by playing listeners the hooks of songs that
are coming up.

The sequence automatically adds c:\bsi32\hooks\header.wav and ends with

c:\bsi32\hooks\tail.wav. If a c:\bsi32\hooks\zinger.wav exists, this will be played in between the
HOOKS of each song.

If no HOOK is marked within the song, the first few seconds of the song will be played instead.
A threshold parameter safeguards against spots or jingles being played (all file lengths below that
threshold are ignored).

NOTE: All the files in c:\bsi32\hooks must be exactly the same audio format as your songs.

SYNTAX
PLAYHOOKS Events, Jump, Threshold
Events – the total number of events in the Program Log to play
Jump – the number of events to jump before playing the next hook
Threshold – only adds events greater than the specified threshold

EXAMPLE
PLAYHOOKS 4, 3, 61

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 Plays the hooks of 4 songs, jumping 3 songs each time and only playing files that are longer than
61 seconds

TIP
By using the FILECOPY Macro, you can change the header.wav and tail.wav to add more variety
to the PLAYHOOKS announcements.

RECORD
Controls recording (and playback) of Simian’s two built-in Record decks. Recordings are made
into the default record paths setup in Tools | Program Options | Paths

SYNTAX
RECORD START/STOP, DECK#, filename, duration, [description]
RECORD PLAYSTART/PLAYSTOP, DECK#, [filename]
START/STOP – controls recording of the DECK# specified (1 or 2)
PLAYSTART/PLAYSTOP – controls playback of the DECK# specified (1 or 2)
filename – the 8.3 filename for the recording (or optionally to playback)
duration – the length of the record. A duration of ‘0’ continues recording until the
RECORD STOP, DECK# Macro is executed.
description – allows you to ‘tag’ a recording with a Title Description

The filename and description can be a full name as entered, or for more versatility can contain
any of the following meta-variables which Simian will substitute for the correct values each time
the macro is run. ALL VARIABLES ARE BASED ON THE CURRENT DAY’S DATE
%DDD% - three letter day of week [Ex: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun]
%MM% - month [Ex: 01=January, 02=February, etc.]
%DD% - day [Ex: 01 through 31]
%YY% - two-digit year [Ex: 08 for 2008]
%YYYY% - four-digit year [Ex: 2008, 2009, 2010, etc.]
%HH% - current hour [24 hour cycle, Ex: 23 for 11:00pm]
%TODAY% - returns date in the following format mmddyy
%TOMORROW% - returns tomorrow's date in the following format mmddyy
%TIME% - returns the current time of the start of the recording (EX: 22:30:45)
(Continued next page)
EXAMPLES
RECORD START, 1, 0600news, 180, 6am News
Records 0600news.wav in record deck #1 for 3 minutes with the Title Description ‘6am
News’

RECORD START, 2, rockshow%TODAY%, 0, Rock Show for %TODAY%

Records rockshow012808.wav in record deck #2 with the Title Description ‘Rock Show
for 012808’

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 RECORD STOP, 2
Stops Record Deck #1

RECORD PLAYSTART, 1
Plays back the last file recorded and still loaded in Record Deck #1

RECORD PLAYSTOP, 2
Stops playback in Record Deck #2 (Note that RECORD STOP,2 would have the same
effect)

RECORD PLAYSTART, 1, filename.wav

Plays back filename.wav in Record Deck #1

TIP
RECORD Macros are best run from the Scheduled Events rather than the main program log.
Recordings will overwrite files with the same filename automatically, so the same filenames can
be used repeatedly for the daily events.

RECORD Macros can also be stacked in a cart to record a program from a satellite network in
response to the incoming triggers for local breaks. This is useful for time-shifting programs.

In the example below, the satellite network sends a trigger for a 3 minute, 2 minute, then 1 minute
break. We use that trigger to start the same cart which sequences through the following
commands (the first recording is usually started as a timed event, but the breaks are ‘floating’):

RECORD STOP, 1
+ PAUSE 180
+ RECORD START, 1, part_2, 0, Program Part 2
RECORD STOP, 1
+ PAUSE 120
+ RECORD START, 1, part_3, 0, Program Part 3
RECORD STOP, 1
+ PAUSE 60
+ RECORD ….etc

RECORDSOURCE
Selects a record source for the AudioScience Sound Card either by using the Card #, or the
Sound Card being used by the specified Record Deck.

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 SYNTAX
RECORDSOURCE CARD/DECK, DEVICE#, SOURCE#
CARD - selects the specified source on the specified Sound Card
DECK - selects the specified source on the Sound Card being used by the specified
Record Deck
DEVICE# - either the Sound Card or Record Deck
SOURCE# - the Sound Card input number

EXAMPLES
RECORDSOURCE CARD, 1, 2
Selects Line Input 2 for Sound Card 1

RECORDSOURCE DECK, 2, 3
Selects Line Input 3 for the Sound Card being used by Record Deck 2

RECORDSOURCE DECK, 1, 2
Selects Record Input 2 for Record Deck 1

RELAY
Controls an optional external relay

SYNTAX
RELAY #, ON/OFF/MS

EXAMPLE
RELAY 1, ON
Turns Relay 1 ON

RELAY 2, OFF
Turns Relay 2 OFF

RELAY 3, 500
Closes Relay 3 for 500ms (1/2 a second) and then opens Relay 3

TIP
Durations of up to 30000ms (30 seconds) can be used. For longer durations, use the RELAY #,
ON and RELAY #, OFF command as Scheduled Events or in the Program Log.

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 The number of relays available will depend on the external equipment being used.

