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Training on the AURUS

Robert Schumann University of Music puts 7.1 control room with AURUS and NEXUS into operation

Buttenheim, Germany, August 2007. Robert Schumann University of Music (RSH) in Düsseldorf, Germany offers unique audio engineering courses in collaboration with another institution: The Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences (DUAS). RSH focuses on the artistic considerations of music and on practical aspects of music recording while DUAS provides training in science and technical subjects. This education, known collectively as the Düsseldorf School, has an excellent reputation—not least because of the institutes’ excellent technical equipment. The latest investment is a lavishly configured 7.1 audio control room at the Robert Schumann Institute of Music and Media (IMM) centred around an AURUS/NEXUS installation. SALZBRENNER STAGETEC MEDIAGROUP not only delivered the console and the routing system but as a general contractor, they were also in charge of designing and implementing the studio and its ancillary rooms, which were officially opened in late June.

“We opted for AURUS and NEXUS because of the AURUS’ outstanding 7.1 performance, and because we needed an audio network with the most flexible systems architecture possible. Another plus was that this system is in use in a large number of broadcasting institutions and events centres. Thus, it provides a practical and future-oriented working environment for the students,” says Werner Roth, professor of music production at the IMM, about their decision to acquire an AURUS with 56 faders and NEXUS peripherals equipped with numerous MADI interfaces.

The NEXUS system comprises the mandatory NEXUS Star required by AURUS, a stationary NEXUS Base Device in the control room, and an additional mobile NEXUS Base Device. Five mobile workstations are a distinctive feature of the installation. These hook up to wall sockets which provide flexible access to DAW resources located in the central equipment room as well as distributed connectivity to the NEXUS. For this purpose, the studio floor was wired with several miles of audio, video, fibre, and Ethernet cabling and sockets were installed in five satellite workrooms. As a result, many students can work on different projects in satellite rooms at the same time while the mixing studio is reserved for handling more complex tasks efficiently.

“These sockets allow any of the locations access to the DAW resources in the main control room for simple recording and editing tasks and monitoring access to all signals via an Aviom networked monitor system. In addition, each workroom also has two remote NEXUS microphone inputs and freely configurable audio, video, and data lines,” says Joachim Lindemann from SALZBRENNER STAGETEC MEDIAGROUP who was in charge of the entire project from the planning stage to the implementation. “The mobile NEXUS Base Device can also be employed for more extensive projects. All signals converge at the central apparatus room and can be routed as required. The system offers the maximum possible flexibility,” adds Lindemann.

After a few weeks in full real-time use, Professor Roth is enthusiastic about  the AURUS and convinced that it is perfect for education—thanks to the “smart design of the console”. He points out the large number of “clearly and properly arranged” controls on the user interface. “When it comes to training for real-time situations such as live broadcasts where every move has to be exactly right, AURUS is the perfect practice tool for our students.”