Specifying an Audient ASP4816 console to be at the heart of Studio A completed the studio upgrades at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) this July. Bringing analogue back to the School of Media Arts’ studio after a 13-year hiatus was a decision championed by Music Technician, Brad Morgan.

 

Brad explains that the original studio centred around an analogue console. “Its age and maintenance downtime was becoming an issue and in 2003/2004 the decision was made to go to Pro Tools HD with a Control|24. The workflow was simple and the ease of an ‘in-the-box’ solution was convenient for staff and students.

 

ASP4816: “…really impressive for a console of this size, footprint and price.”

 

“Fast forward 13 years and the decision to create a hybrid system taking in the best of both analogue and digital workflows was something that was welcomed with open arms. External gates/dynamics and effects racks that had been in storage for many years would now be reinstated,” he continues.

 

 

“Students had experienced some level of tactile control with the previous system, but I knew that this system and workflow would not only sound better, but also be of great benefit to their learning i.e. signal flow, bussing, external inserts, I/O routing from DAW, patchbay usage, analogue mixing as opposed to in-the-box.”

 

Having guest lectured on a couple of lessons to get everybody up and running, Brad is happy to report that 25-30 students have already learnt the system since its install and that feedback has been “really positive. Like any piece of equipment, you have to spend time learning it correctly in order to get the most out of it. After a baptism of fire and encouraging some quality ‘alone’ time, our staff and students are away laughing,” he confirms.

 

“What stood out to me were its routing possibilities”

 

Brad goes on to list the features of the desk he’s most enjoying. “Clean microphone preamps, musical EQ, buss compression and its routing possibilities, which are really impressive for a console of this size, footprint and price.

 

 

“What stood out to me were its routing possibilities,” he explains, recalling the decision-making process. “I was looking for something that could be incorporated into the current patchbay system without having to completely rewire it. Our previous console was housed in an Argosy 90 Series desk. The dimensions of the ASP4816 were similar to a Control|24 and after some planning and modifications to the desk, was sure I could make it fit.” He was right.

 

He describes Wintec’s Bachelor of Media Arts (Commercial Music) as “an exciting and innovative programme.” There are a variety of courses which utilise the ASP4816 itself including Audio Post Production, Sound Design as well as Post-Graduate Projects and all music students have 24-hour access to six recording studios, including three fully equipped ProTools HD Systems and 30 digital audio workstations. “The studios are always full of students.”

 

“…a hybrid system taking in the best of both analogue and digital workflows was something that was welcomed with open arms”

 

Looking to the future, Brad concludes, “We are in the processes of transitioning to a new Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts qualification with endorsements in Audio Production, Composition, Performance and Theatre. More information isn’t available at this time, but the future of Music and Performing Arts at Wintec is alive and marvellous. Exciting times ahead.”

 

There certainly are! Audient is pleased to be a part of it.