Music without borders

A $1 million music console at the University of Otago combined with KAREN is taking New Zealand music to the world.

Music production for the 21st Century

The Department of Music at the University of Otago has installed a state-of-the-art music console at their new music studio to deliver real-time remote tuition, music production services, and music research globally.

The console, from Solid State Logic, an English firm co-owned by British music legend Peter Gabriel, can record from over 100 inputs or microphones in anything from a rock band to a full orchestra at one time, and importantly, comes ready to connect KAREN. This gives the studio potential to act as both a major recording studio for albums and to stream live performances.

John Egenes, a lecturer in contemporary music at Otago University, says the equipping of the university’s studio with the new technology brings music production there into the 21st Century and will also lead to greater creativity and opportunities for innovation for music students.

The BBC and CBS’s David Letterman Show use the same technology, where it is used to allow a multitude of bands and dialogue to be recorded and broadcast simultaneously.

“Together, KAREN and the latest hi-tech music production technology will make Dunedin a formidable force in the music industry,” said John.

KAREN conquers the tyranny of distance for Southern musicians

One of the first planned collaborations is with musicians in the UK. “With connection to KAREN we will eliminate the tyranny of distance, and enable Dunedin music researchers and musicians, to collaborate with colleagues from any film or music studio in the world on creative projects,” says John.