Music technology facilities

The Computer-Assisted Music Laboratory (CAML) is a multi-purpose lab designed primarily for classroom instruction. The lab features numerous workstations, each with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), sampling keyboard and a computer. Software bundled in these labs includes Logic Studio Pro, Abelton Live, Reason, MAX, SuperCollider, Pure Data, CSound, Finale and many other options.

The Crunch lab is a fully-featured electronic music project studio optimized for computer music research (including live interactive performance systems) as well as sound recording and editing projects, and audio/video production. 

These labs are located in the basement of the North wing of the Imig Music Building; you must complete a Swipe Card Agreement Form in the main office to gain access for personal use.

Led by Michael Theodore, the ATLAS Physical Computing Lab brings together musicians, artists, engineers, physicists and technophiles to explore new directions in music making and multimedia-art. These “generalists” produce everything from electronic input devices and solenoid percussion drivers to acoustic instruments and musical installations.

Participants in the lab share the same goal of closing the gap between art and technology, but each participant has the freedom to explore individual artistic goals.

The group usually meets weekly in the basement of ATLAS.

In the heart of the ATLAS building lies the “Black Box,” a 2,362-square-foot performance space that is eminently configurable, allowing users the freedom to manage productions in an almost infinite number of ways. The Black Box is home to one permanent and six portable high-end projectors, chroma-key and full blackout production environments, a fully controllable saturated lighting rig affixed to a wire grid 20 feet above the performance floor, and dual 360-degree tracked curtains. The space is fully soundproofed, offers multi-track recording and is HD-TV capable. A cyclorama makes “infinite space” scene compositions possible. Both wireless and wired broadband access are available throughout the Box.

Additional production space is available in a second 985-square-foot studio. As with the Black Box, full chroma-key and black-out environments are available, complementing a complete suite of Standard Definition TV broadcast appliances. The studio is fully soundproofed and professionally lit with both automated and fine manual controls. Sets supporting any number of storyboards are easily moved in and out of the facility.

Both studios serve double-duty as fully soundproofed audio recording facilities, sharing a ProTools audio production system and the hardware and software necessary to digitally record, “sweeten,” edit and process all forms of audio content. A “green room” is furnished to provide performers with all necessary off-stage comforts.

Complementing the Black Box and broadcast studios is a ProTools equipped voiceover booth. From a segregated control space, readings can be multitracked and delivered in a variety of formats, including DAT, Mini-Disk and CD.

All ATLAS production and control facilities are linked with intercom and closed-circuit video monitoring to ensure seamless communication. The ATLAS building provides Internet 2 videoconferencing support, allowing collaborative endeavors between creative groups from within and outside the university community. In sum, the ATLAS building represents a turnkey solution to the needs of faculty and students wishing to produce and share their works with the world at-large—a solution empowered by a comprehensive menu of professional-quality tools and support. MORE