Module 1 of 2: Live Sound Engineering

Put your skills into practice at three gigs during your course. Click the picture for video.		Your course takes place at The Barfly in Camden

Summary

The Live Sound Engineering Course teaches you all of the practical skills that you need to work as a sound engineer in live music venues. You will get to grips with mixing desks, microphones, monitoring and much more. Small classes mean that you will benefit from plenty of hands-on training from professional sound engineers. All of which is great preparation for the real thing: Put your skills to the test at three live shows hosted at the legendary Vibe Bar in Brick Lane. Students can also gain additional work experience at the Barfly in Camden via their programme of weekend gigs.

How will this course help you get a job in the live sound industry? Check out our guide to live sound engineer jobs to find out.

Content

Equipment Overview

Health & safety. How to work safely in music venues

The science of sound: amplitude and frequency

Mixing desk, amplifiers, speakers, DI boxes, processing

Cabling and 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

Live Show 1

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

Equalisation

Types of 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?

Incorporating electronic instruments /backing tracks

Incorporating DJ Equipment

Basic electrical theory

Live Show 2

Take part in your second live gig with 3 bands
Load in, Set-up and soundcheck
Students take responsibility for stage layout
Put your skills into practice

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
Stage managing other events (Theatre, Orchestral...)

Live Show 3

Take part in your third live gig with 3 bands
Load in, Set-up and soundcheck
Students take responsibility for engineering a real gig

Final Asessment

Complete your final assignment

Tutor analysis and appraisal of Live shows

Students complete OCN test