Adrian Boult Hall
The ‘ABH’ is a 520-seat auditorium with fine acoustics, which can accommodate a symphony orchestra and be adapted for use as an opera theatre or a conference venue. There is also a licensed bar and coffee area plus an exhibition space. The Conservatoire’s own varied concert programme integrates with series promoted by external organisations such as Birmingham Jazz, Ex Cathedra and the Birmingham Chamber Music Society, with its programme of internationally renowned ensembles. Together, these provide a rich and diverse programme.

 

Recital Hall
Our 150-seat Recital Hall is a flexible, modern performance space. Redesigned particularly to accommodate performance with live electronics, its recent major renovation included the installation of a highly sophisticated multi-channel sound system, which allows performers to exercise complete control over amplified sound within the entire performance space. It is believed that the Recital Hall is the first concert venue in the UK with a permanent system of this kind.

 

Arena Foyer
An interesting, modern area, the Arena Foyer backs on to the Adrian Boult Hall. With an audience capacity of 100, the Arena Foyer can be used for a variety of events, as its space is entirely flexible. There is a small gallery with steps up each side, which can be used inventively in performances.

 

New Lecture Theatre
Housed within the newest part of the Conservatoire, the New Lecture Theatre is a flexible space, suitable for informal concerts and large workshops, as well as rehearsals and teaching. Movable seating and tables allow the Theatre to accommodate up to 140 people. The Theatre is also equipped with an overhead projector and automatic screen.

 

Board Room
The Board Room is the Conservatoire‘s premier meeting room, holding up to 36 delegates seated around tables. Looking across Birmingham to Symphony Hall, the Board Room is ideal for high-profile meetings and those at which the right atmosphere is important. It can also be used for small drinks receptions.

 

All students have full access to the Conservatoire Library, an integral part of the University’s Library Services, which links all its central and specialist libraries and enables students to borrow items from any of them. Alongside wide-ranging and substantial collections of books and journals, specialised print and computer-based sources are available to support various project and research needs. Other items can be obtained via the inter-library loan system as required.

During the summer of 2006, the Library underwent extensive building work funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the University. With the stock safely stored offsite, the space was completely gutted in order to create a mezzanine level, which now offers an additional quiet study area. Another new feature is a ground floor seminar / group study room, which can also be used by Library staff for meetings and information skills training for students.

The Library’s collections include over 8,000 books, 1,300 orchestral and band sets, 1,100 sets of vocal scores, about 100,000 individual scores and parts, and around 12,000 sound recordings. To deal with our ever-expanding stock, we installed moveable shelving and new storage racks for our collection of over 6,000 CDs. Our new Audio Room has an upgraded suite of listening and recording equipment, plus two separate cubicles for listening and viewing.

The Library has been re-equipped with new computers and on-line services include the British Humanities Index, RILM, New Grove Online and the Classical Music Library. You can also access our complete library catalogue via the internet. Our professionally trained staff will provide you with an introduction to the Library when you enrol, and more detailed guidance is offered to groups or individuals whenever appropriate.

The Conservatoire Library is open seven days a week during term time and weekdays during vacations.

Studio 1 Control Room

Audio Hardware

• Yamaha 02R/96 desk
• Digidesign 192 I/O interface
• Roland 8020 sound module
• Marantz CDR
• Tascam DA20 DAT
• CME UF8 keyboard

Computer Hardware

• Apple Intel Mac Pro
• 2 × 19″ Iiyama displays
• ProTools HD3 system

Software

• ProTools HD
• Logic Pro
• Wave Burner
• Spark XL
• Toast with Jam
• Waves Platinum Bundle
• Waves IR1 Convolution Reverb

Monitoring

• ATC SCM50

Studio 1 Live Room

Microphones

• 3x AKG C1000
• 1x AKG C3000
• 1x AKG D112
• 4x SE 1A
• 2x Rode NT1A
• 1x Sennheiser 421
• 2x Shure SM58
• 2x Shure SM57
• 1x Shure SM81
• 2x Behringer HP Amp
• 1x Behringer DI
• 2x Behringer truth monitors
• 1x SE Reflection Filter

Studio 2

Audio Hardware

• Mackie Big Knob
• DACs Eightch Surround monitor
• Digidesign 003 Rack
• Casio CZ-1 Keyboard
• Mini Korg 700 synth
• 2x Behringer BCF2000 Control surfaces
• Tascam DA30 DAT
• Tascam MD
• Tascam 112 MKII Tape Machine

Computer Hardware

• Apple Intel Mac Pro
• 2x Samsung Displays

Computer Software

• Protools LE
• Logic Pro
• Wave Burner
• Waves Gold bundle
• Waves IR1 convolution reverb
• Toast with Jam
• DVD studio pro

