Facilities for SIAL Sound Studios
A new facility was completed for SIAL Sound Studios in The Design Hub in 2013 and currently houses n-space and The Pod.
New facility, 2014
Design Hub, RMIT University
SIAL Sound Studios occupied spaces in building 9 from 2004 to 2013. It is now located in its new facility in The Design Hub and currently houses n-space and The Pod.
Nspace is used for lectures, workshops, seminars, rehearsals and production on a 16 channel system. A ceiling-grid holds speakers and can be used for mounting a range of small equipment. The system is configured for stereo, multichannel and ambisonic playback.
The Pod can have up to 16 (currently 12) speakers mounted around and above a central listening and production area. The Pod by staff, PhD and Masters candidates for research, recording and production of spatial sound works.
The Sound Diffusion System is used by staff, students and guests for concerts and research. The system has been used to present work from over 30 composers and is built from around 40 loud-speakers of various specification. The system is controlled using a purpose built Max/MSP patch. Performances are recorded in mixed formats using a variety of stereo, binaural, spot and ambisonic microphones. More information on diffusion software.
The Multi Purpose Room although not part of the Studios is next door and regularly used for rehearsals, exams, workshops and concerts. For spatial events, a 16 channel system can be setup in various configurations with space to comfortably seat an audience of approximately 80.
The Bundoora Spine Soundscape System was established in 2014 in collaboration with the RMIT Art Gallery. Academic staff of the studios provide curatorial and technical expertise to manage the system. A series of works drawn from the RMIT Sound Art Collection plays daily on the system, which is located on the RMIT Bundoora Campus, Plenty Road, Bundoora. More information on the Bundoora Spine Soundscape System.
Recording technologies used in the studio, concerts and for environmental recording include a range of stereo microphones, a suite of 8 Zoom recorders, Soundfield microphones, a 5.1 array, binaural dummy head recorder onto 2, 4 and 8 channel Sound Device recorders.
The facility is now based on the Dante system (2 in house) so audio can be easily delivered or recorded from around the building.
Hire-loan arrangements
Post-graduate students, staff and guests have access to the equipment for external projects once they have demonstrated their expertise and responsibility in operating equipment. Equipment in the facility is not available for external hiring or loans.