The James and Anne Duderstadt Center
Audio Studio A, the largest audio studio within the Duderstadt Center, has three new pieces of equipment which will enhance the quality and accessibility of the studio. This is made possible by the generosity of U-M Alum Chris Conover. The three new additions are the Neve 1073, a 2-channel instrument direct box, and an active…
Audio Studio A, the largest audio studio within the Duderstadt Center, has three new pieces of equipment which will enhance the quality and accessibility of the studio. This is made possible by the generosity of U-M Alum Chris Conover.
The three new additions are the Neve 1073, a 2-channel instrument direct box, and an active stereo ribbon microphone.
The Neve 1073 is an industry-standard microphone preamp that introduces a powerful new capability to the Audio Studio, giving students, faculty and and staff access to professional-quality audio equipment they haven’t had before. Matthew Girard, Managing Producer of the Audio Studios, said this piece is “commonly found in many famous studios” and was highly “desired by students,” making the Neve 1073 an exciting addition for students and faculty to use. Staff have already used the Neve 1073 for their own recording projects, and Girard expects it will continue to be a key tool in the future.
The 2-channel instrument direct box will mainly function as a bass guitar amp in a box, according to Girard. With Audio Studio A now having five different styles of guitar amps, Girard said, “It gives [the] opportunity to record many high quality electric instruments and will nicely augment our new Nord Electro 7” keyboard as well.
The third piece of new equipment is an active stereo ribbon microphone. “It’s a high quality stereo microphone that excels on medium to small ensembles, piano, and guitar,” said Girard. “It’s something we’ve already used pretty heavily in faculty recordings, and I anticipate it to be used quite heavily for both student and faculty projects.”
Photo 3 Caption: AEA stereo ribbon microphone in studio. Photo courtesy of Jim Roll and Matthew Girard.
Together, Girard said, these gifts “are increasing and enhancing the various tools that we have in the Audio Studios already,” while giving “students access to tools that they will probably use when they graduate” and work professionally. Investments in professional-grade equipment help students gain hands-on experience with the tools they’ll encounter and use in their careers, preparing them to enter the industry with greater confidence and a stronger foundation for success.
We are grateful to Conover for the impact he is having on the Duderstadt Center and students. Chris, who remembers feeling widely supported by the center’s staff and resources as a student, was excited to give back in such a meaningful way.
Alongside the flourishing studios, the supportive staff and creative student network has led Conover to stay in touch with staff and students, maintaining his connection to the university and the Duderstadt Center specifically.
“I remember all the staff being so supportive and like all these crazy student ideas, I saw it from all different angles…” said Conover. “There’s just so much creation happening, and everyone had an interesting project going on.”
During a visit to campus this past November, Conover says he was blown away by the evolution of the Audio Studios since his time as a student and Duderstadt Center employee.
“I’m jealous of all the students now,” said Conover. “But also so glad that it continues to grow and prosper, and it hasn’t kind of whittled away at all.”
Overall, Audio Studio A is continuing to grow and evolve with new equipment to enhance the studio’s accessibility and quality. Girard said, “I don’t think there’s any other university that has a resource so equipped and accessible to the university population.”
More information about the Audio Studios can be found on their webpage, and students can complete training courses to become certified users of these spaces.
Emma Powell contributed to the reporting of this article.
Photo Credits: Jim Roll and Matthew Girard
Article by Emily Kim