It’s been a little over three years since I started working for the University of Lethbridge in the Department of Music. During this time I’ve had the amazing opportunity to take part in a variety of new and exciting projects that build upon the standard of excellence the University of Lethbridge has for its programs and facilities. In addition to other endeavours, I was given the challenge of developing and maintaining our new audio research labs and the technologies involved.
Studio One
One of the projects I am most proud to have been a part of was the addition of a world class recording studio to the Centre for the Arts. An 11-month construction and integration project that brought together a wide range of experts and professionals. It proved to be an exemplary display of planning and execution.
The Team
- University of Lethbridge
- Department of Music
- Kaufman & Associates
- Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc.
- Solid State Logic
- DB Audio
- Jon Koopmans, Broadcast Engineer
- Integrity Builders
A 40-seat, 4-wall, concrete classroom was meticulously transformed into a fine tuned, isolated studio space with an air locked hallway, control room, capture room, isolation booth, machine room and storage space. Not limited to its central location, dedicated audio/video lines connect Studio One to our 240-seat recital hall two floors below. This gives Studio One the flexibility to record large ensembles and capture live performances given by our faculty, students, and visiting artists.
The focal piece of Studio One’s capture room is the Solid State Logic 48 Channel Duality. A beautiful piece of analog and digital technology that is quickly becoming the professional standard for educational institutions. Its flexible routing and digital systems make it a great tool for teaching a full range of concepts and theories.
The Duality’s 48 channels are running in to the heart of the operation through 2 SSL Alpha Link Madi SX AD/DA converters giving the system 48 analogue inputs and 16 digital AES/EBU inputs. The Pro Tools HD2 cards interface with the SSL converters through the XLogic Delta-Link MADI HD.
The immersive surround monitoring system was designed and tuned specifically for the control room by Jay Kaufman. Mounted in hand crafted enclosures, 15″ JBL 2235 speakers and custom hyperbolic wood horns are driven by 5 Bryston 7BSST’s and 3 Bryston 3BSST’s. Four Dynaudio BM14S subwoofers are recessed in the front of the room to reinforce the low end.
Here is a peek at the additional gear that is available:
Microphones
- DPA 4006 (4)
- DPA 4012 (2)
- Telefunken U47
- Neumann U87 (4)
- Neumann M149 (2)
- Neumann KM184 (4)
- Royer R121 (4)
- AKG C414 (4)
- AKG C451 (4)
- ElectroVoice RE20
- Sennheiser MD421 (2)
Outboard Gear
- Aviom Personal Monitoring System
- Lexicon PCM96
- Focusrite Red
- Universal Audio 1176-2
- Avalon 737
- GML Model 8200
- Great River MAQ-2NV