Hereford, May 2010 – An Audient ASP8024-48 high resolution mixing console sits at the heart of the brand new Sound Engineering facility at Herefordshire College of Technology (HCT). Comprising five state-of-the-art recording studios, the facility’s rebuild is just part of a £32 million development project centred on the main Hereford campus, which is “..set to transform post-16 education and vocational learning in Herefordshire,” according to its website.
“The Audient console is used in our flagship control room,” says Course Tutor, Dan Armstrong. “The room is fed from 2 Roland REAC-based Digital Snake setups, supplying 32 channels of mic lines. The console is used heavily for tracking, mixing and programming. We’ve got Mac Pro running Logic 9, and ProTools 8, which feeds into the console. The (Alesis) HD24s also feed directly into the console across all 48 channels.”
The ASP8024 has many benefits as a teaching desk, according to Armstrong. “We can demonstrate in-line console theory, different types of EQ and sound, and the concept of a channel insert and tape monitor/return insert. It enables us to show simple comparisons between our other control rooms and the Audient: just because the console is bigger doesn’t necessarily mean that it operates in any other manner.
“As the console is large format, several students can get to the console at once and use it up close and personally. Admittedly, when students first enter the room, it is quite daunting. When shown the channel strip however, they can see it is very straight forward.”
Indeed, it is not just students who are impressed with the desk. “The sound is amazing,” Armstrong enthuses. “The headroom and noise levels on the console are very good indeed. It’s particularly versatile, too. We use the desk heavily with Logic Pro 9, ProTools 8 and 48 tracks of Alesis HD24; it’s been set up to cater for all systems with ease.”
Previously an engineer, programmer and produced for UB40, Armstrong is no stranger to the professional studio environment, and was keen to set up the college’s studio facilities to provide the most realistic and impressive experience for students. “When specifying equipment for Control Room 1 we initially looked at used SSL and Neve consoles. However, for the amount of intimated investment, the type of console available was going to require a lot of commissioning and further support, therefore was ruled out.
“We also looked at several digital consoles, but again, ruled out the option due to the generic training requirements our courses provide. Then we found out about Audient, heard the ASP8024 in London’s Chapel Studios, and it became even more apparent that this was the console for HCT.”
The Sound Engineering facility provides the basis for all Sound Engineering and Music Technology courses available at HCT. Even before the redevelopment, the Music Technology courses have enjoyed the advantages associated with highly-trained, industry-active staff, leading to very high success rates. The new studios only add value. “We are very fortunate to be vastly oversubscribed,” says Armstrong.
Herefordshire College of Technology currently offers L2 provision in the form BTEC First Diploma in Music, L3 provision in the form of BTEC National Award, Certificate & Diploma in Music Technology. “We are also in the process of developing a Foundation Degree in Music Technology,” proving that development doesn’t stop just at the building.
The biggest education and training facility in Herefordshire, HCT supports the educational needs of over 7000 learners, helping to provide them with skills required to succeed in their chosen vocations for many years to come.
More information is available at http://www.hct.ac.uk.
