Audient enhances Oak Theatre & Studios
- Details
The opening of the newly built theatre and arts buildings heralds the beginning of a new era for the school. It not only puts music technology firmly on the curriculum, but also provides a high-end studio for hire with a gothic-style backdrop.
Oak Theatre & Studios was designed from the ground up with recording flexibility in mind. The fact that it is available for commercial use as well as teaching is something technical manager Ross Krige was careful to consider when specifying the Audient console. “Overall I’ve tried to keep the studio very simple for learning but still accessible for external hire,” he explains.
For the 10-13-year-olds, Ross has set up a Music Technology Club, with a view to demystifying the song recording process. Here the youngsters “start learning how songs are recorded and what ‘that person sat behind the desk’ does at theatre shows,” he explains. “The students will be recording some songs of their choosing - within reason - and I’ll be teaching the basics of mic-ing and how to use a console.”
Older students (GCSE/A-Level) have the option of joining the more advanced club where they pick up more professional techniques around the studio as well as in the theatre. “The aim of this club is for them to be able to participate in the shows and/or recordings we may do on site.”
Describing the new studios, Krige continues, “What’s different about our setup is we can record larger ensembles in the 394-seat theatre from the studio using Dante. So we can have a 100-piece orchestra if we really wanted, recording into the studio. A bit of a push with our console - but it is possible!”
Aside from the theatre and the 12 potential live rooms within the new buildings, there is also the option of recording in the centuries-old Scarisbrick Hall itself. “There are a multitude of rooms ranging from the large banquet hall to smaller rooms with intricate carvings. We can record from any of these to the studio using Dante, so it’s very versatile.” The Audient equipment was supplied by Academia.
