Lyons New Media Centre

We have the digital tools for your creative soul

Need to create posters, digital art, podcasts and more? We have the tools you need!

Have to shoot a video for a class project , but you don't have a camera? We can help with that!

Want to relax making some origami, knitting or colouring? Pop by and see what we have to offer!

We are located in Mills Library on the 4th floor, right outside Elevators #3 and #4.

Lyons New Media Centre Overview

Culture of the Lyons New Media Centre

The Lyons New Media Centre (LNMC) is a vibrant space for the creation and use of modern and classic media in teaching, learning, and research at McMaster University.

Lyons offers a special collection of media resources that facilitates teaching and learning. We are a unique space, within the library and on campus, open to all members of the McMaster community to freely access the creative tools to enrich their learning experiences.

We are a hub of inspiration. We have the digital tools for your creative soul.
We are accepting of everyone. We embrace diversity and all skill levels.
We aim to provide exemplary service to help all students, staff, and faculty achieve their goals.
We provide a relaxed, colourful space to spark imagination.

Where We Are

Lyons is located on the 4th floor of Mills Library. Taking either elevator #3 or #4 will get you to the lobby directly outside our entrance.

Code of Conduct

All users and visitors to the Lyons New Media Centre (LNMC) are expected to model 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 t o 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.

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Media Creation

The Rooms

Main Room (L411)

The main room of Lyons New Media Centre (L411) has the following to offer:

12 high-end media editing computers w/specialized software (these computers are to be used for media creation only)
video wall
- for showcasing student art/photography (submit your artwork/photography online)
laptop bar by the windows
soft seating
high and low tables
collaboration/group-work booths
Help Desk
- microphones, headphones, 3D printing, and all bookable rooms/items borrowed from here
- basic assistance with multimedia hurdles

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Media Production Studio (L413)

This room is a media production space for filming and photography needs. You can book the media studio online.

*Please specify in your booking the equipment needed by clicking on Accessories on the right side of the booking form.

Available equipment for green screen/filming bookings:

Green screen drapery and black drapery
White wall
Camera equipment
- Canon Rebel T7 DSLR
- Canon vixia video camera
- Nikon SLR camera [no video, just still images]
- Nikon SLR w/60mm fixed lens - good for close up/macro work
- tripod
- RODE camera mic
- Saramonic wireless lavalier microphones
Light box (with 4 different coloured backdrops)
Studio lights
- LED and soft box for video
- Flash photography lighting for photographs
Portable monitor for use as telepromter. Bring your laptop with script and hook it up to the screen

The room is booked for a maximum of 2 hours. If you wish for a longer booking, please make note of the extra time requested in the Description field when booking. Extended time is not guaranteed

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Audio Recording Booth (in L414)

Added in Spring 2018, the Audio Recording Booth is bookable online and is nestled in the right side of L414.

Our audio recording booth is a great new 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 to you. You must be a current McMaster student or staff member, with valid Mac ID to use the booth. It is a small space, therefore no more than 2-3 people at one time. Larger groups or those with accessibility needs should book L415/L416.

In the booth:

Computer equipped with Audacity and Adobe Audition
Yeti microphone, with adjustable arm
Music stand with light for script/music
Headphones (available at the Help Desk)

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Edit Suites (L415 & L416)

The two bookable Edit Studios are equipped with media editing computers.

Available equipment in Edit Studio L415:

Media editing computer (see software list)
Portable sound booth

Available equipment in Edit Studio L416:

Media editing computer (see software list)

Also available (at Help Desk) for use in the edit suites:

USB condenser microphones
Headphones

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Console Gaming Room (L418)

The Console Gaming Room (L418) is the "fishbowl" room near the Lyons entrance. This is bookable online, like the Edit Suites. It seats approximately four people and has a monitor affixed to the wall, as well as gaming consoles (PS3, PS4, XBox 360, XBox One & Wii).

Note: There is no computer housed within this room. If you want to edit media, please book L415 or L416, one of the Edit Studios.

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Zen Zone (in L414)

Our relaxation/anti-anxiety space called the "Zen Zone" is located in the back corner of the PC gaming / audio recording booth room (just ask at the Lyons Services Desk and they'll point you in the right direction).

Puzzles, origami, knitting, quiet games, cards, colouring and more are available to anyone who wishes to sit and relax in this space. It is designated as a quiet, de-stress zone.

As there may be audio recordings happening in the booth, only whispered conversation is permitted in this space. Bring in your tea or coffee (but please eat your food elsewhere) and chill out in the Zen Zone. No need to book anything -- everything you need is right there in the room.

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LNMC Computer Availability

Cameras & Equipment

Most of the equipment on this page can simply be asked for at the Lyons Help Desk. The camera equipment needs to be booked. Click on each for details and links.

Camera & Filming Equipment

Cameras, tripods and more are available.

Microphones & Headphones

Headphones & microphones available for use in Lyons.

Robots

Robots that can be controlled with a smartphone.

Tinker Equipment

Tinker equipment includes things such as VR headsets, circuit kits, etc.

Crafting and Relaxation Materials

Crafting and relaxation materials are available at Lyons.

Cables for Gaming

Gaming & laptop video adapters.

Gaming Areas

The Gaming Stations

All console games, controllers and syncing cables are housed at the Lyons Help Desk. Upon arrival for your booking, choose a game from the game shelves and check it and the accompanying equipment out at the Desk with your valid McMaster ID card.