Digital Media Lab - Terms of Use

Please read before using the Digital Media Lab for podcasting

Who can use the SDML?

  • Members of College who do not have previous podcasting experience must take part in SDML induction training before using the space. Training takes two forms:

Individual training with Digital Hub AV Technician, Tracy Ludlow, or

Digital Hub SDML group training sessions (Hilary & Trinity 2025)

  • Members of College who have previous experience of recording podcasts can book the SDML without induction training. An SDML User Guide is available in the space for reference.

  • The SDML is not open to external users in the current academic year, except if the external user requests to conduct a podcast interview with a College member, for example a Fellow. In this case, it will be the College member’s responsibility to book the SDML, and sign-out (and return) the fob. The College member must remain with the external user at all times during the booking.

 

Booking the SDML

The opening hours of the SDML are 07:00 – 23:00.

  • College members must use the College room booking system on the intranet to book podcast recording slots.

  • On the intranet, when the SDML is booked, the adjoining room is automatically booked out.

  • To use the room, a College member must collect the SDML fob from the Lodge and sign it out. The fob will give access to the outer and inner doors to the SDML.

  • Users must also sign the fob back in at the Lodge as soon as their allocated session in the SDML is finished – especially if there is another booking immediately after theirs.

  • When welcoming other College members or guests to the SDML, the fob holder will enable access to the space. The fob holder must remain in the room at all times during a recording session.

Recording in the SDML

An SDML User Guide is available in the space to help you use the podcast equipment. If you have any questions, please contact the Digital Hub AV Technician, Tracy Ludlow at tracy.ludlow@pmb.ox.ac.uk

  • A red ‘Recording’ light outside of the SDML entrance can be activated to make other building users aware that a recording is in process. The switch is on the wall to the right of the door in the SDML.  

  • Users must download their recording/s to their own digital device or USB stick at the end of their session, as the SDML hard drive will be wiped at the end of each week for GDPR purposes. 

  • For the purposes of podcasting, the dividing wall to the adjoining room must not be moved at any time. The dividing wall acts as a sound insulator between the SDML and the rest of the building, and helps to dampen acoustics in the space.

  • Users are reminded that the SDML is part of a working building, with student accommodation above, and to take this in to consideration when using the space.

After your recording session is finished

  •  Once you have completed your podcast, make sure to download your recording.

  • Please tidy up the space so it is as you found it on arrival, including placing any rubbish in the bin provided.

  • Turn off the recording light and ensure the door is closed properly.

  • Return the SDML fob to the Lodge. 

  • If there has been any accidental damage to a piece of equipment in the SDML, please report it immediately to Tracy Ludlow at tracy.ludlow@pmb.ox.ac.uk