Chicago Audio Studio and Campus Audio Resources

by Baynard Bailey

A few years ago I gained access to and gradually became the manager of the Audio Studio that is in the basement of Chicago Hall. The audio studio has a sound-treated room with two high-quality cardioid microphones on movable stands, and a computer equipped control room and mixing board. The sound treated room can fit three to four people comfortably, but entire a cappella groups have been known to squeeze in from time to time.

The space is the legacy of Rick Jones, a retired sound engineer that used to support the technical needs of the language faculty. The studio has supported countless student and faculty projects, as well as professor hosted podcasts like Curtis Dozier’s Mirror of Antiquity.

Gaining Access

If you are interested in doing a one-off recording, you can email me (Baynard Bailey) and I can engineer for you. If you have a need for multiple recording sessions, then I can train you on the equipment and the room protocols and put you on key permission. Afterwards, just reserve the room by emailing me, and then you can pick the key up from the circulation desk in the Main Library. (Bear in mind that Chicago Hall is open from from 7:30am-7pm, Mon-Fri and from 9am-11:30pm, Sat & Sun. After hours access can be arranged.) The training generally takes thirty to forty-five minutes but it can go quicker if you are already comfortable with audio tech such as sound boards, XLR and USB connections.

Technical Details

The two mics in the room are the Heil PR 40 and an Electro-voice RE20. The sound board is a Mackie ProFX8. The studio also hosts an ISDN line capable of lag-free remote broadcast, but it hasn’t gotten much use lately. If that is something you are interested in, let CIS know and we can plan accordingly. 

Other Campus Sound Resources

The circulation desk in the library signs out USB headsets with microphones that are useful if you want to record on your own laptop and want to improve upon the sound quality of its onboard microphone (usually not so great). The headset enables a more intimate sound containing less room noise. The Main Library also hosts the sound nook for high quality spontaneous recordings in the Digital Media Studio. 

usb headsetUSB Headsets can be signed out from the circ desk for 2 hours at a time. They can also be signed out from Media Resources for a week at time.

 

zoom h1Zoom H1 Recorder kits can be signed out from Media Resources. ACS maintains a classroom set of recorders that can be used for class projects. These are perfect for field recordings. Contact mediaresources@vassar.edu for individual borrowing or acs@vassar.edu for class projects or training. We also have a handful of field recording kits with shotgun mics.

Miscellaneous

There is a band practice room in the basement of Blodgett Hall; to access it, please contact campusactivites@vassar.edu. The Film Department has a small Foley booth but it is generally reserved for Film students.

 

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Technology Workshops Spring 2022

Campus Resources for Building Websites

Wednesday, February 23, 3:30 pm  https://vassar.zoom.us/j/99426386183

crane building a web page free image from pixabayNeed a website? Before you pay for hosting and support off-campus, let’s review the resources you have available to you as a member of the Vassar Community. We’ll provide an overview of Google Sites, pages.vassar.edu, and our new resource : vassarspaces.net – where we empower users to become sys admins and install their own apps (WordPress, Scalar, Omeka and more!). Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services and Nicole Scalessa of Digital Scholarship and Technology Services.

 

Intro to Audio Recording and Campus Resources

Wednesday, March 2, 3:30 pm Main Library Electronic Classroom

Chicago Hall Audio Recording in progressPlanning to record voice or music and you have never done it before? Interested in podcasting? Perhaps you have an interview you need to edit and share? We’ll review free and cross-platform tools and review resources for audio production. We’ll conclude by visiting the audio production facilities in the basement of Chicago Hall. Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services.

 

Intro to Photoshop

Friday, February 25, 1:00PM  Sci Vis Lab, BLS 101

photoshop logo

Adobe Photoshop is software used for editing photographs, compositing digital art, animating, and graphic design. In this workshop we will explore open-source resources to incorporate into projects, cover the basics of document creation, and review graphic design principles to keep in mind when editing digital and print publication. Led by Karly Andreassen of Academic Computing Services, please email kandreassen@vassar.edu in order to reserve a space in the class.

3d printer creative commons

Print a Custom 3D Object 

Wednesday, March 23, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Vassar Innovation Lab

Visit the Innovation Lab and customize a small 3D item like a keychain, guitar pick, or phone stand. You’ll learn the basics of preparing a file for 3D printing, pick the colors for your print, and watch our 3D printers in action. No experience necessary. Led by Chad Fust of Academic Computing Services.

Blender Logo

Intro to Blender

Friday, April 8, 1:00PM Sci Vis Lab, BLS 101

Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, virtual reality, and computer games. Come to this hands-on workshop to learn the basic tools and unlock your 3D potential!

