Promising a mix of academic and hands-on learning, Buckinghamshire New University is keenly aware of ongoing changes and audio technology trends in the working world. Seeing the need to updating its current studios, the university looked to HHB Communications to update and upgrade Studio 1 and Studio 3, along with two editing suites. HHB provided the new equipment, installation services and training.

‘We have a long relationship with BNU and were pleased to once again to be working with the university,’ says HHB Sales Manager, Andrew Hingley. ‘Knowing that so many facilities are upgrading to Dolby Atmos it is exciting to help BNU embrace this format and support students as they prepare for their future careers.’

Studio 1 underwent the most extensive improvements and updates – one of the main reasons for the considerable changes is that the room upgraded from 5.1 to 7.1.4, the Dolby HE Atmos specification. The room required a Dolby Rendering and Mastering Unit as well as a playback system capable of Atmos 85dB SPL. This expanded the room’s monitoring system, supplied by HHB 12 years ago.

This is a surround sound array of Genelec Smart 8250A and 7271A speakers. The update added two 8350A for the additional surround and four 8340As for the ceiling loudspeakers. The Genelec GLM set-up kit works with all generations of Genelec Smart speakers and allowed the whole array to be setup and aligned by HHB’s technical support team. The studio’s D-command was replaced with a powerful 32-fader Avid Pro Tools S6 console. To tie it all together, Audinate’s Dante AoIP protocol was implemented as a solution for better connecting the equipment in the studio and expanded the interoperability across multiple studios.

‘We are extremely excited by the recent installation of a Dolby Atmos system in one of our recording studios,’ says Senior Lecturer, Dr Gerard Gormley. ‘It is a burgeoning technology, and the recent acquisition puts us in a prime position to teach our students about the latest innovative developments in the world of audio, which will better prepare them for new roles within the creative industries once they graduate.’

‘Having the suite at the university has enhanced both my learning and development as an aspiring producer as using the latest industry standard equipment provides me with the tools and experience I need to keep up with the developing industry,’ adds third-year student, Sophia Sanghera. ‘Working within Dolby Atmos has allowed me to take my creativity to the next level and experience the best there is to offer in the increasingly popular realm of immersive sound.’

During this time, Studio 3 and the two editing suites were also upgraded. The C24 in Studio 3 was replaced by an Avid Pro Tools S4 console, one of the latest to be released by Avid. Two Avid S3s were provided for the editing suites, ensuring that the students were working on the latest pro audio consoles.

‘This project was interesting from the beginning due to the complexity and time critical aspect of the request,’ says Hingley. ‘Our team worked quickly to ensure the project was finished before the start of the academic year. It was our pleasure to have the rooms ready and the staff trained in time for the students to make use of the rooms.’

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