Radio VoiceTrack Builder - Help

Radio VoiceTrack Builder was developed to give radio presenters and content creators a fast, no-nonsense way to build broadcast-ready shows without unnecessary complexity.

Simple • Fast • No faff
Contents
Jump to a section:
How it works Insert under a track Show Notes Voice links: Add vs Insert Re-ordering Track types & colours Changing a track’s type Jingles (Dry vs Produced) Voice Recorder Mic selection & test meter Music vs Voice Mix setting Saving your show Music metadata New Playlist Exporting Quick tips

How it works

  • Add tracks by drag & drop, or use the top buttons: Add Music, Add Voice Link, and Add Jingle.
  • Build your running order by inserting items under an existing track, or by re-ordering the playlist.
  • Use the Play buttons to check tracks before export.
  • Delete items from the playlist at any time.
Tracks are always labelled as Music, Voice, or Jingle. This matters because each type is processed differently during Export.

Insert under an existing track

  • Each playlist item has insert buttons so you can add the next piece exactly where you want it.
  • Use + Music to insert music directly under a selected item.
  • Use + Voice to insert a voice link directly under a selected item.
  • Use + Jingle to insert a jingle directly under a selected item.
  • This makes it easy to build natural talk → music → talk (and jingle stings) with no faff.

Show Notes (Insert Note)

Show Notes are simple plain-text notes that live inside your playlist. They are designed for reminders and running-order cues — for example: backtime note, talking points, sponsor mention, or coming up next.

  • To add one, press Insert Note under any playlist item. The note is inserted directly after that item.
  • Click the green Show Note title (or the note text) to edit it at any time.
  • Notes can be as long as you like — multiple lines are supported and will always display in full.
Show Notes are not audio. They do not affect show length and they are ignored during Export. They exist purely to help you build and present your show.

Voice links: Add vs Insert (Import vs Record)

There are two ways to add voice links, depending on whether you want them at the end of the playlist or in a specific position inside your running order.

  • Add Voice Link (top button) imports existing voice audio files and adds them to the end of the playlist. This is the quickest option when you’re just loading a batch of links.
  • The built-in recorder works the same way by default: when you record and hit Save Voice Link, the new recording is added to the end of the playlist.
Insert Voice (+ Voice under a playlist item) is different — it’s designed for building your show in the right order. When you press + Voice under a specific track, you’ll be asked how you want to add the voice link:
  • Import — choose an existing voice file from your computer. It will be inserted after the selected item.
  • Record — uses the built-in recorder. When you hit Save Voice Link, it will be inserted after the selected item (not appended to the end).
  • Tip: If you choose Record, you can record as normal — just remember the insert happens when you press Save Voice Link.

Re-ordering the playlist

  • To move an item, grab the hand on the left side of the item’s type badge (Music / Voice / Jingle) and drag it up or down.
  • You can also use the Up and Down arrows on each item for precise nudges.
  • Re-ordering never changes your audio files — it only changes the playlist order.

Track types & colours

  • Each playlist row is tinted based on its type, so you can scan a show at a glance.
  • The type badge text colour also matches the track type for quick identification.
  • If something sounds “wrong” on export, double-check it was added as the correct type.

Changing a track’s type

  • If a track was added as the wrong type, you can change it at any time.
  • Each playlist item includes a Type dropdown next to the Music / Voice / Jingle badge.
  • Use this dropdown to switch the item between Music, Voice, or Jingle.
  • The audio file is not re-imported or moved — only the way it is treated on export changes.
Changing a track’s type immediately updates its colour, label, and export processing. If something sounds wrong, this is the first thing to check.

Jingles (Dry vs Produced)

Jingles typically fall into two groups:

  • Dry — mainly voice (for example station IDs or sweepers).
  • Produced — voice plus a music bed, effects, or full production.
  • Jingle items include a Mode selector:
  • Auto (recommended) — the app decides the best treatment during export.
  • Dry (voice) — processed more like a voice link for clarity and consistency.
  • Produced (music) — treated more like music so beds/effects stay natural.
Tip: Leave it on Auto unless you have a specific reason to force Dry or Produced.

Using the built-in Voice Recorder

  • When you press Start, recording begins immediately.
  • A countdown appears to tell you when to start speaking.
  • Stay quiet until you see GO, then begin talking.
Leading and trailing silence is automatically trimmed during Export. You don’t need to rush or speak instantly.
  • Natural breathing and pauses are fine.
  • Keep a consistent distance from the microphone.
  • If something feels clipped, leave a little more space before speaking.

Microphone selection & test meter

  • Use the Mic Select dropdown to choose which microphone the app should use.
  • By default, the app uses your system’s current default microphone.
  • If you have more than one microphone connected (USB mic, headset, webcam, etc), select the correct one here.
  • Press 🎤 Test to check that audio is reaching the app.
  • The Test Meter shows live input level from the selected microphone.
  • If the meter moves, the microphone is working correctly.
If the meter does not move, the microphone may be blocked by your operating system or security software (for example antivirus privacy controls).
  • On Windows, check microphone permissions in system settings and any antivirus software.
  • On macOS, ensure microphone access is enabled in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  • Changing the selected microphone does not affect previously recorded voice links.

Music vs Voice — why it matters

  • Music tracks are levelled to keep the show consistent.
  • Voice tracks are compressed and cleaned for clarity.
  • Jingles can be treated as Dry or Produced depending on their content.

Mix setting (Music vs Voice balance)

The Mix setting controls how Voice and Jingles sit against Music during Export. It affects the overall balance of the final show — not individual tracks.

  • Auto (recommended) — the app chooses a safe, broadcast-friendly balance.
  • Voice forward — voice links are slightly more prominent against music.
  • Music forward — music sits slightly louder relative to voice.
Tip: If a show sounds unbalanced after export, check the Mix setting before changing individual track types.
  • The Mix setting does not change your original audio files.
  • It only affects the final exported MP3.
  • Your chosen Mix setting is remembered for the next export.

Saving your show

  • Saving creates a small JSON project file.
  • The project remembers where your audio files live.
  • If files are moved or deleted, the project can’t find them.

Music metadata (Title & Artist)

  • For Music tracks, VoiceTrack Builder reads the MP3’s metadata and displays Title and Artist in the playlist.
  • If a track has no metadata, the app falls back to the file name.
  • You can edit metadata for Music items using the ✎ Meta button (Title + Artist/Presenter only).
  • Important: editing metadata here does not modify your original MP3 file — it’s saved inside your project so your library stays untouched.
Tip: The File name: line is clickable — it opens the track’s containing folder in Explorer/Finder. Hover to see the full path.

New Playlist (clear safely)

  • The New Playlist button clears all current items and gives you a blank playlist.
  • You’ll be asked what to do first:
    • Save – save the current show, then clear the playlist.
    • Don’t Save – clear immediately.
    • Cancel – go back without changing anything.

Exporting your final show

  • Export produces a single broadcast-ready MP3.
  • Final trimming, levelling, and polish happen here.
  • You can add export metadata (optional): Artist/Presenter and Show name/Title.
  • Use Skip to export without tagging.
  • Exporting may take time on longer shows.

Quick tips

  • Keep one folder per show.
  • Check every track before exporting.
  • If something sounds wrong, check it was imported as Music, Voice, or Jingle.