Monitoring

• M-Audio 5.1 monitoring
• Mackie HR824

Studio 3 Control Room

Audio Hardware

• Yamaha 02R/96 desk
• ProTools HD3 system
• Digidesign 192 I/O interface
• Yamaha S90 keyboard
• Tascam CDRW2000 CD Player
• DVD Player

Computer Hardware

• Apple Intel Mac Pro
• Fastlane MIDI interface

Software

• Protools HD
• Logic Pro
• Wave Burner
• Spark XL
• Waves Gold inc.IR1 360
• Surround Zone
• Toast and Jam
• DVD Studio Pro

Monitoring

• Genelec 5.1 Monitoring (1030/1029/7060)
• ATC SCM50

Other

• 2x Hitachi TV Monitors
• 2x Sony TV monitors

Studio 3 Live Room

Microphones

• 3x AKG C1000
• 1x AKG C3000
• 1x AKG D112
• 2x SE 1A
• 2x Shure SM57

Hardware

• Behringer Ultra DI Pro
• Rane HP Amp
• Yamaha DJX Keyboard

Studio 4

Mixing

• Audient ASP8024 Console

Recording Hardware

• Motu 2408 MKIII
• Tascam CD-R
• Tascam DA45 DAT
• 2x Tascam DA20 DAT
• Studer B67 1/4" Machine
• Focusrite Twintrak Pro

Monitoring

• Genelec 8050A
• Samson 170/Denon DR20

Outboard

• Lexicon PCM80
• Yamaha Rev 7
• Behringer Multicom (x2)
• Behringer Intelligate
• Alesis 3630 Compressor

Computer Hardware

• Apple Intel Mac Pro

Software

• Logic Pro
• Waveburner

PA Hardware

• Behringer Eurorack UB1002
• Behringer Eurorack UB2448FX-Pro Mixer
• Audiocore DP224 Speaker management system
• Servo reeler remote

Studio 5

Hardware

• Intel Mac Pro
• Digidesign 003 Control
• DACS Eightch
• Genelec Surround Monitoring

Software

• Protools LE
• Logic Pro
• Final Cut Studio
• Waves Gold + IR1

Studio 6

Hardware

• Intel Mac Pro
• Digidesign 96I/O
• Digidesign Command 8
• Genelec Surround Monitoring

Software

• Protools HD3
• Logic Pro
• Final Cut Studio
• Waves Gold + IR1360

iMac Suite

10 Workstations comprising:

• iMac Intel
• Digidesign MBox
• M-Audio Oxygen 61 Keyboard

Software

• Protools LE
• Logic Pro
• Audacity
• Wave Burner
• Soundhack
• Pd
• Audio Sculpt
• Max MSP/Jitter
• Burn
• Sibelius

Additional Hardware

• 2 x Behringer Eurorack Pro line mixer
• HHB Circle 5/Samson 170 monitor and amp
• NEC Data Projector

Music for Media Lab

7 Workstations comprising:

• Macintosh G5 Quad
• 20" Apple displays
• M-Audio Project Mix i/o
• M-Audio Oxygen 49 keyboard
• iSight

Software

• Final Cut Pro
• DVD Studio Pro
• Shake
• Soundtrack
• Logic Pro
• Wave Burner
• Protools M-Powered
• Kontakt
• MaxMSP-Jitter

Additional Hardware

• Behringer line mixer
• Genelec 8030A monitoring
• NEC Data Projector

Recital Hall

• Yamaha DM2000
• Apple iMac
• 1x Profire Lightbridge
• 1x Kronde
• D&B 10.2 Surround PA system
• Hitachi CP X1200 Data Projector + Screen

Microphones and Cables

• Concert XLR-XLR cables
• 6 x Mackie SR350 PA Speakers
• 1 x Audio Technica 4033
• 3 x C1000
• 3 x SM58

Adrian Boult Hall

• 4x DPA 4006
• 2x Neumann KM183
• RCF Line array + Subs
• Yamaha 02R Digital Mixer

The Conservatoire’s purpose-built site includes over 50 dedicated practice rooms, with additional practice facilities available after 6pm. A separate Keyboard Studio contains nine linked Yamaha Clavinova CLP-155s, ideal both for private practice and for keyboard-skills seminars.

Students may access the building seven days a week all year round, from 8:00am to 9:45pm weekdays and from 8:00am to 7:00pm weekends (holidays excepted).

 

The Conservatoire owns a fine collection of modern instruments that are available for loan. There is also an excellent growing collection of early instruments, both reproduction and original, available for student use. For further details, please contact our Instrument Custodian.

Other accommodation includes lecture rooms, teaching rooms, recording studios, conference rooms, a refectory and coffee bar.

 

Coffee Bar & Licensed Bar
The Conservatoire’s Coffee Bar is generally open before and during the interval of concerts in the Adrian Boult Hall, Arena Foyer and Recital Hall. There is a Licensed Bar run by Birmingham City University's Union of Students.