Led by Karly Andreassen of Academic Computing Services, please email kandreassen@vassar.edu in order to reserve a space in the class.

printmaking inking rolling

 Digital and Traditional Printmaking with Maker Technologies  

Part 1: Friday, April 15th, 11am-12:30pm  in the Innovation Lab, College Center lower level.  
Part 2: Friday April 29th, 11am -2pm in the Printmaking Studio, Doubleday

We will look at approaches for utilizing 3D printing, CNC milling, and Laser cutting and engraving to assist in the generation of print surfaces. Students will use technologies available in the lab to create their own printing plates on Friday April 15th. Students are then invited to print their plates in the Printmaking Studio in Doubleday on Friday April 29th. Meeting times on the 15th and 29th to be determined. Please RSVP by emailing Amy Laughlin at amlaughlin@vassar.edu

(Max Capacity 8 Students)

 

omeka logo

Intro to Omeka

Monday, April 18, 3:00 – 4:30 pm Electronic Classroom, Main Library

Omeka is a free, open-source content management system for online digital collections that allows users to publish and exhibit scholarly collections and cultural heritage objects. The Vassar College Digital Scholarship Services Collaboration (DiSSCo) provides a web hosting resource called vassarspaces.net. This service, a Domain of One’s Own (DoOO) product, provides the flexibility for anyone in our academic community to build websites on a variety of platforms, including Omeka. This workshop will begin with the basics of creating an account and installing Omeka and its associated plugins. The most useful plugins and best practices for their use will be covered along with theming and site customization.  Led by Nicole Scalessa of Digital Scholarship and Technology Services. To register and receive the Zoom link email Nicole H. Scalessa, nscalessa@vassar.edu.

 

moodle icon

Using Moodle’s Gradebook

April 29, 10:00-11:00 on Zoom

Students consistently say that they would like their instructors to make the grades for their assignments, quizzes, etc. viewable in Moodle throughout the semester, but many instructors are intimidated by the setup procedures for the Moodle Gradebook. Learn the basic mechanics of the Moodle Gradebook by watching this 20-minute recording (coming soon), then join ACS Director Steve Taylor for follow-up Q&A in this live Zoom session.

Registration link:

https://vassar.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvcuyuqjsvGNdx2tpadZxc_DBDwE0E8oUv

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Technology Workshops Fall 2021

tinkercad by Flickr Arbol de Navidad con Tinkercad

Intro to 3D Modeling

Wednesday, October 6, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm,  Main Library Electronic Classroom

Learn the basics of 3D modelling for 3D printing, game design, and animation. Participants will engage in hands-on work in Tinkercad to create their own 3D objects. 3D models created in this class can be used in the Intro to 3D Printing course the following week. Led by Chad Fust of Academic Computing Services.

panopto logo

Faculty Workshop: Panopto

Friday, October 8, 2021 9:30 am – 11:00 https://vassar.zoom.us/j/93321996248?pwd=ZElvL0p0ckNxWUF0dkJqa1hML1J2QT09

Panopto is Vassar’s new streaming media platform for educators. Instructors will learn how to upload, manage, and access video files, record themselves, insert comprehension questions into videos, and use simple editing tools. Led by Steve Taylor of Academic Computing Services

3d printer creative commons

Intro to 3D Printing 

Wednesday, October 13, Innovation Lab 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Learn the software and tools involved in 3D printing and see how 3D printers work. Participants will learn the workflows involved in sending print jobs to the 3D printers in the Innovation Lab. Bring your own 3D models from the Intro to 3D Modeling class or learn how to find 3D objects online. Led by Chad Fust of Academic Computing Services.

discord logo smiley face on a game controller

Discord Workshop

Wednesday, October 20, 3:30 – 4:30  Zoom : https://vassar.zoom.us/j/9174731734

Discord is a video conferencing, instant messaging and digital distribution platform that has risen in popularity. Discord makes real-time and asynchronous communicating and filesharing easier than ever. Many professors have have been using Discord as a tool to facilitate discussions inside and outside of the classroom. We will cover the basics of setting up a chat server for your class, and share best practices for cultivating a digital community. Led by Karly Andreassen of Academic Computing Services. Calendar Link

Capital I Lowercase D adobe indesign logo

Introduction to Adobe InDesign 10/27

Wednesday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, Sci Vis Lab (BLS 101)

Adobe InDesign is a multi page design program – suited for creating e-books, portfolios, and magazines. In this workshop we will cover the basics of document creation as well as some graphic design principles to keep in mind when editing digital and print publications. Participants will start their own zine and learn how to access Adobe software on campus for their own projects. Led by Karly Andreassen of Academic Computing Services. Calendar Link

Intro to Stop-Motion Animation 

Friday, November 5, 1:00 – 2:30, Taylor Hall 318

Interested in Stop-motion animation? Come learn about Dragonframe animation software. Discover how to access campus resources such as cameras and studio space available to you to make your stop-motion film. During this workshop I will be showing some stop-motion examples and demonstrating the basics of starting a project in Dragonframe. Please email Amy Laughlin (amlaughlin@vassar.edu) to reserve a space in the class. 