REM
Remark or Comment in the Program Log which otherwise does nothing when in Automation
Mode. (In Live Assist mode, you will need to manually advance this item).

REM Macros are great ways of making the Program Log easier to navigate and read.

SYNTAX
REM description

EXAMPLES
REM This is the 6am Hour
REM Insert 3 Minutes of Local Spots Here
REM Put on coffee pot for morning guy
REM Time Marker for 13:45
REM ENDOFGAME

TIPS
Use a REM Macro as a timed event to align each hour correctly
Use a meaningful description as an aid to navigate the log or as a reminder
Use a short description, or label, to use as a place marker for the GOTO Macro (GOTO
ENDOFGAME would advance the Program Log to REM ENDOFGAME)

RESETASYNC
Resets the Async Deck, clearing any items currently playing or queued (stacked) to play.

SYNTAX
RESETASYNC

RESETCART
Resets the ‘next to play’ marker inside a Virtual Cart to the first item in the cart. This is useful
when using Virtual Carts for complicated sequences where it’s essential that the cart is at the first
item before being used.

SYNTAX
RESETCART cartname

EXAMPLE

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 RESETCART kk_rec
Resets the kk_rec.krt file and makes the first item in the cart the next to play

RESETSERIAL
This hidden Macro is used to reset the Serial Port in case of errors and will clear both incoming
and outgoing Serial buffers (hidden means it doesn’t appear on the drop-down list, but you can
type it in and add it to your log or Scheduled Events etc).

SYNTAX
RESETSERIAL

SAVELOG
Saves any changes to the currently opened Program Log (will not save a Program Log with no
existing filename)

SYNTAX
SAVELOG
SAYTEMP
Plays a sequence of audio files to announce the current temperature (as previously obtained
using the GETWEATHER Macro)

First to play is c:\bsi32\times\temps\temp.wav, followed by xx.wav where xx is the current

temperature (if the temperature is below freezing, Simian will look for a file called –
xx.wav) and finally degrees.wav

SYNTAX
SAYTEMP

TIPS
Take some extra time to record alternative temp.wav files and rotate these using randomized
FILECOPY Macros from within a cart. This will give you a different intro each time the SAYTEMP
Macro is used.

Record the temperature value and the word ‘degrees’ in the same xx.wav file (or -xx.wav files!)
for a smoother sound and then either optionally delete the degrees.wav file or use randomized
versions of the degrees.wav file to have different ‘back-sells’ to the weather forecast.

If you don’t have time to record all the temperatures, copy the same file between 70.wav and
79.wav and say ‘between 70 and 80 degrees today’

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 Omit the temp.wav file and use the xx.wav file to say ‘looks like we’re in for a cold one tonight
with temperatures down somewhere between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees’

With a little time, care and thought, you can sound really live even when you’re not there!

SAYTIME
Announces the current time (and optionally, the current temperature too)

c:\bsi32\times\header.wav is played first, followed by c:\bsi32\times\hours\hh.wav and finally

c:\bsi32\times\minutes\mm.wav where hh is the current hour and mm is the current minute.

SYNTAX
SAYTIME [/TEMP]

EXAMPLES
SAYTIME
Announces the current time
SAYTIME/ TEMP
Announces the current time and temperature (providing the GETWEATHER Macro has
been executed)

TIPS
Use a series of FILECOPY commands in a randomized cart to change the header.wav file to
rotate the time announce intros, or a batch file and the XCOPY Windows / DOS command to
change and entire set of folders so that the voice change change with different day-parts.

SERIAL
Sends the specified text to the Serial Port. The text could be a command to an external serial
device (to control it) or data to be displayed on a billboard or with an RDS/RBDS encoder.

SYNTAX
SERIAL usertext
The usertext may be replaced or combined with the following meta-variables
%ARTIST% - the Artist tag data of the currently playing audio
%TITLE% - the Title tag data of the currently playing audio
%DESC% - the description field in the Program Log (typically Artist and Title)
%ALBUM% - the Album tag data of the currently playing song
%GENRE% - the Genre tag data of the currently playing song
%YEAR% - the Year tag data of the currently playing song
%URL% - the URL tag data of the currently playing song
%PLAYDECK% - the currently playing Deck #
%LENGTH% - the length of the currently playing audio
%CATEGORY% - the category of the currently playing audio
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 %COPY% - the text from the COPY field of the currently playing audio
%COPYRIGHT% - the text from the COPYRIGHT field of the currently playing audio
%COMPOSER% - the text from the COMPOSER field of the currently playing audio
%CURTIME% - the current time in hhmmss format
%CURDATE% - the current date in mmddyy format
%PUBLISHER% - the text from the PUBLISHER field of the currently playing audio
%LENGTH% - the length of the currently playing audio
%COMMENTS% - the text from the COMMENTS field of the currently playing audio
%SEGTIME% - the segue time of the currently playing audio
%STATIONID% - the STATION ID text from Simian’s Program Options
%PROGRAMLOG% - the name of the currently loaded Program Log
%WEATHERTEMP% - the current temperature obtained with the GETWEATHER macro
%CAPS% - causes all text for the SERIAL macro to be set to upper case

EXAMPLES
SERIAL hello world
Sends the text ‘hello world’ to the serial port
(Continued next page)
SERIAL Now Playing - %ARTIST% - %TITLE% Duration: %LENGTH%
Sends ‘Now Playing’ followed by the current Artist – Title ‘Duration:’ and finally the length
of the audio

SERIAL *0011
Control sequence of ASCII characters to activate a function on an external serial device
TIP
When used in conjunction with Serial Sets, the SERIAL Macro can control another Simian
machine (for streaming spot substitution, or split announcements etc.) Using third-party Serial to
IP hardware and software, you can also send this data via a Network or the Internet.

