8 Sound Engineering courses

Employing a mix of practical exercises and critical reflection, this introductory day course provides an overview of fundamental techniques for recording and editing voice, ambiences and sound effects for podcasts, video/film and art installations or just for fun. The course uses industry standard software and introduces a range of popular, high quality microphones and portable recording devices. The course has enough flexibility to be steered by the individual interests of the participants, but you will generally cover; the properties of sound, microphone selection and placement, gain structure, effective planning, noise limiting and reduction, sound editing, dynamics, sound processing and spatial effects. If desired, we can look at a variety of techniques for improving sound quality and recording audio from video conferencing, as we all find ourselves working and interacting in this manner every day. Computer experience is required. Morning Microphone Selection – why and when to use Applications, characteristics, limitations Microphone type – Dynamic, Condenser, Lavalier, Shotgun, Boundary, Stereo, Binaural Polar Patterns – Omni, Cardoid, Attenuated and others Practical microphone placement and technique Critical distance, proximity effect, shielding, simple acoustic treatments, filtering Lavalier microphone – positioning, preventing distortion & rustles Booming – positioning, preventing microphone bumps Stereo Mics – phase issues Afternoon Editing techniques (fades, looping) Building a mix Basic sound processing, noise reduction and dynamics (channel strips, EQ and compression) Insert effects (modulation, filtering, distortion) Send effects (delay, reverb) Automation (of volume, panning etc) Bussing (sending signals to multiple fx) Mastering effects (limiting) Exporting and file types   Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation. Please read our cancellation policy before booking. Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.

RECORDING TECHNIQUES STAGE 1 EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 5pm - 9pm A friendly, no-nonsense course about recording techniques including types of mics and how to use them.

RECORDING TECHNIQUES STAGE 1 EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 5pm - 9pm A friendly, in-person course about advanced recording techniques.

MIXING TECHNIQUES STAGE 1 EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 5pm - 9pm Imagine a gloriously painted landscape; as well as the main subjects, you see patches of sky and ground and maybe some things you don't notice on your first exposure. In mixing, we are trying to create a detailed 3D illusion, just like in this painting. But how can this be done?

HOME STUDIO ESSENTIALS EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 5pm - 9pm A friendly, no-nonsense course to help you get the most out of your home studio. Learn everything you need to know, and discover a few things you didn't know you needed!

MIXING TECHNIQUES STAGE 2 EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 5pm - 9pm So you've worked out how to EQ things, when to use a compressor, how to manipulate the space with reverb and how much fun modulation effects can be. BUT ever feel like there's something they're just not telling you? This course gives you answers to the questions you didn't even know to ask!

EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 5pm - 9pm 31st October - 5th December I NEED IT TO SOUND AWESOME! Get more creative with expert DAW production techniques.

DAW Production Stage 1 - DAW set up and making music EVERY TUESDAY FOR SIX WEEKS 12th September to 17th October 5pm - 9pm So you've worked out how to EQ things, when to use a compressor, how to manipulate the space with reverb and how much fun modulation effects can be. BUT ever feel like there's something they're just not telling you? This course gives you answers to the questions you didn't even know to ask!