Frequently asked questions about Arse! profanity delay

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions. If your query isn't covered here, email us: support@profanitydelay.com:

How does Arse! work?
Why is it better than using a conventional profanity delay?
How does Arse! create the delay?
What is the difference between Wipe and Drop delay?
What happens after I Drop or Wipe the delay?
Can I use an external controller or do I have to use the keyboard and mouse?
What are the minimum computer specifications?
What type of soundcard does Arse! need?
How does the licensing work?

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Q: How does Arse! work?

Arse! is a piece of software that runs on a standard Windows PC and turns it into a sophisticated Broadcast Profanity Delay.

Your programme audio is fed into the soundcard input on the PC. The software performs the delay functionality and the delayed audio is fed back out of the soundcard output.

Q: Why is it better than using a conventional profanity delay?

Arse is much more advanced than most standard models. It offers multiple ways to build delay, the delay wipe mechanism allows you to virtually edit a live programme, and the on-screen display and controls make it the cleverest and simplest system available today.

Q: How does Arse! create the delay?

Arse! the profanity delay supports different methods of delay creation. You can create the delay manually - as with a standard delay unit... playing a jingle or promo off a cart or playout system. Arse! can play the jingle for you (from a .wav file on disk). Or the delay can be built over time (normally a few minutes) - say during an earlier segment of the programme - using one of two available algorithms, optimised for speech and music/speech mix.

Q: What is the difference between Wipe and Drop delay?

Drop delay will dump the entire delayed audio. Wipe delay can either drop a pre-set partial amount of the delay (press and release) or drop as much of the delay as you want (press and hold).

With the Wipe delay, the most recent audio is wiped - like removing words from the end of the last sentence.

Q: What happens after I Drop or Wipe the delay?

After you wipe delay, Arse! will immediately begin rebuilding the lost delay using the algorithm that you have chosen.

After you Drop delay, you can rebuild using either algorithm or rebuild more quickly by playing a jingle or promo directly from within Arse!

Q: Can I use an external controller or do I have to use the keyboard and mouse?

The simplest way to use an external controller is to use a USB keyboard - say a numeric keypad - and assign the keys you want to hotkey functions. You can also use custom made keyboards like the ones that come with some playout systems.

These USB numeric keypads are available from computer stores... we can also supply them for approx £32 ($50, €51).

Q: What are the minimum computer specifications?

System requirements for Arse! the profanity delay are pretty basic. All Windows versions are fine.

If the music algorithm is not used a 400MHz Pentium II processor should be fine. To use the music algorithm the computer should have at least a 1.5GHz processor. Something a bit faster would be great, but you did ask for the minimums!

Q: What type of soundcard does Arse! need?

The soundcard needs to support bi-directional use i.e. to be able to record and playback at the same time. Most modern and professional soundcards are able to do this.

It is important to use a good quality soundcard as the complete show will be routed through it...

Ask us for sound card recommendations - we sell studio quality sound cards to go with our product costing only about £160 ($245 or €250)

Q: How does the licensing work?

The licensing system works through a hardware key (the "dongle"). When you purchase the software we will send you the hardware key. The key will unlock Arse! the profanity delay by removing all demo restrictions. Unlike some other licensing mechanisms this system allows you to replace the computer or to install the software on multiple systems - just insert the key and there you go again! A "dongle" is just another name for a hardware key. A hardware key is a small device that plugs into your computer's USB or Parallel port and unlocks software that is installed on the computer - it usually has no further functionality.