SERIALOPT
Sends the specified text to a secondary Serial Port (separate than the serial port configured
within Simian and used with the SERIAL macro above). The text could be a command to an
external serial device (to control it) or data to be displayed on a billboard or with an RDS/RBDS
encoder.

SYNTAX
SERIALOPT portnumber, usertext
The portnumber is the Com Port number for the data to be sent on. NOTE: The port
specified can not be the same port as is selected in Simian’s Hardware Options as this
port will already be in use.
The usertext may be replaced or combined with the same meta-variables as are available
in the SERIAL macro listed above.

EXAMPLES
SERIALOPT 3, hello world

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 Sends the text ‘hello world’ to the Com 3 serial port

SERIALOPT 2, Now Playing - %ARTIST% - %TITLE% Duration: %LENGTH%

Sends ‘Now Playing’ followed by the current Artist – Title ‘Duration:’ and finally the length
of the audio to Com Port 2

SERIALOPT 4, *0011
Sends the control sequence of ASCII characters to activate a function on an external
serial device to Com Port 4
SERIALRESET

Resets the main Serial Port. While SERIALOPT Macros open and close the serial ports, the
main Serial Port remains open all the time. This macro closes and re-opens the main Serial Port
to reset it.

SYNTAX
SERIALRESET

SETTIME
Sets the computer clock to the specified time. (Note that this requires certain Windows
permission rights that are not normally available to ‘restricted’ or ‘limited’ users).

SYNTAX
SETTIME HH:MM:SS
HH - hour in 24 hour military time
MM – minutes
SS – seconds

EXAMPLE
SETTIME 23:00:00
SETTIME 06:15:30

SHOWEATHER
Displays the Weather information window (the same as pressing CTRL-W)
Both a GETFORECAST and GETWEATHER Macro must have been executed previously to fully
populate the weather window.
SYNTAX
SHOWWEATHER

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SORTLOGBYTIME
Sorts the current Program Log based on the times in the Scheduled Time column.

Typically, this Macro is used when Importing a Music and Traffic Log from different scheduling
software, to create one continuous chronological log.
SOUNDHOUND

Toggles SoundHound refresh mode

SYNTAX
SOUNDHOUND Manual/Auto

EXAMPLES
SOUNDHOUND Manual
SoundHound must be refreshed manually to update the audio database
SOUNDHOUND Auto
SoundHound will refresh the database automatically

TIP: It’s useful to disable refreshing when someone elsewhere on your network is adding files to
your PC, or during voice-tracking if numerous files are being recorded.

SPACEBAR
Has the same effect as pressing the computer’s SPACEBAR (which usually starts, or segues the
next event). This Macro should NOT be used in the Program Log.

SYNTAX
SPACEBAR

SPY
This hidden Macro adds a specified text string to the Spyglass diagnostic output and is a useful
tool for testing and debugging Program Logs, Carts and Triggers etc.

SYNTAX
SPY textstring

EXAMPLES
SPY Trigger #7 Received

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 SPY Sports.krt has reached last item in cart

STARTNEXT
If the Play Decks are idle, the STARTNEXT Macro will start the next event in the Program Log.
This Macro should NOT be used in the Program Log.

SYNTAX
STARTNEXT
STOPDECK
Stops the specified play deck. This Macro should NOT be used in the Program Log.

SYNTAX
STOPDECK DECK#/CURRENT

EXAMPLES
STOPDECK 2
Stops Play Deck 2 (if playing)
STOPDECK CURRENT
Stops the currently playing deck

TIMEDBLOCKSTART
Uses FlexTime settings to force the following block of audio events listed in the Program Log to
run for the specified duration. (Useful for ensuring that a stop set runs for exactly 2 minutes when
the production department has made some 31 and 28 second commercials!)

SYNTAX
TIMEBLOCKSTART MM:SS
MM:SS is the desired length of the block in minutes and seconds

EXAMPLE
TIMEDBLOCKSTART 03:00
Forces the next block of events to run for exactly 3 minutes

NOTE
This Macro is ‘hidden’ from the Main list and must be entered manually.
A TIMEDBLOCKEND Macro is required at the end of the block.
As exact audio duration of an item in a cart is not known ahead of time, Simian is unable to utilize
this feature using Carts.

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TIMEDBLOCKEND
Marks the end of the timed block of events (see TIMEDBLOCKSTART)

SYNTAX
TIMEDBLOCKEND
NOTE: This Macro is ‘hidden’ from the Main list and must be entered manually

TIMEEVENTS
Turns on or off timed and other automatic events

SYNTAX
TIMEEVENTS ON/OFF

TIMESYNC
Turns on or off the TimeSync feature according to the options specified in Tools | Program
Options | General | Engage TimeSync | Settings

SYNTAX
TIMESYNC ON/OFF

TOPMOST
This hidden Macro returns Windows ‘focus’ to Simian (makes Simian the Topmost program).

Occasionally, other programs on the computer or certain tasks in Simian can remove ‘focus’ from
Simian. When this happens, the Space Bar and other Keyboard commands are passed to the
program in ‘focus’ rather than Simian.

‘Focus’ is returned to Simian each time the TOPMOST Macro is executed.

SYNTAX
TOPMOST
NOTE
The TOPMOST Macro is hidden from the main Macro list and must be typed in manually.

TRIGGERS
Turns on or off incoming Triggers. This may be desirable during live assist programming so that
contact closures from your satellite receiver do not trigger Simian (though this is better handled
with different Trigger Sets)

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 SYNTAX
TRIGGERS ON/OFF
NOTE: The act of LOADING a trigger set will turn ON triggers.

TRIGGER
Activates the specified trigger of the currently loaded set. (The Macro is ignored if no Trigger Set
is loaded)

SYNTAX
TRIGGER #
The # of triggers available will be determined by the Trigger Interface fitted.

UPDATEDATABASE
Updates the entire audio database immediately (this may take some time if you have a large
audio library)

If Event Builder is open, you’ll notice it scroll to the top of the list when the update is complete.

SYNTAX
UPDATEDATABASE

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Contact Information
Headquarters: Broadcast Software International
503 East 11th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
USA
Email: [email protected]

Sales: 1.888.274.8721
541.338.8588
Email: [email protected]

Technical Support: 541.342.5250

Support Center: http://support.bsiusa.com
Training 541.338.8588

Validation Codes: www.bsiusa.com/codes

541.338.8588 / 888.274.8721

Fax: 541.338.8656

Web Site: www.bsiusa.com

Other Products From BSI and Our Partners

Adobe Audition —A professional Windows-based digital audio recorder, editor and mixer. It has
numerous top-quality digital effects modules and can mix up to 128 tracks together. Time display
window, level meters, clip indicators and Mute/Solo/Record color coding let you know exactly what’s
going on. Volume and Pan envelopes give you total control over the mix.
Music Store—BSI now offers over 45,000 songs in a wide variety of digital formats. Contact Sales for
information on titles, formats and pricing.
Natural Log—Traffic and Billing system from Natural Software. Offers traffic, billing, reporting, data
backup/restore capabilities, account receivable and payables and end of month closing features. Natural
Log can handle two stations within a single billing environment and an unlimited number of separately
billed stations.
Natural Music—Music Scheduling system from Natural Software. Gives you substantial control over
your playlist. The single keystroke interface lets you move through the program quickly and easily. You
can schedule up to 99 different music categories by day part and separation. Tempo and style
information can be used to design a unique sound for your station.
SkimmerPlus -- Easy Audio Logging and Skimmer. SkimmerPlus can record in linear PCM and
compressed audio file formats at the same time. Includes web playback module and built-in web server
for easy access to recorded audio.
Speedy—Automated CD-to-PC dubbing. The recording system automatically dubs, names and tags files
each song for you. Transfer one, several or all tracks easily and audition songs before dubbing if desired.
Stinger—Instant Audio Player that gives you fast, easy access to your sound effects, liners, beds and
bits. Up to 288 audio cuts can be instantly available for playback in Stinger and each audio cut has its
own on-screen description and button which can be color-coded. Supports drag and drop manipulation.
WaveCart—On-screen “cart machine” that displays up to ten decks audio files and giving you
instantaneous, crystal clear playback. WaveCart supports spot rotation and it can also play more than
one spot at a time.

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Vendor Contact Information
AudioScience, Inc.
Manufacturers of audio cards recommended by BSI.
Phone: 302-324-5333 Fax: 302-235-7110 www.audioscience.com

Measurement Computing Corporation (formerly ComputerBoards)

Manufacturers of Relay cards and boards used with BSI software.
Phone: 508-946-5100 Fax: 508-946-9500 www.measurementcomputing.com

Natural Broadcast Systems

Manufacturers of Natural Music and Natural Log software.
Phone: 210-349-5808 Fax: 210-344-7567 www.nat-soft.com

Legal Information
Limited Warranty
Broadcast Software International warrants that all disks provided are free from defects in material and
workmanship, assuming normal use, for a period of 15 days from the date of purchase.
Broadcast Software International warrants that the program will perform in substantial compliance with
the documentation supplied with the software product. If a significant defect in the product is found, the
Purchaser may return the product for a refund. In no event will such a refund exceed the purchase price
of the product.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE, BROADCAST SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL DISCLAIMS ALL
WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE PURCHASER
ASSUMES THE RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR,
OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT WILL
BROADCAST SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
(INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE,
OR THE INABILITY TO USE, THIS PRODUCT EVEN IF BROADCAST SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL
HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Possession and/or use of this product for more than 24 hours constitutes your acceptance of this
agreement and subjects you to its contents.

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GLOSSARY
Adobe Audition (formerly CoolEdit)
A software application used for audio production/editing that can be launched from within Simian. It is a
digital audio recorder and editor that allows you to manipulate your audio files. It includes numerous
special effects modules and can mix up to 128 tracks together using just about any sound card.
Amplitude
Relates to sound waves. Technically, it is the difference between the highest point and zero point of a
wave. On a wave form display, a low amplitude, quiet wave would be one that would vary much less (up
and down), while a louder waveform would vary more.
AudioScience
A supplier of high quality audio cards. Most AudioScience audio cards support the features required for a
fully realized Simian system.
APP (Application)
A software program or executable. A file with an “.exe” or “.bat” extension.
Asynchronous Deck
An additional playback deck in Simian (also known as deck #4), which plays asynchronous audio events
such as those activated by a HotKey or Trigger. This deck allows you to monitor events that are not listed
as a scheduled event in the log. Display or hide the asynchronous deck using the Async menu.
Automation
The replacement of manual tasks by computerized methods.
AutoMute
A feature used in satellite automation. It mutes the mixer during WAV file playback so you don’t need to
use Relays to “kill” network audio.
AutoStep
A menu command that tells Simian to automatically continue to the next line after it has finished playing
or executing the current event creating a “stream” or “chain” of events. If AutoStep is “ON” for an event, a
"+" mark will be displayed in the “Cue” column. AutoStep can be activated by highlighting an event and
hitting the “+” key on your keyboard or by selecting the Auto Start option in the Event Builder for the
selected event.
Auxiliary
Supplementary equipment or features that provide additional capabilities to a basic system. Examples of
Auxiliary equipment in Simian are the “Triggers” or “audition” path (channel) assigned to your sound card
(audio device).
BPM (Beats Per Minute)
Beats per minute is a way of measuring a song’s tempo. It is usually based on a segment of a song and
is not necessarily the average of the entire song. To measure the BPM, open the song in Adobe
Audition. Highlight an area that has one bar, which can be just a small sample that repeats itself
throughout the music (if you looped this bar it would make a long beat -- this is how you know you have
selected a bar). Now make sure it runs smoothly, meaning it doesn't cut any part of the beat off. When
you do this go to Edit > Edit Tempo. With just one bar selected, click Extract. This will change the BPM
box at the bottom. You just have to make sure you select the right section, which would just be one
repeating section of music throughout your audio.

