Page 5 - ACCENT Nov 10

ACCENT Special Edition - November 2010
Planning your recording studio DAW
Key considerations for your program
When setting up a digital audio worksta-
tion (DAW) it is important to first decide
it’s main purpose. In an educational
environment this generally translates to ‘What
curriculum outcomes are to be achieved?’ Are you
teaching the artistic and technical skills of record-
ing? Are you using the recording facility to supple-
ment other learning?... such as recording student
performances, school productions or completing
media or other projects requiring multi-channel
audio.
The Control Room
The Control Room is actually the business end of
a recording studio. If you are intending this to be a
learning space, then the size and layout is more im-
portant than if only used by one or two experienced
engineers/producers. The equipment requirements
however will be similar.
Control Room design is quite often a necessary
compromise in a school environment due to avail-
able space, building limitations and cost. There
will certainly be at least a modest level of acoustic
treatment required, but the most important aspects
(and potentially most costly) are related to sound
isolation from the studio (performance space) and
the outside (noisy) world. We will look at Control
Room design for schools in a future article, but
meanwhile please contact Music EDnet for advice
and practical design assistance.
Music EDnet can assist with all design
aspects and liaise with architects and/or
building contractors to ensure an effective
and functional facility.
Mac vs PC... a hard decision?
This is certainly the first step in building your
DAW, and it can be challenging.…lots of hype,
anecdotes, “expert” opinion and emotion. But in
reality it is quite straight forward. Firstly, there are develop skills using software they are likely to
pros and cons either way, but correctly chosen and
configured either a Mac or PC should “just work!”
Music EDnet uses and works
with both Mac and PC
Music EDnet works with both Mac and PC in many
schools and tertiary institutions around the country.
We also use BOTH internally, to ensure we are well
versed with all the relevant issues of software, oper-
ating systems and hardware.
A very real advantage of Mac computers is that the
specifications of each model is consistent - ‘a Mac
5
Technology
GUIDE
is a Mac is a Mac’ - BUT, you still must choose the of physical channels or inputs you can have and
right Mac and specifications for a DAW. Choosing hence how many simultaneous tracks you can
a PC can be more problematic as there is a myriad record (each from a separate source). To achieve
of brands, models and combinations of component the greatest control over your software functions it
options that can go into any given PC. But in is worth considering an interface that also doubles
the end, provided you have received knowledge- as a control surface. A control surface can give you
able advice about the computer requirements and tactile control of input and playback mixing, moni-
specifications, you should have no concerns with toring, EQ, effects/plugins, transport, routing and
either Mac or PC. more. One of the most versatile and affordable so-
Call Music EDnet... we can advise computer lutions is the M-Audio ProjectMix I/O (and is Pro
requirements for your specific DAW. Tools M-Powered compatible). This is an all-in-one
MIDI/audio interface and control surface with an
Mac vs PC and IT support array of connectivity options (for an in-depth look
In a school or institutional environment, it is at the ProjectMix see the August 2010 Edition of
Accent at www.musicednet.com/Accent).
strongly advised that you conform to the exist-
ing or preferred IT infrastructure. By definition, If more comprehensive control is required, there is
conformity and the arts have a difficult time co- the Avid C|24 Control Surface that
existing, but if you can minimise connects to separate (usually rack
the on-going demands and time mount) audio interfaces (such as
investment on the technical side, the 003R).
the time available for teaching and A more basic, but popular option is
artistic expression increases expo- a multi-channel audio interface (usually
with 8 inputs) and an analogue mixer
nentially. If you swim against the Lexicon U82S that has direct channel outputs.
tide you may end up as the de facto Audio Interface
IT support person for your facility....or
out sourced support is necessary (can be Controller Keyboard
expensive and inconvenient). With the computer and audio interface chosen, the
Software final piece of hardware to consider is the controller
Software is all-important. Again, this decision will keyboard. To a large extent, including a keyboard
largely be guided by what the desired curriculum in your DAW is optional, as the control surface will
outcomes are. In most circumstances a DAW will cover many of the functions the keyboard may be
be used by upper secondary students studying used for. But it will certainly come in handy if you
music technology, audio design or VET pathway intend to make use of the various powerful virtual
subjects... as well as tertiary students studying Cert synths that are included in the software packages
III or IV in Music Industry Skills or Diploma and discussed above.
Degree in Music Technology or Creative Produc- A couple of excellent controller keyboards are the
tion courses. It is highly desirable that students Roland PCR series and the M-Audio Axiom series
- both available in 25, 49 and 61-note models with
encounter at the tertiary and/or professional level. similar fader, slider and pad configurations.
It may also be influenced by what hardware you
have chosen. For more information, be sure to check the new
[Note that curricula, courses and options vary by Music EDnet website launching in early 2011 for
state and also by tertiary institution]. detailed tutorials and ‘How to’ guides for configur-
ing your DAW.
Given the wide use of Pro Tools in tertiary and Comprehensive advice for your studio setup...
professional studios, its “industry standard” status, including design, supply and training.
and its compatibility with both Mac OSX and Win-
dows, it’s at the top of the recommended list. Note Ph 1300 723 700
however that Pro Tools (either LE or M-Powered) info@musicednet.com
requires specific Avid or M-Audio audio interfaces
to operate.
Other popular and very capable DAW software in- Avid C|24
cludes Steinberg’s Cubase (Mac & PC), Cake- Control Surface
walk’s Sonar (PC) and Apple’s
Logic Studio (Mac). These
programs place a greater em-
phasis on MIDI editing features
and include a stunning array of
virtual instruments, which will be in
high demand by students of MIDI sequencing
in the upper secondary and tertiary level.
Audio Interface
This is the component that determines the number