studio40 Equipment Loans

Quick Access

Overview

In order to help meet the recording needs of our studio40 community, studio40 is piloting a lending program for audio recording and photo/video recording equipment kits for patrons who have completed the studio40 Orientation & Access Track. Patrons can use their studio40 card to reserve equipment and make an appointment to check out or return equipment with studio40 staff.

studio40 Kits Explained

Who Can Borrow a studio40 Recording Kit?

Patrons who have received their studio40 card  by successfully completing the Studio40 Orientation & Access Track and studio40 assessment are eligible to borrow equipment from Studio40. To learn more about how to complete the Orientation & Access Track and receive a studio40 card, see the studio40 website.


Please note: Regular Library cards cannot be used to check out studio40 equipment, a studio40 card is needed to check out studio40 recording kits.

What’s included? 

The studio40 Audio Recording Kit includes the Shure SM7B  vocal microphone, Cloudlifter preamplifier, Focusrite 2i2 audio interface, and Audio-Technica M40x monitor headphones.  This kit is appropriate for professional quality music and speech recording applications.


The studio40 Video Recording Kit includes the Canon EOS R50 mirrorless camera with 18-45mm lens and video microphone attachment. This kit is appropriate for professional quality photo and video recording applications.


Equipment

Studio40 Audio Recording Kit

Contains:

Shure SM7B Microphone Kit with Cloudlifter, Mic Stand, and Mic Cables

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB-C Audio Interface (3rd Generation)

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Closed-Back Monitor Headphones (Black)

Studio40 Photo/Video Kit 

Contains:

Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera Body (Black)

Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

Directional Video Microphone (Canon DM-E100)

Tripod Grip

 

Audio Recording Kit

Photo/Video Kit

studio40 Kits Explained (continued)

What’s included? (continued)

The studio40 Audio and Photo/Video Recording Kits are the only equipment items currently available for checkout and offsite use.  All other studio40 equipment must be used onsite during studio operating hours. If this pilot program goes well, we hope to expand to offer more in the future. If you have gear that you’d like to see in our collection, please let us know with this form!


Privacy & Saving Files

SD cards and storage media are not included in these kits. Please be sure to save any files you might want to preserve onto cloud storage or an external storage device. All information will be wiped from local storage or external storage (such as SD cards) when the devices are returned.

How long will they be lent out?

Studio40 equipment can be borrowed for (2) weeks at a time (pickup and return by appointment only). There are no renewals possible for the kits. However, if there are no other holds on the equipment, a patron may check out the kit again, during their return appointment. 


Liability

You are required to return the equipment to NYPL in good working condition at the end of the loan period. By participating in the loan program and checking out equipment, you assume responsibility for loss, theft, or any damage to the equipment while in your possession during the loan period. 


If the equipment is lost, stolen, damaged, or not returned by the return date, you will be charged a fine of $1,000 to your NYPL library card account. This fine will prevent you from booking studio time or from any further lending with your studio40 card. It will also affect your ability to use your library card. This fine will be cleared once you return the equipment. There are additional consequences for overdue returns.


Renewals

At this time, we do not have options for renewing your equipment loan past the (2) week loan period.  You are welcome to place another hold on the equipment if you would like to check it out again.


Overdue Returns

If you miss your return appointment, a 3-week suspension will be placed on your studio40 booking and lending privileges. If you miss your return appointment a second time, your privileges will be suspended indefinitely. A letter of appeal can be written to studio40 to possibly lift this suspension, and will be reviewed and addressed on a case by case basis. 


Safe Storage

You are responsible for safely and securely storing the equipment while it is in your possession during the loan period. Please understand that you will be held liable if the equipment is not returned at the end of the loan period.


Checking Out studio40 Equipment

Step 1: Attend Studio40 Orientation & Access Track (two parts) and successfully complete your studio40 Assessment. You will be issued a studio40 card.


Step 2: Place a reservation for a kit through this form. You must use your studio40 card to place this reservation (the hold will not go through if you do not use your studio40 card to make the reservation).


Step 3: When the kit is available, you will be sent an email notification with a link to book a pick up appointment. Use the link to make an appointment for pickup.  The pickup window is during Creative Open Lab, which happens every other Wednesday afternoon. Currently, this is the only time a pick up is possible.


Step 4: Before booking your appointment, please note that you must return your equipment at the next Creative Open Lab, two weeks from your pickup date. At this current time, you cannot check out equipment if you are unavailable for the return appointment. You cannot return your equipment outside of the Creative Open Lab time, as it can only be received by studio40 staff members. Missing a return appointment may result in a temporary or indefinite suspension of your studio40 privileges. 


Step 5: Arrive during your appointment pickup time. At your appointment, you will a) review and sign the studio40 Equipment Loan Agreement, and b) schedule your return appointment time slot.


Step 6: If you do not arrive within 15 minutes of the start of your designated pickup time, your hold will be removed and the equipment will be relisted in the catalog. 

Returning your equipment

Step 1: Please save all files to personal devices and double check all items are returned to in the kit as it was received.


Step 2:  Return the equipment to studio40 staff according to your appointment. If you are unable to return your equipment during the designated return period, contact studio40@nypl.org immediately, and coordinate an alternative time to return your equipment. Remember that missing a return appointment may result in a temporary or indefinite suspension of your studio40 privileges. 

FAQ

What happens if I cannot make my return appointment? 

Do not check out equipment from studio40 if you are unable to make your return appointment. 


However, if you are unable to return your equipment during the designated return period, contact studio40@nypl.org immediately, and coordinate an alternative time to return your equipment. 


Can I pick up or return equipment outside of Creative Open Lab? I am not available at that time.

At the current moment, Creative Open Lab on alternating Wednesdays is the only time we are allowing pickups or returns. If the Lending Program is successful, we will expand the number of timeslots for pickup and drop off.


More Resources


Quick Start Guides

PDF guides on how to use the equipment in your recording kit:


Video tutorials on how to assemble your equipment: