Interview with Kiss FM Broadcast Engineer
| Name | Tim Gebbett |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 26 |
| Residence | Kensal Green |
| Originally From | Epson, Surrey |
Tell us what you do for a living?
Broadcast Engineer
Can you describe what that involves?
I am charged with looking after all the systems involved in getting the sound from studios to the various transmitters across the country. The job requires a range of talents including strong interpersonal skills, electronics, computing and project management.
What do you enjoy about your job?
The people I work with, the music, the vibe, outside broadcasts and, most of all, going to places on the weekend and watching enjoying what you are involved in broadcasting
Is there anything you do not enjoy?
The corporate politics can be a bore!
Can you describe what a day in your job might be?
0900: check all last nights’ recorded output has gone to the websites
0930: continue installing playout equipment in our enlarged racks room
1100: Work with the specialist producers to setup the ability for our artists to send in their pre-recorded shows via the internet
1200: fix a part of a mixing desk that the presenter has spilt coffee on!
1300: Attend a planning meeting for an upcoming outside broadcast and promotion event
1400: Test a new system for sending text messages to the studios
1600: Configure the ProTools editing systems to automatically back themselves up to another computer, in the event of more coffee being spilt!
What hours do you work?
Generally – 9 till 6. Sometimes we need to work through the night, so we can work on the studios or transmission chain.
How much do you earn or what is your salary?
More that 30k
How long have you been working in this area?
Over 5 years, in radio and TV
Can you tell us how you got to where you are?
I have always wanted to work in a sound related job. Initially, I did not have the relevant experience, and the jobs that were on offer paid very little, so I used my knowledge of IT as a pretext to get me to into the company (EMAP). Through a lot of maneuvering, and late night studying, I began to move over from the IT dept to the Radio and TV operations. After a year working in TV, a job came up to move our London radio and TV stations to a central HQ. After that, I stayed in radio engineering.
Can you tell us about your education to date?
GCSES, 2 Alevels and an Electronics Degree
Can you tell us about any training you have sought/received?
No training – I prefer to learn on the job
Have you learnt any new skills whilst doing this job? If yes, please tell us what they are.
Far too many to list
Did you come across any problems getting this job?
No particular initial problems.
Looking back, would you choose the same job again? If no, what would you choose if you could start again?
I think I would, but I would approach it a different manner…
Thinking about your personal experience, what advice would you give to someone hoping to follow a similar career path?
Get ready to work very hard, and sacrifice a lot of personal time to learning your craft
Do you have an aspiration/goal for your future career?
To travel and work
How will you try and get there?
Phone calls and then a plane ticket!
How long do you think it will take you?
With luck – 3 years
