Entitled the AMS Neve Room, dBs Music Plymouth has opened a new room to complement the other educational studio facilities on offer in the UK. At its centre is a 16-channel Neve Genesys console.
dBs Music prides itself on offering students the best facilities for learning real world music production and technology skills. To this end, the institution has recording studio/studio lecture spaces that focus on real-world skills and situations.
Responsible for leading the BA (Hons) Music Production and Sound Engineering & MA Innovation in Sound Post Graduate courses, Stu Welsh explains: ‘The console was previously installed in our commercial studio has been moved to the new classroom so that students can have full access it. We are running the new console in conjunction with a Pro Tools HD rig and a Studer A800 MkIII 2-inch tape machine. Although it is a steep learning curve for students, once they are familiar with the routing and the digital layer they soon appreciate the flexibility and efficiency the console delivers – not to mention the great Neve analogue sound.’
‘These are all essential for skills development and provide our students with the opportunities they need to get out into the world and start making a living in a subject they love,’ Welsh adds.
dBs Music has been teaching music technology since 1998, and prides itself in offering extremely high levels of support, encouraging in-course work opportunities and giving students access to plenty of studio time through its schools in Bristol and Plymouth.
In keeping with this philosophy, dBs Music runs three enhancement weeks each year so that students can learn from working professionals who come in as guest lecturers. These have included a variety of experts, including producer Phil Harding, Foley artist and postproduction specialist David Cherry, author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, and veteran live sound FOH man Robbie McGrath.
‘The new studio in Plymouth is being used to create audio and video content and will also be used by most, if not all, of our guest lecturers,’ Welsh adds. ‘Everyone loves working in the Neve Room, it’s become one of the most used recording suites at our Plymouth campus. It is especially popular for recording and for mixing with lots of analogue outboard gear.’
Welsh enjoys using the Neve console for his own audio project and says he is delighted that students are learning skills on equipment they will find in the wider industry. ‘It is very valuable for students to be familiar with the workflow that accompanies great practice,’ he says.
More: www.dbsmusic.co.uk/plymouth
More: www.ams-neve.com
