Specialist facilities

We offer a wide range of facilities in support of student work - some are highly specialised whereas others such as libraries and workshops are shared with a number of other subjects. The main library has an extensive book and periodical collection togetehr with computing and other resources. The main workshops are equipped for work in a wide range of materials and media including textiles, ceramis, wood, metal, plastics etc. A recently opened digital darkroom provides extensive resources for photography and image-based work.

We also have our own specialist facilities including:

Our computer room features around 20 workstations (mainly Mac G4 and G5) with high speed Internet access and shared printing facilities. 8 workstations are fitted with ProTools interfaces and all share a comprehensive suite of software which includes Logic Pro, MAX/MSP. Audacity, SuperCollider, MetaSynth, Soundtrack Pro and a range of other leading-edge audio software. The room is used for teaching as well as for individual student work

A new and unique facility, this innovative laboratory is fully equipped for electronics development and small-scale construction work (workshops offering constructional facilities in wood, plastics, metal, ceramics and textiles are available elsewhere on the campus).

8 workstations are fitted with computers and test gear for the construction and testing of electronic and hardware and the development of new and unusual interfaces and controllers.

This control room is equipped with Tannoy 5.1 surround monitoring and is based on a ProTools LE system with 002 controller running on a high-end Mac G5.

A small but useful range of additional outboard equipment is also provided.

This control room is connected to our live room and to a small voiceover booth. Software is similar to that provided in our computer room.

This control room is predominantly based around analogue equipment (including a Behringer 24/8 desk) but with a Mackie SDR 24 track recorder. Extensive outboard equipment is provided and monitoring is by Mackie 824 speakers. A ProTools LE/002 system runs on a Mac G5 (with other software too).

A major feature is a very large Doefer A-100 analogue synthesiser with extensive control, generating and processing resources.

Control rooms A and B share a small live room. This room has a neutral and moderately live acoustic and can hold small numbers of performers.

Additional resources are available including a wide range of microphones by Calrec, Neumann, Rode, Shure, Audio Technica and many others. We also have a small number of electronic instruments including Yamaha SY77, Korg M1 and Korg D1000.

Although originally built for broadcast-quality TV production, this versatile space is also used for performances, installation work and teaching.

It has a comprehensive 10 Kw 20 channel sound diffusion system based around Tascam, Mackie and HHB components and capable of most standard configurations. Bluscreen facilities, staging and lighting are also available.

The latest and most extensive of our facilities, this area features 30 top end Mac G5s and 10 AlienWare PCs with a 14TB server and multiple fibre optic networks. A separate room is designed for video capture and a small recording facility is equpped with ProTools LE/002.

Workstations are equipped with FinalCut Pro, DVDStudio Pro and Soundtrack Pro for state-of-the-art video and multimedia work.