B A C K G R O U N D
VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, partners with the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University (ICA) to create the Community Media Center. Productive AV provides equipment for the exhibit, focusing on its functionality as a hybrid classroom. The shared goal is to lower the barrier of entry for podcasting.
Everyone has a story only they can tell, sometimes the best way to share is through podcasting. Podcasts are an art and an industry all on their own. How does one archive podcasts for educating the next generation of creators?
O B J E C T I V E
VPM, is Virginia’s home for public media, connects nearly 2 million people to insightful programming in arts, culture, history, science, news, and education. VPM produces original content across platforms for both local and national audiences. Their goal is to use media to educate, entertain, and inspire to make a more connected and empathetic Commonwealth. The Institute for Contemporary Art at
Virginia Commonwealth University (ICA) presents the art of our time. They nurture an open dialogue and facilitate collaboration across the region and throughout the world. As a non-collecting institution, the ICA showcases an ever-changing slate of exhibitions, performances, films, and more. Admission is free and open to all. Chioke I’Anson is an assistant professor of African American Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He is also the Director of Community Podcasting. I’Anson combines creativity and community with the Community Media Center. It is a multi-purpose space, providing resources and knowledge to those who otherwise lack the opportunity to produce podcasts.
O U R S O L U T I O N
The VPM + ICA Community Media Center is part classroom, part recording studio. I’Anson designed the content of the recording booth. Productive AV supplied state-of-the-art equipment for the classroom portion. Sound quality is everything in podcasting. Productive AV chose Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Studio Microphones. They are designed for vocal applications in a close-proximity studio, delivering warm and smooth audio reproductions.
Each computer station utilizes Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interfaces. It is the third generation of audio interfaces, producing excellent playback quality. Its user-friendly design enables novice users to quickly become familiar with recording and mixing. QSC AD-P 2-Way pendant Loudspeakers suspend over the classroom. Their Directivity Matched Transition® provides uniform frequencies coverage over the entire room. The classroom uses a Rode ultracompact Shotgun microphone for comprehensive audio coverage and noise reduction. It is great for in-the-moment uses and impromptu demonstrates. The audio system is controlled by a QSC Touchscreen controller mounted on the wall. The interface offers complete design freedom, allowing the ICA to easily design a custom, user-friendly controller. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities of the 82” Samsung 4K Display enables wireless presentations. So, students can feel confident showcasing their work.