Our facilities

The Futures Lab represents the most significant investment in online media production to date by an Australian university. The Futures Lab mirrors the platforms and systems in use by major broadcasters and online media outlets internationally. It includes a green screen TV studio with remote controlled cameras, lighting and auto cue; Tricaster vision mixer with virtual sets; iNews newsroom management system; an integrated automated social media delivery system; Avid MediaCentral and Interplay media collaboration tools, with back-end support from an AVID NEXIS network media storage system. This allows for network integrated production workflows that reflect current professional industry practices. The Futures Lab is a central hub that is connected to all Screen, Music, Radio and Podcasting, and Performance production facilities.

Located in the former AFTRS (Australian Film Television and Radio School) building, Macquarie boasts one of the largest and best equipped screen studios in Australia, with a large dedicated sound stage (20 m x 18 m x 8 m). This studio is equipped with 52 motorised lighting hoists supporting the latest LED lighting fixtures, including ARRI L7C, ARRI Sky Panels, ARRI Orbiters,  Fresnels and BBS Area 48 Soft lights with full DMX control through a Pathway Cognito lighting console. We are one of the few Universities to have Arri Alexa Mini LF and Arri Amira cameras as well as a range of other digital cinema cameras used in the industry.

The studio also features a 17 x 7 metre green screen, Rosco green floor, set storage and fabrication facilities. Macquarie is also an ALP (AVID Learning Partner) site and so offers the full suite of Media Composer software, MediaCentral and NEXIS network storage facilities, which support and model broadcast level production workflows. We are also privileged to be able to offer Avid certified courses in Media Compooser , ProTools and Sibelius on demand. Macquarie has a range of high quality field kits for location shooting and a range of fully equipped edit suites and computer labs for post-production. We have a range of camera rigs including gimbals dollies and jibs, and our studio is equipped with a crane. We also hold a UAV Operators Certificate, so the use of drones is possible. Increasingly students are working in multi-platform contexts and so the facilities support delivery across a range of platforms in an increasingly integrated fashion.

The music production studios represent state of the art approaches to music production. With acoustic design by one of Australia's most acclaimed designers Richard Priddle the studios offer a range of contrasting acoustic spaces. Studio 1 houses a Neve Custom 75 mixing console, a ProTools HDX system and a selection of premium preamplifiers and outboard processors from API, Chandler/EMI, Avalon, Solid State Logic and Universal Audio (LA2A, 1176). Music Production Studio 1 also houses an amplifier room with a selection of classic amplifiers and a Radial guitar distribution system for recording and re-amping. As an AVID Learning Partner, Macquarie has the full suite of AVID plugins and software tools, alongside the complete suite of UAD hardware assisted plugin processors. Music Production Studio 2 offers a larger live space and contains Pro Tools HDX system and outboard preamplifiers and processors from API, JLM, and Audient. Supplementing the studios is a set of standard professional microphones from Neumann, Sennheiser, Shure, AKG, Beyer and a range of valve microphones from Beezneez.

A dedicated 20m x 18 m x 8m Music Performance Studio features tiered audience seating a Steinway grand piano, live performance PA with digital sound console and audio playback through 5.1 surround systems, and state of the art DMX controlled LED lighting including moving lights, and multiprojector HD video. The studio is also connected for high-speed web access.

Macquarie has some of the best radio and podcasting production facilities of any Australian university. The newly refitted studios include an On Air studio with Lawo 12 fader crystal broadcast console, an on air production control room, production booth and digital outside broadcast facility to allow for location broadcasts. Live broadcasts are made possible via a broadcast link to community radio station 2-SER FM, who also have studios in the University. This allows for close collaboration between the university and 2-SER. Radio is becoming increasingly multi-platform and so the facilities tie closely to the Futures Lab and MediaCentral platforms for integration across broadcast and online contexts. Our equipment includes the RØDECaster Pro, described as the world's most powerful all-in-one solution for podcasting. Students also have access to high quality portable audio recording devices as well as a selection of specialised microphones.

Performance and entertainment industries study is supported by a range of media technologies, reflecting the increasingly mediatized nature of the creative industries in the 21st century. The 18m x 16m x 8m Performance and Entertainment Industries Studio, which can convert to a fully equipped black box theatre, is fitted with tiered seating, full black curtains and white cycloramas, state of the art DMX controlled LED lighting, including moving lights, and 270 degree mapped video projection capability. Full AV facilities include high speed network connection for web access, and multiprojector HD video.

Purpose-built specialist language learning spaces are located in Macquarie’s award-winning Arts Precinct. Our easily accessible, bright, and flexible teaching areas are designed to facilitate immersive, connected, and collaborative learning. State-of-the-art in-room facilities support real-time connections to international and community collaborators as well as communication between campus-based and online learners. Learners and experts come together in integrated spaces to create meaningful learning experiences. The language centre also incorporates relaxed student spaces for individual and group-based task preparation and practice, and the intercultural foyer for exploring multilingual environments, showcasing student experiences and student work publicly, and connecting to community partners.