Yirrnga Music Development Centre

The Foundation launched the Yirrnga Music Development Centre (YMDC) at the Yolngu community of Gunyangara at the 1999 Garma Festival. The state of the art recording studio fosters local musicians and songwriting through mentoring programs and accredited courses in association with the Northern Territory University. A major recording deal for new Yolngu artists has been signed with Mushroom Records, and the recording and documenting of traditional song cycles has begun.

The YMDC is stage one in the construction of the Yothu Yindi Foundation’s Garma Cultural Studies Institute. It is a stingray-shaped building nestled into a cove that incorporates The Ian Potter Foundation performing and recording studio.

The studio has been used to record the Yothu Yindi album “Garma” in 2000 and to record 5 traditional albums – Waluka, Mamba, Nundhirribala, Gubulu and Gakurri and soundtrack material for the Feature Film “Yolngu Boy". The studio hosted a visit by the Sydney-based Bangarra Dance Company who performed their highly acclaimed work “Fish”. It is also used to conduct music workshops during the annual Garma Festival and music and tourism training courses during the year.

Opening of the Studio during the Garma Festival 1999

Location and Facilities

The YMDC is located off Drimmie Head Rd at Gunyangara, about 15kms north west of Nhulunbuy (Gove) airport: Lot 42, Drimmie Head Rd, Gunyangara.

Enquiries
c/- 08 8941 0202
Fax: 08 89411088
Email: yyf@bigpond.com.

The YMDC comprises a playing room (approx. 44.1sq. metres), control room (27.5 sq. metres), isolation room (8.8 sq. metres), performance verandah (20.5 sq. metres), storage room (7.2 sq. metres), kitchen, and toilet. The YMDC is fully air-conditioned and has 3-phase power.

Studio Equipment

Studer 24 track Analog Machine
Soundcraft 2400 series mixing console
Macintosh G3 Computer
Genlec Monitors
Yamaha 02R Digital Mixing Console
Roland VS1680 24 Bit Digital Workstation
Motu 2408 Audio
AKG 414 B-ULS Microphone
AKG D112 Microphone
Rode NT2 Condenser Microphone x 2
Sennheiser MD421 Microphone x 2
Shure SM58 Microphone
Shure Beta SM58A Microphone
Shure SM57 Microphone

Playing Room Equipment (YYMusic)

Tascam DA88 Digital Multitrack Recorder x 2
Mackie 16 Channel Mixing Desk CR 1064
Aphex Tubesscence 2 Channel Microphone Preamp
Alesis 3630 Compressor Limiter x 2
Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor
Mark of the Unicorn Midi Interface
Roland Midi Keyboard Sk510V
Kurzweil K2000 Sampler
Roland JD800 Programmable Synthesizer
Yamaha SY 85 Synthesizer
Drum Kit

Travel

Access to Nhulunbuy is by air, unless living on nearby communities. Qantas have daily services to and from Cairns and Darwin, and charter flights are available. Airport transfers to and from the local hotels are available.

Hire cars are available from one of the several hire companies in the area. Gove rentals 4x4s & cars - Ph: 08 8987 1700. Manny's car rentals - Ph: 08 8987 2300

There is also a local taxi service. The average return trip from Nhulunbuy to Gunyangara is in excess of $50. Kansas Taxi and Bus hire 08 8987 2872

Accommodation

At the present time, there are no accommodation facilities on site. For accommodation, we suggest the following:

Gove Peninsula Hotel
Ph: 08 8987 0700 close to Nhulunbuy town, rates vary throughout the year – dry and wet season

Walkabout Lodge
Ph: 08 8987 1777 in the centre of Nhulunbuy town.
Standard rooms and Premium Rooms available – rates vary throughout the year.
Corporate and special 14-day advance purchases are available on application.

Aboriginal Hostel
Ph: 08 8987 2553 in the centre of Nhulunbuy town. Accommodation (40-bed capacity) for Yolngu and other ATSI people – rates given on application varying for employed adults, unemployed adults, and couple, children 18 years

Other Information