Chicago Hall Audio Recording in progress

Intro to Audio Recording and Campus Resources

Wednesday, November 10, 3:30 pm Main Library Electronic Classroom

Planning to record voice or music and you have never done it before? Interested in podcasting? Perhaps you have an interview you need to edit and share? We’ll review free and cross-platform tools and review resources for audio production. We’ll conclude by visiting the audio production facilities in the basement of Chicago Hall. Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services.

crane building a web page free image from pixabay

Campus Resources for Building Websites

Friday November 12, 9:30 – 10:30 Zoom Link

Need a website? Before you pay for hosting and support off-campus, let’s review the resources you have available to you as a member of the Vassar Community. We’ll provide an overview of Google Sites, pages.vassar.edu, and our new resource : vassarspaces.net – where we empower users to become sys admins and install their own apps (WordPress, Scalar, Omeka and more!). Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services and Nicole Scalessa of Digital Scholarship and Technology Services.

Final Cut Pro icon, desktop and camera

Intro to Video Editing with Final Cut Pro X

Wednesday, December 1, 3:30 pm Electronic Classroom, Main Library

Interested in learning video editing or recording a narrated presentation? Come to this hands-on workshop where you will learn to use Apple’s powerful but easy to use video editing software. Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services.

omeka logo

Intro to Omeka

Monday, December 6, 3:30 pm Electronic Classroom, Main Library

Omeka is a free, open-source content management system for online digital collections that allows users to publish and exhibit scholarly collections and cultural heritage objects. The Vassar College Digital Scholarship Services Collaboration (DiSSCo) provides a web hosting resource called vassarspaces.net. This service, a Domain of One’s Own (DoOO) product, provides the flexibility for anyone in our academic community to build websites on a variety of platforms, including Omeka. This workshop will begin with the basics of creating an account and installing Omeka and its associated plugins. The most useful plugins and best practices for their use will be covered along with theming and site customization.
Led by Nicole Scalessa of Digital Scholarship and Technology Services

https://libcal.vassar.edu/calendar/mainlibrary/omeka01 (registration)

omeka collection from https://www.flickr.com/photos/omeka/3019932780

Building Collections in Omeka

Wednesday, December 8, 3:30 pm Electronic Classroom, Main Library

Omeka is a free, open-source content management system for online digital collections that allows users to publish and exhibit scholarly collections and cultural heritage objects. This workshop will delve into the fundamental aspects of digital literacy necessary for a successful digital archival resource. Students will learn concepts related to communities of practice, documentation, metadata, file formats, standards, and copyright concerns. We will conclude with a review of site management and digital preservation best practices.
Led by Nicole Scalessa of Digital Scholarship and Technology Services

https://libcal.vassar.edu/calendar/mainlibrary/omeka02 (Registration)

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Quick and Easy Guide to Remote Ensemble Recording

I was asked about remote recordings yesterday. I looked online and the articles I read made it sound really hard. My daughter and I took a walk together and as it turns out, Arlington’s music program had already completed a Virtual Wind Ensemble performance:

Here is my understanding of the steps:

1. Learn your part to tempo.
2. Get warmed up and in tune
3. Play and record the song to tempo, listening to a metronome in your headphones (make sure everyone is using the same tempo – it might be helpful to provide a guide recording or a midi file, as apparently metronomes can vary).
4. Allow a few seconds before you record and after you record to help in the editing process.
5. Look and sound your best. Make your best take possible. Use appropriate gestures and expression.
6. Share the file with as indicated by your instructor (at Vassar College, Moodle or Google Drive are your best bets).
7. Find someone to edit it (maybe start there before asking everyone to make videos).

I would pick something short for the first attempt at this.

Thanks to my daughter Azalea for sharing and being so active in music. Thanks to Mr. Gullien for his creativity in giving this assignment during these challenging times, and kudos to Ryan King for making the video.

