This new educational initiative was designed to engage the next generation of engineers. The concept is that the mixer will provide students with new engineering and technology skills and provide schools and education groups with a practical project based on real world audio technology.
"The idea behind STEAM is simple," states James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix. "Our brands, and many of our partners and customers too, are struggling to bring new talent into our industry. If we want continued success then it’s our collective responsibility to help develop the next generation of engineers, starting whilst they are at school. To build more interest in engineering and help develop these core STEM skills, we have created a kit-based, USB powered, 2-channel DJ audio mixer that students can build and assemble themselves or as a team."
The STEAM mixer itself is comprised of three printed circuit boards with individual through hole components that need to be soldered in place. The mixer can be simply assembled with the supplied metalwork to make the finished, professional grade, DJ mixer. Since it is USB-powered (USB 2.0 using B-type connector), STEAM is safe to build and easy to use in any location and jurisdiction. With dedicated instructions and video content on how to build and use, students will gain an understanding of how the different technical elements work together to create a product they can use to develop their creative skills too.
"With the help of our global partners, schools, youth groups and charities will be able to get kits at a heavily discounted pricing or for free, and the aim is that, for all units sold, we reinvest all the money back into building more kits that will get into the hands of students who wouldn’t normally get access to this opportunity. It’s a start, and our aim is to create further STEM and audio engineering initiatives in the future", explains Helen Culleton, COO of Audiotonix.
Since Audiotonix is a British company, the STEAM DJ mixer kits will be available initially in the United Kingdom, and will sell for GBP £299.95 plus local tax.
Audiotonix designs and manufactures professional audio mixing consoles and ancillary products from premium audio brands Allen & Heath, Calrec, DiGiCo, DiGiGrid, Fourier Audio, KLANG:technologies, Harrison, Slate Digital, Solid State Logic, sonible, and Sound Devices.
Those interested in finding out more and to register their interest in participating in the program, can do so in the Audiotonix website: www.audiotonix.com/steam
