KUT Begins Studio Upgrade Project

KUT is hoping to avert disaster, improve efficiency and increase production capacity by replacing aging analog broadcast studio equipment with modern digital technology while connecting all studios to a digital network. Here's what we've done to take proactive steps in fixing the problem:

• Applied for and received a Department of Commerce Grant
• Researched new equipment and discovered upgrading will allow KUT to produce more local content
• Established a timeline for construction to minimize on-air effects (see below)
  
  

KUT is seeking an additional $250,000 to match the Department of Commerce grant and to purchase additional equipment to increase our production capacity and maintain our reliability and sound quality.  KUT has raised more than $95,000. More than 1,400 people recognized the urgency of repairing KUT's studios and committed to support the upgrade project. Make a donation today.

There is a sense of urgency associated with the studio upgrade project. There are three key reasons why KUT is beginning this project, and asking for your financial assistance.

• The equipment that allows KUT to switch between different studios is technology produced by a 1970s era manufacturer that no longer exists.
• Currently it is very difficult to maintain consistent audio quality and standards between studios with varied equipment.
• Because we have no backup air control studio our main equipment cannot be properly maintained without going off the air. This exacerbates the problems of age and "wear-and-tear" on this console.
• A new production booth has been installed and will serve as the main control room beginning June 9 as the main control room is under construction. Construction should be finished on the main control room by the end of June. As soon as main control is up and running, the new production booth will be used as a backup.

Images of KUT studios

On June 9, KUT started using the Wenger booth. For two weeks most of the sound that came from KUT was produced in the Wenger booth while the main control room was undergoing construction. KUT's engineering team was able to update the main control room and get it operational within two weeks. KUT now has more reliable sound as a result of the construction that has taken place. Soon the engineers will begin construction on Studio 1B and 1C.

Seph, KUT's audio vault engineer, works on the Axia console. All of the sound that comes out of KUT will come from this Axia console. The computer is located inside the Wenger booth.

A view of the inside of the Wenger booth. The empty shelves pictured above are now gone and replaced with this main control room. It is a soundproof room. This is where Jennifer Stayton will do the news in the morning and where John Aielli will soon be speaking from during Eklektikos.

The music library had to be cleared out to make room for the Wenger booth that will control sound production while the studios are being upgraded. The Wenger booth will be temporarily used as the KUT main control room while the permanent main control is remodeled. As soon as we finish the main control room, the booth will remain as a news production facility. This will double the number of studios we have available for news production, and it will be adjacent to the news room rather than two floors down. More pictures with detailed descriptions are available here.

Construction Timeline

1. Air control studio construction complete (7-30-08)
2. Construction begins on Studios 1C and 1D (7-08)
3. Studios 1C and 1D complete (8-08)

Construction will continue after June 13 on Studio 1A, Studio 1B and the Latino USA Studio. This project will enhance the content KUT is able to provide.

It is a major undertaking, but one that is necessary to ensure KUT can be the most trusted source for news and music in Central Texas.

Please pledge now to help KUT upgrade equipment, improve sound and maintain public service. Thank you very much.