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ACS Technology White Paper: Digital Storytelling

Academic Computing Services (ACS) is embarking on a new initiative to share the best of our thinking on various academic technology topics with the Vassar faculty. Our Technology White Papers will be brief, informal reports on technologies that we think you’ll find interesting. Each will explain what the technology is, what its potential benefits are, how it’s currently being used in higher education, and how you can get started with it.

Our inaugural white paper, researched and reported by Senior Academic Computing Consultant Baynard Bailey, is on the topic of digital storytelling. Possible future topics include high performance computing, virtual reality, and microcredentials, or digital badging. Please let us know if these efforts are useful for you, and if there are particular topics that you’d like us to address.

Steve Taylor
Director, Academic Computing Services

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Introducing the Audio Nook

The Audio Nook

ACS has worked with User Services to install an “audio nook” in the Design Studio. Located in the north wing of the main library, this is a DIY audio recording station. It’s a great place to make a quick recording. 

Audio Nook Workstation

The Snowball cardioid microphone does a great job picking up the speech of the narrator at the same time ignoring background noise. You don’t have to talk very loud, you just need to be close. Listen for yourself!

There are two moveable sound baffle panels which dampen background noise and also provide a degree of privacy while you record.

Here’s another angle featuring Digital Media Consultant Jaineel Doshi ’20. 

Audio Nook Workstation overhead angle

The Design Studio staff sits at the design studio service desk and can provide help you if you need it.

Other Campus Sound Resources

Chicago Hall Audio Studio

Chicago Hall Audio Recording in progress

If you need more sound isolation or more privacy, you can arrange to use the Chicago Hall Audio Studio. The space provides more sound isolation and professional quality recording capacity. To arrange to use the space, please email Academic Computing Services acs@vassar.edu.

 

 

 

usb headsetUSB Headsets can be signed out from the circ desk for 2 hours at a time. They can also be signed out from Media Resources for a week at time.

 

zoom h1Zoom H1 Recorders can be signed out from Media Resources. ACS maintains a classroom set of recorders that can be used for class projects. These are perfect for field recordings. Contact mediaresources@vassar.edu for individual borrowing or acs@vassar.edu for class projects or training.

Audacity LogoAudacity is a free program that can be downloaded and installed on Windows or Macs. It is installed on all the Design Studio and Library Electronic Classroom machines.  If you need help, please ask a design studio student employee or email Baynard Bailey babailey@vassar.edu

adobe audition wave form Adobe’s Audition is a “comprehensive toolset that includes multitrack, waveform, and spectral display for creating, mixing, editing, and restoring audio content.” Audition is also installed in the Design Studio and the Electronic Classroom. 

 

 

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Technology Workshops Fall 2018

Technology Workshops – Fall 2018 Flier – post October Break

 

Intro to Video Editing with Premiere Pro          

11/02 Friday 2:00 pm Library Electronic Classroom 160

Interested in learning editing video or recording a narrated presentation?

Come to this hands-on workshop where you will learn to use Adobe Premiere Pro. Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services. Please rsvp to babailey@vassar.edu (suggested but not required).

 

Intro to Linux

11/07 Wednesday 3:30 pm, Sci Vis Lab, Bridge Building

Linux is a free and open-source operating system with superior security and Linux Penguinperformance to MacOS and Windows. Come learn how to get started exploring the Linux world on your very own laptop, or use one of our computers. Learn about the many “flavors” of Linux, how to use the terminal (command-line), and how to install and update software from a package manager. Led by Chris Gahn of Academic Computing Services. Please rsvp to chgahn@vassar.edu (suggested but not required).

 

Poster Making and Basic Design

11/16 Friday 2:00 pm Library Electronic Classroom 160

illustrator environment pencil imacNeed a poster for an academic conference? Want to print a giant poster for your event? Come to this hands-on workshop, learn basic design and how to use Adobe Illustrator to lay out a poster. Led by Baynard Bailey of Academic Computing Services. Please rsvp to babailey@vassar.edu (suggested but not required).

 

Photographing and Documenting your Artwork

11/28 Wednesday 3:30 Taylor 104

Need to put together your senior portfolio? Want to submit work to galleries or other Photographing artwork linesexhibition calls for entry? Come to this workshop and learn how to document your artwork and to do basic Photoshop editing. Led by Amy Laughlin of Academic Computing Services.  Please rsvp to amlaughlin@vassar.edu (suggested but not required).

 

Experience VR

12/07 Friday 2:00-4:00 pm Collaboration Studio, Main Library

woman wearing a VR headsetInterested in 360 video or experiencing Virtual Reality? We’ll have an Oculus Rift and a Playstation VR setup, as well as several 360 video viewers. Come try these devices out and discuss how they might impact education. Organized by Academic Computing Services and the Library.

