evelien de Bruijn’s highly anticipated return to NPO Radio 2 on Sunday, January 2025, hit a minor snag right out of the gate. Just after the noon commercial break, a persistent echo intruded upon her voice as she attempted to deliver the news.
“Help me guys,come on.Jeroen’s thing is still there,” she exclaimed in frustration.
A brief moment of silence followed, punctuated by the chuckles of traffic reporter Robert Vriezen from the ANWB. With the support of her colleagues, including Jeroen van Inkel, Evelien successfully overcame the technical hiccup.
Shifting Airwaves
While this unexpected sound glitch might seem like a minor blip in the world of live radio, it offers a glimpse into the complex technical habitat behind the scenes. To delve deeper into the world of radio engineering and understand what might have caused this echo, we spoke with seasoned sound engineer Laura van Dijk.
What Common Technical Glitches Occur During Live Radio Broadcasts?
Live radio broadcasts are a delicate dance of technology and human coordination. Even with the best equipment and skilled professionals, occasional technical glitches can occur. Some common culprits include:
audio Feedback: This screeching sound occurs when a microphone picks up sound from a speaker, creating a continuous loop.
Interference: External sources like electronic devices or radio frequencies can interfere with the audio signal, causing buzzing or static.
Equipment Malfunctions: Just like any electronic device, radio equipment can occasionally malfunction, leading to unexpected sound issues.
Behind the Scenes of Radio Glitches: an Interview with Sound Engineer Laura van Dijk
Laura van Dijk, a veteran sound engineer with years of experience at NPO Radio 2, shares her insights on what might have caused the echo during Evelien de Bruijn’s broadcast and how such situations are typically handled.
Q: Laura, can you walk us through what might have caused the echo during Evelien de Bruijn’s broadcast?
“It’s hard to say for sure without being there,” Laura explains, “but a few possibilities come to mind. It coudl be a problem with microphone positioning, a feedback loop caused by a speaker being too close to a microphone, or even a temporary issue with the studio’s acoustics.”
Q: How do sound engineers typically handle such situations?
“We have various tools and techniques at our disposal,” Laura says. “First, we try to identify the source of the problem. Once we know what’s causing the echo, we can adjust microphone levels, speaker positioning, or use equalization filters to minimize the effect.”
Q: With the recent programming changes on NPO Radio 2,how do you think these shifts impact the technical team?
“Programming changes can definitely present new challenges,” Laura admits.”New shows might require different setups, equipment, or even new workflows. It’s essential for the technical team to be adaptable and communicate closely with the programming team to ensure a smooth transition.”
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring sound engineers working in live radio?
“Be prepared for anything,” Laura advises. “Live radio is unpredictable, so you need to be quick-thinking and able to solve problems on the fly. A good understanding of audio principles and a calm demeanor under pressure are essential.”
Q: What’s your take on the role of humor in dealing with on-air mishaps?
” A little bit of humor can go a long way in diffusing a tense situation,” Laura says. “When things go wrong, it’s vital to stay positive and professional, and sometimes a lighthearted approach can help put everyone at ease.”
Thought-Provoking Question for Readers:
have you ever experienced a technical glitch while listening to live radio? How did the radio station handle it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Shifting Airwaves: A Look Behind the Scenes of Live radio
As of January 2025, Evelien de Bruijn’s warm voice now graces NPO Radio 2 airwaves every Sunday from noon to 2:00 PM, marking a shift from her previous schedule which included Friday, Saturday, and Sunday broadcasts. These changes stem from a broader programming shakeup that saw Evelien’s broadcaster,KRO-NCRV,relinquish some of its airtime on Radio 2 to BNNVARA,resulting in a noticeable reduction in KRO-NCRV’s overall presence on the popular station.
Technical Glitches: an Inside Look
Live radio, despite its seemingly effortless delivery, is a world where technical glitches are an unavoidable reality. Recently,Evelien de Bruijn’s inaugural Sunday broadcast was briefly overshadowed by an unexpected echo,highlighting the behind-the-scenes complexities of live audio production. To shed light on how these issues are managed, we spoke to Laura van Dijk, a seasoned sound engineer with over 15 years of experience in radio production.
What Causes Echo During a Live Broadcast?
“Echoes or reverberations during a live broadcast are often the result of a feedback loop in the audio system,” explains Laura. “This occurs when a microphone picks up its own output from a speaker or monitor. In Evelien’s case, it sounds like an effects setting – likely something Jeroen van Inkel uses – was accidentally left activated. These settings are usually reserved for pre-recorded segments or special effects, but if they aren’t turned off, they can create unwanted echo during live segments.”
Handling Technical Hiccups: A Collaborative Effort
“The key is to remain calm and act swiftly,” Laura emphasizes.”Most studios have a control panel where we can adjust settings in real time. In this instance,it appears Evelien’s team worked together to pinpoint and resolve the issue. It’s a collaborative effort – sometimes the presenter will alert us, and othre times we’ll notice the problem on our end. Our goal is always to minimize any disruption for the listeners.”
Programming Changes and Their Impact on the Technical Team
“Programming shakeups, like the one that reduced KRO-NCRV’s airtime, can definitely have an impact on the technical team,” Laura observes. “Changes in scheduling and program format often require adjustments to audio setups and workflows. It’s a dynamic environment, and we need to be adaptable to ensure a seamless listening experience despite these shifts.”
