dBs Music has installed API 1608 consoles and Pro Tools HDX systems at its new facility in Bristol, UK, to support Higher Education Degree courses in Sound Engineering, Music Production and Game Audio.
The new facility features five studios, music ICT classrooms and a lecture theatre that will provide music production training for students across the West of England.
HHB Communications has been a long-term supplier to dBs Music, and supplied the package of music technology equipment that included the API 1608 analogue recording consoles with 17 motorised faders fitted with moving fader automation, Avid Pro Tools HDX systems, two sets of SSL XDesk controllers with UAD Apollo and Avid Artist controllers and various outboard processors from Universal Audio and Warm Audio. This is in addition to a Genelec 5.1 monitoring system and video projectors, a comprehensive set of microphones and accessories and synthesisers from Korg, Dave Smith, Moog and Arturia.
The API 1608 is the first console of its kind to be installed in a UK educational facility and will be used with the latest Pro Tools HDX hardware and v11 software. dBs Music wanted to install a premier analogue mixing console in Studio 3 and after considering the main contenders, decided on the API 1608. A key feature was that the mixer, in addition to being used for analogue tracking and mixing, had to provide remote control of DAW faders. The 1608 was specified with API P-Mix moving fader automation, which can switch between channel gain and DAW control.
The installation of the API 1608 allows dBs Music’s students to enrol in the API Visionary Scholarship Program, an international education scheme open to any student studying at a facility that has an API console installed.
‘The ground-breaking facility offers both state-of-the-art studio technology and student focused learning environments that encourage higher level creativity and academic progression,’ says Ben Philcox, Centre Manager for the new HE facility. ‘The focal point of the facility is Studio 3, which offers the UK’s only API 1608 recording console in education. This brings unparalleled tracking capability to music production training and students will literally be learning on the best. We’re also really excited about the API scholarship, which all our students now have an opportunity to apply for.’
‘The API 1608 console installed at dBs Music Bristol elevates the studio to a truly world-class standard, and its students now have the enviable opportunity to learn their craft on the best modern mixing console available,’ says HHB Educational Sales Manager Andrew Hingley. ‘The 1608 console combined with Pro Tools represents the pinnacle of modern audio recording technology and dBs is the only facility of its kind in the UK.’
dBs Music is also an authorised training centre for Ableton, Apple Logic and Avid Pro Tools.
