News from the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio
November 2022
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The holidays are a time of year that can get a little tumultuous.
May we suggest taking some time and giving yourself the gift of a new skill? We have a great lineup of classes scheduled at the 970West Studio in December, ranging from photo restoration and digital camera basics to podcasting and green screen use. Take a scroll through our December offerings below and sign up for something that appeals to your creativity.
Let the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio help you bring your project to life!
REMINDER ABOUT HOLIDAY CLOSURES IN NOVEMBER and DECEMBER
Mesa County Libraries will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25, for Thanksgiving. In December, all library locations will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday, as well as Sunday and Monday, Jan. 1 and 2, for New Year's.
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Discover what the 970West Studio staff have been reading, watching, and listening to. |
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Denise's Pick:
Inhabit is one of those films I keep watching over and over again. No, it isn’t a scary sci-fi thriller (though it does address some of the true horrors humans have created on planet Earth.) Mostly, Inhabit is focused on delivering ideas, information, and solutions couched in the philosophy of permaculture. Permaculture is broad, diverse, and easily escapes concise definition. It goes beyond simply “not causing harm” to Earth, and encapsulates an intelligent, interlocking system of human life, animal life, plant life, mycelial life, water, sunshine, air, and natural materials to create self-supporting environments that naturally flourish.
Landscape architect and permaculture design master Ben Falk is one of the visionaries featured in this film (he also writes excellent books). Falk makes a point about how “reduce only” mindsets are not the solution to human carbon footprints because they lead us to believe that the world would simply be better without humans. Instead, Falk says, “I want to live, and I want the world to be better because I have lived.” With smart, diversified agricultural designs, he believes we can.
From rooftop skyscraper gardens abuzz with their own apiaries, to bicycle-powered compost pickup services and year-round homegrown vegetables, incredible designs are abundantly showcased in Inhabit. But something is missing. All of the sites featured are in northeastern states - nowhere near western Colorado! You could change that though. Camera kits can be checked out from 970West Studio after a prerequisite class, and we are conveniently located next to the Mesa County Libraries Discovery Garden, which features bioswales, hugelkultur, in-season produce, and high desert permaculture. Come check us out! Check out a camera, check out the garden, and create something amazing today!
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Jason's Pick:
It’s happened to all of us at least once.
You’re in a famous rock band, touring the world, selling millions of albums, and making records in fancy recording studios. But you inevitably walk into a studio with an “institutional vibe” that doesn’t inspire creativity. The live room is cavernous, the staff wear white lab coats and carry clipboards, and the only light comes from overhead fluorescent tubes that coat all occupants in sickly waiting room light.
Luckily, your engineer on the session has the solution! They build a cubicle for you using studio baffles, funky lamps, and colorful tapestries. Your own “zone” that immediately puts you at ease enough to nail your part on the first take.
Later, while complimenting the engineer, we’ll call him Mort, you ask, “But where did you learn such a helpful and comforting technique?”
Mort gets a glimmer in his eye and answers, “I read about it in a book called Recording Secrets for the Small Studio by Mike Senior. And it just happens to be available at Mesa County Libraries!” Then you both high-five enthusiastically.
This cubicle technique is called “framing the session,” and it’s but one hot tip in a book packed with helpful, down-to-earth lessons for music producers. Check it out today, then practice what you have learned during a session at 970West Studio!
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Good news! Producing your podcast at 970West just became easier than ever before. Introducing the TASCAM Mixcast 4.
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The Mixcast 4 from TASCAM is a super easy-to-use podcast workstation that ditches all of the complicated settings. With four microphone inputs (TRS/XLR combo jacks) and four headphone outputs with independent volume controls, this stress-free station is the perfect fit for producing small-group podcasts. MixCast 4 is optimized for streaming, allowing Bluetooth connectivity to record and mix phone calls with ease while the Mix Minus function simultaneously engages to reduce feedback for clear, high-quality performance. An easily navigable 5-inch touch panel gives you access to eight sound effects banks including "applause," "alarm," and "wrong answer," all triggered by eight large color-coded sound pads to create an entertaining live environment for your shows.
Sweetwater recommends taking advantage of TASCAM's included Podcast Editor software to help you get up and running from day one, making track arming, effects assignment, and audio editing clear and easy. MixCast 4 handles it all, recording up to eight combinations of inputs at a time (mic, 1/4-inch, 1/8-inch, Bluetooth, and USB inputs) to the internal SD card with ease, meeting every need of your podcast. The Mixcast 4 is the versatile, yet simple-to-use podcast station that you've been waiting for!
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Take a 970West Studio class!
Most classes require advance registration. Click the links to register.
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970West Studio Orientation
Take the first step toward using the 970West Studio. Orientation classes last an hour. Registration is NOT required.
