This document discusses various codes and conventions used in radio broadcasting. It addresses voice elements like pitch, volume, texture, rhythm and tone. It also covers technical aspects such as microphone choice and techniques. Additionally, it examines cultural codes like accent, dialect, and language register. Finally, it looks at codes of context like atmosphere and use of space in the radio studio. The document provides analysis of radio clips and podcasts to demonstrate how these various codes and conventions are employed and their intended effects on the audience.

1. Radio Codes and Conventions,
and Radio Techniques
Kostadin Stoimenov

2. Voice
(Based on Victoria Derbyshire, 5live news phone in, BBC Radio 5, 22/08/08 - Podcast)
• The Pitch of someone’s voice
- Pitch of voice is the frequency of vibrations of the vocal cord. The
more vibrations the higher the pitch. Using the same Radio clip
describe the pitch of the voice and why you think this may have
been used/was it deliberate?
Due to the presenter being female the pitch of her voice is fairly high
compared to a man’s voice. The presenter’s pitch of her voice stay the
same through the clip, it changes slightly when talking to her guest to
sound more inviting and to make her guest feel more comfortable.
• The Volume
- Now listen to the Radio clip again and decide what Volume it is
recorded at. Is it loud or quiet and why?
This live show recording is not quiet for the audience to struggle to
hear and it is not too loud for the quality of the recording to be
distorted. Perfect volume for such a radio show.

3. Voice
(Based on Victoria Derbyshire, 5live news phone in, BBC Radio 5, 22/08/08 - Podcast)
• Texture
- Texture is the overall quality of sound, it can be described as rough, smooth, crisp
or light. From the Radio clip describe the texture given.
As I mentioned the volume is perfect which allows the sound to be very crisp and
smooth which is pleasing to listen to. Also it is a signifier for a radio show, the
audience expects a crisp and smooth sound from the recoding in such a show.
• Rhythm and Tone
- Tone is a musical or vocal sound with reference to its pitch, quality, and strength.
The general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.
- Tone is used to describe psychology, mood and emotion.
- Rhythm is the way in which a voice flows. How can the rhythm be determined in
the Radio clip? Is it fast, slow, symmetric, erratic and why do you think this may
be?
The Tone of the voice stays relatively similar throughout the radio show, very calm and
composed, it changes slightly when the presenter talks about the Olympics and
interviews the guests about their expectations. At time there is a feel of sympathy in
her voice when the Olympians tell her how hard they have worked over the years and
have not received a medal. A feel of interest can be felt too, as the presenter asks the
Olympians different questions.
The Rhythm of the voice is very symmetric, it is slow enough for the listeners to
understand the presenter and the pace stays the same throughout.

4. Technical Aspects
(Based on Terry Wogan, Radio 2, 22/08/08 - Podcast)
• Choice of Microphone
- Why would choice of microphone be important in recording a Radio programme?
I could not find the microphone that was used in this particular recording, however from doing some
research on forums the Electro-Voice RE20 was a popular choice in professional recording and
broadcasting. Having a good quality microphone is important because it affects the quality of the
sound, pitch and the volume. Also if the audience is not happy with the quality of the sound, it is more
likely that they will not listen to that particular recording which could be a cause for loss of profit.
• Microphone Techniques
- Microphone techniques include the closeness of someone to a microphone, rehearsed
technique, confidence and clarity of voice. Can you identify and microphone techniques the DJ has
used in the second Radio clip and why he may use these.
He is close to the microphone on purpose and it does seem to be rehearsed. He is very confident as he
has a lot of experience in this area. The mixture of these techniques creates a very professional feel to
the show.
• Engineer Production
- Production techniques include compression of files, voice distortion, editing, mixing and fading.
Listen to Radio Clip 2 again and describe any techniques you may notice. What affect do these
have? Who is the target audience and would these type of effects appeal tso it?
There is no distortion to his voice, he is well heard. In the part of the recording that I listened to the
editing was very suttle and almost unnoticeable. They show that the show is popular as it is and it isn’t
affecting the podcast in a bad way. The target audience would be older people – 26 – 50 – that listen
and read the type of things he is reading out and the effects used do not affect the target audience
negatively.

5. Cultural Codes
(Based on Radio Clip 3 – The Dugout, Episode 5, Foreign Football, Aonghus Flynn, 30/03/2007 - Podcast)
• When understanding the semiotics of cultural
codes in Radio you must think about the
voice; how is it presented etc…
• Key words when analysing cultural codes are:
Dialect, Accent, Male/Female, voice, Language, r
egister

6. Cultural Codes
(Based on Radio Clip 3 – The Dugout, Episode 5, Foreign Football, Aonghus Flynn, 30/03/2007 - Podcast)
• Task 1. Accent is how language is pronounced. Listen to Radio Clip 3 and under the subheading
Cultural Codes describe the accent(s) used and what affect this has on the audience.
• Task 2. Dialect is certain characteristics of language that is used and recognised within certain
groups/regions of people. Listen to Radio Clip 3 again and in full sentences identify the dialect (this
can be certain words, phrases or sentences) and explain how is representative and will appeal to
the audience.
• Task 3. Listen to Radio Clip 3 again and identify is the radio presenter Male or Female? Why do you
think this is?
The accent is Irish, deep and monotonous, not particularly entertaining. However, the aim of this
broadcast is to inform the audience rather than entertain them so the choice of broadcaster is
appropriate. The dialect is Northern Irish and is representing the dialect as monotonous as claimed
before, isn't interesting. The radio presenter is male and has a deep voice.
• Task 4. Language Register is the combination of pitch, tone, texture and pronunciation. Language
register is often aimed deliberately at a certain audience. Listen to Radio Clip 3 again and decide if
the language register is deliberate and who is it aimed at? Why?
Language Registration – Good pronunciation with a monotonous low pitched voice. This is not aimed at
the normal football fan, it is aimed more at sophisticated males whom enjoy football.

7. Codes of Context
(Based on Radio 1 – Kermode - Rock'n'Rolla with The Dutchess, 05/09/08 - Podcast)
• Atmosphere
- Atmosphere refers to the mood of the studio or the perception the audience
believes the mood of radio station is. Listen to Radio Clip 4 and under the final
subheading explain what atmosphere the DJ produces and why?
The DJ produced an atmosphere that is entertaining and relaxed, he achieved this by
using colloquial language and because there is a discussion between him and a guest
in the studio which sometimes can be amusing to the audience but there it also adds a
serious element at the same time.
• Space
Does the Presenter have his own space or is s/he interrupted by other presenters or
music? What is the purpose of this and what affect does this have?
The presenter has his own space and the guest doesn't interrupt too much to irritate
the presenter and audience which makes the show more entertaining. However, if the
guest feels the need to interrupt due to a inaccurate point made by the presenter he
will do it. A nice affect for the audience, as if hearing a friendly yet serious
conversation.