A state of the art studio

Hundreds of thousands of dollars later, what does the sound recoding technology major have to show?

Ann Marie Trietley
Special to The Leader

Students, professors and musicians can work side-by-side in the new custom-built sound recording technology studio.

The sound recording studio on the second floor of Mason Hall recently received an "extreme makeover." Besides the increased aesthetic appeal, sound recording technology (SRT) majors now have a state-of-the-art sound mixing board in their new abode.

With a brand new studio and skilled, musically-trained audio engineers, a digital revolution is now being played on fast-forward at Fredonia.

"We just finished building a new studio in Mason," said Jonathan Wantuch, a senior SRT and computer science major. "We actually finished building a new facility a couple of years ago, but unfortunately there were some problems with the architects and contractors. Bernd Gottinger, SRT program chair, specified what he knew would work, but then they felt that doing things that way wasn't necessary."

All the controversy has finally given way to the finished product, an impressive studio where students, professors and musicians can work side-by-side.

"We got more money, hired a real acoustical designer and worked with an architect and mechanical engineers to design the studio exactly how we wanted it," Wantuch said. "At this point, it is considered a $750,000 studio."

Upon entering the studio, the digital production console is arresting in its magnitude.

"The mixing console that we have is a 56 channel Solid State Logic (SSL), a company out of Oxford, England," Wantuch said. "It's an industry standard. It's about 14 feet wide, it's pretty huge and it's a great console to work on."

The console allows for hands-on access to a large number of controls and unique mixing capabilities. Ideal for both live on-air and post-production mixing, the SSL console is an extremely beneficial learning tool and valuable piece of equipment.

"The quality is higher, it's easier to use, and it's easier to teach on," said Greg Snow, who is responsible for all studio construction and maintenance and performed all of the installation work. "Probably more advantageous is the environment that it's in. A mixing board is a mixing board, but the acoustics in this space are designed specifically for recording."

Attached to the main studio that houses the mixing gear is a large recording space with a piano, along with a smaller recording area. The thick walls and heavy doors provide a good environment for recording and listening to mixes. Any deviant reflections of sound are kept out. It is an intimate atmosphere free of interruption or interference.

"We've always been given whatever space is left over," Snow said. "Now this space is custom-built for us. It's our home now."

At the time of the interview, Snow was about to install a large LCD display to the studio wall. This will connect to a computer and allow students to see demonstrations of software much easier, instead of students gathering around a tiny computer screen.

"The future of the major looks pretty good," said Wantuch. "We actually teach it as an academic discipline, rather than just a discipline you need to know to get a job in the industry. All students are required to take calculus and physics to really understand the underlying characteristics of what's happening, instead of, 'If I turn this knob it does this.' Rather, 'how are different amplifiers designed?' 'What's the difference between push-pull amplifiers and a leaded amplifier?'"

According to the course catalog, sound recording majors are required to take two semesters of both calculus and physics, upper level physics, six semesters of recording classes, the music core curriculum and two semesters of instrumental lessons. The program breeds masters of both the technological and theoretical realms of sound recording.

"The face of recording for major record labels has changed," said Snow. "Labels are hurting because people are taking music for free off of the Internet, but in the areas of live sound, particularly video production, the field is wide open."

The new recording studio is not only a positive technical advancement for Fredonia, but also SRT majors and music lovers. The studio will help students learn the most recent advances and techniques being adopted in the always changes music industry.