TOOLS & TIPS Working with STS

Commercial Stations (Select Here)

Non-commercial Stations (Select Here)

Record Pools (Select Here)

Compiling Playlist

Your first step. Your station must have an active user name/password to the STS (Spins Tracking System). Contact Backstage Entertainment Group, LLC now to obtain FREE reporting status for your radio station today!

Once you have an active user name, you will be able access any/all STS Advanced Chart data in your format (if you are interested in additional formats contact Backstage Entertainment). Your station will be able to report online using a user name/password established on your account. Personalizing your password is available under “Station Info”. Your station will have one user name and password for your playlist and all charts.

Once you have been approved as a reporting station you will be able to log into STS (spinstrackingsystem.com) 24hrs/7 days a week to report your playlist.

COMPILING PLAYLIST

STS MAIN CHARTS
A report contributing to the Main Charts should reflect your station’s current music ONLY (No recurrents should be reflected on the playlist). The number one release on your report should have received the most spins at your station for the week, followed in descending order. The STS system will automatically sort your playlist according to spins and retain your playlist for you from week to week, making is even easier and less time confusing when reporting each week.

Your playlist should reflect overall station airplay, including adds and drops. Playlists may include unlimited amount of song titles, but limited to 99 spins per song (heaviest rotation). All stations must support all major and independent label releases regardless of record label affiliation. Radio station shall not play “favoritism” to any particular record label, company, etc.

You may update your playlist 24 hrs/7 days a week.

DEADLINE
REMEMBER, you must update your playlist on STS by 12 noon (PST) every Tuesday. Due to production and publishing constraints, all reports received after 12 noon will be used for chart data compilation for the following week.

ENTERING PLAYLIST:
Once you enter your first initial playlist it will be retained from week to week for you automatically. This will save you a lot of time each week for having fun.

ADDING ARTISTS/SONGS:

* All playlist information is sent to STS in real-time.

Adding Artists:

Enter artist name in the “Adds” field box (see 1).

Enter the first few letters to get a list of artists to select from:

1

Notice artists corresponding to the typed letters become available for your selection (see 2):

2

Enter amount of spins in the “Spins” box (see 3) and select “Add To Playlist” button:

When updating spins on your playlist this is automatically updated in real-time with each keystroke and click of your mouse.

3

You may change spins as needed by simply adjusting their spins number (see 4):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

4

You may select particular songs on your playlist as a StressTrax by selecting the StressTrax toggle switch. Songs marked as a StressTrax represent songs which are receiving great response from your listeners. (see 5):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

5

You may Drop songs from your playlist by selecting the “Drop” toggle switch corresponding to the selected song. (see 6):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

6

IF ARTIST/SONG IS NOT FOUND WHEN SEARCHING:

If no matches were found in the “Add Song To Play” search box, select “Not Found” link (see 7):

If you do not know the label name use a “?“

7

8

Type in the song information you wish to add to your playlist. These songs will be sent to STS for encoding before placing on your playlist. This will be done for you by STS.

8

REMOVING SONGS FROM PLAYLIST:

Use the “Drop” toggle switch (see 9) corresponding to the artist/song you are “dropping” from your playlist.

9

We have added a “Remove” feature (see 10) to your playlist.

The “Remove” feature is ONLY used if you have mistakenly added an incorrect song to your playlist.

10

Still got questions?

TOOLS & TIPS Working with STS as a Non-Commercial Broadcaster

Compiling Playlist Add Artists Drop Artists Missing Albums StressTrax Charts Features Search Tips

Your first step in becoming a reporting radio station is sending us a copy of your current playlist and your radio station information. You can do that by filling out our reporting request form.

Once you have an active user name/password, you will be able access all the STS Chart Data within your format (if you are interested in additional formats, contact us). Your station will be able to report online using a user name/password established on your account. Personalizing your password is available under “Station Info”. Your station will have one user name/password for your playlist and charts.

Once you have been approved as a reporting station you will be able to log into STS (spinstrackingsystem.com) 24hrs/7 days a week to report your playlist.

COMPILING PLAYLIST

STS TOP 30
A report contributing to the Top 30 chart should reflect your station’s top 30 most frequently played current releases from the current week. The number one album on your report should have received the most spins at your station for the week, followed in descending order. If you are playing more than one song from a given album, spins should be counted collectively for that release, rather than as separate entries).