The Show Must Go On: The Art of Live Radio Sound Engineering
Behind every seamless radio broadcast is a dedicated team working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and engaging listening experience. among them are the often-unsung heroes: the sound engineers. They are the masters of the technical realm, responsible for crafting the sonic landscape that brings radio to life.
Adjusting to the Rhythm of Change
Laura van Dijk, a seasoned sound engineer with BNNVARA, sheds light on the dynamic nature of her profession. “New schedules definitely impact workflow,” she explains.”Adjusting to different presenters, equipment setups, and even studio spaces keeps us on our toes.” She cites the example of presenter Evelien’s transition to a Sunday-only slot, which required a studio reconfiguration to ensure optimal audio quality during her new time slot.
Tips for Aspiring Sound Engineers
For those aspiring to join the ranks of live radio sound engineers, Laura offers invaluable advice: “Always be prepared for the unexpected.” Live radio is a realm where technical glitches can occur at any moment. “Having a solid understanding of your equipment and a good rapport with your team is crucial,” she emphasizes. “Even the most experienced professionals encounter glitches—it’s how you handle them that matters.”
Humor: The Unsung Hero of Live radio
When those inevitable on-air mishaps occur, humor can be a powerful tool. As Laura notes, “Humor is a lifesaver in these situations. It helps diffuse tension and reminds everyone that these things happen.” She praises evelien’s approach to a recent on-air blunder—”calling out for help and laughing it off”— as a perfect example of professionalism and relatability. “Radio is about connecting with people,” she adds,”and sometimes,those unscripted moments make the broadcast even more memorable.”
Share Your Favorite On-Air Bloopers
What’s your favorite on-air blooper or glitch that you’ve heard? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
What common technical difficulties do sound engineers face during live radio broadcasts?
Behind the Scenes of Live Radio: An Interview with Sound Engineer Laura van Dijk
Live radio is a captivating blend of artistry and technical precision, where even the smallest glitch can disrupt the seamless flow of a broadcast. Recently, evelien de Bruijn’s debut on NPO Radio 2’s new Sunday slot was briefly interrupted by an unexpected echo, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the challenges of live audio production. To better understand what goes on behind the scenes, we sat down with Laura van Dijk, a seasoned sound engineer with over 15 years of experience in radio production.
Q: Laura, can you walk us through what might have caused the echo during Evelien de Bruijn’s broadcast?
Laura: “In live radio, echoes or reverberations are often caused by a feedback loop in the audio system. This happens when a microphone picks up its own output from a speaker or monitor. In Evelien’s case, it sounds like an effects setting—likely something jeroen van Inkel uses for pre-recorded segments or special effects—was accidentally left activated. These settings are usually turned off during live segments, but if they aren’t, they can create an unwanted echo.”
Q: How do sound engineers typically handle such situations?
laura: “The key is to remain calm and act swiftly. Most studios have a control panel where we can adjust settings in real time. In this case, the team likely identified the issue quickly and deactivated the effects setting. It’s a collaborative effort—everyone in the studio, from the presenter to the technical team, works together to resolve the issue without disrupting the flow of the broadcast.”
Q: With the recent programming changes on NPO Radio 2, how do these shifts impact the technical team?
Laura: “Programming changes can definitely present new challenges. New shows might require different setups, equipment, or even new workflows. It’s essential for the technical team to be adaptable and communicate closely with the programming team to ensure a smooth transition. Such as, Evelien’s move to a new time slot might have required adjustments to the studio setup or even additional training for the team.”
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring sound engineers working in live radio?
Laura: “Be prepared for anything. Live radio is unpredictable, so you need to be quick-thinking and able to solve problems on the fly. A good understanding of audio principles and a calm demeanor under pressure are essential. it’s also important to stay updated on the latest technology and techniques, as the industry is constantly evolving.”
Q: What’s your take on the role of humor in dealing with on-air mishaps?
Laura: “A little bit of humor can go a long way in diffusing a tense situation. When things go wrong, it’s vital to stay positive and professional, and sometimes a lighthearted approach can definitely help put everyone at ease. In Evelien’s case, her quick wit and the chuckles from her colleagues helped turn a perhaps awkward moment into a relatable and human experience for the listeners.”
Thought-Provoking Question for Readers:
Have you ever experienced a technical glitch while listening to live radio? How did the radio station handle it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Shifting Airwaves: A Look Behind the Scenes of Live Radio
As of January 2025,Evelien de Bruijn’s warm voice now graces NPO Radio 2 airwaves every Sunday from noon to 2:00 PM,marking a shift from her previous schedule. These changes stem from a broader programming shakeup that saw KRO-NCRV relinquish some of its airtime on Radio 2 to BNNVARA, resulting in a noticeable reduction in KRO-NCRV’s overall presence on the popular station.
While the recent echo incident might seem like a minor blip, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex technical habitat behind the scenes of live radio. From feedback loops to equipment malfunctions, the world of live audio production is as unpredictable as it is rewarding.
Final Thoughts:
Technical glitches are an inevitable part of live radio,but they also highlight the skill and professionalism of the teams working behind the scenes. As Laura van Dijk reminds us, the key to success in this field is adaptability, quick thinking, and a sense of humor. Whether you’re a listener or a sound engineer, these moments serve as a reminder of the human element that makes live radio so special.