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Cart
A list of two or more audio events to be played in a virtual loop (AutoStart Cart), or played signally (a
Randomized Cart or a SmartCart), which are associated with a single Event name (cart number). For
example, if an advertiser had two audio segments (spots) they wanted to run alternately (in a 50/50
rotation), you would enter both “cuts” in a Simian Cart event and they would play alternately. Carts in
Simian are data lists that contain the names of WAV files, not the actual audio data. Because of this,
multiple carts can include the same audio file without taking up additional hard drive space. These files
can be recognized by the extension .KRT. For example, a cart called TEST would actually be a file
named TEST.KRT.
Category
A type specification assigned to all events in a program log. A means of grouping a collection of similar
files. 11 categories in Simian are predefined. They are App, Audio, Comment, Log, Macro, Rec1, Rec2,
Script, Text, Video and Vtrack.
Channel
A path in an audio circuit. It can refer to an incoming stream or input, an output, a recording channel or
path, playback channel, preview channel, etc.
Computer Boards (Now Measurement Computing)
A supplier of digital audio equipment, now known as Measurement Computing Corporation. BSI uses
Computer Boards as their main vendor for hardware such as the Input/Output card that lets your PC
interface with external devices such as a Satellite receiver or tape recorder.
Configuration Settings
Simian’s program options that can be modified by the user. Configuration settings tell Simian where to
look for files, what settings to turn on automatically at startup and what hardware is installed, among other
things. They are settings that vary depending on a user’s individual requirements and system.
Configuration settings are found in the Tools menu.
Cool Edit
Audio Editing software application which was sold to Adobe©. See: Adobe Audition
Crash Recovery
A Simian option that, when activated, keeps a copy of the current log in case of a power outage. The log
can be reloaded as it was last displayed before the interruption. Simian must be placed in your Windows
Startup folder and Event Logging must be ON for recovery to take place. This feature uses extra CPU
resources and is only recommended when necessary (for example, if power outages are frequent or
expected).
Cue
An indicator. In Simian, it is the column in the program log area that shows you how the event (song,
command, etc.) is going to behave when its time has come. A cue is also an indicator that tells you
where you are within a particular song. For example the “outcue” for a song would be the last few words
sung—indicating to the jock that the song is ending. To “cue up” a song means to make sure it’s properly
set before it’s aired. This requires a special “auditioning” circuit or channel on your audio card so you can
“preview” sound on one channel while another one is used for broadcasting.
Cut
A song.
Device
A device can be part of a professional audio card (a multi-device sound card lets you playback more than
one file at a time) or it can be any machine or component that attaches to a computer, such as a printer,
disk drive, mouse, etc.

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DirectSound
Microsoft Windows 98/2000/NT/XP include an audio capability called DirectSound. Simian, WaveCart
and STINGER support DirectSound, but DirectSound is very limited in its capabilities. With the exception
of STINGER, DirectSound should be used for test and demonstration purposes only. It is not stable or
efficient enough for long-term on-air or other professional use. DirectSound was developed by Microsoft
as part of its DirectX gaming technology. It is meant to allow for the playback of short overlapping, non-
compressed audio files during game play. It was not designed for and is not reliable enough to use for
professional automation playback.
Dongle
A small hardware device that attaches to a computer and holds validation information. Simian cannot be
run full-time without a dongle.
Driver (Device Driver)
A file or program that allows your peripheral devices (non-essential hardware) to communicate with your
operating system software. It contains the precise machine language required to perform the functions
requested by software applications.
Duplex playback/record audio card
Duplex playback audio cards have two or more channels instead of one for your digital audio to play
through. This means you can do two things at once in terms of playing or recording sound. For example,
it provides you with the ability to overlap spots or songs, creating seamless segues.
Editor Mode
See Production Mode.
End Date
The last valid date a particular audio file is scheduled to be used.
Event
An entry in a program log or List Item. Different types of Events are Application, Text/Tag, Audio, Macro,
Recording, NetShow Scripts, Program Logs, and Video.
Event Variables
A number of variables which can be configured in the bottom section of the Event Builder. They include
Cue, Category, and Scheduled Time.
Fade
A gradual increase or decrease in volume levels.
Frequency
The number of complete sound wave repetitions (cycles) in a given time period. Sound waves and the
electrical signals that represent sound waves in an audio circuit range from a frequency of about 20 to
20,000 repetitions per second. The frequency of a wave determines the pitch we perceive, and is
measured in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
GPI/O
General Purpose Input/Output. These devices are used to create and respond to electrical contact
closures. They correspond directly to Simian’s Trigger and Relay (Switcher) functionality.
Hertz
The unit of measurement for frequency of oscillation of a sound wave, equal to 1 cycle per second.
Abbreviated Hz. KHz is the abbreviation for kilohertz, or 1000 Hertz.

