Boasting ProTools 11, Logic Pro X, Ableton Suite 9, the collection of mics from Neumann U87 to Shure SM57 and everything in between, as well as the recent arrival of their brand new Eve Audio SC407 monitors (pictured), Okafor-Ross praises the Audient desk as a teaching tool. "I liked the combination of great sounding pre-amps, a clear and easy to explain routing system that retains the ability to become as complex as we want, and a console that screams professional and contemporary to users, students, staff and visitors.
"For us it's the logic and clear layout of the desk that makes it so useful to musicians," he continues, underlining the fact that his course is for musicians who record, rather than for sound engineers.
"Our recording studio is a place where musicians have fun and enjoy recording so the Audient makes setting up for a session quick and exciting. Many other desks are so complicated that the actual recording session is a process of fighting your way through menus of other users' preferences. With the Audient we have the immediacy of an analogue console with the next step into the DLC leading towards bespoke control surfaces."
As a part of the course, students are required to record in the studio and take their sessions away for editing and creative manipulation. They then return to the studio to finalise, mix and master their work, which means the Audient stays pretty busy.
Okafor-Ross describes the degree course as having a very positive outlook. "Our students are creative and pro-active and their end of year shows are very exciting. We want our recording studio to mirror this and that's why we have chosen an Audient console."
(Jim Evans)