Your Top 30 report should reflect overall station airplay, including all genres and formats. Reports must include 30 distinct releases which may also include up to 5 “Adds” (albums that will be added into your station’s rotation for the upcoming week).

SPECIALTY CHARTS
Loud Rock: A report contributing to the Loud Rock chart should reflect your station’s top 15 most frequently played hard rock and metal albums from the past week. You may also submit up to 5 Adds.

Hip-Hop: A report contributing to the Hip-Hop chart should reflect your station’s top 15 most frequently played hip-hop albums from the past week. You may also report up to 5 Adds.

New World: A report contributing to the New World chart should reflect your station’s top 15 most frequently played New World music releases (e.g. reggae, world, etc.) from the past week. You may also submit up to 5 Adds.

AAA (Triple A): Report contributing to the AAA chart should reflect your station’s top 15 most frequently played AAA albums from the past week. You may also submit up to 5 Adds.

Jazz: A report contributing to the Jazz chart should reflect your station’s top 15 most frequently played jazz albums from the past week. You may also submit up to 5 Adds.

RPM: A report contributing to the RPM chart should reflect your station’s top 15 most frequently played electronic music releases (e.g. ambient, techno, industrial, etc.) from the past week. You may also submit up to 5 Adds.

DEADLINE
Remember, you must update all reports on STS by 12 noon (PST) every Tuesday. Due to production and publishing constraints, any reports received after 12 noon will be used for chart data compilation for the following week.

ENTERING PLAYLIST:

Once you enter your first initial playlist it will be retained from week to week for you automatically (this saves you a lot of time each week). The first step is to choose the playlist you wish to either enter or update. You can do three things with each chart.

ADDING ARTISTS – SONGS/ALBUMS

* All playlist information is sent to STS in real-time.

Adding Albums: There are a certain number of rows or “ranks” based on the playlist type (30 for the main STS chart, 15 for specialty charts with up to 5 for adds).

Select Specialty Chart (see 1) to add an artist to:

Enter artist name in the “Adds” field box (see 1).

Enter the first few letters to get a list of artists to select from:

1

Enter artist name in the “Adds” field box (see 1).

Enter the first few letters to get a list of artists to select from:

Notice artists corresponding to the typed letters become available for your selection (see 2):

2

Enter Rank in the “Rank” box (see 3) and select “Add To Playlist” button:

When updating ranks on your playlist this is automatically updated in real-time with each keystroke and click of your mouse.

3

You may change rank as needed by simply adjusting their new rank number (see 4):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

4

You may select particular albums on your playlist as a StressTrax by selecting the StressTrax toggle switch. Songs marked as a StressTrax represent albums which are receiving great response from your listeners. (see 5):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

5

6. You may Drop albums from your playlist by selecting the “Drop” toggle switch corresponding to the selected album. (see 6):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

6

IF ARTIST/ALBUM IS NOT FOUND WHEN SEARCHING:

If no matches were found in the “Add Album To Play” search box, select “Not Found” link (see 7):

If you do not know the label name use a “?“

7

Type in the song information you wish to add to your playlist. These songs will be sent to STS for encoding before placing on your playlist. This will be done for you by STS (see 8).

8

REMOVING ALBUMS FROM PLAYLIST:

Use the “Drop” toggle switch (see 9) corresponding to the artist/album you are “dropping” from your playlist.

9

We have added a “Remove” feature (see 10) to your playlist.

The “Remove” feature is ONLY used if you have mistakenly added an incorrect album to your playlist.

10

STRESS TRAX:

Songs receiving a lot of attention from your listeners or albums which have proven to be successful for your market may be highlighted as a “StressTrax”. You may notate these songs by selecting the “StressTrax” toggle switch corresponding to the particular artist/album on your playlist.

Still got questions?

TOOLS & TIPS Working with STS as a Record Pool

Compiling Playlist Add Artists Drop Artists Missing Songs StressTrax Charts Features Search Tips

Your first step. Your station must have an active user name/password to the STS (Spins Tracking System). Contact Backstage Entertainment now to obtain FREE reporting status for your radio station today!

Once you have been approved as a reporting station you will be able to log into STS (www.spinstrackingsystem.com) 24hrs/7 days a week to report your playlist.

