The SAE Institute - with a total of 54 campuses in 26 countries - offers courses in Audio Engineering, Digital Filmmaking, Web Development, 3D Animation and Games Programming. With a focus on practical application and preparing students for a 'real world' career in creative media technologies, the SAE champions the use of high quality, 'industry standard' products as part of the courses.
At the SAE Institute in Amsterdam the versatile Roland R-26 is being used for a number of applications including location sound design, field recordings, event videography, live musical performance, multi-camera recording and documentaries.
The 'hand held' portability of the R-26 made it ideal for the videography and digital film making elements of the courses, whilst the dual stereo mics, six channels of simultaneous recording and a 'quick and user friendly' interface also influenced the choice.
Explaining the decision to purchase the R-26, José Biscaya, Head Lecturer Film Department SAE Institute, commented, "After comparing the R-26 with competitor products at the time of purchase and having collected two years of very good experience with it, the decision was easy."
Both the R-44 and R-88 have been selected by the SAE Institute in Vienna for use by students enrolled in the Digital Film & Animation Diploma, but are also used occasionally by those on the Audio Engineering Diploma Course. The recorders are used in the main for capturing content in the context of coursework or projects but the students are also free to use the Roland recorders for non-commercial independent work. The recorded content is required by the students for film projects, for example, for the sound design elements of their Diploma course.
(Jim Evans)