Live Sound Course



Summary

 

Hosted at cool London venue the O2 Academy, Islington, Point Blank Music Production College's Live Sound Course teaches you the practical skills  you need to work as a sound engineer in live music venues. Get to grips with mixing desks, microphones, monitors, DI boxes and much more. Small classes ensure you benefit from plenty of hands-on training from professional sound engineers. All of which is great preparation for the real thing: putting your skills to the test at two live shows at top London venues. Great way to start your music career...To find out how this course can help you get a job in the live sound industry, check out our guide to live sound engineer jobs.

Content

 

Equipment Overview

  • Health & safety: working in music venues safely
  • The science of sound: amplitude and frequency
  • Mixing desk, amplifiers, speakers, DI boxes
  • Connections: balanced and unbalanced

Analogue Mixing Desks
  • The Soundcraft Series II 24/8 mixer
  • Signal flow, cabling and routing
  • Levels and metering
  • Monitor set-up and placement

 

Microphone Techniques

  • Types of microphone and their uses
  • Microphone polar patterns
  • Common microphone placement techniques
  • Reducing feedback issues

Equalisation
  • EQ: Fixed, sweepable, parametric, graphic
  • EQ tips for guitar, bass, drums and vocals
  • Preventing feedback: how to "ring out" a system
  • EQing the Front of House PA

 

Acoustics & Effects

  • Types of effect: Reverb, delay, chorus etc.
  • Insert points and aux sends
  • Aux sends and monitor mixes
  • Acoustics and sound absorption

 

Instruments & Mixing

  • Guitars Keyboards & Vocals - DI box or mic?
  • Using electronic instruments/backing tracks
  • Incorporating DJ equipment
  • Basic electrical theory

Dynamic Control

  • A guide to using Compression
  • Effective use of Noise Gates
  • Effective use of Limiters
  • Impedance and DI boxes explained

Stage Management
  • Artist liason, working with stage crew
  • Effective time management
  • Scheduling and soundchecking
  • Managing other events (theatre, orchestral)

Final Assessment
  • Complete your final assignment
  • Tutor analysis and appraisal of Live shows
  • Students complete OCN test
  • Advice on getting work moving forward


Live Show I

  • Take part in your first live gig with 3 bands
  • Load in, Set-up and soundcheck
  • Observe and assist the in-house engineer
  • Put your skills into practice

Live Show 2
  • Take part in your second live gig with 3 bands
  • Load in, Set-up and soundcheck
  • Students take responsibility for a real gig
  • Put your skills into practice

Reviews

 

Marialessia Dell' Acqua

"I'm  a student of "Live sound engeneering"course. After the first 3 months i'm satisfy of the course, nice and good teacher and i like the opportunity to make gigs and so practise what we study. In the next months we will have the opportunity to work with different desks and in different places to get more involved in what will be our job! Thank you,Mari"

 

Paolo Navarretta

“I found the course really interesting, it gives me more chances to get work here, and I found the Practice Lessons and the ones on soldering cables really useful, regards Paolo"

Tutor profile

Ben Perrier

02 Academy's Sound Engineer Ben has worked with Bob Dylan, Massive Attack, The Streets, Jim Jones Revue and more. He's one half of the teaching crew on this course.

LIve Shows

Each term, students on this course put their skills to the test with three live shows, hosted at an acclaimed London music venue. Watch the highlights from a recent show here.

 
 Course Details

Duration: 3 Months

Price: £1,495.00

Course FAQ
 Available Dates
July 2012
October 2012
January 2013

ENROL NOW!

Payment Options

 Weekly Timetable

One daytime class
(11am - 6pm)

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