Open since September 1991, High Tech High School is a full-time public school of choice that offers a challenging academic curriculum in a technology-based environment. This environment facilitates the acquisition of a repertoire of skills that allows students to access and manipulate knowledge through technology. There are several programs of study, including a Media major, with special emphasis on Audio Tech skills. Areas of study include an overview of music technology currently used in the entertainment industry, the use and application of the MIDI keyboard within a recording studio environment, synthesis, recording consoles, modular digital tape machines, digital audio workstations and synchronization.

Each student has their own workstation, which uses a Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro as the central hub. All keyboards and instruments run through the 1202, and students also use the ALT 3/4 bus to send channels to their interface for recording. This feature, which is also found on the VLZ3 Series mixers, allows for simple routing without the risk of feedback loops.

Rod Shepard (aka Mr. Shepard) is the instructor of the Audio Tech class in addition to his role as Musical Director. He even runs a 24.8 in his home studio!

“…even with the latest technology in computing and audio/sequencing software, the 1202 VLZ's are still reliable”

-Mr. Shepard

The tech-savvy school also has an Arts major that puts on award winning productions...including a recent performance of Dracula. The system for their theatre includes a TT24 at FOH. It just goes to show you that Mackie's commitment to technology ensures that our new products can be found alongside our classic products in recording environments worldwide.