970West Studio Orientations take place during the following times
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Studio Q&A
Explore the 970West Studio as we offer Orientations and have staff available to answer your multimedia production questions.
Assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In-depth/additional questions may require a future Book a Librarian appointment if others are waiting.
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Studio Q&A takes place at the following times:
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Camera Kit Basics
If you’re interested in checking out one of Mesa County Libraries’ camera kits, but don’t know where or how to get started, this class is for you! We will cover the basics of camera care, lens attachment, manual/automatic settings, ISO, lens apertures, and focus adjustments. This class, along with a valid Mesa County Libraries card and a little inspiration, will have you creating amazing photos in no time! |
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Intro to Digital Cameras
This introductory class for budding photographers will explore the "Exposure Triangle": the camera's ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The goal of this class is for attendees to understand and be comfortable with the buttons, dials and settings of digital cameras, and to see how they all work together to record an image.
Patrons are encouraged to bring their own digital camera to this class for hands-on practice. Studio cameras will be available for those not bringing a camera.
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Photo Restoration Basics
Learn how to preserve and repair your old or deteriorating photographs using Adobe Photoshop. In this course you will learn how to improve color and fix ripped, scratched, stained, and torn photos. Participants are welcome to bring their own scanned photograph to use during the class but will need to bring an external storage device, such as a USB flash drive, to do so.
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Mac OS Basics
Mac OS is a proprietary graphical operating system developed and marketed by Apple Incorporated since 2001. It is the primary operating system used in the 970West Studio and the Creation Station at the Central Library. In this class, learn the basics of Mac OS.
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Podcast Production
Podcasting is a great way to get your story out there! Join us at 970West Studio, where we will go over microphone choice, multitrack recording, signal processing, mixing, and file exporting.
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Green Screen 1.0: Assembly
Let's build a green screen! Explore all the components of the 970West Studio's Green Screen Kit. Students will practice setting up the kit, learn basic green screen theory, and explore common pitfalls and their solutions. Depending on time and interest, students may have an opportunity to practice recording footage with the green screen. Each month, we will explore different layouts and techniques; so students are encouraged to attend multiple times.
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Green Screen 1.0: Assembly takes place:
Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Green Screen 2.0: Chroma Key
Learn the methods used to remove a video's background and replace it with a different image or video. In this hands-on class, we will explore the process of using a green screen, including video capture and the post-production process known as chroma key. Participants are welcome to bring digital images to use during class, provided that these images are saved on a USB storage device prior to class. This class is ongoing, so keep coming back for more fun (and learning)!
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Green Screen 2.0: Chroma Key takes place:
Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Introduction to Video Editing
In this hands-on course, learn the fundamentals of video editing using Adobe Premiere, a program included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Participants will learn how to import video clips into the editor, edit clips inside the editor for improved playback, and export video projects so you can share them to your favorite online video-sharing websites. Sample footage will be provided, but participants may also bring a USB storage device with their own footage. This course is ongoing, so keep coming back to develop your skills!
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Audio Production
Let’s get weird! Are the beats and bass lines of traditional beat making a bit too structured for you? Are you searching for a sound, your own sound, that doesn't live on today's popular playlists? Come to an Audio Alchemy session and explore some experimental soundscapes with us!
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We'll primarily use Alchemy, a sound module included with Logic Pro X, but other ingredients like real-world sampling and vocal chopping may be on the menu. A basic knowledge of Mac OS and music production is strongly recommended. Attend multiple times for best results!
Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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Intro to Art Digitization
This introductory class will familiarize you with the necessary equipment and fundamentals to digitize your two-dimensional works of art using the 970West Studio.
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Additional technology resources are available on our Technology Guide: Tutorials and Classes page. T here you will find printable class handouts, basic tech help for your computer or mobile device, and a selection of tutorials. Still not finding what you're looking for? Fill out a Book a Librarian form to receive one-on-one instruction for your tech-related topic.
All studio classes take place at the 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave., across from the Central Library in downtown Grand Junction.
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Follow the 970West Studio on Instagram |
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Follow @970west_studio on Instagram for weekly posts about all things 970WestStudio. We share gear updates, local band highlights, video releases, and more! |
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A NOTE TO READERS
You are receiving this e-newsletter because you are a patron of Mesa County Libraries and/or the 970West Studio.
- The 970West Studio email newsletter is sent monthly (with occasional special editions) to patrons to keep you informed about what's happening at the studio and your local library.
- The library values your privacy and will not share your email address or other information with anyone.
- You can update your library e-newsletter subscriptions by visiting the "Update Profile" link at the bottom of this newsletter.
- You can also remove yourself from all library e-newsletter lists by visiting the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org |
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