5.1 Mix Room - Overview

Overview

The 5.1 Mix Room is a hybrid classroom and student lab space.

As a classroom it can hold about 25 students.
There is one computer with audio and video software.
It's available for students to use for academic use.
To be scheduled in the lab, users must have the "Proficiency" and quarterly "Access" badges on Schedule Evergreen.
Students in approved programs or contracts will be added to the Access badge each quarter.

Uses

Media classroom space.
Mixing audio in 5.1 surround sound.
Mixing audio in a large room with multiple speaker options.
Small group work or critique with audio and video productions apps.

Food and Drink

Since the 5.1 Room is also a classroom space food and drink are allowed on the classroom tables.
Clean up any garbage and messes
No food and drinks are allowed at the computer desk or on top of the equipment rack.

Location

Located in Evans Hall 1328
From the lobby go past the Multimedia Lab and turn left at the garbage and recycling station.
Go to the end of the hallway and turn left.

Access

This lab requires users to have both the "Proficiency" and quarterly "Access" badges on Schedule Evergreen.
Read the Electronic Media Lab Access page for proficiency information
Read the Media Labs Access Policy for lab polices
Read the Scheduling General Access Media Labs article for scheduling procedures
Schedule time at Media Loan, the Multimedia Lab or via Self Service in Schedule Evergreen.
Get keys from Media Loan for your scheduled time.

Help

Always enter your name and time into the logbook, along with any problems you encounter during your time in the lab.
If you need help, go to the Multimedia Lab 1404.
The Evergreen Help Wiki – has helpful articles as well as various audio editing software cheat sheets.
- 5.1 Mix Room

Applications

Adobe Audition: Multi-track audio recording and mixing
Adobe Premiere Pro: Video Editing
Pro Tools: Multi-track audio recording and mixing.
Audacity: Open source audio editor.
Ableton Live: Music Production

Equipment

Computer

Mac Studio and 64 GB of Ram
27" Dell monitor with built in webcam - 2560x1440
21" Dell monitor - 1920 x1080

Computer Desk

The computer desk has wheels and can be moved.
It can be positioned in the front or to the side when someone is presenting to a class.
It can be positioned to face the screen when mixing.
Be careful with the cable bundle connecting the desk to the equipment rack when moving the desk.

Equipment Rack

The rack contains the following items
- Switcher
- Blu-Ray Player
- VHS
- Grace M906 Monitor Controller
- Universal Audio Apollo x8
- Yahmaha Receiver
- Rack Mixer
- Behringer Mixer: On top of rack

Universal Audio Apollo x8

Soundcard upon start up should be automatically set to 48k Sample Rate.

The Grace m906 Monitor Controller

Grace m906 Monitor Controller

There are two parts to the Grace controller.
- On the computer desk is the controller.
- In the rack are the audio converters and connectors.
The Grace controller is used to select various sources and control the volume.

Speakers

There are three sets of speakers in the room.
- The 5.1 surround system
  - There is a center channel speaker behind the perforated screen.
- The large JBL LSR speakers (mounted to the wall)
- The small JBL LSR 305 nearfield speakers on the computer desk.

Lab Procedures

Powering On Procedure

On the computer desk turn down the volume on the Grace m906 controller.
Turn on the main power on the left side of the equipment rack.
Wait 10 seconds for the sound card to fully start up, sound card should read 48k Sample Rate.
Power on the computer by pressing the button on the lower left back corner of the computer.
Log in to the computer and wait for the user template to fully start up.

Audio Monitoring

The Switcher (Extron)

Yamaha Receiver

The Grace m906 controller is used to set the monitoring volume.
- Audio Monitoring - 5.1 Mix Room
On the switcher in the equipment rack, select Mac.
- The computer is designed to send signals through the Universal Audio Apollo x8.
On the Yamaha receiver...
- Set the volume to -10dB.
- Select Speaker switch A to use the surround sound speakers
- Select Speaker switch B to use the large JBL speakers
  - Both sets can be on simultaneously.
  - Only select one set.
On the Grace m906 Controller, select MAC
Double click the Main Level knob
- This will set the volume to 65dB
- Adjust as needed
HELPFUL TIP: If there is still no sound coming from the computers to the speakers, press the small Multi Channel input button on the Yamaha Receiver.

Data Projector

The switcher in the equipment rack controls the data projector.
Press the On button to turn on the projector. (Give it a moment to power on)
Select a source:
- Select Mac to show the computer.

For more information on the projection system read Data Projector - 5.1 Mix Room

File Management

All file storage on the computers is local to that computer. You need to back up your files in order to use them in another lab.

Make a folder on the desktop to store your files.
When working, save often
When you are done, save and quit any applications you are using.
Back up your files to:
- OneDrive
- External hard drive
- Thumb drive
If you have a fast USB three hard drive you can work directly of your drive.
We erase all the student files off the computers on Thursday of every eval week.