The first API 1608 was installed in a higher education facility in the UK last fall. Deep Blue Sound (also known as dBs Music) has a brand new facility in Bristol; according to Ben Philcox, the Center Manager, "The focal point of the facility is Studio 3, which offers the UK's only API 1608 recording console in education. This brings unparalleled tracking capability to music production training and students will literally be learning on the best." Philcox is also very excited about the added side effect of the school's new console: students who work on the API are eligible to apply for the API Visionary Scholarship Program.

The sale could not have happened without HHB Communications, a supplier connected with Source Distribution. Andrew Hingley, HHB Educational Sales Manager, was eager to discuss the sale and the work that goes on at dBs. "The API 1608 console installed at dBs Music Bristol elevates the studio to a truly world-class standard. The console ...represents the pinnacle of modern audio recording technology and dBs is the only facility of its kind in the UK to offer such high-quality recording facilities." dBs caters to "a range of recently launched Higher Education Degree pathways in sound engineering, music production, and game audio." There are five studios total on the new site, as well as music ICT classrooms and a lecture theatre.

The API Visionary Scholarship program is offered to encourage further education in the professional audio arts. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded based on merit in audio engineering. Applications require samples of work done on the console at the facility where the student is enrolled. API believes that academic excellence in sound training can be facilitated by using high quality analog equipment in the audio lab. This will not only enhance the learning experience but produce graduates with an enhanced understanding of the advantages of analog audio in today's music production environments.