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.

Sam Guitar.png

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.
Sam Rodecaster.png

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)
Sam Workstation.png

Booking a SAM Lab Space

To ensure fair and efficient access to resources, students can reserve SAM Lab spaces through MCLA’s Technology Services.

There are two ways to request a reservation:

How to Book an Appointment

Onboarding Consultation (Required for New Users)

  1. Brand-new lab users must schedule a Lab User Onboarding Consultation Meeting.
  2. This meeting will cover:
    1. Your plan for using the lab
    2. How the lab can help you achieve your goals

After the Onboarding Meeting (Existing Users)

  1. Go to the Bookings page to schedule your session.
  2. Choose the correct category for your project:
    1. Podcasting
    2. Video Editing
    3. Sound Recording
    4. Etc.

Important Booking Guidelines

  1. Answer all questions thoroughly. Incomplete information may result in cancellation.
  2. You will receive:
    1. A confirmation email
    2. A day-of appointment rundown

Be sure to read the email that is sent to you and email mediaservices@mcla.edu with any questions. Pick a time carefully for both appointments to avoid rescheduling. Rescheduling could delay your appointment by days or even weeks.

Additional Information

  • Lab Assistance

SAM Lab staff can help match students with the best workstation or space for their project needs.

  • Scheduling Rules
    • Times are set when booking; changes are not guaranteed after confirmation.
    • For certain equipment or extended time blocks, faculty approval may be required to ensure alignment with academic goals.
  • Eligibility
    • Current MCLA students with a valid ID and active account can reserve lab spaces.
    • Faculty and staff may also use the lab for academic or instructional purposes.
  • Walk-In Policy
    • Walk-ins are allowed when space is available, but reservations take priority.
    • Walk-ins can only be done when an Onboarding Consultation Meeting has been done.
    • Walk-ins can only be done for Work Station based projects.
  • Lab Policies
    • Follow rules regarding:
      • Food
      • Equipment handling
      • Bring your own Data storage

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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