'Lots of positives' in new music studio

Stephen Kilroy.
Stephen Kilroy.
The University of Otago’s plan to replace its Albany St music complex with a new $15 million studio and performance facility is welcome news to the expert ears of Dunedin sound engineer Stephen Kilroy.

University of Otago chief operating officer Stephen Willis on Friday  confirmed the  most likely site for a new music facility was the University of Otago’s College of Education campus.

However, he could not disclose an exact site.

"We are currently looking at the feasibility of relocating all or part of the Department of Music and Theatre Studies," Mr Willis said.

"Whatever option or options are chosen, the Albany St building — containing a former Radio New Zealand recording studio — has reached the end of its useful life."

Asbestos issues within the Albany St complex have forced the closure of some areas and prompted remedial work.

At the start of the year, some tutorials were moved to the College of Education.

Mr Kilroy, who has a postgraduate degree in physical acoustics, said much could be achieved with a $15million budget.

"Sure, in regards a recording studio, that could get sucked up pretty quickly. But, on the other hand, a greenfields development allows much greater scope to get it right in the first place, as opposed to trying to remedy existing issues.

"Yes, the main room at Albany St works really well. It is an amazing room to record in, but there are other aspects to the studio that aren’t so great. For example, the control room (which houses the mixing and monitoring equipment) is half the size it should be.

"There are lots of positives in a new studio. I think there would be a number of things done differently now, compared to how Albany St was designed. Here is an opportunity to get a number of things right.

"If the university spends that money wisely, it will end up with a facility that is better for everyone."

Built in 1968 by the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, the Albany St building has at its heart a 110sq m area intended for recording a full orchestra.

Designed according to the specifications of the classic BBC No2 studio, the main studio is augmented by smaller studio suites, as well as a range of practice rooms.

Mr Kilroy said the studio was one of the best-sounding in New Zealand.

"It was designed in what might be termed a golden era of studios, when such spaces were regarded as temples of sound. Recording rooms of that size are very scarce in New Zealand."

The university bought the facility in August, 2007.

It was valued at $1.1million at the time.

A $1million mixing desk, built by  Solid State Logic, was installed in 2010.

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