Preco equips new radio recording studios for Middlesex University

Preco announces the completion of two radio recording studios as part of the new Arts, Design & Media building, The Grove, on the Hendon campus of Middlesex University. A joint project with the studio design consultancy, Veale Associates, this new resource allow students to become familiar with the equipment and operating techniques employed in radio broadcast facilities.

Preco was the logical choice for this contract given its long experience in providing equipment and systems to major broadcasters, comments Middlesex Universitys Capital Project Manager Ian Bartholomew. Installation of the radio studios proceeded efficiently within a tight nine-week construction schedule to be ready for the October start of the 2011 to 2012 academic year. Construction of the radio studios went so smoothly that it proved an island of tranquility in amongst the construction of the new building. The results are outstanding and fully meet our need to match a real-world radio production and presentation environment.

A key objective was to match both the technical resources and ambience of a modern radio presentation and recording studio, adds Precos Director of Engineering & Technology James Thomas. Each of the two training rooms is approximately 12 square metres in area and visually coupled to the other by a fully soundproofed window. The studios have matching acoustics, interior design and technical furniture, and match the style used for programme presentation and one-to-one interviews.

At the focus of an L-shaped desk is a Logitek digital audio mixing console consisting of a 10-fader Mosaic control surface, monitor control module and meter bridge. These are connected to a Logitek AE-32 time-division-multiplexing audio processor which has all the resources needed to handle dynamics processing, talk-show delay and equalisation, and can accommodate up to 24 mix-minus buses.

We have also installed OMT iMedia Touch on-air automation plus iMedia Production and Log Tools software, including PC, sound cards and touch screens. The iMedia Touch is linked to a Tascam DV-RA1000HD audio recorder with a 60 gigabyte internal hard disk drive and CD/DVD burner. The Tascam is housed in a desktop pod within easy reach of the presenter. Each studio also has three Audio Technica AT4033aSM cardioid condenser microphones mounted on adjustable Yellowtec Mika arms, two of the three being coupled to a Mika monitor mount which supports the two display screens. An equipment pod under each desk houses Sonifex Redbox audio processors, a jackfield plus the Logitek Mosaic main and auxiliary power supplies. The desks themselves were constructed to Preco custom design. The monitor loudspeakers are ceiling-suspended Tannoy Reveal 601a. Other equipment that would be familiar to many broadcasters are a radio-synchronised studio clock and Beyer DT100 headphones.

Opened in September, Middlesex University's Arts, Design and Media Building is the culmination of an £80 million investment in its Hendon campus. Equipped to hold 3,000 students, it provides state of the art facilities for a wide range of courses from fine art, graphic design, interior design, fashion, photography and 3D animation through to multimedia, TV and film. Centrepiece of the building is a large atrium flooded with natural light which can be used as a social hub, an exhibition space or a place to study. In addition to its London campuses at Hendon, Trent Park and Archway, Middlesex University has campuses in Dubai and Mauritius and a network of regional offices around the globe.

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