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SAM Lab

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SAM Lab (Student Access Media Lab)

The SAM Lab at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is a cutting-edge media production facility designed to support student creativity, academic exploration, and collaborative innovation across all disciplines. Whether you're studying arts, sciences, education, business, or humanities, the SAM Lab provides the tools and space to enhance your projects with professional-grade media production. This lab is not limited to media or communications majors—it is a cross-disciplinary resource that encourages students from all academic backgrounds to integrate digital storytelling, visual communication, and multimedia into their coursework and creative endeavors. From science presentations with dynamic visuals to history documentaries, podcast interviews for sociology, or promotional materials for student-led initiatives, the SAM Lab empowers students to elevate their work through media.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Student Access Media (SAM) Lab at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is to foster innovation, creativity, and technical proficiency by providing students from all disciplines with equitable access to cutting-edge media tools and collaborative learning environments. We aim to support academic success, personal expression, and professional development through hands-on experiences in digital media production, guided by a commitment to inclusivity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement.

 

What the SAM Lab Offers

  • Multimedia Workstations with Adobe Creative Cloud, Ableton Live, Audacity, and other professional software.
  • Audio and Video Recording Studios for podcasting, voiceovers, and video shoots.
  • Dual-monitor Editing Bays for advanced video and graphic design workflows.
  • A Sound Booth for clean audio capture and editing.
  • Film Production Studio for group projects and media shoots.
  • Support Staff available to assist with equipment, software, and project planning.
 

What you can do in the SAM Lab

  • Video Creation (with Premiere Pro)
  • Sound Recording (with Reaper)
  • Sound Editing (With Audition)
  • Podcasting (Via the Rodecaster Pro II)
  • Music Creation (with Reaper)
  • Graphic Design (With Illustrator and Photoshop)
  • Photo Editing (with Photoshop)
 

Reservation Guidelines - COMING SOON

To ensure fair and efficient access to resources, students can reserve SAM Lab spaces through MCLA’s technology services. Policies include:

  • Reservation Platform: Students may request reservations via the MCLA Portal or through a dedicated SAM Lab booking form available on the TechHelp site.
  • Time Limits: Reservations are typically available in blocks of up to 3 hours per session. Longer sessions may be approved based on project needs and availability.
  • Faculty Support: For certain equipment or studio reservations—especially those involving advanced production tools or extended time blocks—faculty approval or support may be required. This ensures alignment with academic goals and responsible use of resources.
  • Eligibility: Current MCLA students with a valid ID and active MCLA account are eligible to reserve lab spaces. Faculty and staff may also use the lab for academic or instructional purposes.
  • Walk-ins: Walk-in use is permitted when space is available, but reservations take priority.
  • Support Matching: SAM Lab staff can help match students with the best workstation or studio for their project needs.
  • Policies: Users must follow lab policies regarding food, equipment handling, and data storage. External drives are recommended for saving work.

Showcase of Student Work - COMING SOON

Students and faculty can view selected projects created in the SAM Lab on Microsoft Stream, MCLA’s secure video hosting platform. This showcase includes:

  • Student-produced podcasts
  • Short films and documentaries
  • Digital art and animation reels
  • Class project presentations
  • Event coverage and promotional media

To explore the gallery, visit the MCLA Microsoft Stream channel (accessible via your MCLA Office 365 account). Faculty may also curate playlists for class-specific projects or interdisciplinary showcases. (Link Coming Soon)

Equipment

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