Live Sound Diploma - Course Overview

With the music industry relying more and more on live performance for profitability, the scope for employment in the live sound industry is proportionately increasing. Nearly half of all jobs lie in the live sector and the explosion of events and festivals large and small has led to a shortage of competent, trained live sound engineers.

Record labels have also adjusted their strategies to put live events at the heart of their business models. After all, a gig is one product you can't pirate.

Alchemea have therefore developed an exciting new Live Sound course. This is an extremely intensive practically focused 4-month program, which can be taken in addition to our SAC and Diploma courses or as a stand-alone module.

All training takes place out of our historic London Venue "The Fridge" in Brixton. The Fridge has a 1700 capacity, is speced with one of the country's best sound systems. Students will gain valuable work experience working as assistants on big shows at The Fridge and events and London nightclubs Heaven and 93ft East.

Click here for the latest images of the Fridge Nightclub.

A great venue and a world class PA are obviously very important but critically our Live Sound Diploma Tutors have worked their way round the globe many times with some of the biggest acts in the business. Over the 4-months they will be passing on their knowledge to the next generation of live sound engineers. Click here for more information about our Live Sound Tutors.

Feedback from our First Live Sound Course Students and Venues

DIPLOMA IN LIVE SOUND ENGINEERING

COURSE AIM:
Our Live Sound Diploma Course aims to produce confident, skilled and employable personnel for the live sound industry – from Rock and Roll venues and hire companies, to theatre and corporate functions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course, students will be able to:

Here is what you will cover:

Theoretical lectures:

Practical Work

DIGIDESIGN 210V VENUE TRAINING INCLUDED
Digidesign's offical VENUE 210V course and certification exam are integrated into our Live Sound Diploma Course. This module focuses on configuration, operation, mixing techniques and record/playback with Pro Tools systems. Gaining 210V certification will boost your CV and ultimately make you more employable.

Topics include:

THE SAFETY PASSPORT

Crew involved in the production of live events should have a solid grasp of Health & Safety regulations.

Our Live Sound Course students will gain a recognised "Safety Passport" through the Safety Pass Alliance and the Production Services Association (PSA).


LIVE SOUND TOOLKIT
It is essential that a good live sound engineer has the correct tools for the job. We provide all Live Sound Course students with a multmeter, multitool, maglight, ear protectors, sharpie and electrical tape (and a crew t-shirt).

COURSE DURATION:
4-months full time intensive (5 days p/week +) This course can be taken on its own or in combination at a discounted price with our Studio Sound Diploma or Studio Assistant Certificate Course (SAC).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A certain level of maturity is required, both physically and mentally to be successful on this course. The course also takes place on a licensed premises with a condition on the license that no under 18 events may take place. For this reason the minimum age requirement for our Live Sound Diploma Course is 18.

It should be noted that a career in Live Sound is not the same as working in a controlled environment like a recording studio. A career in Live Sound is physically quite demanding, at every "load in" and "get out" heavy pieces of equipment will need to be moved, flight cased and stored. The people that get far are those that are always willing to lend a hand and "grab a corner" to help move items like mixing consoles, in fact it is expected in live sound crews that everyone will help out and that they don't mind getting their hands dirty!

Our Live Sound Diploma Course, which is based in a real working venue, with real work experience on shows and events requires that you are ready, willing and able to take up that challenge. The reward of that hard graft on the other hand is considerable, looking at the show in action and thinking "I helped to make that happen" is something people in more traditional careers will never
know.

Please refer to our “How To Apply” page in this pack for more detailed entry requirement information.

COURSE GRADING
A 3 point grading scale is used - Fail/Pass/Distinction. Alchemea College refers exclusively to industry standards (see Employer Involvement) as the benchmark for Pass/Distinction, where Pass is suitable for work that would be acceptable in the industry, and Distinction is suitable for work that would be acceptable in the industry and shows flair and creativity beyond the basic requirements of the assignment brief. By ensuring that the course directly meets the requirements of employers, the course meets National Occupational Standards, as laid out by Creative and Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Agency responsible for music.

STATEMENT OF LEVEL EQUIVALENCE
Although Alchemea is an independent college and the Diploma course has been developed independently by live sound 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 ʻDiplomaʼ 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.

INTERESTED?
Please contact our friendly College Registrar Tony Garston on +44(0)20 7359 3986 or email
Tony will be able to answer initial questions and arrange a time for you to visit the Fridge where you can check out the club, pa system and talk in depth with our tutors about the course. Once you have decided to enrol Tony will be able to reserve seat for you and process your application. Please also refer to our “How To Apply” page in the pack.

Full Time Course Brochure Nov 2009.pdf