COMPILING PLAYLIST

You may update your playlist 24 hrs/7 days a week.

ENTERING PLAYLIST:
Once you enter your first initial playlist it will be retained from week to week for you automatically. This will save you a lot of time each week for having fun.

ADDING ARTISTS/SONGS:

* All playlist information is sent to STS in real-time.

Enter artist name in the “Adds” field box (see 1).

Enter the first few letters to get a list of artists to select from:

1

Notice artists corresponding to the typed letters become available for your selection (see 2):

2

Enter amount of spins in the “Spins” box (see 3) and select “Add To Playlist” button:

When updating spins on your playlist this is automatically updated in real-time with each keystroke and click of your mouse.

3

You may change spins as needed by simply adjusting their spins number (see 4):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

4

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

5

You may Drop songs from your playlist by selecting the “Drop” toggle switch corresponding to the selected song. (see 6):

Each time you make a selection your playlist will be updated in real-time.

6

IF ARTIST/SONG IS NOT FOUND WHEN SEARCHING:

If no matches were found in the “Add Song To Play” search box, select “Not Found” link (see 7):

If you do not know the label name use a “?“

7

8

Type in the song information you wish to add to your playlist. These songs will be sent to STS for encoding before placing on your playlist. This will be done for you by STS.

8

REMOVING SONGS FROM PLAYLIST:

Use the “Drop” toggle switch (see 9) corresponding to the artist/song you are “dropping” from your playlist.

9

STRESS TRAX:

Songs receiving a lot of attention from your listeners or songs which have proven to be successful for your market may be highlighted as a “StressTrax”. You may notate these songs by selecting the “StressTrax” toggle switch corresponding to the particular artist/song on your playlist.

STS FEATURES:

There is no need for you to use outdated procedures to share you playlist information with record label executives, radio reps, record promoters, retail stores, etc. any longer. STS has all the features you need to share your information in a universal formatted form (PDF) which can be viewed by everyone you desire to share with.

Unlike using WORD, EXCEL or other similar programs which display incorrectly to users, STS uses its own customized programming so that your playlist can be view by anyone without any display issue. Your shared information will look just the way you see it… to everyone!

E-mail(optional): STS has the ability to retain a contact database for you so you can easily share/send your playlist each week. Simply enter your email address in the “From” box and place your contacts into the “To” box (ONE email address per line). You may add and delete contacts as you desire. STS will retain this information within your account for you for quick, easy access from week to week. This optional feature is secure and STS never shares your information.

Print: You can easily print yourself a copy of your playlist so you may retain a copy. Select “Print” option on the main menu. This option will also allow you to fax your playlist to anyone you wish to share your information with. *A printer or fax modem must be installed and configured to use this feature.

Station Info: You may update you radio station information (ex. mailing address, contact info, frequency, watts, station nickname, etc.). IMPORTANT: Keep your information updated to insure proper servicing of music from record labels, record promoters, management companies, public relation firms and artists.

CHARTS:

STS provides charts for commercial, non-commercial radio stations, syndicated radio shows, internet radio programmers and records pools. Chart formats include: Top40/CHR, AC/Hot AC, Country, College, AAA, Americana, Loud Rock, RPM, World, AAA, Jazz and Hip Hop/Rap. An assortment of STS charts include the pop Hot100, Chartbound, Up & Coming charts, Regional chart data, Most Added, Prime Movers, Spincrease, Top Indie Charts, Top Recurrent charts and Top100 College.

SEARCH TIPS:

To keep our database manageable, STS, in most cases, does NOT use “The” at the beginning of band names. For example, you would enter “Wallflowers” and not “The Wallflowers.” The exceptions are short band names like “The X” or “The Who”. In either case, try searching first without the leading “The”. Please also take note that STS does NOT use “.” (period) in its artist names.

Be aware of possible alternate spellings of bands and artists as well (e.g. BK Davis vs. B.K. Davis). Try a different combination before entering new artists and their albums on to your playlist.

Various Artists, Soundtracks are entered using “Various Artists” as the artist field.

CONTACT:

We are here to help you and your station get the most visibility and gain the most success in your market and within the music industry.

Problems/Questions? Contact us here or by calling 310-325-9997. Please include your station call letters, contact name, and describe your problem as clearly as possible when contacting us so we may provide you the best service.