Huddersfield Uni elevates Music Tech department with Audient Heritage console

A 48-channel Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition console has recently been installed at the University of Huddersfield, where students of Music Technology & Audio Systems, Popular Music, and Popular Music Production courses are already putting it to work.

Music Technology technical team leader, Ben Evans, was part of the team that specified the console, which comes complete with patchbay and producers desk, and appreciated it from the start.

“The integrated patchbay took a lot of the hassle out of installation and is really well laid out. This meant we had the desk up and running very quickly after delivery,” said Evans. “Staff and students have all been impressed when they see the console. It really has the wow factor.”

The decision to go for the Heritage, supplied by studio design and build experts Studio People, is part of a longer term plan. “We purchased in time to help promote and launch our new courses starting in September 2018,” added Evans. “Students love the work flow of the desk, and have responded well to the learning curve of moving from a digital setup where everything is hidden in menus, to a work flow where everything is in front of them. It has really enthused the students to spend more time in the studios and to get the best out of the desk, experimenting with things like driving the pres and utilising the bus compressor.

“Teaching on an analogue desk is very important as it equips the students with industry skills that are transferrable from one console – and studio – to another. To get hands-on experience on a large form analogue desk is something you can’t do easily at home in your bedroom!” said Evans, who reported that some 150-200 students will get to grips with the Audient console at the university this year.

There are in fact another four highly spec’d analogue recording studios fully stocked with rack gear, as well as a further four surround sound production studios, a foley studio, radio studio and a live music production room with a large FOH PA system.

These are the result of significant investment in the music technology department this year, making this “an exciting time for the university as the campus and facilities continue to develop and expand,” according to Evans. “With this new equipment they will get the best experience!”

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