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With its roots in the legendary Philips Research Laboratories and a history of pioneering electronic music since 1964, the Institute of Sonology (IoS) at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague is no stranger to cutting-edge technology. When it came time to equip their brand-new, purpose-built facility in the city centre, Head of the Institute, Kees Tazelaar, knew they needed a console that could bridge their rich analogue heritage with modern educational demands. The answer was the Audient ASP8024-HE.
A Modern Hub for Analogue Tradition
Replacing a previous D&R Vision desk, the ASP8024-HE now sits at the heart of the IoS analogue studio. It serves as a vital link between a vast voltage-controlled modular synthesizer setup – developed over decades – a formidable array of analogue Studer tape machines mainly used for archiving the Institute’s enormous collection of electronic music dating back to 1956, and a digital audio workstation.
“It was not easy to find a replacement that was analogue, easy to work with – which is of particular importance for a studio used for education – and flexible enough to work with an eight-channel loudspeaker system,” explains Kees. The ASP8024-HE was chosen specifically for its high bus count, the integrated producer desk and its ability to accommodate near-field monitors directly on the shelf.
The Advantage of “Everything at a Glance”
For the 40 or so bachelor’s, master’s and one-year course Sonology students who get hands-on with the console each year, the ASP8024-HE provides a clear, tactile learning environment. “The advantage is that you see all the knobs, switches and faders and don’t have to dive into layers,” says Kees, highlighting the console’s transparency in a teaching situation.
Beyond its ease of use, the console’s technical flexibility is a standout feature for the IoS team. “It’s analogue, it has enough inputs, it has enough buses, it’s flexible,” Kees notes. “I also like that it has many auxiliaries, and effect returns that can be assigned to buses”.
Honouring History, Looking Forward
The installation comes at a celebratory time for the Royal Conservatoire, which marks its 200th anniversary this month. As the IoS continues to thrive – receiving over 170 applications annually for just 36 spots – the new Audient console ensures that the next generation of composers can continue to push boundaries while staying grounded in the Institute’s storied past.
“We do our best to have an open mind for the future and take our history seriously,” says Kees. With the ASP8024-HE now a permanent fixture, the Institute of Sonology is perfectly equipped to do both.
To learn more about the Institute’s pioneering work, visit sonology.org and koncon.nl/en
The ASP8024-HE console was sold via Audient’s Benelux distribution partner, Pro Media Connect.
🔍 Tech Spec: Why the ASP8024-HE?
At the Institute of Sonology, the console isn’t just a mixer; it’s a bridge between 1956 and 2024. Here is how the Heritage Edition handles their unique workflow:
● Multi-Channel Mastery: With 24 main bus outputs, the console easily manages the Institute’s 8-channel loudspeaker array and their 4-track and 8-track 1-inch Studer tape machines simultaneously.
● Modular Integration: The class-A design and high headroom are essential for handling the unpredictable, wide-ranging voltage transients produced by their vintage voltage-controlled modular system.
● Hybrid Monitoring: The integrated Producer Desk was a key requirement for Kees, providing the physical space needed for the specialized equipment used in electronic music analysis and composition.
● Parallel Processing: With 14 auxiliary buses, students can route complex signals through external vintage outboard gear and the modular system without losing the core signal path.
● The “No-Layers” Philosophy: In an educational setting with 40+ users, the inline architecture ensures that every signal path—from tape return to monitor mix—is visible at a glance, eliminating the “hidden” menus of digital alternatives.