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School of Media, Arts and Humanities - for students and staff

FAQ

General

Are there any rules I should be aware of when using the MAH facilities?
  • No food or drink is to be consumed in the facilities.
  • Ensure the facility is clean and tidy at the end of the session, dispose of any waste and return any equipment or furniture to where you found it.
  • Back up your work regularly.
  • MAH staff can take no responsibility for any personal items or work left behind.
  • Equipment must not be damaged, tampered with or moved from its allocated room, this includes furniture, cables and accessories.
  • Secure any trailing cables that could become a trip hazard.
  • Ensure doors are properly closed if you leave the facility unattended and at the end of the session.
Where can I find information regarding the Equipment Stores?

Please visit here for more information about the equipment stores.

Where can I find information regarding Health and Safety?

Please visit here for more information about Health and Safety.

Where can I find information regarding MAH policies?

Please visit here for more information about our policies.

How can I request a demonstration?

Please speak to your tutor who can put in the request on behalf of your class/group. If not enough members wish to do it a one-to-one demo can be arranged through the technical services webpage.

How do I book onto a demonstration?

All planned demonstrations will be listed under ‘workshops’ on SISO for both Journalism and Music students. Please sign in and ‘subscribe’ to the demonstration you wish to attend. Any materials needed for the demonstration will be e-mailed to you prior to the demonstration taking please. Please only sign up if you are going to attend.

Students of Creative and Critical Practice currently don't have to book onto demonstrations.

Music

When and how can I access the music rooms?

The rooms mentioned below are available to be booked via SiSo: . They are available to book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding university minimum service days, as detailed in the link below:

  • Practice Rooms 1-5
  • Recital Room
  • Studio A
  • Studio B

www.sussex.ac.uk/about/term-dates

The Jonathan Harvey Electronic Music Studio is available to be booked via SiSo 0900 –1800 weekdays (Mon-Fri), during term dates, as detailed in the link above.

The Music Mac Lab (SB315) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding teaching hours as detailed on the timetable on the door, and university minimum service days, as detailed in the link above.

Can I use my own equipment and musicians in university facilities?

Yes! However, as with the rest of your work, please be mindful of safe, considerate practice. It is your responsibility to ensure the equipment and people you are bringing on to campus are safe and appropriate.

When can I record using the acoustic drums or other very loud instruments / equipment?

Because our rooms are in mixed-use buildings, very loud work can be disruptive to teaching and other work in nearby rooms. Please keep this work to outside of office hours, which are 0900 –1800 term time weekdays.

What’s the best microphone / DAW / etc. for my project?

Our relationship with our tools is not the same as a structural engineer: In a subjective practice like music, “best” can be difficult to quantify. What is the best pen for writing a great novel? Take the opportunity through your practice to become familiar with as many of the tools available to you as you can. Likely, you will gravitate to the tools that best support your intentions.

Digital

I can't get my graphics tablet / pen display to work. What should I do?

If this problem occurs on your home computer then it's most probably a driver issue. Update the drivers via the products dedicated software or support website. If the problem persists please contact us at: MAHTechServ@sussex.ac.uk

If this problem occurs on campus with a University owned tablet, then please contact the digital technician below:

  • Mark Davies
  • Technician-Demonstrator (Digital)
  • md600@sussex.ac.uk
  • Mon, Tue & Thu: 9.30 - 6.00
  • Wed & Fri: 9.30 - 5.30
When and how can I access the Digital Suite?

The Digital Suite (SB209A) contains two bookable workstations. One workstation is connected to a Wacom Cintiq 27QHD, whilst the other is connected to copy stand. You can book either workstations via SiSo.

The workstations can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding university minimum service days, as detailed on /about/term-dates.

Wacom Workstation: This workstation has an Apple iMac with a Wacom Cintiq 27QHD Tablet and a Canon scanner connected. This workstation has the following additional software installed: Toon Boom. 

To use the full functionality of the Wacom Cintiq you will also need to book out the Wacom Cintiq 27QHD kit. (https://sussex.siso.co/mah)

Copy Stand Workstation: This workstation has an Apple iMac with a copy stand connected. This workstation has the following additional software installed: Toon Boom and Dragonframe.

Animation students can book a Nikon Z6 II to use in conjunction with the copy stand.

When and how can I access the Maker Space?

To gain access to the Maker Space you must first complete a H&S quiz module on canvas and attend an in-person room induction. Please email mahtechserv@sussex.ac.uk to be added to the Canvas module and to arrange the room induction.

Once you have completed your induction you will be able to book the space via SiSo. Once you have booked this space please collect the keys from stores during our open hours. You will not be able to access the room/equipment without them. Once you have finished using the space, please lock up and return the keys. During our open hours you can return the keys to the equipment stores front desk and when we are closed you can use the key drop-off box outside of stores.

The workstations can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding university minimum service days, as detailed on /about/term-dates.

 This space includes two soldering stations and two PC workstations with Raise3D Pro 2 3D printers connected.

Video & Photography

Do Technical Services provide photo quality paper?

Unfortunately, we no longer sell stationary. Though, you can now buy photo quality paper from the SU shop, based on the ground floor of Falmer House.

Media & Film

Do Technical Services provide film props?

Yes, we have a prop room behind the shutter near the video and photography studio. 

