The Computer Music Lab Gets an Update

The Computer Music Lab in the Arts & Communications building has a full room of iMac lab stations. The lab is an excellent resource for students to utilize recording and composition software such as Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, and Sibelius. It is also used for several classes, including Recording Techniques I and II, as well as Audio for Video.

Over the break, the lab was updated with brand new MIDI keyboard controllers at all stations, as well as Auralex acoustic paneling on the walls. These panels help to reduce unwanted "flutter echo" from the sound reflecting between the walls and improves the overall acoustics of the space.

We are looking forward to doing more upgrades over the course of the next year, but the changes have already provided an excellent acoustic and visual upgrade.

Students Present Recording Projects to Music Students

During a Fall Semester convocation, several students from the Practicum II class presented their recording projects to all of the students in the Music program. Adam Robinson and Dylan Finley did a fantastic job explaining the process by which they captured and mixed the audio in order to create a professional final product. This served as a great opportunity for students to better understand what is behind the recording process, and how the use of signal processing tools can change the final outcome of the mix.

Adam Robinson presents his recording project to music students

Another Practicum II student, Matt "Mackie" Mikunda, was a performer on the song that was presented by Adam Robinson. Matt has also just released a full-length album that includes songs that were discussed in class over the course of the semester. One of the tracks from the album is posted below:

Recording Voice in the Recital Hall

As a part of our Recording Studio Procedures class, we had the exciting opportunity to record professor Jessica Timman Schwefel on voice and professor Kirstin Ihde on piano in order to demonstrate a recording in the recital hall using our mobile recording setup. The performances included a piece from an romantic-era opera by Jules Massenet, as well as a musical theatre style performance from "A Chorus Line".

The process involved using an Allen & Heath mixing console and audio interface to a laptop. We coincidentally used all AKG brand condenser microphones including a vocal mic, pair of mics on the piano, and also a stereo pair of small-diaphragm condenser mics placed back in the hall in order to capture the sound of the acoustic space. We are so grateful to have had such a fantastic demonstration!

A Fun Evening at Manila for the First Alumni Event

During homecoming week on October 21, the Music Industry program hosted it's first alumni event at Manila Resto in downtown Oshkosh. The event followed up the jazz band concert and was attended by a number of students and faculty, as well as alumni and friends.

The evening also featured student-led band, "Pam the Bear", who were the perfect fun and upbeat musical entertainment for the night. The event was a great way to bring together people who are connected with not only the Music Industry program, but also the Oshkosh music community as a whole. We are planning to make this is the first of many future gatherings!