For Students and Faculty of Design+Animation and Music Production+Recording Arts

This page is updated regularly. Last updated 2025-02-27

Please email suggestions or corrections to pwhite@mercy.edu.

Use the Table of Contents to jump to numbered sections.

1. For All Students

1.1. Get Help

Via email

  • TJ OConnor - toconnor6@mercy.edu

Via Zoom Zoom

You must first log in to Blackboard. Blackboard Logo

  • In Blackboard, look in your course list for Office Hours and Support Meeting Room.

Although listed as a Music Production class, this Zoom room is for Design+Animation students as well.

Music Lab help

You can also request tutoring sessions.

  • Call  914-674-7767 (or dial  7767 from wall phone in lab)

IT Help Desk

  • For email problems, resetting password, Windows PCs, Wifi

  • email helpdesk@mercy.edu or call  914-674-7526

1.2. Troubleshooting computer errors

Pro Tools errors

Problem

Can’t get Pro Tools license in lab

Click for Solution

Video of these steps here
(Note this video is only available on Dobbs Ferry campus.)

  1. Open ilok License Manager - it can be found at

    /Applications/iLok License Manager

You do not need to Sign In to iLok

  1. From menu bar upper left choose iLok License Manager…​ Preferences

  2. Choose Network…​ My Connections

  3. Select license server MPRA_Pro_Tools_Server

  4. Click gear button below the server to the right of the minus sign

    1. Choose Connect

Maxon (Cinema4D) errors

Problem

Can’t get license for Cinema4d

Click for Solution

See this Maxon Support page

1.3. Using classrooms/labs

Read these instructions and policies first.

1.4. Files on campus server

  • General information on accessing files here.

Accessing class files when outside of labs

  • Class folders from the labs are automatically synchronized with a dedicated OneDrive cloud drive. This allows you to have access when not on campus.

  • Connect here (Updated 1/23/2025).

    • Files added or changed in the lab will be there when you get home and vice-versa.

Use your full Mercy email to log in.
Bookmark this link in your browser for quick access.

  • Once you have connected to this OneDrive shared folder, the folder should appear in your own OneDrive in Shared.

OneDrive share

OneDrive

  • If this link fails to work, email pwhite@mercy.edu right away.

  • All Class folders, except the "Instructor-Only" folder are available.

Personal Folder (including My-Stuff)
Your private folder (with your login name) is not on the cloud drive, but can be made available in an emergency by request. Email pwhite@mercy.edu

(You should always back up your work to your own OneDrive space and to thumb drives or hard drives, so this should ONLY be needed in an emergency.)
Always make backup copies of your files.

Keep backups in more than one location – USB stick, OneDrive or other cloud service, etc.

1.5. Installing and Updating software in labs

This section is a work-in-progress

Some software can be installed or updated by students or faculty without needing special permission (administrator privileges).

  • Installation and updates are managed centrally by the Technology Manager. This allows time for testing and helps ensure consistency, security, compatibility, and license compliance.

    • If you try to install or update most software on lab computers, you will be asked for an administrator password. Standard user accounts are not permitted to update or install software in this way.

    • As a rule software is automatically updated after it has been tested, so there should be few occasions when you need to use the alternatives below.

There are three methods where you may be able to do your own installation or update, depending on the software.

Adobe Creative Cloud AdobeCC app

The Adobe Creative Cloud applications include Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro, etc.

  • Students and faculty may install and update these applications as needed using the Adobe Creative Cloud app, found in the Applications folder in Adobe Creative Cloud folder.

    • This is the same app used to log in to your Adobe account.

    • If you are already logged in, there should be an icon in the menu bar, at the top right of the screen.

Self-Service app Self-Service

  • Located in the Dock at the bottom of the Mac desktop, this app can also be found in the Applications folder. It has an Mercy Mavericks icon.

    • In general, this app will present you with standard or optional App Store apps that have previously been approved.

Ignore the login option. You do not need to log in to this app.
Managed Software Center app Managed Software Center

  • Located in the Applications folder

  • Standard and optional software can be installed and updated.

If you require a later version of software than is installed on a lab machine and it is not available using the above methods, email toconnor6@mercy.edu
You can request additional software. If the software is free or the University is otherwise licensed, the software will be reviewed and may be added. Email toconnor6@mercy.edu.

