Laurie Wagman Recording Studios

Laurie Wagman Recording Studios

The Laurie Wagman Recording Studios at UArts is a place where students and faculty can creatively thrive. Housed in the School of Music, these state-of-the-art studios live alongside brand new rehearsal, classroom, office, lab and production spaces. 

The newly opened facilities are dedicated to exploring all facets of music production including composition, sound design, digital and analog recording, mixing and mastering. Students will gain the skills needed to pursue music industry jobs such as arrangers, audio technicians, composers, digital audio editors, instrument techs, producers, recording musicians, sound designers and studio managers.

Courses

Courses in the Laurie Wagman Recording Studios are primarily offered through the School of Music with some available through the School of Film. Classes may require prerequisites and may give priority to certain majors within the School of Music or School of Film. Visit the course catalogue for more information.

A student sets up a microphone during Advanced Mic Tech class.

Advanced Microphone Techniques
Instructor: Alexander Santilli
1.5 credits
This is hands-on, skill-building course that explores advanced recording techniques in a studio environment. Students will explore advanced concepts pertaining to the acoustics of common instruments and how microphone choice, positioning and function can aid in attaining professional sound quality. Class projects, lectures and labs will be used to aid students in demonstrating proficiency with microphone technique.

Advanced Recording Forum
Instructor: Tom Spiker
1.5 credits
Advanced Recording Forum invites students to analyze a recording project from its inception through to completion. It looks at the recording process from the producer’s point of view. The course offers insights into how to find clarity in simplicity, while also looking at why creativity can work against that goal. Students will explore ideas of production through orchestration and develop techniques that satisfy both the music consumer and the producer’s own creative impulses.
 

A student uses the 16-track tape machine during Analog Recording class.

Analog Recording Workshop 2
Instructor: Brian McTear
2 credits
This course covers topics and studies of current interest in music technology and applications, such as trends in audio production, digital distribution, licensing, live sound reinforcement, recording and web/interface design. Courses can be taught in lecture or studio format with contact hours varying accordingly.

Binaural Recording
Instructor: JohnPaul Beattie
1.5 credits
Binaural recording captures sound in 3-D, giving the listener the sense of "being there" and hearing where sound is coming from. Through practical projects and class labs, students will explore and create using a cutting edge recording technique.

Cinematography
Instructors: Michael Attie and Byron Karabatsos
3 credits
This course offers an introduction to the basic principles of cinematography in film and video: lighting, exposure, composition and color theory. Students learn to shoot and edit 16mm film; to perform timing, staging and blocking exercises in order to develop a feel for direction; and to explore strategies for using camera movement. The course will also deal with basic sound recording protocols.
 

Brian McTear shows students the mixing board during Analog Recording class.

Producer's Workshop
Instructor: Tom Spiker
1.5 credits
Producer's Workshop will focus on varying aspects of audio production, including genre-specifics, post-production techniques, mixing philosophy, instrument recording and the fundamentals of audio processing.

Recording I
Instructors: Jacob Folk and Michael Johnson
2 credits
Recording I is a study of the recording process and the many facets of the recording studio. This course is designed to familiarize the student with conventional and creative recording techniques through practical experience in the studio.
 

Students learn how to set up mics during Advanced Mic Tech class.

Recording II
Instructor: Michael Johnson
2 credits
Recording II is a study of the recording process and the many facets of the recording studio. This course is designed to familiarize the student with conventional and creative recording techniques through practical experience in the studio.

Small Jazz Ensemble: Studio One
Instructor: Tom Spiker
1 credit
Small jazz ensembles range in size and style, as well as the type of literature performed. Ensembles rehearse weekly, culminating in an end of the semester performance. They may record live in the performance hall or in the recording studios. Many groups perform at regional high schools or notable events such as the Jazz Appreciation Month at Philadelphia City Hall, the Key of She Festival, the Philadelphia Jazz Summit and the Washington Women in Jazz Festival.
 

Brian McTear shows students the mixing board during Analog Recording class.

Sound Design
Instructor: Jennifer Zaylea
3 credits
Sound Design introduces the theory and practice of sound editing and design for motion pictures. Through weekly screenings, selected readings and analytical assignments, students learn the historical and aesthetic development of film sound. Using nonlinear sound-editing software, students complete exercises in the creative practice of post-production sound acquisition, editing and mixing for various media.

Explore Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology

Explore Film

Facilities

Both recording studios are equipped with state-of-the-art, 24-channel API consoles and Antelope interfaces. There is a surround sound system in Studio A, while Studio B has a pair of Adam reference monitors. Both studios have a number of outboard compressors, equalizers and other effects processors. Studio A will also function as a fully analog space equipped with a 16-track tape machine.

Laurie Wagman Recording Studio A

Studio A

  • 16-track, 1-inch tape machine
  • Antelope Orion 32+ converters
  • API 2448 console
  • Genelec 5.1 surround sound system
  • a variety of outboard gear including
    • 1176-style compressors
    • EL8 distressors
    • Eventide Eclipse
    • Pultec-style EQ
Laurie Wagman Recording Studio B

Studio B

  • Adam A77X nearfield monitors
  • Antelope Orion 32+ converters
  • API 2448 console
  • a variety of outboard gear including
    • 1176-style compressors
    • EL8 distressors
    • Eventide Eclipse
    • Pultec-style EQ