New Sound Studio Available in Verrill Hall

A new sound studio has recently been completed in Verrill Hall and was used in the January block by students in the Sound Design for Media course.

The studio, located next to the two film studios in Verrill Hall, was built with both music and postproduction sound design in mind, according to instructor Cody Olivas, who designed the studio and set it up.

The control room has an Argosy console with an iMac dual-display system powered with the Universal Audio Apollo 8P, a popular professional audio interface with 8 preamps.

A Big Knob Studio Command Center and talkback system are used to route sound through Yamaha HS-8 and HS-5 speakers.

Mr. Olivas said that the sound stage includes the equipment needed to record the sound effects and audio used in producing a film. This includes a large monitor for displaying video while recording sound effects or recording automated dialogue replacement.

Equipment for creating sound effects includes multiple floor surfaces. In addition, shelves of props for sounds are continuing to be added.

The studio also includes a selection of microphones and cables to assist in the recordings.

Mr. Olivas said he would recommend the Digital Music Production course for students interested in getting hands-on experience producing music. The course covers the basics of using Ableton Live and recording live musicians.

Students interested in sound design for motion pictures can sign up for the Sound Design for Media course, which covers using Pro Tools to cue and record sound effects, automated dialog replacement, and voice overs, as well as incorporating music.

“I have students who have completely fallen in love with audio production, so much so that not only has it been a life change for them but a career change as well,” Mr. Olivas said.

Also available are two film studios, each of which is equipped with large green-screens (used as blank backgrounds to be filled in digitally) and large black curtains. There are also several flats for creating set designs.

In the near future there will be three editing bays and one more mixing room for audio.