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CATalyst Studios: Media recording studio

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CATalyst - Media recording studio

Record a podcast or music score. 

Use the best microphone for your project. 

Shoot film & photo using our floor-to-ceiling Green Screen with professional lighting.

Mix in-person or remote interviews. 

Utilize our studio condenser mics & conventional dynamic mics.

Bring your own device, or use our laptop. 

What is it?

The Media Recording Studio provides state-of-the-art tools for recording and creating digital media. 

It includes:

  • floor-to-ceiling green screen backdrop
  • professional lighting
  • soundproofing wall panels
  • podcasting/music recording workstation

Who can use it? 

Priority is for UA students, faculty, and staff, but non-affiliates may also use the Media Recording Studio, subject to availability. You're welcome to drop by during our open hours where one of our staff members can help you with your project.

Please book your reservation ahead of your session, so that we can give you an orientation to the space and equipment if you need one. Once you have completed orientation, you may book the space in advance.  You'll receive a confirmation of your booking within 48 business day hours.

 

How much time do I need to reserve?

Plan to reserve a 1-hour appointment for every 5 minutes of video or audio you will be recording. 

Please note: each reservation automatically adds in a 15 minute buffer before/after your booking to provide time for setup and cleanup. 

Post production editing

When you book the studio, you are reserving time for recording audio/video only. 

For post-production editing, please consider using the Virtual Reality room or Maker Studio.

Preparing for Your Reservation

Things to consider:
 
  • Script or storyboard:  Pre-planning helps ensure the media you create is easy to work with and requires the least amount of post-production. 
     
  • Props: Bring any costumes, props and other items.
     
  • Equipment: please feel free to use you own laptop/tablet to connect to our recording systems. 
     
  • Clothing color: Avoid wearing green or you'll disappear into whatever content your sharing.
     
  • Saving your work:  Make sure you have a way to save your videos.
    These files will be quite large (4k video is typically 84MB per minute of content).  Consider a cloud based solution (such as your Google Drive account).

Equipment

  • Includes: 4 high-quality mic channels, power studio condenser & conventional dynamic mics. Also features automatic level setting and one-touch recording to a microSD card.
  • Features 8 programmable sound effects.
  • Pads allow instant triggering of sounds effects, music, and more. Record audio direct to the pads from any input, or add files from your computer.
  • Interview remotely by connecting your phone via Bluetooth or with our aux cable. This cable prevents echo being heard by callers.

We offer this default microphone (best for podcasting)
Four Rode Procaster microphones (see vendor page for specifications)

We also offer these other microphones (for vocal/instrumental recording)
(see vendor pages below for specifications)

Lenovo ThinkPad

Bring your own laptop, or use our Lenovo ThinkPad T490.

This laptop includes audio recording software that works in conjunction with MIDI keyboard, microphones & RODECaster Pro Podcast Production Studio mixer. 

usb-c-dock-hub

USB-c dock with the following ports:

  • HDMI
  • USB 2.0
  • SD
  • micro SD

camera

Bring in your own camera/video recording device or borrow one at the Tech Toolshed on the 1st floor of the Main Library.