Help and Training
The Sound and Image Media Studios in the Brandeis Library offers training for patrons on equipment, software, and our studio spaces upon request. Please fill out one of the forms bellow to request help or training specific to your project needs. For help with active bookings, editshare storage, and other kinds of requests, please see our other available forms, or reach out to us directly at sims@brandeis.edu.
Equipment from SIMS can be reserved through Connect2, our resource booking system. Greyed-out items in the equipment list will become available for booking after you have requested and attended a training session. Please familiarize yourself with all of our equipment policies before making a booking or requesting training.
Request a Project Consultation
Fill out this form if you need help planning or are unsure where to start with your media project. You will be paired with a staff member who can help you determine the equipment, training, and preparation you will need.
Request Studio Training or Help
Fill out this form if you need training or help using one of our studio spaces, which include the Sound Studio, Flex Studio, or our Video/Photo Studio. You can also fill out this form to request a recording session in the Flex Studio supported by SIMS, or if you would like to request Flex Studio Audio Engineering training to gain independent access to our most advanced studio space.
Request Specific Training on Equipment or Software
Fill out this form if you would like to request specific training on equipment from our inventory or software available in our computer labs. Please read about the available equipment training options below to ensure you select the correct option for your project needs.
Available Equipment Trainings
SIMS separates equipment using a level system. All patrons have access to level 1 equipment by default. Training is available for all equipment but required for Level 2 equipment and above, which must be completed in sequence for each equipment category. Below is a list of all available equipment trainings with specific information on what the training will cover and what equipment you will be able to access after completion.
Level 2 Trainings
Expand All
This training will cover all of the available options for audio recorders, interfaces, and microphones. You will learn about recording to audio to and SD card with a mobile setup as well as connecting an audio interface to your computer to record into a DAW. This training will also cover the difference between microphone types and recording techniques.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Zoom H5 Audio Recorder
- Zoom H6 Audio Recorder
- Scarlett Focusrite Audio Interface
- Dynamic Microphones: Shure SM57 and SM58
- Condenser Microphones: Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic, Shure KSM 141 small diaphragm mic pair, AKG C14 large diaphragm mic
This training will cover all of the available options for audio recorders, and XLR microphones specific to recording audio for video. You will learn about recording to audio to and SD card with a mobile setup as well as connecting an audio interface directly into a camera. This training will also cover the different mic options suitable for video, including shotgun mics and both wired and wireless lavalier mics.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Zoom H5 Audio Recorder
- Zoom H6 Audio Recorder
- Boom Pole Kit
- Azden XLR Shotgun Mic
- Sennheiser MKE 600 XLR Shotgun Mic
- Audio-Technica Wired XLR Lavalier Mic
- Sennheiser Wireless XLR Lavalier Mic
This training will cover the level 2 Sony a6100 mirrorless camera. This is a lightweight and powerful option for both photography and 4k video, and will unlock a variety of high quality Sony lenses. This training will also cover the basics of the light exposure triangle, including key concepts like aperture and depth of field, shutter speed and motion blur, and ISO.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Sony a6100 Mirrorless Camera
- All Sony Lenses: 18-105mm Zoom Lens, 24-105mm Zoom Lens, 24-70mm Zoom Lens, 14-24mm Zoom Lens, 70-200mm Zoom Lens, 50mm Lens, 90mm Macro Lens
This training will cover the Panasonic AG-UX90 camcorder. The AG-UX90 has two built in XLR ports for connecting more advanced microphones, making this a great option for recording anything from concerts and performances to talking head style interviews. This training will also cover the basics of the light exposure triangle, including key concepts like aperture and depth of field, shutter speed and motion blur, and ISO. This training is commonly paired with the Audio for Video training.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Panasonic AG-UX90 Camcorder
- Manfrotto Heavy-Duty Tripod
This training will cover the Fiilex light kit, a three-light system in a compact rolling case that is both mobile and flexible. You will learn how to set up the components of the kit, options for diffusing and directing the light, and the basics of a three-point lighting setup (key, fill, and back light).
