Like a pro
Published: ASIA
NTU’s ADM school places a strong focus on preparing its students for the working world, and as such required an audio solution fit for a pro. Alice Gustafson reports
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore is an education facility with a key goal: to fully prepare its scholars for the reality of the working world after graduation. So when seeking to upgrade the audio facilities in its prestigious School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), a solution that could ease the transition from education to a real-life workplace scenario was essential. The decision from the creative wing of the university was unanimous: nothing but a professional solution would do.
Reaching out to Avid distributor IMS Mahajak Pro Audio Pte Ltd, the client eagerly submitted its request for the department’s main control, machine, and recording rooms. ‘The school mission is to train and educate its students using the latest audio and media technologies and prepare them for the challenges that they will face after graduation,’ explains IMS Mahajak’s technical and sales engineer Edwin Wijaya. ‘Therefore, the institution needed a system that is relevant and widely used in the industry.’
It didn’t take long for IMS Mahajak to come up with a solution worthy of a professional sound studio, and taking the school’s high standards into consideration, a comprehensive audio solution was designed centring around a Pro Tools-driven Avid Icon D-Control ES 32 fader console complete with a surround panner and 3D projection system.
‘The Icon console with Pro Tools has always been at the forefront of the digital revolution in music recording and audio post-production, and Avid understands the importance of designing a product that is expandable and yet easily accessible,’ Mr Wijaya reasons. ‘The console stood out for the school because it is expandable up to 80 physical faders and channels with optional 16-channel fader modules. It also has a dedicated centre section allowing critical mixing tasks to be performed without leaving the “sweet spot”– which is particularly crucial for surround mixing.’
Vincent Tang, the consultant for the project, was equally as enthusiastic about utilising Avid’s Icon/Pro Tools combination: ‘As an educational facility, it is crucial that the school uses "industry standard" equipment, and put simply, it is one of the best DAW and plug-in automation systems available in the industry.’
With everybody on board, IMS Mahajak swiftly designed, supplied and installed a substantial audio system into the facilities’ three divisions. Powered by Pro Tools|HD software running off a Mac Pro, the Icon D-Control was installed into the main control room paired with a Martinsound MultiMax EX remote for surround sound monitoring control. This is linked to a number of Genelec 8050A surround speakers connected to an Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray player, which in turn is connected to a JVC DLA-RS50 3D projector and a Samsung 3D Smart TV. Keeping up to date with the latest technologies, this is to allow ADM’s students to watch a film in 3D format from the TV or projection screen. Additionally, a Blackmagic design HyperDeck Studio facilitates the capture of high quality video formats in the room.
An additional request – and potential problem – presented itself when it transpired that the system would have to be able to handle remote recording and monitoring over a distance of approximately 100m, the reason for this being that the main control room and the recording space (although in the same building), are not in close proximity to one another.
Using an Avid HD Madi interface paired with an Aviom 16-channel line-level input monitoring system that sends any audio cues via Cat-5 cables quickly solved this issue. Completing the list of new equipment is an M-Audio USB MidiSport 2 x 2 interface and a Gefen USB 2.0 extender.
Anticipating future demands, the school also required a 5.1 surround mixing system that could eventually be expanded to 7.1. When combined with an Avid XMon monitor interface, the Icon console allows for this eventuality and simultaneously supports the new 3D projection system. ‘It’s like I always say: vision without sound is like coffee without water,’ laughs Mr Tang.
Meanwhile, a Swichcraft patchbay routing system was implemented in the machine room, facilitating remote recording and monitoring from any of the two sound stages and the music room via a network of Cat-5 and Madi cables. Alpha Link Madi SX and Madi optical/coaxial convertors from Solid State Logic also reside in this space, as does an RME Micstasy eight-channel mic/line preamp and AD-converter, alongside a Grace Design microphone preamplifier.
Lastly, the recording room is now kitted out with a number of Aviom A-16II personal mixers, Sony MDR-7506 headphones, and microphones from AKG, Rode Microphones, and Audix.
Naturally, the university wanted to use professional standard equipment as soon as possible, resulting in a short timeframe. However, a remarkable joint effort – involving the client as well as the installation team – ensured that the project was completed within schedule.
‘What really stood out for me was the enthusiasm and cooperation that we had from the ADM school,’ reflects Mr Wijaya. ‘They participated wholeheartedly in every stage of this project, from system design, installation, right down to system testing. They have been very supportive and constantly gave us constructive feedback. It was solely thanks to this effective communication that we managed to complete the installation within schedule,’ he confesses.
‘I agree,’ adds Mr Tang. ‘Without the cooperation and expertise of IMS Mahajak’s Shah Tahir, Mr Wijaya, Wong Soon Kheng and Janette Yeo, along with ADM’s Tan Wee Liang, Bharat Singh, Judy Tham, Muhammad Shukor and the sound committee members, this project just wouldn’t have been the success story it is.’
The new surround sound mixing and monitoring solution is still in the testing and commissioning phase, but Mr Tang insists that the outlook is ‘smashing so far – it’s got the wow factor for sure, and faculty staff as well as students are already asking when they can use the system’.
For an institution that boasts that it is Singapore’s first professional art school to offer degree programmes in art, design and interactive digital media, the standard of ADM’s facilities certainly have a lot to live up to – so that when students emerge, dazed and confused, from university life, they are ready to face the real working world.
But Mr Wijaya isn’t worried about the students’ ability to adapt after graduation, and tells PAA that so far, ‘the users are satisfied as well as surprised as to how easy it is to operate the Icon D-Control. The school is very pleased with the final result, and they are positive that the upgraded recording and post-production rooms will serve the school well and benefit the students for a long time to come.’