"The Audient console is used in our flagship control room," says course tutor, Dan Armstrong. "The room is fed from two Roland REAC-based Digital Snake setups, supplying 32 channels of mic lines. The console is used heavily for tracking, mixing and programming. We've got Mac Pro running Logic 9, and ProTools 8, which feeds into the console. The (Alesis) HD24s also feed directly into the console across all 48 channels."
The ASP8024 has many benefits as a teaching desk, according to Armstrong. "We can demonstrate in-line console theory, different types of EQ and sound, and the concept of a channel insert and tape monitor/return insert. It enables us to show simple comparisons between our other control rooms and the Audient: just because the console is bigger doesn't necessarily mean that it operates in any other manner.
"As the console is large format, several students can get to the console at once and use it up close and personally. Admittedly, when students first enter the room, it is quite daunting. When shown the channel strip however, they can see it is very straight forward."
(Jim Evans)