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Working with Dual USB headsets for input and output (Mac OSX)

I wish I had known this years ago when I ran the Media Cloisters! It turns out you can connect multiple USB inputs and outputs on Macs. This is great if you want to team-edit video or record two people at once. You’ll need two USB headsets for this to work.

Getting Two USB Headsets to Work:

This is built-in functionality for Mac OSX. Plug in both headphones, then open Audio Midi setup from /Applications/Utilities.

searching for Midi

Find the Audio Midi Setup by searching “midi” in the spotlight

Click the plus in the lower left corner and choose “Create Multi-Output Device.”

Make two usb headsets play together!

Make two usb headsets play together!

Check the checkboxes beside both headphones.

Uncheck the built-in output.

Uncheck the built-in output.

If you want to rename your new virtual device, you can double click the new entry in the list on the left and give it a name like “Both headphones.”

In System Preferences, you can now set the output to go to your new Multi-Output Device.

Setting up Two USB Headphones Mics

A similar arrangement will work to create two USB inputs. Create an aggregate device for the USB headsets.

Make two mics record on separate channels!

Make two mics record on separate channels!

Check the appropriate boxes.

To record in Audacity onto two separate channels, choose “(Stereo) Recording Channels” as your input:

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Making Posters and Fliers at Vassar Spring 2018

by Baynard Bailey

Making Posters at Vassar Presentation (link requires VC gmail login)

illustrator environment pencil imac

You can use any software you like to create posters or fliers. The most common applications used are Adobe Illustrator and MS Powerpoint. The goal is to create a .pdf that can be shared with the printer. Adobe Illustrator is available in the library electronic classroom and the 24 hour space of the library (AKA DMZ).

Here are some ACS created tutorials for creating academic posters with Adobe Illustrator:

  1. Graphic Design Tutorial (12 minutes)
  2. Illustrator Tutorial (25 minutes)
  3. Exporting Tutorial (4 minutes)

Print jobs smaller 11″x17″ or smaller go to the Copy Center, and can be picked up at the post office counter in college center.

Print jobs larger than 11″x17″ go to Media Resources, which is in the basement of the College Center. Further details and to submit a print job please visit https://servicedesk.vassar.edu/catalog_items/307242-poster-request

If you would like to arrange training for faculty or classes, please email acs@vassar.edu

If you are hosting a poster event or poster session, please contact campus activities to reserve their foam boards and/or easels: campusactivities@vassar.edu

I’ve helped many classes create posters for academic purposes. Here are various poster sets created by students I’ve trained (some links require VC login):

 For additional inspiration, here are some useful links:

For a list of upcoming public workshops keep an eye the events listed in our Moodle site or visit http://pages.vassar.edu/dissco/events/

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Digital Storytelling Work at Vassar

I love teaching digital storytelling workshops to classes at Vassar. The students seem to enjoy it and the faculty are pretty happy with the results. Departments include French, Japanese, Psychology, Education and Anthropology. I was reviewing students’ examples in preparation for the upcoming LACOL panel and I was blown away by all the amazing and diverse work done by the students.

Here’s a quick summary of the kinds of digital storytelling projects that I have helped classes with over the years:

French – Digital Storybooks for FREN 206 with Mark Andrews, Tom Parker and Susan Hiner.

Japanese – Digital Storybooks for 200- and 300-level courses with Peipei Qiu and Hiromi Dollase.

Psychology – End-of-term research presentations with Mark Cleaveland’s students

Education – Semester-long collaborations with Adolescent Literacy students and their middle school partners (workshops every week)

Anthropology – A variety of uses, including digital ethnographies and engaged research

We use Final Cut Pro X at Vassar for these classes. FCP X is a powerful and easy-to-use editor. It is available in the Library’s Electronic Classroom and Digital Media Zone. Students with Macs can get a 30-day free trial license.

The goals vary by classes. Sometimes the professor wants a rich medium to tell a story. In Mark’s class, he wanted polished presentations that acted as crucibles to bring together all their research. For 

Lessons Learned:

  • Provide lots of support
  • Don’t assume the students know how to do things
  • Sound is more important than video
  • Things improve with iteration
  • Set clear expectations 
  • More faculty / instructional technologist collaboration is better
  • It is helpful if the faculty member can model or provide examples
  • Allow time for things to go wrong
  • Try to keep track of where you put things
  • Measure success by faculty “happiness” level

This is an example of a digital ethnography.

4m20s

This was produced for community engaged research:

t=33s

This is an example from a final group project for a Psychology class.

t=27s

French 206

t=1:25

Japanese stories (behind Moodle login Moodle

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