Goldsmiths - University of London

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Digital Media Suite

Rationale

Located on the Ground Floor of the Rutherford Building opposite the Copy Centre, the DMS was created in 2008 to provide an improved facility for video and audio editing work for the beginner as well as the more experienced - both students and staff. It is specially designed for use by those from Departments that lack their own media facilities, but is also available for mainstream Art, Design and Media students at times of pressure on their own Departmental facilities.

Hardware & Software

12 Final Cut Pro-based Macintosh systems including 2 located in sound-proof editing booths for post-production finalisation and playback work. A Digidesign ProTools 003 Factory audio editing system is available on one of these systems. Basic iMovie HD (video) and Audacity (sound) editing facilities are also available.

Showcase Your Work

We would also like to make our projection facility available for screenings should anyone wish to display their work for others to see. Please ask a member of staff or at the Help Desk if you are interested in doing this.

Opening Hours

The Digital Media Suite is available to individuals every weekday from 8.00am - Midnight, group booking permitting, and at weekends from 9.30am - Midnight. It is staffed, Monday - Fridays only, between 9.30am and 5.30pm. Assistance can be provided to both individuals and, by arrangement, to groups. Alternatively, bookings are welcomed from Departments for course Tutors to run sessions with their own students.

The services available in the Suite help students and staff prepare materials for teaching and learning in a wide variety of media. The 2008 upgrade to the facilities offered placed a much greater emphasis on a range of digital tools.

1. Facilities

The following facilities are available in the Suite:

Video Editing

  • Macintosh Final Cut Pro and iMovie video editing systems with HD capability.
  • Macintosh Adobe CS5 Master Collection for video editing and digital media production.
  • Digital video file conversion from one format (e.g. avi, flv, mov, mpeg, vob, etc.) to another.

Audio Editing

  • Full Digidesign ProTools suite for creative audio work.
  • Basic audio editing using the Audacity application.
  • Real-time digitisation of cassette, open-reel stereo tape, and vinyl records.
  • Digital audio file conversion from one format (mp3, wav, dss, wma, aiff, etc.) to another.

Audio/Video Copying

  • Fast audio cassette duplicator.
  • CD/DVD duplication.
  • Linear tape-to-tape suite for quick copying tasks.
  • Multi-format video-copying facilities (full-size VHS, Compact-VHS, Hi-8, full-size Super-VHS, Compact Super-VHS) with capacity for making high quality 'video stills'.

Copy Photography

  • 35mm digital SLR cameras are available on loan from the MEC for rostrum work with flat artwork and objects and for animation.

Graphics

  • A4 flat-bed scanning of prints and 35mm slides.
  • A3 flat-bed scanning available opposite the Help Desk.
  • A4 colour laser printing (available from all the Open Access Lab systems - RB Ground Floor, RB003, DMS, RB100, 102a, 102b, 103, 108 and 109.

Photocopying in B&W and colour, on to paper and transparency, binding, guillotines and other facilities are available in the Copy Centre located opposite the DMS.

2. Services

2.1 For Students

Short tutorial sessions (maximum 1 hour) can be given in video production, how to use a camcorder, and how to edit. These can be given to individuals, but a group size of 3 or 4 is preferable. Sessions are by appointment only; no charge is made for informal bookings, but there may be a charge levied on course-related tutorials.

2.2 For Staff

Support is available for the creation of presentation materials using Microsoft PowerPoint. Charges may be applicable depending on the nature of the job.

Extended courses can also be given in Video Production by arrangement, to include suggestions about scripting and initial preparation, shooting and post-production. Charges are made at the normal Visiting Tutor rate.

2.3 Charges

Charges are made for any materials used. Individual payment is via credit previously placed on your Information Services ID card via the cash/credit card revaluators located adjacent to the Help Desk.

Staff payment can be made via pre-signed and coded official orders charged to appropriate Departmental codes and signed off by an appropriate signatory.

2.4 Booking

Facilities such as the sound booths and some of the video-editing systems are bookable to guarantee access, but some are deliberately not so, in order to permit quick access.

Please note that the Final Cut Pro video editing systems can be used, unsupported, outside of the normal staffed hours. Users at these times are expected to be familiar with the available software and hardware and to take personal responsibility for the equipment. Any damage that occurs, or other problems with equipment must be immediately put in writing and a note placed on the Technical Support Officer's desk or under the door of the back office. Alternatively, send an eMail to helpdesk@gold.ac.uk. Any misuse of equipment should be reported to the Porter or member of the Security Staff on duty at the Reception Desk. Individuals will be held responsible for any damage. Media Services reserves the right to withdraw this privileged access to miscreants, and may ban them from all future access to the DMS.