Hi Guys,

I'm currently working within a school as a performing arts technician and I've been asked if there are any courses that I would like to go on.

This being said, I've decided I want to improve my knowledge of Live Sound and Mixing. I'm not a complete beginner but I would no where near class myself as an expert.

A colleague with a background of music has told me I should look into a sound re-enforcement course to broaden my knowledge of how live sound works, mixing and making the most out of the equipment you have.

Has anyone got any ideas of where to start looking for such course? I'm looking for day courses or possible week long ones? Or even Online courses?

Thanks for any help,

Chris

Live Sound Engineering / Technology Certificate
Point Blank Music College, London. £2,690 - 6 months full time and/or part time

Live Sound Course, MidKent College, Maidstone
£? Part Time 6 weeks

Live Event Tech and Management, City College Plymouth
Full Time £? 2 and 3 yr to full BTec and degree.

Live Sound Foundation Degree City College Plymouth
£3,290 per yr, 2 yrs full time.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Live Events Production
Leicester College £? Full and part time

BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Live Sound and Tour Production
Brighton Institute Of Modern Music 1 yr, full time, £5,250 (other BTec courses in live sound available)

Diploma in Live Sound Engineering
Alchemea College 16 weeks full time £5,250

Live Sound Production Wakefield College
6 weeks, £? evenings only

Sound Engineering Level 1, 2 & 3 Northbrook College, Worthing, Sussex
£? 1 yr full time. BTec.

Live Sound Engineering, SSR, Manchester.
£2,100, part time, six months.

That's pretty much it, when it comes to the serious courses in live sound. I leave it to you to work out which ones are the better ones - some of these are pretty bogus, but I make no comments here!

If I were you, I would go for something fairly broad, that covers more than just sound alone.

It might also be worth taking a look at

http://www.sflgroup.co.uk/Groups/131310/SFL/Training/Training.aspx

I've not had anything to do with them personally but people I know have recommended them.

James.

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JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net

where abouts are you based?

There are some courses with console manufactures that teach you specifically how to use their range of consoles.

MIDAS do a 1 day or 2 day training course for their Pro series consoles http://www.midasconsoles.com/pro-training-courses.php

Digico also do some training for their consoles http://www.digico.biz/docs2/training_one/eventList.php

As do Yamaha http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/training_support/trainingseminars/ index.jsp

... and Soundcraft http://www.soundcraft.com/mwp/events.aspx

I'm sure you could find more if you goto the manufactures websites for popular consoles and equipment.

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www.Lozjackson.com

IF you want the best of sound system design courses look at Meyer sound. They do a few different ones. http://www.meyersound.com/events/seminars/ they do run a few in the UK every year.

Their "Comprehensive system design 5 Day" looks at the electrical side - Crossovers/phase setting up a system from scratch theory etc. Taught by Magu Ramirez He is an awesome teacher and their teaching methords are great.

And the Sim 3 (5 day) course looks at the practicalities and measurement side of things. This was taught by Bob McCarthy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-System-Design-Optimization-Technoques/dp/0240521560/ref=sr_ 1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337079620&sr=8-1) He is a legend.

They also run a "Mixing workshop" taught by Buford Jones (Pink Floyds engineer) He explains how he and other engineers approach mixing. Gives you lots of ideas to bring to your own mixes.

They will blow your mind with theory, in a good way. I did their 1 day then the 2 day first then did both of these almsot back to back. Best knowledge in the industry as far as I'm concerned. These courses use to be free. but they have started charging for them in recent years..... quite frankly they are worth every penny.

D&B do an introduction to line arrays and basic systems.

Soundcraft run a thing called "Going live" which is a workshop with a few pro engineers teaching. Also all digital desk manufactures run courses for their digital desks. These are very helpful.

Good Luck

If you are on my side of the pond (US etc.) then SynAudCon is considered the top when it comes to training courses(As opposed to full uni coursework) and I have yet to hear of anyone regret taking it. That being said I haven't taken it myself but I have had enough recommendations from people I trust I mean to sometime when I actually get time and money at the same time to do so.

If you are looking at System design, while the above will give you all the technical knowledge, depending on where you are going with it courses in the acoustical prediction software you will be using and in Smaart may not be a bad idea either. If you aren't looking at system design persay, but just operation then I wouldn't bother (Except maybe the Smaart courses which come in handy whenever you want to tune a system;)

Seablade

SynAudCon are awesome have done their online course..... http://www.synaudcon.com/site/
Great info Wish I could get state side to do an actual course.

Thanks peoples

Going take a look at some of these now.

Cheers

Quote Bossman:

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where abouts are you based?

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I'm based in Harlow Essex

http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Reinforcement-Handbook-Gary-Davis/dp/088188900 8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337563716&sr=8-1