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Hooks
A hook is a segment of an audio cut that contains the most familiar refrain. It is comparable to a movie
trailer or preview. Hooks are set like tones in the Info Editor. By marking hooks in your songs, you can
then add them to a "hooks cart" to play as a preview of upcoming music.
HotKeys
Shortcut keys. HotKeys give live-assist operators (disk jockeys, news people, etc.) the ability to instantly
fire pre-programmed functions, including playing audio files, loading Program Logs, displaying text files,
and launching applications. A HotKey can launch any Simian Event.
I/O Card (Expansion board)
An I/O or Input/Output card is a printed circuit board that plugs into a “port” in your PC and extends the
computer’s ability to control another peripheral device. In other words, it allows you to communicate with
other equipment like satellites, tape recorders and most importantly, the coffee machine. All the boards
(cards) that plug into a personal computer's bus are expansion boards, such as display adapters, disk
controllers and sound cards (audio adaptors).
Intro Time
The “Intro" or Introduction time is useful for Disk Jockeys who want to "talk up" a song. It is the length of
time before the first vocal or music bridge in a song.
Liner
Details given by a Disk Jockey on-air.
Log
See Program Log.
List item
Any of a number of Simian interfaces such as Carts and Sets. These are simply lists of Events.
Live-Assist
The combination of manual and computerized operation of software.
Macros
Commands with user-defined parameters that lets you control functions such as adjusting the auxiliary
and WAV volume of your system, creating programmed fades and setting your system time. They differ
from macros used in other Windows applications in that Simian macros are not scripts (a recorded series
of keystrokes assigned to a single shortcut key), but rather execute single meta commands with user-
defined parameters. Simian macros are preset and users cannot create new ones at this time.
Memorized Events
Events that have been added to the Memorized Events window list. This window stores frequently used
events, which is especially useful for macro or Trigger commands that can be complex or tedious to enter
repeatedly.
Mixer
A tool used to combine various audio signals into a common output. The Simian mixer is designed
specifically to let you control the input and output audio volume levels of your system.
Mono
A single digital audio channel (as opposed to stereo).
Natural Log
Traffic and Billing system from Natural Software. Offers traffic, billing, reporting, data backup/restore
capabilities, account receivable and payables and end of month closing features. Natural Log can handle
two stations within a single billing environment as well as an unlimited number of separately billed clients.

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Natural Music
Music scheduling system from Natural Software. Gives you substantial control over your music play list.
The single keystroke interface lets you move through the program quickly and easily. You can schedule
up to 99 different music categories by daypart and separation. Tempo and style information can be used
to design a unique sound for your station.
Measurement Computing
A supplier of digital control equipment. BSI uses Measurement Computing hardware for hardware such
as the Input/Output card that lets your PC interface with external devices such as a Satellite receiver or
tape recorder (AKA: GPIO).
MSMS (NetShow)
A Microsoft application and platform for streaming compressed audio/video over the Internet and
Intranets.
Non-Sequential Start
An option used to start events that you want to execute at a certain time, but aren’t related to the
scheduled events in the current program log. For example, if you want to record a program from a
satellite feed at a certain time. Instead of putting a specific Event in the log, you can just put a non-
sequential at the very end of the log and give it a “Non-Sequential Start” Cue in the Event Builder. Non-
Sequential events are now independently executed using the Simian Scheduler.
Overlap (Double, Triple)
Playing multiple audio files at the same time. A double overlap means two files can be heard, a triple
means three files can be heard. This capability requires that you have multiple audio playback devices
available simultaneously.
Peripheral Device
Any hardware device connected to a computer (CPU), such as a monitor, keyboard, printer, disk, tape,
graphics tablet, scanner, joystick, paddle and mouse.
Production Mode
An inexpensive way to have a second copy of Simian to use for production tasks. This is provided so
users can edit logs and carts remotely. Everything will work in this mode except for automated audio
playback from the Main Decks. Check out the Session section of Chapter 3 for more information.
Program Log
A list of items to be played by Simian in chronological order. The log is displayed on the left of the Main
Window. Entries, or items in the log are called Events.
Relay Rack (Switcher)
The circuit board and rack-mount box in a Switcher Kit.
Sampling (Digitizing)
The process of converting an analog to digital signal is known as digitizing or sampling. With audio, the
analog waveform is chopped into a number of slices per second. At each slice, the amplitude is
measured and rounded to the nearest available value. The more chops per second (sampling rate) and
the finer the values assignable to the amplitude (dynamic range), the better the representation of the
original.
Sample Rate
The rate at which the data in an analog audio signal is measured to form a digital representation of the
sound wave. In a computer, it is impossible to work with an infinite amount of data, which is what would
be required if a continuous wave were to be represented digitally inside the machine, so at every possible
instant in time we would have the measured value of the waveform at that instant. For this reason, it is
necessary to sample sound wave data. Sampling means breaking a wave at various intervals and using

