Learning Commons:Chapman Learning Commons/DIY Media Studio Orientation

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DIY Media Studio - Visual Check

Please complete a visual check of the DIY Media Studio when letting folks into the room and after they check-out at the desk. EDIT: The Visual Checklist is being updated (April 2024, as we now have a new soundmixer and green screen).

DIY Media Studio - Visual Check

DIY Media Studio Information

Public DIY Media Studio info and booking.

Checking a Patron in for a Booking

When a patron comes in for a booking:

  1. Check booking in LibCal [See video above]
  2. Tell the patron the following:
    1. Save time during the booking to save work to your devices, all files will be wiped from the computer when you log off.
    2. Check in at the Help Desk wen you are leaving, a CLCA will review the room items to ensure all equipment is still there.
  3. Let patron into the DIY Media Room with the yellow key. Review room items visually to make sure the following are still in the room:
    1. Mixing Sound Board
    2. USB Interface
    3. 2 microphones
    4. 2 microphone cords
    5. 2 microphone stands
    6. Headphones (3 9424 05115 090 9)
    7. Webcam
    8. 2 lighting panels
    9. Keyboard
    10. Mouse
    11. Power bar
    12. 3 chairs
    13. Green screen
  4. Sign and initial the checklist on the clipboard in the DIY Room. Have the patron sign and initial.
  5. When patron comes at the end of their session to check out, go and review the room to make sure everything is still there. Inform the staff team if anything looks out of place.

DIY Room Issues

Microphones are not picking up sound.

  • Unplug and firmly re-plug the sound mixer cable:
  • Check all sound settings on the mixing board are correct. Everything is pictured as it should be on page 3 of the image below Make sure EVERYTHING is plugged in! Check:
    • The headphones are plugged into the correct socket.
    • All the plugs in the back of the computer are plugged in
    • All of the plugs under the computer are plugged in
  • Check the computer sound settings. Apple menu >System Preferences > Sound -- Check settings say USB Audio CODEC for 'Input' and 'Output'!
  • If the patron is using Audacity - check the setting at the top of the page. They should read:
    • Core A ; UBC AUDIO CODEC : 1 (Mono) Recording
  • Get the patron to restart the computer.
    Page 3 Image

Sound is too low.

  • Check all of the sound settings on the mixing board are correct. The headphones are plugged into the correct socket. Everything is pictured as it should be on the image below
  • They can turn up the sound on the Main Mix Slider (7 on the pic), USB Interface (1 knobs on the pic), on the 'Gain' (2 on the doc) and on the computer itself. Also check the Headphone sounds is up (5 and 6 on the pic)

Waveform on Audacity is minimal

Change the settings from Linear to Decibels (dB) .

  1. Right click on the Vertical Scale .
  2. Select dB.
Selecting dB to enhance waveform
Flat waveform now contains details.

If the patron wants the waveform to have more detail, Zoom In by making a left click. The magnification can also be adjusted with the menu that appears by making a right click.

Record Both Mics on Different Tracks

See full instructions for recording on different tracks here.

  • Set Audacity mic settings as follows:
  • Core A ; UBC AUDIO CODEC : 2 (Stereo) Recording
  • See image below:
setting for Audacity with two mics
  • Click Audio track on recording and select "Split Stereo to Mono".
  • See image below:
setting for 2 mics number 3
  • Make sure each mic is turned to pick up the sound as far away from each other as possible. See image below:
setting 2 for 2 mic recording

If an Item is Missing from the Room

Call the Learning Services Librarian (Emma) or Lisa. Review the DIY Room checklists to determine around what time the equipment went missing.

After hours: Make a note of the time. Keep the room checklists to give to Emma or Lisa. Email us and let us know what's missing, any other information.

Booking Rules

  • Patrons must book 24 hours in advance.
    • Last minute bookings (i.e. less than 24 hours before) can be processed on weekdays only between 8 AM and 3:30 PM. The patron can contact the CLC Program Assistant via email.
    • No guarantee last minute bookings will be approved. For emergency/weekend bookings call the Learning Services Librarian or Lisa for approval
  • Weekend or after hours bookings are reviewed during weekday business hours.
  • Bookings are 45 minutes (minimum) to 2 hours and 45 minutes (maximum).
  • Patrons should make a detailed account of why they need the room (podcasting, filming, etc.)

CLCA use of DIY Media Studio

If you would like to book the room for more than 3 hours (up to 4) you are allowed to as long as it is for project work and you detail this in your request. However, the preference is that you book following the same guidelines as other patrons.

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