Difference between revisions of "5.1 Mix Room - Overview"

Latest revision as of 11:31, 14 November 2024

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 badge in Schedule Evergreen.

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

The lab requires the Audio - 5.1 Mix Room proficiency badge in 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.

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 * 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.
+* To be scheduled in the lab, users must have the '''Proficiency''' badge in Schedule Evergreen.
-* Students in approved programs or contracts will be added to the Access badge each quarter.
 === Uses ===
@@ Line 14: / Line 13: @@
 * 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 ===
@@ Line 21: / Line 25: @@
 ===Access===
-* This lab requires users to have both the "Proficiency" and quarterly "Access" badges on Schedule Evergreen.
+* The lab requires the '''Audio - 5.1 Mix Room''' proficiency badge in Schedule Evergreen.
-* Read the [https://www.evergreen.edu/electronicmedia/access Electronic Media Lab Access page] for proficiency information
+* Read the [[Media Lab Access|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
@@ Line 31: / Line 35: @@
 * 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.
-* In the dock there is a folder with an orange '''M''' called '''Manuals''' that contain PDF’s of some of the equipment manuals.
 *The Evergreen Help Wiki – has helpful articles as well as various audio editing software cheat sheets.
 ** [[:Category:5.1 Mix Room|5.1 Mix Room]]
@@ Line 38: / Line 41: @@
 * '''Adobe Audition''': Multi-track audio recording and mixing
 * '''Adobe Premiere Pro''': Video Editing
-* '''Digital Performer''':  Multi-track audio recording and mixing.  It also does MIDI   editing.
 * '''Pro Tools''': Multi-track audio recording and mixing.
 * '''Audacity''': Open source audio editor.
-* '''Waves Native Power Pack''': Audio Plug-ins.
-* '''NI Komplete:''' soft synths
 * '''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 ===
@@ Line 53: / Line 57: @@
 * 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
+=== Equipment Rack ===
+[[File:5 1 Mix Room - Equipment Rack.jpg|alt=Image of the Equipment Rack located in the 5.1 Mix Room|thumb|Equipment Rack]]
 * The rack contains the following items
 ** Switcher
@@ Line 59: / Line 65: @@
 ** VHS
 ** Grace M906 Monitor Controller
-** MOTU 16A Audio Interface
+** Universal Audio Apollo x8
 ** Yahmaha Receiver
 ** Rack Mixer
 ** Behringer Mixer: On top of rack
-===MOTU 16A Audio Interface===
+===Universal Audio Apollo x8===
 * Soundcard upon start up should be automatically set to 48k Sample Rate.
+[[File:5 1 Mix Room - Grace Controller - Full.jpg|alt=This image shows the Grace Monitor Controller found in the 5.1 Mix Room.|thumb|The Grace m906 Monitor Controller]]
 === Grace m906 Monitor Controller ===
@@ Line 86: / Line 93: @@
 # 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 back of the computer.
+# Power on the computer by pressing the button on the lower left back corner of the computer.
-#* The button is behind the '''POWER''' sticker.
 # Log in to the computer and wait for the user template to fully start up.
 === Audio Monitoring ===
-* The '''Grace m906 controller''' is used to set the monitoring volume.
+[[File:5 1 Mix Room - Switcher.jpg|alt=This is a close-up of the Extron Switcher, located in the 5.1 Mix Room.|thumb|The Switcher (Extron)]]
+[[File:5 1 Mix Room - Yamaha Receiver.jpg|alt=Close-up shot of the Yamaha Receiver.|thumb|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 '''iMac.'''
+* On the '''switcher''' in the equipment rack, select '''Mac.'''
-** The computer is designed to send signals through the '''MOTU 16A.'''
+** The computer is designed to send signals through the '''Universal Audio Apollo x8'''.
 * On the '''Yamaha receiver...'''
 ** Set the volume to '''-10dB'''.
@@ Line 101: / Line 109: @@
 *** Both sets can be on simultaneously.
 *** Only select one set.
-* On the '''Grace m906 Controller,''' select '''CPU'''
+* On the '''Grace m906 Controller,''' select '''MAC'''
 * Double click the '''Main Level''' knob
 ** This will set the volume to 65dB
@@ Line 111: / Line 119: @@
 * Press the '''On''' button to turn on the projector. (Give it a moment to power on)
 * Select a source:
-** Select '''iMac''' to show the computer.
+** Select '''Mac''' to show the computer.
 * For more information on the projection system read [[Data Projector - 5.1 Mix Room]]