1.6. Free Software

Microsoft Office

  • FREE for students and faculty

    • Download from here when logged in to Mercy email or check here

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

(formerly Adobe Spark)

  • FREE for anyone with mercy.edu email address

From Adobe:
Adobe Creative Cloud Express enables you to tell stories and share ideas quickly and beautifully. It lets you create three types of content: You can create Pages, Posts, and Videos or use the formats together.

  • Log in here using your Mercy email and password. Use Log in with school account

If this login fails, email pwhite@mercy.edu to create your account.

Sound Effects for video, audio and multimedia projects

2. For Design+Animation

2.1. Software

Adobe Creative Cloud

  • All Design+Animation majors receive a FREE license to the Creative Cloud Suite.

    • You should receive an email with instructions from Adobe (sent to your mercy.edu address). If you don’t receive this email, contact toconnor6@mercy.edu

  • If needed, download and install the Creative Cloud app from here.

Use your mercy.edu email and password to log in to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Autodesk Maya

DO NOT use the link on that page that says Not a student or educator? Get the free trial

  • Create an account if you don’t already have one and login to download.

Autodesk will ask for proof of your academic status.
Click for video on eligibility

Maxon One

  • Includes Cinema 4D, Red Giant, Redshift, Universe and ZBrush

  • Six-month license currently FREE for students and faculty (as of 9/1/2022)

  • Available here.

Requires creating a free account.

Foundry (Nuke, Mari, etc.)

Substance Painter/Designer

  • Included with Adobe Creative Cloud Student account

Other Software

  • Final Cut Pro (Mac-only)

    • 90 Day FREE TRIAL here

  • Blender (3D Modeling, Sculpting, Animation, Simulation)

2.2. Tablets, Printers and Scanners

Wacom Cintiq Tablets

Scanners

  • Epson Perfection V19

    These can be connected as needed to any lab computer.

    1. Connect the scanner to the computer using a provided USB cable.

      1. The Micro-USB (small end) connects to the back of the scanner.

      2. The USB-A (larger rectangular end) connects to the Mac (on newer machines, connect it to the USB hub in the back.)

    2. Open the scanning software Epson Scan 2 in the Applications folder in a folder called Epson Software

Instructions on using the software and scanner can be found by opening (double-clicking) Using Epson Scan 2 in the same folder.

Printers

  • Printing to the correct paper tray.

The Automatic paper feed setting often doesn’t work as expected, so additional steps should be taken when preparing to print. Trying choosing the specific paper tray instead.

  • Printing from Adobe applications

    • Adobe software has its own print settings, separate from the standard Mac settings. You may need to experiment to get the settings you want.

2.3. Online Video and Podcasts

3. For Music Production+Recording Arts

3.1. Recording Studios

Policies

Booking Studio Time

  • All time in recording studios must be reserved using our online scheduler.

  • If you don’t already have one, create an account

    1. Go to https://scheduler.labarchives.com/

    2. Input your Mercy email address and click "next"

    3. You will be prompted to login using your Mercy single sign-on credentials.

    4. When brought to the LabArchives Login setup page, input your Mercy email address and click "Create New Account"

    5. When asked “Do you want to create a new LabArchives account?” Click “Yes.”

    6. After this, your LabArchives account will be connected to the Single Sign-On for Mercy. Each time you login through the Single Sign-On you will be brought directly to your account.

Studio Forms

You can fill in PDF forms on your computer.

Download the form, then open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader

Click here for access to forms and documents used in the studio, including:

  • Room layouts

  • Gear lists

  • Patch bays

  • Input/Output

3.2. Software

Pro Tools

  • Student discounts available at major resellers.

Ableton Live Suite including Max For Live

Native Instruments

  • Native Instruments Komplete Start (starter set of instruments) is free here

Logic X (MacOS-only)

  • 90-day free trial here.

Other Software

3.3. Books

3.4. Online Video and Podcasts

3.5. Complimentary Magazine Subscriptions

3.6. Audio Engineering Society Resources

AES Show 2022
(Workshop I students are required to attend)

Free admission to AES exhibits on October 19 and 20.

These require AES membership.
For membership info, email sward@mercy.edu
AES Journal

The latest in audio research.

AES eLibrary

Searchable database of 17,000 papers, journal articles, briefs and other items on the progression of audio research since 1953.

AES Live

Repository of videos of conference presentations, workshops, demonstrations, how-to’s, oral histories of notable engineers and producers, and so much more.

3.7. Other Music Production Resources

Recording Hacks Microphone Database
Digital Audio Workstation Guidelines for Music Production

The Recording Academy Producers and Engineers Wing recommended best practices when using a digital audio workstation (DAW) for music production.