22
Jan
Live Sound Engineering.
With so many artists heading back on the road, there has never been so much importance and reliance on sound engineers in the live sound sector. Our live sound engineering course will give you the skills and experience to start your dream career.
Overview
Your live sound engineering career could take a variety of forms; from a Front of House (FOH) engineer mixing the show for the audience, or the monitor engineer mixing the onstage sound directly for an artist. Other behind the scenes roles include maintaining speaker systems, stage management and even mixing sound for TV and online platforms.
With this in mind, our Live Sound Engineering course has been designed for those eager to join the sector but who have no prior experience in audio. You’ll learn the fundamental theories and practical knowledge needed to launch your journey into the industry.
Working in our live venue, your learning is hands-on. You’ll get to grips with our industry-standard equipment, putting the knowledge you gain into practice in your own time. By the end of the course, you’ll have mastered the skills and gained the confidence needed to set up and engineer a small to medium sized show in any given venue.
You’ll be able to explore employment opportunities in Manchester’s thriving venue scene, PA and production companies or working with the multitude of local talent. Our alumni community have successfully found themselves in this position, with graduates having worked for the likes of Blossoms, Coldplay, Adele, Wigwam and many more.
Key info
- Qualification: Spirit Studios Certificate
- Duration: 12 months
- Mode of study: Part Time
- Hours of study: 3 hours delivery per week plus practical time and 1-2-1 tutorials. Mondays, 7pm-10pm
- Start date: 7 September 2026
- Fees: £175 per month or £1,890 if paid in full
- Entry Requirements: No formal entry requirements. Find out more
Get in touch
Get in touch
If you have any questions about this course, your application or if you'd like to arrange a tour of Spirit Studios, please get in touch on:
0161 276 2100 OR Contact usFeatures and Benefits
Practical learning in our on-site venue
You’ll get hands-on in with the very latest technical equipment in our Charlie Jones Venue, designed in partnership with Wigwam. This is where you’ll learn, practice and begin your journey into the live events industry.
Links with industry
We have a number of connections with PA and production companies, local venues and touring artists. It’s these links that have helped so many of our graduates get a foothold in the industry.
Tailored learning
Our industry courses are fully flexible. We’ll tailor teaching and learning to fit the specific needs of our students. Regular one-to-one sessions are incorporated into the course, giving you the freedom to choose the topics you want to explore further.
Taught by industry active tutors
You’ll benefit from their years of experience, connections and up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and techniques.
22
Jan
Course details
All of our courses are constantly evolving to ensure teaching and learning remain relevant and up to date. Here is the latest example of the curriculum for Live Sound Engineering:
Your Course
Anyone serious about live sound needs to have a basic understanding of audio. In this topic we cover things like frequency, amplitude and phase in a way that is relevant to their implications in live sound engineering and PA set up.
Having an analogue education is fundamental to be successful in live sound and to improve the transition into the digital domain. Fault finding is also a key skill developed throughout this course, assuring you feel confident resolving problems in the field.
Heading into the industry, much of your work will revolve around the installation of small to medium PA systems. We’ll teach you the basics and ensure you’re ready for a variety of events and venues.
The aims of FOH mixing and monitor mixing are very different, and both methods require careful considerations. Within the course these factors are explored in detail, developing your knowledge across both skill sets.
Technology moves extremely fast within the live audio sector so an agile approach is fundamental to your success. In these sessions digital technologies are explored using different digital consoles and workflows, as well as through the consideration of modern audio networking.
More and more artists are choosing to use wireless equipment such as in-ear monitors and wireless microphones in today’s climate. Therefore, we’ll provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge to ensure you’re able to use the equipment to both yours and the artist’s advantage.
When working in the live sound field, microphone techniques differ greatly in comparison to studio settings. We’ll teach you to overcome these differences – no matter your previous experience – to help you build a sustainable career as a stage manager.
Building your skills in events management is a defining element of this course. You’ll learn to carefully consider the requirements needed when planning the audio for a live event. This includes successfully meeting production riders, and communicating an advance for a show or festival.
Teaching and learning
Teaching takes place in a variety of formats including lectures, workshops, demonstrations, peer reviews and one-to-one tutorial support. Our aim throughout is to encourage your creative exploration and hone your technical skills, all so you’ll leave us as a confident, independent professional.
What careers will Live Sound Engineering prepare me for?
- Audio-Visual Technician
- Educator
- Instrument/Backline Technician
- Live Sound Engineer
- Sound Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Stage Manager
- Venue Manager
Your tutors
Lewis Jones
Tutor
As a Spirit Studios veteran, Lewis has taught on a number of our courses and outreach programmes. As a professional sound engineer and producer, his career has seen him travel the world.
Lewis has previously worked with:
- MIKA
- Travis
- Andy Gangadeen
- Lonelady
- Seafret
Entry requirements
- 16 Applicants must be at least 16 years of age
- Basic Literacy and IT skills
Non-native English speakers should have good spoken and written English. As a guide, we require English to be of a standard similar to IELTS 6.0.
Fees and funding
- £175 Per month for 12 months
- £1,890 Paid in full
If paid in full, you will receive a 10% discount on the total cost of the course.
Any questions? Speak to one of our course advisors
If you have any questions about this course, your application or if you'd like to arrange a tour of Spirit Studios, please get in touch on:
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