Alumni Update: Thomas Stajcer, Professional Sound and Business – Studio Production Major

Thomas Stajcer graduated from Metalworks Institute’s two year Professional Sound and Business – Studio Production Major Program in 2010. After completing the program he began an internship at Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton Ontario. Here Thomas was responsible for assisting with the set up for various sessions as well as scheduling and other administrative duties. Gear at the studio included an MCI 500C console fitted with API preamps and a RADAR digital recorder. After an eight-month period, Thomas was offered an internship at Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium where he literally lived at the studio. He opened and closed the studio each day and assisted with the setups for various sessions including many orchestral recordings. He was also given the opportunity to work on location at Flagey Hall in Brussels with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra. At Galaxy Studios, Thomas worked on API Vision and AMS Neve consoles, and mixed sessions in 11.2 surround sound. Galaxy Studio is the headquarters for Auto Technologies, the developers of Auro3D immersive sound (configurable format from 9.1 to 11.2) which is being adopted at many theatres around the world.

After returning from his internship in Belgium, Thomas relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Here he enjoyed a change of scenery and spent Saturday nights at a live sound gig at The Carleton Music Bar and Grill; Nova Scotia’s Venue of the Year, 3 years running. Through connections with audio engineers and studio owners Thomas was introduced to Joel Plaskett, who had just finished renovations on his brand new studio across the harbor in Dartmouth. Thomas is currently the head engineer and studio manager of Joel Plaskett’s studio, New Scotland Yard. The studio utilizes a Studer A80 16 track 2” and Studer A810 2 track ¼” tape machines, a Rupert Neve Designs 5088 32- channel console, Pro Tools 10 and CLASP 16 system to hold it all together. As the manager of a small studio, Thomas says he often finds himself catering to the needs of his clients as well as engineering sessions. Check out the latest edition of Professional Sound Magazine featuring a two page spread about the studio “New Scotland Yard, Nova Scotia’s Comfortable & Quaint New Creative Hub”.