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a single measured value to represent all the values in each interval. By dividing the waveform like this,
one second of audio can now be represented by a finite number of values. The sample rate is the
number of measurements taken per one second of audio.
SayTime
Accessory software that allows Simian to say the time of day. SayTime is customizable for your own
voices and the time statement can include a station header (WKRP News time is…). There is also a
macro command with the format SAYTIME.
SayTemp
Accessory software that allows Simian to actually speak the current temperature. SayTemp is
customizable for your own voices and the time statement can include a header (Current temperature in
Cincinnati is…).
Sectone
“Sectone” or “Sec Tone” is a broadcast term related to the use of magnetic tape cartridges or carts.
Sectone is short for secondary tone and indicates the point, or cue, near the end of a song where it’s OK
to begin playing the next event. It is the starting point of the “Segue”.
Segue
A transition between two audio segments. The segue length is the time during which two consecutive
audio segments overlap or are played simultaneously. The sectone setting determines the segue length.
Sound
When objects vibrate or collide, they produce an excitation of the molecules in the surrounding air. If the
resulting vibrations are within a certain frequency range, we sense it in our eardrums as a change in air
pressure. Our brain then interprets this as sound. Sound waves move in all directions outward from the
original disturbance like the ripples created from a stone dropped in a pool of water.
When sound is recorded through a microphone, the changes in air pressure cause the microphone's
diaphragm to move in a similar way to that of the eardrum. These minute movements are then converted
into changes in electrical signals. All sound cards generally produce sound in this way, only in reverse.
They create or play back sound waves. The changes in voltage are then amplified, causing the
loudspeaker to vibrate, which in turn cause air pressure changes which are interpreted by humans as
sound.
The frequency range of vibrations felt by humans is between 20 and 20,000 cycles per second. This
gives us the sensation of pitch, harmonics, tone and overtones. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
One Hertz is one wave repetition or cycle per second.
Sound Card
The expansion board in your PC that enables it to play or record digital audio files. The modern PC
sound card contains several hardware systems relating to the production and capture of audio. The main
systems capture and replay digital audio. Sound waves from these systems are produced by playing a
digitized (or sampled) sound.
The digital audio section of a sound card consists of a matched pair of digital-to-analogue (DAC) and
analogue-to-digital (ADC) converters and a programmable sample rate generator. The computer reads
the sample data to or from the converters.
SoundHound
An application that manages your audio file database. It sits on your Windows taskbar and can be
accessed by double-clicking the binoculars icon. Auto launch and exit functions for SoundHound are in
the Tools/Hardware Options menu in the Playback tab.

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Speedy (BSI Product)
Automated CD-to-PC dubbing. The recording system automatically dubs, names and tags each song for
you. Transfer one, several or all tracks easily. Audition songs before dubbing if desired. Speedy does
not dub faster than normal dubbing -- it automates the process.
Spot
A commercial or advertisement.
Start Date
The first scheduled date for use of an audio file.
Stereo
Two channels playing spatially related audio signals.
Stinger (BSI Product)
Instant Audio Player that gives you fast, easy access to your sound effects, liners, beds and bits. Up to
288 audio cuts can be instantly available for playback in Stinger and each has its own on-screen
description and button which can be color-coded. Supports drag and drop manipulation.
Streaming Audio
Audio transmission over a data network. The term implies a one-way transmission to the listener, in which
both the client and server cooperate for uninterrupted sound. The client side buffers a few seconds of
audio data before it starts sending it to the speakers, which compensates for momentary delays in packet
delivery.
Switcher
A General Purpose Output device that creates contact closures via the RELAY macro in Simian.
An electronic signal is sent from Simian to an external device such as a tape recorder or satellite.
Switches are sent through a special device on an audio card or specific purpose I/O card. Depending on
the input hardware you install, up to 24 Triggers can be programmed to launch various events. The
settings for the Triggers can be saved as sets. The sets can be changed via the program log so that
Simian can perform different functions with different sets loaded. This is very useful for stations that use
more than one broadcast network.
Switcher Kit
A BSI product that includes the hardware, software and drivers necessary to control external devices
through Simian. The kit includes an I/O card, a circuit board with 24 external Relays to switch external
audio and control lines and all the necessary cables and software. Switcher commands can be executed
via the program log, a HotKey or Trigger.
Tag
A live “add-on” to a commercial spot. A piece of text typically read by a Jock after a generic commercial
which customizes the ad by giving additional local or specialized information.
Time Events
Includes “Timed Start Immediate”, “Timed Start Next”, and “Timed Non-Sequential” events. These will
occur at the time set in the time box (in 24-hour time) regardless of whether something is already playing
or not. Time events are indicated by an "@", “#”, or “N” sign in the "Cue" column of the program log. The
scheduled time is indicated in the “Scheduled” column. Start Next events are similar to Timed Start
events, except that they will allow currently playing audio file to finish before they start.
Time-Shift Recording
A new feature of Simian that allows you to record and playback a file simultaneously. This means you
can start recording a network program (via satellite for example) and begin playing it back on-air at a
scheduled time even though the program is still recording at the other end of the file. Previously, you

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would have to wait for the entire recording process to complete, close the file, and then reopen it and play
it back. This would often disrupt schedules unnecessarily.
TimeSync
A macro command which turns time synchronization on or off. Example: TIMESYNC ON would tell
Simian to look for a time synchronization Trigger according to the TimeSync settings established in
Tools/Program Options on the General tab.
Traffic System
A software system used to manage commercial scheduling and billing functions.
Triggers
An electronic signal from an external source such as a satellite that is received and interpreted by Simian.
Triggers are received through the PC game port or a special I/O card.
Trigger Kit
The BSI Triggers Kit provides Simian with 24 incoming “Triggers” to respond to external contact closures
from satellite receivers, audio mixers, tape decks and other equipment. The kit includes an I/O card with
resistors installed, a connection cable, a MINI-37 terminal board and software drivers as well as the
installation and wiring documentation for the kit.
Voice Track
A digital audio segment of a voice recording associated with one or more songs (cuts). A Voice Track
can serve as an introduction to a cut (also called “talking up” or making an “intro”), as an announcement
after the cut has played (a “back announcement”) or as a “bridge” which gives information about what has
just played and also what is coming up next.
Wave file
A standard sound (audio) file in Microsoft Windows. Wave files have the file extension WAV.
WaveCart (BSI Product)
On-screen “cart machine” that displays up to ten decks full of audio files and gives you instantaneous,
crystal clear playback. WaveCart supports spot rotation and can also play more than one spot at a time.

