FAQ

Can I use the studios every weekday?

You can use the studios if they are available to book via Siso. It is good practice to book your session further ahead than 24 hours before you want them. If someone cancels their session or a room becomes free, you can then book that space. Certain teaching modules may take priority of studio availability. Late comers will have their bookings cancelled.

Are the studios open at the weekend?

The studios are open from 10am-5pm on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.

What equipment should I buy? What is the best at this price range?

When looking to buy music equipment, it is really easy to be swept away by digital marketing and online reviews. The most important things to consider when buying new music equipment are budget, whether or not it suits your needs, and if it is going to improve your work. New gear is an investment into your career and can help shape your identity. Our Technicians have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to kitting out commercial and home studio setups. Whether you are an advanced user, or just starting out, please reach out and contact a technician for the best advice and tailored recommendations that will suit your needs.

Can I use my own laptop in the studios?

Of course! Our studios have been set up so you can use your own laptop, or our high spec Mac Studios. 

Can I borrow an amp for a gig?

Sure! We have various backline which our students are able to borrow if they need it for a show or an event. We have a selection of amps and drum kits which can leave the university campus. You will need to fill out a loan request form which can be found here. 

Can I use Area 51 to practise?

Yes! If there are no scheduled lectures or events, you can use Area 51 to rehearse. You will need a technician to help set up the front of house/side of stage monitoring, so please get in touch in advance so we can ensure someone is free to support you.

I can't hear anything in my headphones?

Our studios use headphone amps. Make sure your headphone amp is turned on and turned up. If your studio has a desk, the headphone channel will be on an 'AUX' send, so ensure your AUX level and masters are up also. You can also monitor the output of your DAW straight from the headphone output on the front of the Apollo 8 in the rack.

I have a SISO account but can't seem to book a studio?

Make sure you have watched the TC Induction videos, signed the studio rules agreement & filled out the TC questionnaire. If you have done all of these, then drop us an email and we will have a look at your SISO account, sometimes we just need to change some of your settings to get you up and running again.

Can I save my work on the studio computers?

The studio Mac Pros all have a space called "Student Drive" which is a place you can save you files. However, you shouldn't rely on this as storage for your sessions/work. This can easily be accessed or deleted by other students using the drive, audio files could go missing, and the drive may be wiped by a member of the tech team during routine computer maintenance. We strongly advise that after every session you back up your work on both an external USB/drive and use an online storage or transfer service such as WeTransfer. This will ensure your work is safeguarded against any kind of accident that may occur. It is your responsibility to protect your IP and submit your coursework.

Can I put on an event?

We are extremely supportive of those who wish to put on an event and will do our best to facilitate it. However, there are various guidelines, health and safety requirements & paperwork that must be completed. Please speak to a technician about this, and we will advise you on the best course of action for making your ideas come to life.

Can I bring guests in for a recording session? 

Entrance to the university campus is tightly monitored by the security team to ensure the safety of everyone. If you wish to bring a guest into the studios, this must be signed off by completing the studio guest form. At the heart of it, you take responsibility for your guests, they have to obey University rules while they are on site. Guests who arrive without permission and a risk assessment will not be allowed on campus - no exceptions.

Can you set up my session for me?

The short answer is no. The tech team will be on hand to advise and assist you if you are stuck but your skillset and learning experience are only improved by trying. If you give something a go, and try to logically problem solve, then that is all we can ask of you. The tech team will try our best to teach you specific things and give you a broader understanding of the kind of issues you might face, but we cannot do your work for you.

What are the best microphones for drum recording?

There is no "best" microphone. Every situation is different, as is every session. We have a few drum mic sets ready to go, but the real character comes from mixing and matching different microphones and techniques to achieve a unique sound. An interesting drum sound can come from using just 3 microphones, as it can from an array of 20 microphones. Speak to a technician if you need some guidance on microphone choices, placement and techniques. We love recording drums and have lots of experience doing so.

What plugins do you have?

Our studios all come equipped with plugins from the likes of Universal Audio, Waves, Native Instruments, FabFilter, Softube, Izotope, Valhalla and many others. Our UAD systems means we have over 70+ of their premium plugins, so be sure to check them out.

Can I get free plugins?

The university and our software suppliers can provide some pieces of software - more info coming soon. We also have collated an extensive list of some of the best free plugins available. Find out more here. As a student, you also will receive educational discount on software from all major developers. For more information on this and an in-depth look at the plugin world, please check out our Audio Plugin Handbook.

Can I borrow a laptop to do my coursework?

Unfortunately, the music department do not have any laptops to loan out as they are required on site. However, you are able to loan a laptop from the University by signing it out from one of the laptop lockers outside of reception. 

PC or Mac?

Our studios are all equipped with high spec Mac Pros. Apple's audio engine is far more stable and useable for music production, you will find Apple as the main operating system in most commercial studios. If you choose to use Windows, that is not a problem! If that works best for you, we will do our best to support that. There is no 'better' system, the best system is whatever you work most creatively, efficiently and comfortably on.

Do I have to mix on a desk? What benefits does this have?

You don't ever have to mix on a desk. Many records are done exclusively in a DAW! However, we would encourage everyone to spend some time using analogue desks to help them understand the differences between analogue and digital processing. This is a huge topic to discuss, but here a few reasons for analogue mixing, include its two-handed tactile workflow, analogue circuitry/components, unpredictability, physical drive & harmonic production, ability to utilise physical spaces, unique sonic colour & character.

How should I prep my sessions for desk mixing?

There are many ways to do this, and it just comes down to personal preference at the end of the day. Sometimes it is easier to have every element of your track on individual desk channels, other times you may want to group certain tracks and process them together. One method of hybrid mixing often used is group (or bus) mixing. This usually begins with surgical EQ/processing on individual channels, selecting which order you wish to group them for use on the desk, and then summing them to appropriate output channels, into the desk inputs. A simple 16 track desk session may look something like this:

Drum Bus - Channels 1 & 2

Bass Bus - Channels 3 & 4

Guitar Bus - Channels 5 & 6

Keys Bus - Channels 7 & 8

Lead Vocal Bus - Channels 9 & 10

Backing Vocal Bus - Channels 11 & 12

FX/Transition Bus - Channels 13 & 14

Reverb Bus - Channels 15 & 16

There is no correct way to hybrid mix. Every session, desk, and end goal is different, but the above format is an easy way to start. Please speak to a technician if you want to talk about using desks and outboard gear, and we can help work out the best workflow and equipment for you.

Why isn't my microphone working?

Most chances are you are using a microphone which requires phantom power. This is a small voltage which is sent into the microphone and give it life. You will commonly see '+48v' on mixing desks and interfaces, this is your phantom power switch. If you send phantom power into a piece of equipment which does not require it, there is a chance you may blow that equipment up. This is the case for ribbon microphones, and especially laptops. 

!DO NOT SEND PHANTOM POWER INTO A LAPTOP! A technician will remind you whether or not your microphone needs phantom power, but in case you forget, just ask again. Obviously, this isn't the only reason a microphone may not work. Issues such as bad cables, DAW i/o, interfacing issues, loose inputs etc. can all be problems which arise during a session, so come and grab us if you can't get a signal.

Can I have a printer cable for the keyboard please?

Please do not call a USB Type B cable, a printer cable. This pains us inside.