Whether you want to film a video, record a podcast, get creative with 3D printing, or immerse in extended reality we help UM students and staff make this possible with professional equipment and spaces. Navigate the pages below to get more information about our Digital Labs. If you need an introduction into the facilities or a workshop for your students, look at our Digital Literacy offers or contact us!
The Digital Labs facilities
Digital Labs FAQ
There are currently no costs for using the Digital Labs facilities.
For on overview of workshops and courses organised by the library, see: https://library.maastrichtuniversity.nl/events/
Yes, the library offers introduction workshops to create and edit videos. Please look at the digital literacy pages for more information.
The output of the DIY Video Studio is already a finished product, so editing is optional. After recording, you can transfer your video files to one of our dedicated editing computers. Editing computers are available for video editing and can be reserved in advance. These workstations are equipped with DaVinci Resolve, a professional video editing application that allows you to edit, enhance, and export your recordings. Tutorials and support materials are available to help you get started.
No. The DIY Video Studio is designed to be easy to use, even if you have no prior recording experience. The studio uses a plug-and-play setup with clear instructions, allowing you to create professional-looking videos independently.
Avoid wearing green clothing or accessories, as the studio uses a green screen. Green elements in your outfit may appear transparent in the final video. Solid colours that contrast well with the background generally work best on camera.
We recommend recording videos of 15–20 minutes or less. Shorter videos are easier to upload, download, and watch. If you need to record a longer presentation, be sure to book enough studio time and bring a USB drive with sufficient storage capacity.
To book equipment, make a reservation here <link naar reserveringsysteem>. Pick up the equipment or key at the library information desk.
To book a podcast or video studio, visit Resource Booker.
Please note that not all equipment is bookable online. Contact us via Ask Your Librarian for more information and to book 3D-printing & 3D-scanning, XR, or Lego Serious Play.
You can book the studios through the UM Resource Booker. Go to Inner City Library or Randwyck Library: Special Facilities, and select the studio of your choice. In Randwyck Library you have to choose the DIY Podcast Studio. You can book a studio maximum three weeks in advance. At the start of your chosen time slot, pick up the key at the Library Information Desk. They will also explain where you need to go.
Please cancel your booking if you will not be using the facilities.
For staff/teachers only: if you want to book the DIY Video Studio more than three weeks in advance, you can send your request to reservations-ub@maastrichtuniversity.nl. Make sure to include the date, time you want to book the studio for, and your name.
For AVM students & staff: you cannot access the Resource Booker unfortunately, but you can book the studio by sending us a message with your requested date/time.
For MUMC+ staff members: you cannot access the Resource Booker unfortunately, but you can book the studio by sending us a message with your requested date/time.
Note: if you want to invite guests from outside the UM community to take part in your video, please request permission by sending us a message. This way, we can make sure to inform the reception desk of your guest’s arrival. A guest must always be accompanied by a member from the UM community (student or staff) with a UM card.
Options & instructions
This manual can help you get started: Manual – Preparing your video
- The studio is meant for recording only, editing needs to happen on your own computer.
- Please keep in mind that the maximum capacity is 4 people.
Tips
- Make sure not to wear green clothes when using the studio, as this will make you invisible in front of the green screen. For more tips on clothing, take a look at the filming tips & tricks.
- We recommend filming short recordings, max. 15-20 minutes per video. Longer videos are possible, but will take a lot longer to transfer to your USB-drive. Consider this when booking and book plenty of time.
- Prepare yourself for filming before you book and pick up the smartphone kit. Know what you want to film, how you want to film it and where, to speed up the filming process. • Keep in mind to check the requirements of your task.
- Recording in HDR can cause compatibility problems when you want to play the recording on (older) devices. Please turn off HDR to prevent this. On supported models, iPhone records video in Dolby Vision HDR. To turn off HDR video recording, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video, then turn off HDR Video or HDR (depending on your model).
This manual can help you get started:
Tips
- Prepare yourself for filming before you book and pick up the smartphone kit. Know what you want to film, how you want to film it and where, to speed up the filming process.
- Keep in mind to check the requirements of your task.
- Recording in HDR can cause compatibility problems when you want to play the recording on (older) devices. Please turn off HDR to prevent this. On supported models, iPhone records video in Dolby Vision HDR. To turn off HDR video recording, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video, then turn off HDR Video or HDR (depending on your model).
The instructions below help you prepare for your session at the DIY Video Studio to make the most out of your booked time slot.
Prepare your PowerPoint
Have your PowerPoint ready. If you need to make any last-minute changes, that can be done in the studio.
- Put your script in the notes of your PowerPoint. They will automatically appear on the autocue, so you can read your text while presenting.
- Add animations or transitions to your slides.
- Save your PowerPoint to a USB-drive when you are done.
Choose your position
You can choose where you want to be visible during recording, separately for each slide if desired. There are four options:
- Slide only (see only the slide, and hear your voice)
- Picture in Picture (PiP) left/right/big (you are visible next to your slide in the bottom corner)
- Presenter only (you are visible in front of your slide)
- Close-up (you are visible in front of your slide, more zoomed in than with presenter only)
While preparing, consider the placement of your text and images on the slides, and where you want to be visible.
Add additional media
If you choose to add videos or music to your presentation, make sure to download the music or video first (beware of copyright), then embed it into your PowerPoint slide. Change the settings so that the music/video starts playing automatically; it will not start by the click of a button in the studio.
Options and instructions
- The instruction manual is available in the studio. Please make sure to follow the steps in the manual.
- The studio is meant for recording only. Editing needs to happen on your own computer.
- Maximum capacity is 2 people.
- You can choose between the UM template (including the UM leader, title and outro) or the Basic template without the UM leader or title (recording only your presentation).
Tips
- Make sure not to wear green clothes when using the studio, as this will make you invisible in front of the green screen. For more tips on clothing, take a look at the filming tips & tricks.
- We recommend filming short recordings, max. 15-20 minutes per video. Longer videos are possible, but will take a lot longer to transfer to your USB-drive. Consider this when booking and book plenty of time.
- Make sure to have enough storage space on your USB-drive! For a normal presentation recording, you need about 100 MB per minute of film. Adding effects, video or movement will make the size of the video bigger. For big/long videos, consider taking an external hard drive with you.
- Make sure your USB-drive is formatted as ExFAT or NTFS. Other formatting (such as FAT32) will not work!
Visit the <a href=”https://library.maastrichtuniversity.nl/teach/”>Teaching Staff Support page</a>. Visit the <a href=”https://edlab.nl/”>EDLAB page</a> for information and support on using multimedia in education, or contact us directly via <a href=”https://library.maastrichtuniversity.nl/contact/”>Ask your Librarian</a>.
- Studios are only for audio and video recording
- Food is not allowed in the studios
- Follow the library house rules and staff instructions. Staff may inspect the studios at any time.
- Handle all equipment and furniture with care — they remain UM property
- Do not remove any cables or furniture
- Turn off the equipment, lock the room, and return the key and adapter before the end of your booking.
- Please be mindful of copyright and the UM privacy policy.
- Maastricht University Library is not liable for any damage caused by using the equipment. More information: Copyright and Handling data during research.
Bring your PowerPoint presentation on a USB drive and make sure your slides and speaker notes are ready before your session. Speaker notes can be used as a teleprompter during recording, helping you present confidently and efficiently.
Contact the Digital Labs team
