HIGH WYCOMBE, U.K. – Midas Klark Teknik has presented Bucks New University with wall plaques to recognize a growing and mutually-beneficial relationship between the organizations and their joint efforts to tailor courses to the audio industry
Bucks New University prides itself on strengthening links between education and industry. In the case of Midas Klark Teknik, the school is using Midas Siena and Verona consoles, plus Klark Teknik equipment including Square ONE Dynamics and Graphics units. These are being used for live sound modules in the university's BA (Hons) Audio & Music Production and Music & Live Event Management courses.
The university has a 500-capacity venue. It's used by students who book bands, promote concerts and provide sound and lighting expertise. The Midas and KT equipment allows them to experience a real-world setup, with dedicated front of house and monitor consoles.
"We'd seen a growth in live music on our Music Management courses which reflected global growth, and we wanted to reflect this change on the production side," said the university's head of applied production and new media, Frazer Mackenzie. "We're experts at providing academic qualifications, but it's industry itself that knows what it needs from the next generation, whether it's sound engineers, or for positions in R&D and technical sales. Students often think purely in terms of becoming a sound engineer. I would hope we can start turning out graduates that companies like Midas would view as someone who could work for them."
The university has embarked with MKT on a series of master classes which are increasingly focussing on digital technology. "We use a video of one of the Midas master classes as a promotional tool for our courses; it's on YouTube and demonstrates Midas' involvement in higher education," noted Mackenzie.
MKT and Bucks New University are planning workshops for January 18 and 25, 2011 for second year students, focusing on analog and digital technology and using a Midas PRO6 to make a digital/analogue comparison. There are also plans to involve staff including Midas director of console development Alex Cooper and other R&D engineers in the teaching program.
"We want to look at topics such as the philosophy of audio and how you listen, and that ties in with Midas, who are getting more and more involved in the syllabus," said Mackenzie. "Our courses also aim to reflect issues like networking and dsp processing which are ever-evolving."
MKT is equally eager for its work with the university to produce graduates with an understanding of the industry and the job opportunities it can provide. "Lots of other courses I've come across have an academic, theoretical approach, and I felt there was a severe lack of practical background in education," said Midas Klark Teknik's technical sales manager Jason Kelly. "Graduates were getting out into the real world and hitting a brick wall. We are confident that with some industry input, certain students leaving Bucks New University will be a good fit for companies such as Midas Klark Teknik as well as for the wider live production industry."
For more information, please visit www.midasconsoles.com.
