Focusrite’s RedNet For The Music Production Program At Belmont University

Nashville-based Belmont University Music Business program, established in 1971, has grown in both size and reputation, leading to the establishment of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business in 2003, The program is now home to more than 2,000 undergraduates with majors in music business, audio engineering technology, entertainment industry studies, songwriting and motion pictures.

Throughout that time the College has kept itself on the cutting edge of music-production technology, and the implementation of an extensive infrastructure of Focusrite RedNet Dante-based audio-over-IP interfaces will assure that it stays there into the future.

A total of 25 RedNet devices — two RedNet 1 eight-channel A-D/D-A interfaces, five RedNet 2 16-channel A-D/D-A interfaces, three RedNet 3 32-channel Digital I/O interfaces, four RedNet 4 Mic preamp/line & D.I. interfaces, seven RedNet 5 32-channel Pro Tools|HD/Dante Network Bridge interfaces and four RedNet 6 MADI Bridge interfaces — connect production rooms, recording spaces, classrooms, two theaters and other critical educational spaces in the new R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center.

The facility opened in August and will serve as the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business program’s new home. The gear was sourced through the Nashville office of Vintage King.

Belmont University will celebrate its 125th anniversary during the 2015-16 academic year, and the school continues to be at the cutting edge of technology.

“Networked audio is the future, and RedNet is how we’re tying together all of the teaching and technology spaces of this building,” explains Michael Janas, instructor, Audio Engineering Technology and the director of Recording Studio Operations during the RedNet installation.

For instance, the new four-story Johnson Center is fitted with two 25-seat audio-based computer labs, two DAW studios with Pro Tools and S6 consoles, and two theaters, including a 250-seat venue that has the only Dolby Atmos audio authoring and playback systems in the city. These are all connected with two-way audio, with RedNet 6 units as the I/O interfaces for the consoles, RedNet 5 interfaces for the Pro Tools systems, RedNet 4 mic pre-amps to capture performances and RedNet 3 devices for additional I/O. A Foley studio, which supports the school’s film production education, employs RedNet 1, 2 and 4 interfaces.

“This is our first foray into networked audio, and RedNet is the gateway for both the school and the students into that,” says Janas.

“RedNet is letting us get into networking quickly, cost-effectively and easily. I was new to networking — before this, to me, Dante was an author — but RedNet is simple to deploy and use. It’s saved us an enormous amount of money by not having to install 500 pounds of copper cabling. The students are getting into it — this is going to be their future, the way audio is transported and managed looking forward. That’s why it’s so important to have it here now. That’s what RedNet’s doing for us.”

Phil Wagner, Focusrite president, stated, “Belmont University created a major audio, post-production, film and television production infrastructure featuring state-of-the-art mixing rooms developed by legendary studio designer Russ Berger. We are pleased that these facilities have been outfitted with Focusrite RedNet networked audio I/O systems. One room of particular interest is the recording program mix room, now equipped with an Avid S6, and featuring RedNet 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 interfaces in the outboard gear credenza, connecting all Mic, analog and digital signals to the Avid S6/Pro Tools mixing environment.”

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