Diploma in Audio Engineering - Course FAQ

Our goal at Alchemea is to give students the skills and confidence to carve a successful career in the Pro Audio Industry.

Any good Audio Engineering course will be hard work, costly and will take many months, or with many of our competitors, years to complete.

The questions below are designed to help you compare Alchemea with other colleges and decide which one is best for you.

How do our facilties compare?
Alchemea’s studios are equipped to the highest professional standards. From the latest Pro Tools control surfaces to classic analogue consoles and outboard equipment, Alchemea will give you the tools to ensure that you can acquire the skills and confidence to operate in a professional recording environment.

We have 5 control rooms (including an SSL G-series, 5.1 Cinema Dubbing Theatre & Pro Tools HD training suite. Each control room is self-contained, soundproofed and air-conditioned with access to our 4 acoustically treated live recording areas.

Is it true that you will give me my own mobile studio?
Indeed it is. As part of your media pack we will give you your own Apple MacBook, Digidesign M-Box 2 mini, Rhode M3 mic, M-Audio Keyrig 25 controller keyboard as well as the mic stand, pop shield and cables. Everything you need to get recording and producing whether you are at home or in the field. Importantly it will give you access to Pro Tools so if there is a gap between you completing your studies and getting a job you can keep you skills up to date.

But I already have a MacBook we hear you cry! Well – sorry but we can’t upgrade it however you are free to flog it and put the proceeds towards your course fees. Or make someone very happy and give it away as a present!

Oh yes – you also receive a yearly subscription to Sound on Sound Magazine. This includes extra members access to their excellent website www.soundonsound.com

How many digital audio workstations?
As well as our studio and classroom computers we have 6 dedicated DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations): 6 x Apple Mac Pro’s using Digidesign M-Box sound cards. All are loaded up with all the latest sequencing software, virtual instruments and audio plug-ins (including the new UAD-2 Solo cards with ALL the plugins!!!) To top it off you can patch from the workstations to any of the live recording areas via our wall box and central patchbay.

What about lectures and classroom facilities?
Alchemea has 2 classrooms both with workstation controlled projection systems. The primary setting for Diploma & SAC lectures is our Apple Training Room. It is also used for the short evening and weekend courses. Every effort has been made to create the optimum training environment. The room is air-conditioned, lighting is controllable and the furniture has been custom designed for comfort. The room has been acoustically treated and instructors use a wireless mic system to ensure that students can hear (and that instructors don’t lose their voice!).

In the classroom students benefit from the use of their own 20” Apple (Intel) iMac, Digidesign M Box and M-Audio Radium 49 keyboard. The iMac’s are loaded with all the latest music production software and instructors can take control of student’s workstations via Apple Desktop Pro.

Alchemea is committed to providing the highest standard of practical hands on audio training using the latest technology.

Are there any Entry Requirements?
Due to the intensive nature of this course the minimum age requirement for the Diploma is 18.

While there are no formal entry requirements enrolment is subject to an interview with Alchemea’s College Registrar. If the Registrar has doubts regarding the prospective students suitability for the course then a College Director will hold a second interview. Phone interviews will take place where it is not possible for interviews to be carried out in person. Every student enrolled on a full-time course at ALCHEMEA, must provide ALCHEMEA with a copy of his or her passport. Non-EU students must also provide a copy of their student visa. We advise that candidates also forward any supporting documentation like qualifications and English language certificates.

Is my qualification industry recognised?
Alchemea has the enviable reputation of being one of the leading providers of audio education in the world. Our standards are high. Our courses are vocational, practically orientated, intensive, and require real commitment. Because of this employers recognise that our successful students not only have the practical “real world” skills but have also acclimatised to the pressures of a demanding workplace.

Alchemea is the only Digidesign “Pro School” in the South of England. Diploma student’s have the option to take Digidesign’ s Pro Tools Operator Certification Course (210). If you pass the online exam then you will become a “Digidesign Certified Operator”. You will also be awarded a certificate from Digidesign and be listed as an operator their website. This qualification is a guarantee to employers that you are competent and confident on what is now the industry standard application for music and post-production.

Alchemea are also an Authorised Apple Training Centre and we integrate the Logic 101 course and certification exam into the Diploma. We are now also an Ableton Certified Training Centre!

What level is this course?
Although Alchemea is an independent college and the Diploma course has been developed independently by recording industry professionals, it is equivalent in all respects to a qualification at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF), and meets (and in some cases exceeds) the definition of a Diploma on the QCF. The facilities and resources available at Alchemea far exceed the requirements of a level 3 course and would put many degree courses to shame.

10. We do not believe that large class sizes allow for the necessary level of individual attention from our tutors. We also appreciate that students learn at differing paces and want to ensure that no one falls behind. For some practical lessons each class is split into even smaller class sizes.

How many students per course?
20 students per enrolment. There are 3 courses running at any given time (each course at a different stage). So the maximum number of students at Alchemea at any time is 60. That’s it.

What is the maximum class size?
10. We do not believe that large class sizes allow for the necessary level of individual attention from our tutors. We also appreciate that students learn at differing paces and want to ensure that no one falls behind. For some practical lessons each class is split into even smaller class sizes.

How many hours of individual practical time will I get?
Here is the maths: 13 facilities, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, divided by 60 students = 30.8 hours per student per week. In fact we GUARANTEE that by the end of your course you will have accumulated at least 1080 hours of individual practical time. That’s an average of over 30 hours per week – guaranteed. This is why we are renowned for providing more individual practical time in our studios and on our workstations than any other college.

Whilst central to the Alchemea method that an individual learns best by "doing" rather than watching someone else, assisting others is useful too and so encouraged. This time is in ADDITION to the 30 hours per week we guarantee. Smaller classes have the chance to book even more practical time.

Is the college really open 24/7?
Yes. Apart from a 2- week shut down period for maintenance / studio upgrades in June and over Christmas, we never close! Our facilities are available to our students and fully supervised 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are allocated (and can book extra) practical time day or night – whichever suits you.

Can I meet the students, both past and present?
Yes, in fact we encourage you to do so. We also invite ex-students to our open days so that you can chat to them and find out what they are up to now. Beware of colleges who don’t let prospective students meet current or past ones!

Will I get a job when I finish the course?
Well, nothing is guaranteed but our statistics speak for themselves: to date over 85% of our Diploma graduates have begun their careers in their chosen field within 6 months of leaving Alchemea. Check out our "Student Profiles" to see what some of our ex-students are up to in the big bad world.

Does the college actively help its graduates get a job?
Yes. An industry professional with extensive experience as a studio manager provides training in CV preparation, interview technique and job hunting. Recording studios, recognising the quality of Alchemea graduates regularly contact us when looking for staff. I

Alchemea’s College Manager is also our dedicated key link between the studios and the students and is there to help guide you into the workplace. If you work hard, achieve good result, have a positive attitude and are a nice person we will forward you for interview.