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Index
Character Delimited · 60
Comment Tab · 73
! Commercial Tab · 76
COMPACTDATABASE · 117
!-Cue · 67 COMPACTHEAP · 118
Contact Information · 145
Crash Recovery · 46, 105
Cue · 66
# Cue Up · 7
#-Cue · 67
D
@ Database Bloat · 32
DECKFADE · 118
@-Cue · 66 Decks · 49
DECKVOLUME · 119
Description/Tones Tab · 73
+ DHCP · 31
Drive Mapping · 36
+-Cue · 66 Dynamic HTML · 90

A E
About Tab · 76, 77 Edit Menu · 101
Add Folder · 6 ENTERKEY · 120
ADDEVENT · 115 Event Builder · 7, 16, 66
ADPCM · 15 Event Log · 105
Album Tab · 74 Event Logs · 65
ALLSTOP · 115 Events · 16
Alternative Network · 36
App Tab · 70
Audio File Formats · 14 F
Audio List · 50, 64, 69
Authoring Tab · 75 File Menu · 101
Automation · 90 FILECOPY · 120
AUTOMATION · 115 FILEDELETE · 121
Automation Modes · 90 FLEXTIME · 121
AutoReplace · 46 FTP · 122
AutoReplacement · 106 Full Automation · 90
AutoStart · 7

G
B
GETFORECAST · 123
BackTime · 87, 102 GETWEATHER · 123
Bits-per-Sample · 15
BSI Menu · 103
H
C Hard Drive Setup · 29
Hardware Key · 20
Carts · 16, 78, 79 Help Menu · 103
categories · 107 High Priority · 24
Categories · 41 Hot Swap · 35
CHAIN · 116 HOTKEY · 125
Chaining Logs · 56

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HotKeys · 82
HotKeys Panel · 50
O
HTML · 90
HTMLTEXT · 125 Options · 27

I P
Importing and Merging Logs · 59 Path Configuration · 24
IMPORTLOG · 126 Paths · 34
Info Editor · 73 PAUSE · 131
INSERTLOG · 127 Pitch Shift · 86
Installation · 95 PLAYASYNC · 131
Installing Simian · 20 Playback Decks · 49
Interface · 48 PLAYDECK · 132
Internet Gateway · 31 PLAYHOOKS · 132
Internet sharing · 31 Position Dependent · 62
Problems · 95, 97
Production · 27
Production Mode · 27
K Products · 145
Program Log · 50
Keyboard Shortcuts · 92 Program Log Settings · 107
Program Logs · 52, 54

L
R
Live Update · 37
Live-Assist · 90 RECORD · 133
LOADHOTKEYS · 128 Record Panel · 50
LOADSCHEDULED · 129 Record Tab · 69
LOADSERIAL · 128 Recording · 83
LOADTRIGGERS · 128 RECORDSOURCE · 134
LOG · 129 RELAY · 135
Log Menu · 102 Relays · 39, 88, 98
Log Tab · 70 REM · 136
Logs · 16 Remote Access · 31
RESETASYNC · 136
RESETCART · 136
M RESETSERIAL · 137

Macro · 114
Macros · 81 S
Manual Cue · 66
Memorized Events · 88 Sample Rate · 15
Menus · 101 SAVELOG · 137
Merging Logs · 59 SAYTEMP · 137
Mixer Panel · 51 SAYTIME · 138
Mixers · 42, 82 Scheduled Events · 88
MIXFADE · 130 Script Tab · 72
MIXVOLUME · 130 Second Copy · 35
MP3 · 15 Security Options · 44
MPEG · 15 SERIAL · 138, 139
MSMS Menu · 103 Serial Communication · 40
Serial Communications · 89, 98
Sessions · 27
N Sets · 16
SETTIME · 140
N Cue · 67 SHOWEATHER · 140
Networking Simian · 28 SORTLOGBYTIME · 141
SoundHound · 6, 24
SPACEBAR · 141

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SPY · 141 TRIGGER · 144
Spyglass · 43 Triggers · 38, 88, 98
STARTNEXT · 142 TRIGGERS · 143
Startup Options · 104
Static IP · 31
STOPDECK · 142 U
Subst · 36
Support · 98
UNC path · 28
Synchronizing Audio Files · 35
UPDATEDATABASE · 144
System Requirements · 10

T V
Validating Simian · 23
TCP/IP Settings · 30
Video Tab · 72
Technical Support · 98
Virtual Cart · 114
Text/Tag Tab · 71
VoiceTrack · 45, 85
The Macro Tab · 71
VoiceTrack Panel · 51
Time & Date · 49
VU Meters · 49
TIMEDBLOCKEND · 143
TIMEDBLOCKSTART · 142
TIMEEVENTS · 143
Time-Shift · 84 W
TimeSync · 46, 105
TIMESYNC · 143 Window Menu · 103
Tools Menu · 103
TOPMOST · 143

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