Skip to Main Content

MIT Libraries logo

MIT logo Search Account

Audio Lab Guides and Tutorials: Home

This guide provided detailed instructions on how to use the audio lab and it's resources.

About the Audio Lab

The MIT Lewis Music Library Audio Lab (14E-115) is available to current MIT community members. We welcome beginners as well as experts. Need help? Check out our how-to videos, or just ask!

The Audio Lab has two digital audio workstations, each with multi-track audio software, digital mixer, and MIDI keyboard. Workstation #2 has an installed microphone for podcast recording. There are connections to plug in electric guitars, keyboards and other electronic instruments.

The room has been acoustically treated; it is very quiet but it is not sound proof. Spoken word may be recorded, but we do not permit singing or the use of acoustic instruments in this space.

Hours: from library opening until 15 minutes before library closing; see MIT Libraries hours page. We recommend making a reservation.

More details:

List of Audio Lab Equipment and Software

Computers and software

  • Two workstations: iMac 27” (i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB flash, AMD Radeon R9 M395X)
  • Pro Tools
  • Reaper
  • Logic Pro X  
  • Bitwig Studio 2 
  • Ableton Live 9 Suite 
  • Max/MSP 7 (Cycling 74) 
  • Pure Data 0.47-1
  • SuperCollider 
  • Final Cut Pro X 

Electronic instruments and equipment

  • Mixer & audio interface: Behringer X32 Producer digital mixer
  • Digital Piano/keyboard (with touch sensitive weighted keys): Studiologic SL881studio
  • MIDI keyboard controller: Korg micro-key MIDI keyboard
  • Analog synthesizers: Moog Mother-32 semi-modular synthesizer​ and Moog Minitaur bass synthesizer
  • Theremin: Moog Etherwave Plus theremin
  • Turntable (for DJ scratching): Pioneer DJ PLX-500, direct drive       
  • Headphones Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
  • Microphone AKG C314 condenser mic (workstation #1 only)
  • Microphone floor stand

Available at Library service desk

These items are frequently requested by Audio Lab users; a complete list of circulating equipment is on the Equipment Quick Guide.

  • Other microphones: Shure SM58 dynamic vocal mic and Shure SM57 dynamic instrument mic
  • Microphone XLR cables 
  • Tabletop microphone stands

Audio Lab Help

How-to videos:

For information on workshops, an intro to the Audio Lab, or to ask a question, contact Avery Boddie, Lewis Music Library Department Head, at averyb@mit.edu.

How to Reserve Time in the Audio Lab

Please note that the Audio Lab is one room with two workstations. Both workstations are reservable, but if you are working on a recording project and need the room to yourself, be sure to book both workstations. Priority goes to those with reservations; walk-ins will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, as space permits. 

To book a station using mycard.mit.edu (MIT only):

  • Select "Student Web" from the menu on the left-hand column (if relevant)
  • Select "Room Reservation" from the menu
  • Change the pull-down Room Group menu to “Lewis Music Library Media Stations” (upper right of screen)
  • Click on the calendar icon for either station, and choose week to check availability

10/31/2022

Share your feedback!

Please take our survey.

More ways to get help

Ask Us
Ask a question, make an appointment, give feedback, or visit us.