An Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition console has been installed as part of a full studio upgrade at Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute (DFEi).
The studio setup consists of a control room, main live room, drum room and smaller booth. The control room houses the Audient console, Genelec monitoring, Mac Mini M1 running ProTools and an outboard rack with various processors and effects.
“We offer students the chance to undertake supervised studio time outside of class hours to work on their own projects, explained Patrick Wall, course coordinator of the Music and Sound Engineering programmes. “There has been really great uptake this year, and I am sure that the new console and studio improvements have played a part.
“As well as the new Audient console, we installed bespoke studio furniture and a new patchbay to integrate our rack gear.”
Recommended by local pro audio services company, Big Bear Sound, it was the price point and the fact that it’s an analogue desk that originally attracted the team to the Audient.
“It’s working really well! All I/Os are routed to our new patchbay which simplifies the work flow,” said William Demange, DFEi’s sound engineering & music technology teacher. “Overall the desk offers a lot of flexibility,” he says, when asked about the features that stand out to him. The layout of the console and the fact it’s a large format desk makes it easier for students to learn on. We also appreciate the DAW control features and those punchy preamps.”
Currently three class groups are using the console: Sound Engineering and Music Production with DJ Skills (SE5A); Sound Engineering and Music Production with Live Music Skills (SE5B); and Advanced Sound Engineering and Music Production – second year students (SE6A). Around 36 students will be working directly with the desk over the course of this year, and Patrick anticipates that number to increase in time. “We expect to continue to grow, as our investment in new technology should draw more students to our courses.”