Audio mixer for Williams Studio A

Project Title: Audio mixer for Williams Studio A

Project Lead's Name: Steven Beitzel

Email: beitzese@miamiOH.edu

Phone: (513) 529-3523

Please Choose the Primary Affiliation: CAS

Are There Other Project Team Members?: Yes

Other team member name: Richard Jones

Project Details: Replace the 1980's vintage in mixing console in Williams 139, sound studio A

Problem Project Attempts to Solve: Our current mixer was inherited from the former WMUB radio. It requires frequent maintenance - plus it is obsolete, no longer fitting into our digital work flow. Students in all majors in MJF - over 1100 - can use this studio to complete class projects.

Does this project focus on graduate student education or graduate student life?: No

Does it meet tech fee criteria?: Our current sound equipment no longer fits into a digital work flow. Our current mixer is 100% analog, yet our students will find digital audio at their internships and when entering the job market. This item will allow them access to industry standard digital audio.

How will you assess the project?: We anticipate increased use of this studio by students. It is one of the more lightly used creative spaces in our building, largely due to the cumbersome nature of the sound recording equipment. Beyond that, there will be a measurable increase in the sound quality, as all signals will remain in the digital domain.

Have you received tech fee funding in the past?: Yes

What results were achieved?: Our request for new computers granted in 2014-15 has allowed student video, audio and design projects to move out of our 2 large computer labs - both of which are heavily scheduled with classes - into smaller spaces. The students are able to spend more time on class assignments uninterrupted by other classes - and in a quieter environment. Subjectively, their work is better. Objectively, there are now no instances of a student asking permission to stay in the classroom to work on a project while another class is meeting.

Did you submit a final report?: Yes

What happens to the project in year two?: This is a stand alone piece of equipment requiring no installation, routine maintenance or software purchases. These devices tend to have a 15+ year useful life, but any required maintenance or repair will be done by the MJF engineers.

Hardware: Soundcraft Si Expression 2 Digital Mixer with multi-digital card module from B&H Photo/Video, $2,998

Total Budget: $2,998