Equipment accessible after this training:
This training will cover the GoPro camera, a compact and durable option for vlogging or capturing high-quality action footage in a variety of frame rates (up to 240 fps for slow-motion capture). We'll cover various mounting options including a head strap, hand grip, and clip mount.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- GoPro Camera
- Micro SD Card
This training will cover the Ronin Gimbal, a handheld and motorized stabilization rig that can be used with any DSLR or Mirrorless camera from our inventory. Though it takes some practice to master, it's a great choice for achieving Steadicam-style tracking shots when you need to fluidly follow the action.
Equipment accessible after this training:
Level 3 Trainings
Expand All
This training will cover the level 3 Sony a7iv mirrorless camera. This is robust full-frame camera that excels in both photography and video, and will allow you to take full advantage of the variety of high quality full-frame Sony lenses. This training will go more in depth than the level 2 camera training, covering settings like frame rate, color profiles, RAW file formats, and more.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Sony a7iv Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
- All Sony Lenses: 18-105mm Zoom Lens, 24-105mm Zoom Lens, 24-70mm Zoom Lens, 14-24mm Zoom Lens, 70-200mm Zoom Lens, 50mm Lens, 90mm Macro Lens
- External Flash
- Manfrotto Heavy-Duty Tripod
This training will cover the Fiilex color light kit, a three light system in a compact rolling case that is both mobile and flexible. You will learn how to set up the components of this kit and the basics of color theory to add your own creative style to your lighting set-ups.
Equipment accessible after this training:
This training will cover the Ronin Slider, a programmable sliding camera mount that can help to add consistent and fluid movement to your shots. This training will also cover the SmallRig Follow Focus, a handy way to remotely control the focus ring on your lens for seamless sharp focus in moving shots. Together, these are great tools for anything from product shots for advertisements to cinematic shots for film.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Ronin Slider
- SmallRig Camera Cage
- SmallRig Follow Focus
This training will cover the Ikan and Hollyland monitor systems. The Hollyland has a mid-sized screen with built in visual processing and wireless video options that can feed to multiple end points, and is a portable and flexible option for monitoring your video feed in the field. The Ikan is a larger and bulkier screen, ideal for longer video shoots. These systems can be paired together and used as a multiscreen monitoring setup.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Ikan Monitor
- Hollyland Monitor Kit
Level 4 Trainings
Expand All
This training will cover the level 4 Sony FS5 mirrorless camera. This camera is at the very highest end of our lineup; with dual XLR ports for high quality audio recording, this is a fantastic option for the most cinematic and professional video projects. This training is often paired with the Audio for Video training and the Advanced Cinema Lens training that will give you access to the Zeiss lens kits.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Sony FS5 or FS6 Camcorder
- All Sony Lenses: 18-105mm Zoom Lens, 24-105mm Zoom Lens, 24-70mm Zoom Lens, 14-24mm Zoom Lens, 70-200mm Zoom Lens, 50mm Lens, 90mm Macro Lens
- Manfrotto Heavy-Duty Tripod
This training will cover the Zeiss lens kit. These fixed millimeter lenses are produced with the highest quality glass and are a perfect option for the most advanced cinematic or professional video projects. They can be mounted on any of our Sony cameras. We'll also go over how to attach neutral-density (ND) filters, which are helpful for controlling bright light in outdoor settings.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Zeiss Lens Kit
- ND filters
This training will cover the Aputure Monolight, a single light fixture with full temperature control. You will also learn the Intellytech LED Mat kit, which allows you to shape your light source in unique ways. With portable batteries and various accessories including a softbox, these are the most powerful and professional light in our inventory–and are great options for advanced photoshoots, outdoor video shoots, or cinematic film projects.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Intellytech LED Mat Kit
- Aputure Monolight
- Aputure Monolight Softbox
- Heavy Duty Light Stand
- Flag Kit
- Light Meter
This training will cover the Dolly kit. This is a rail system with a dedicated tripod that can be operated freestyle or affixed to glide across straight or curved tracks, allowing for smooth movement and cinematic tracking shots.
Equipment accessible after this training:
- Dolly
- Dolly Tripod
- Straight track
- Curved track
Workshops and Events
We periodically hold events and workshops that rotate each semester covering a range of topics, equipment, and software. You can view and sign up to attend any SIMS workshop via the Library's workshops calendar.