The Studio
The Main Studio has a 27” iMac Pro computer available for our members. The iMac has a standard OS X install complete with Apple programs like Garageband and iMovie. The Studio also has the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, so lab members will have access to industry-leading software such as Premiere Pro, Audition and After Effects. The Studio is the only station in the lab with Final Cut Pro X , Ableton Live as well as Logic Pro. The Octavia Lab also offers free software like DaVinci Resolve and Blender. Lab members may only use/reserve a single two-hour session in the Studio each day.
Availability
The Recording Studio is available:
Sunday: 1 - 4 p.m.
Monday: 1 - 3 p.m. or 3 - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 - 3 p.m. or 3 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. or 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. or 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 1 - 3 p.m. or 3 - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 1 - 3 p.m. or 3 - 5 p.m.
How does it work?
The Studio has software for sound editing, sound recording, podcasting, video editing, motion graphics, compositing and livestreaming. If you are trying to learn a new software, the lab provides the following resources:
- Tutorials built directly into the software (Adobe CC).
- A small in-house collection of instructional books.
- A curated list of developer support pages.
- Access to web resources/tutorials/videos.
- Web browsing is limited to instructional research only. Ask staff for details.
- Patrons interested in general internet browsing may reserve internet time throughout the Los Angeles Public Library system.
Lab instructional videos on using Octavia Lab equipment.
Interested lab members may request additional information prior to their visit by emailing us at octavialab@lapl.org.
How much does it cost?
Access to the iMacs and their software is absolutely free. Access to the lab’s software/equipment/tools is limited to lab members only. Lab membership is free. Some projects such as podcasting and livestreaming may require services not provided by the Octavia Lab, such as hosting. These services may have additional fees.
What do I need to bring?
It is recommended that lab members bring a storage device to save their projects. All lab computer hard drives are wiped between each session to ensure patron privacy. The size of the storage device you bring is up to you. Most lab projects will fit on a standard flash drive. Be advised that most video, and motion graphics projects may require a large capacity external hard drive. If you do bring your own storage device, please make sure that it is formatted properly. If you have any questions regarding which drive formatting will work best for your project, please contact the lab.
If you intend to work on an audio or video project, we ask that you bring your own headphones. There is a lot of ambient sound in the lab that may make it difficult to properly work on projects with audio components. The lab does not lend or sell headphones.
Lab members who are interested in podcasting or livestreaming will need to set up hosting for their programming prior to visiting the lab. Lab members will need to have the log in and stream keys for their providers handy if they intend to broadcast live.
Studio Policy
Lighting
Lights in Studio spaces must remain on at all times. The lighting in these spaces are on motion sensors and dimmers. In order to maintain a clean, safe environment; staff requires that lights remain on for the duration of member’s sessions. If there are issues with the lighting, members must bring this to the attention of lab staff immediately.
Sound
Lab members may use either the computer speakers, or the monitor speakers so long as:
- The sliding glass door is completely closed.
- The volume is at a reasonable level.*
*Sound volume is at the discretion of lab staff. Volume level may fluctuate depending on equipment usage, special purposes, and events. The library reserves the right to maintain low volumes, or disallow usage of speakers. Failure to maintain acceptable volumes will result in suspension of Octavia Lab privileges.
Equipment/Space
Only computer equipment and software owned and previously installed by the Library may be used on Lab computers—with the exception of patron-owned flash drives and external hard drives (including cameras, smartphones and audio equipment that can temporarily function as hard drives), which may be used on all computers and equipment in the Lab. Personal files will be erased from the computer hard drive.
Adding, deleting or modifying the installed hardware or software is not permitted.
Prior to their lab session, members must ask for and secure permission from staff to bring their own equipment/tools into the Octavia Lab. Lab members who connect/disconnect lab equipment must return it to its original state. Failure to reset lab equipment will result in suspension of Octavia Lab privileges.
Food and drink are not permitted in the Octavia Lab at any time. The library is not responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen property the user may bring into the space.
Guests
Lab members are allowed to bring guests into the Octavia Lab. A guest is a person who does not have a signed user agreement. Users of the Studio are allowed to bring three (3) guests. A guest cannot be in the space at any point without the Lab members. Lab members are responsible for their guests. Any breach of Lab policies by a lab member’s guest will affect the status of the member of record.
Intellectual Property Rights
Lab members must respect any and all applicable intellectual property rights, copyright laws and licensing agreements. Users cannot reproduce material subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.
The Library does not lay any intellectual property claim to any original, creative work created by members in the Lab Studio space. All intellectual property rights are retained by the creators of the work. The Library cannot and will not act as arbiters in any intellectual property disputes.
Service Providers
Lab members will be responsible for seeking out and securing service providers to host their content. The Library does not provide customer service for any service provider. All questions regarding hosting should be directed to the appropriate service provider.
Community Standards
Lab members must adhere to the policies and community standards set forward by their service provider(s). Any violation of service provider policy or community standards that result in an IP ban of lab equipment from service (or similar disciplinary measures) by that provider will result in suspension of lab privileges.
Software
Adobe Creative Cloud
- Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Premiere Pro
- Audition
- After Effects
- And more...
Apple
- GarageBand
- iMovie
Free Software
- Blender
- DaVinci Resolve
- GIMP
- Inkscape
- LMMS
- Reaper
Final Cut Pro X
Logic Pro
Ableton Live
Hardware
PC
Mac Pro Tower
- USB-C: 3 Ports
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A: 2 Ports
- SD: 1 slot
- MicroSD: 1 slot
Studio Display
- 27” 5K Retina Display
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 Audio Interface
- 2 Combo XLR / 1/4” Line Inputs
Yamaha AG08 Mixing Board
- 2 Mic / Hi-Z Inputs, Phantom Power
- Mic Preamps: 2
Shure KSM44A Microphone
Peripherals (by request)
- Intuos Wacom tablets
- Yeti Microphone (USB)
- AKAI MPK Mini MIDI Comment end