Office of Public Affairs Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B0P 1X0 (902) 585-1362 Fax (902) 585-1072 News Release For Release: October 6, 2000

Acadia opens MIDI lab and digital recording studio

(Wolfville, NS) - With the opening of a state-of-the-art digital recording studio and MIDI lab last Friday, September 29th, Acadia University became one of the very few universities in Canada to have music technology as part of its curriculum.

Facilities were made possible through an unprecedented partnership with Roland Canada, the second largest manufacturer of electronic music instruments in the world. Never before had Roland partnered with a Canadian university to provide equipment, technological support and training for faculty, staff and students. "It was the mobile computing environment at Acadia that impressed Roland from the start," said Dr. Christoph Both, Acadia School of Music. "We were already two steps ahead of other Canadian universities with our IT capabilities, and now Roland has decided to keep us there with this unprecedented partnership."

Along with equipment from Roland, Acadia has also developed a partnership with Steinberg Canada to provide software for the facilities and the new Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with a Concentration in Music Technology.  Steinberg, which is one of the world's largest and most innovative music software manufacturers was on hand for the opening to showcase their program abilities during one of only three demonstrations held in the Maritimes. "Securing such interest is a major achievement in the development of cooperative partnerships between industry and universities," says Dr. Both. "Together with Roland Canada and strong regional support from Music Stop we now have a winning formula for a well rounded support package for our students".

The Acadia Digital Recording Studio, which is located within the Acadia Institute for Teaching and Technology in the Vaughan Memorial Library, will allow for greater creativity and interaction among music students.  "Our students can now digitally stream sounds from Roland's state-of-the-art equipment to their notebook computers to later digitally edit a sound creation using Steinberg software from any location or share their creation with a friend over the Internet for an on-line jam session," explains Dr. Both.

Another unique piece of equipment found in the digital recording studio is a set of drums that can interface electronically with a notebook computer. According to Dr. Both, the drums are just one more example of the kind of state-of-the-art equipment that is available to faculty and students.

The Acadia MIDI Lab, which is located off the main entrance of the Library, was made possible through a long-term support package with Roland Canada and Music Stop Halifax. "The wonderful thing about the MIDI Lab is that it offers an exceptional collection of the newest digital audio, which is not limited to music students," said Both. "Creating a brand new facility to stimulate creativity with existing notebook computers beyond the classroom for all Acadia students is what impressed Roland and Music Stop."

The new Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Concentration in Music Technology is a four-year degree program enabled by the Acadia Advantage program.

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For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
 
 
 
 
 

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Published by: The Office of Public Affairs Last revised: October 6,  2000 URL: http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/midilab.html