How do you format an SD card/USB/Hard Drive on a Mac?

Open up the Disk Utility. On the left-hand side, select the drive that you wish to format. Click the Erase icon, this will open a dialog box. Naming the drive is optional; ensure you select ExFat as the format and then click Erase.

Can you use a Sennheiser ME66/K6 with a D7000?

Depending on your course allocation, you might have access to the Saramonic SR-PAX2 XLR Adapter. This will allow you to connect the ME66/K6 to the D7000. However, currently there is no hot shoe attachment for the ME66/K6 so you will have to hold it. Please be careful not to pull on the cable.

Can I take the dolly and track on rough terrain?

No. Please be careful when using the dolly and track. Only put the dolly on the tracks; do NOT roll the dolly on the pavement, this will damage the wheels and as a result it will no longer run smoothly.

What are the best lights for filming outside at night?

Currently, the only lights able to be used outside are the LEDGO-600 lights with V-Lock Batteries. The batteries are separately bookable on SiSo.

Can I do a multi-camera set-up?

No. We do not have enough resources to allow groups to take more than one camera at a time.

What is the best camera?

This is not possible to answer as there will be a variety of factors to take into consideration for each and every application/project. Please take the time to become familiar with as many of the cameras and tools available to you as you can. You will most likely gravitate towards the tools that best fit your intentions and that you are most comfortable and confident in using.

Journalism

When can I access Norwich House News Studio?

You must have completed a Heath & Safety and introduction induction before you will be allowed to gain access to the studio.

Currently all students can only gain access to the studio while accompanied by a member of the Journalism academic team or the Technician Demonstrator for Journalism.

Please contact your Journalism Lecturer or contact the Technician Demonstrator for Journalism. Adam Elliott (a.i.elliott@sussex.ac.uk) for access to the studio.

Please note that the studio is currently only available during working hours (9am-4pm).

When can I access the mobile podcast rig?

You must have completed a Heath & Safety and introduction induction before you will be allowed to use to mobile podcast rig.

Currently all student have to speak to a member of the Journalism academic team to be able to book the mobile podcast rig. Please note the mobile rig is not to be taken off site. A room must be booked for the kit to be set up. (Please speak to the school office as a first port of call to book a room.)

Please contact your Journalism Lecturer or contact the Technician Demonstrator for Journalism. Adam Elliott (a.i.elliott@sussex.ac.uk) for more information.

Please note that the studio is currently only available during working hours (9am-4pm).

Sound

When and how can I access the Foley Studio?

You must have completed a Health & Safety induction before you gain access to the Studio.

Once this has been done, you can access it 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, excluding university minimum service days, as detailed on /about/term-dates.

Please note the Studio must be booked on SiSo ().

Are there props available to use in the Foley Studio?

Yes! They are being kept safe in the steel cupboard. You must book the “Foley Resources Key” on SiSo to access the props.

Can I bring my own props to use in the Foley Studio?

Yes! However, you MUST leave the studio in a clean and tidy manner.

I would like to use the Foley studio but have not received a demonstration as part of my course. Can I get demo on it?

Yes, but you must find at least 2 other people interested (minimum of 3 people) and then contact the Sound technician below, to arrange a time.

  • Niks Gjørtz
  • Technician-Demonstrator (Sound)
  • njg25@sussex.ac.uk
  • Wed: 1245 - 1700
  • Thu & Fri: 0900 - 1700
Do you have any handheld wireless microphones?

No. Currently we do not have any such equipment. If you require this, please get in touch with ITS as they might be able to help.

I can’t get sound from the microphone into Adobe Audition. What should I do?

Check your privacy settings on the computer.

  1. Go to System Preferences < Security & Privacy < Privacy
  2. Select Microphone on the left sidebar.
  3. Tick the box next to Adobe Audition in the “Allow the apps below to access your microphone” box.
Can I download any plug-ins for Audition or other DAW?

Unfortunately, students and staff are unable to download individual plug-ins. However, if there is something that many people are after, we can request ITS add it to the image.

What’s the best microphone/recorder/etc?

This is a subjective matter and there are a variety of factors that you will need to take into consideration for every application and project. What is the best pen for writing a great novel? You will find that the equipment is merely a tool and it is what you do with it and how you use it that will make your work great. Take the time to become familiar with as many tools available to you as you can. You will most likely gravitate towards the tools that best fit your intentions and that you are most comfortable and confident in using.

Drama

How long can I book the Silverstone Drama Studio or Creativity Zone for?

Both the Silverstone Drama Studio and the Creativity Zone have a limit of 3 hours per booking and a maximum of one booking per 24 hours. This is to ensure that all drama students have an equal opportunity to use the spaces.

How can I request training for using equipment/facilities?

Email your tutor requesting training. If there are multiple people interested in the same thing, your tutor can request a technical demonstration from the MAH Technical Services team.

When and where can I book and borrow drama equipment?

All bookings are made via SiSo. You can make bookings and collect equipment during the MAH Equipment Stores opening hours, which are as follows:

Monday: 09:30 - 17:00
Tuesday: 09:30 - 17:00
Wednesday: 09:30 - 13:30
Thursday: 09:30 - 17:00
Friday: 09:30 - 16:30
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

The MAH Equipment Store is not open over the Christmas and New Year period, or on minimum service days such as Bank holidays.