Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), a new state-funded Creative, Digital and Performing Arts educational facility, has been equipped with a state-of-the-art recording studio by HHB Communications.
HHB served an integral role in the technical specification of the studio and provided a ‘turnkey’ service that included consultation, installation, commissioning and training. The new recording studio’s system is based around a 40-fader Avid Pro Tools D-Command desk and custom AKA Design technical furniture. HHB also provided a comprehensive set of accessories, including a range of high-end microphones, Genelec monitors, cabling, plug-in bundles from Waves, Native Instruments and Melodyne, a full set of instruments and Aviom’s Pro16 headphone distribution system.
BRIT Trust Chairman John Craig OBE opened the recording studio on 18th October. Joining him on the day was former BRIT School student and multiple MOBO Award-winning pop star Jessie J, who performed for the students in its new 200-seat theatre.
The Academy is based in a brand new landmark building, geographically placed at the hub of Birmingham’s digital and creative industries, Millennia Point. The new studio was funded by the BRIT Trust and specified by staff from The BRIT School. In addition to the recording studio, BOA boasts four dance studios, six rehearsal studios, an open-air amphitheatre, a TV studio and a radio station.
The mission of the BOA is to provide a unique educational experience through a specialist curriculum using its state-of-the-art facilities. As such, the BOA’s recording facility will help to arm the students with the skills and technical ability to compete in the fast developing world of digital media and communication.
The new D-Command console features Pro Tools control and a dedicated centre section for editing EQ and dynamics plug-ins, as well as per-channel control over many processing functions, routing, and automation modes. It will provide students in the Broadcast Media and Music courses with the tools to create original compositions, as well as write and edit music for TV, Film and record live bands.
Gaynor Cheshire, BOA Principal, comments: “We are extremely grateful to the BRIT Trust for this sizable donation which has helped us realise the dream of providing our students with a first-class recording studio. HHB provided BOA with a complete professional service throughout the development of the recording studio, which has resulted in a fantastic facility for our students.”
“The design of the rooms with the large D-Command console is particular suitable for the diverse requirements of the Academy,” explains Andrew Hingley, Sales Manager at HHB. “It provides an accessible teaching resource as well as all of the features required for complex recording projects.”
Editors Information:
HHB Communications Limited
Founded in 1976 and located in London, HHB Communications is a global leader in the supply of professional audio technology. Serving in the broadcast, recording and media production sectors, HHB’s unique expertise is also recognised by major manufacturers and innovators, many of which have appointed the company as exclusive distributors of their products. The specialist division, Scrub, serves the needs of the television and film post-production industry from premises in the heart of London’s Soho.
