Lyons New Media Centre

Virtual reality is the latest technology that can help enhance teaching, learning and research. Through a virtual world, students, staff and faculty can explore and experience environments they may not be able to in their everyday lives. Lyons offers this virtual experience for the entire McMaster community to explore. If Instructors have ideas on what they could use VR for or are just curious about the possibilities … talk to us and/or try it out.

Spaces - Virtual Reality (VR) Studio (L415)

The VR Studio in Lyons is a bookable space within the Lyons New Media Centre and is available to all McMaster students, staff, and faculty. The room must be booked at least 24 hours in advance and requires approval from Lyons staff.

Training Requirement

There is an initial introductory health & safety training module that needs to be completed prior to booking the room. Enroll in the Avenue to Learn course "Lyons New Media Centre Training" and complete the "Virtual Reality (VR)" training module. Staff are available on your initial visit to help with the set up and answer any questions. 

Equipment

The VR Studio is equipped with two Meta Quest 2 VR headsets and controllers, a gaming PC, and a large TV screen for viewing. If using the apps on the headset, the experience is wireless. If using the computer with Steam VR apps, the headset will be tethered to the computer via cable.

Available Software

Games/software currently available on the headset include:

National Geographic Explore VR
Blue Planet VR Explore
Tilt Brush
Pottery VR
Ocean Rift
Anne Frank House
VirtualSpeech

Clicking on any of the links above will take you to webpages that describe what they are all about.

Note that there is no step into this room, so it is wheelchair accessible.

Power available. 🔌

Wacom art tablets are available for check out at the Lyons Services Desk. The art tablets are for use in Lyons along with the computers and Adobe software.

Loan period: 4 hours

The following equipment is for use within Lyons only, and limited to 2 hours per day. These do not need to be booked (with the exception of the lavalier mics); simply ask to sign them out at the Lyons services desk.

• A variety of condenser microphones
• Headphones

Microphones & headphones are for in-Lyons use only and cannot be removed from the Centre. Microphones must be used in an audio booth or edit studio.

NOTES:

• Lavalier (lapel) microphones are available via the booking system under camera equipment

Lyons code of conduct

All users and visitors to the Lyons New Media Centre (LNMC) are expected to adhere to our core values of respect, honesty, and responsibility.

The LNMC is open to all McMaster students, staff, and faculty. All are welcome, whether utilizing the equipment for media creation, or enjoying the comfortable environment. Inappropriate behaviours or harassment will not be tolerated. 

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. Harassment also includes sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, verbal or physical threats, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Anyone asked to stop any harassing behaviour is expected to comply immediately.

The LNMC staff, both full time and student assistants, are here to help and to keep the space welcoming. Please respect them at all times.

Respecting the space

The Lyons New Media Centre is a multimedia space and focuses on multimedia creation. All computers are equipped with multimedia software that is not available anywhere else on campus. The computers are available for media creation, not for general use or studying, nor are they to be used for watching sports or video.

Always leave the space clean. Pick up after yourself, throw away your garbage, push in your chair. We provide wipes at the desk to clean your work surface, if needed.

Enforcement

Anyone found in violation of any part of the Code of Conduct is expected to comply immediately when asked. Repeated violations are grounds for banishment from the LNMC and possible University disciplinary action.

Complete the introductory VR health & safety training by enrolling in the Avenue to Learn course "Lyons New Media Centre Training" and complete the "Virtual Reality (VR)" training module. 

This must be completed prior to your first visit.

This room is available for green screen, photography and filming. You can book the Media Production Studio online.

Available equipment with room (specify equipment needed in booking request with the Accessories section):

• Waiver form must be filled out once to be permitted to use the room.
• Green, white and black drapery for video and photography backgrounds
• Camera equipment (Canon DSLR, video camera, tripod, attachable RODE microphone, wireless RODE lapel microphones)
• Studio lighting both LED lights and flash photography lights
• Light box (with 4 different coloured backdrops)
• Moveable furniture (limited to what’s housed in the room)
• Portable monitor for script display
• Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of when it's needed

Note that there is no step into this room, so it is wheelchair accessible.

Power available. 🔌

Available additional cables and equipment:

• SD card readers
• audio splitters

The Duo Audio Booth can be booked and is nestled on the right side of room L414.

This booth is a great space for recording your audio work. Whether you are recording a podcast for a class; doing a voice over for a video; or recording a demo for your next big hit, the recording booth is available for you to use. You must be a current McMaster student or staff member, with valid Mac ID to use the booth.

Available for use in the booth:

• Computer equipped with Audacity and Adobe Audition software
• Two RODE Microphones
• Two Headphones
• RODE Duo Mixer
• Two chairs
• Webcam

NOTE: There is a small step up to get into the booth.

Power available.🔌

The Solo Audio Booth is bookable online and is nestled on the left side of L414 and looks similar to an old-school telephone booth.

This is a great space for recording your audio work. Bring your own device for recording such as a laptop or your smartphone. Need a microphone? There's one already in the booth! You must be a current McMaster student or staff member, with valid Mac ID to use the booth.

Available for use in the booth:

• Microphone (mounted inside the room permanently)
• No computer is provided in this booth; you must bring your own laptop (there is a ledge available for setting it up)
• Headphones (available at the Lyons Services Desk)

NOTE: There is a small step up to get into the booth.

Power available.🔌

The Podcast Studio can be booked and is nestled in the back of L414 on the left side of the room.

This podcast studio is a great space for recording your audio work in a group, especially if it's for a podcast or interview. The room has been set up for this type of situation and even allows for simultaneous recording of video, should you be working on a video podcast or interview. You must be a current McMaster student or staff member, with valid Mac ID to use the podcast studio.

Waiver form must be filled out once to be permitted to use the room.

Available for use in the room:

• A computer with wireless keyboard & mouse
• Microphones
• Mixer board
• A table with 4 chairs
• Headphones
• Webcam
• Portable green screen

Note that there is no step into this room, so it is wheelchair accessible.

Power available. 🔌