22
Jan
Sound Engineering and Music Production.
Ever wanted to know how your favourite track or song was created? Discovering the inner workings of the recording process with our beginner Sound Engineering and Music Production course.
Overview
Our evening-based introductory Sound Engineering and Music Production course is ideal for anyone new to the subject or anyone who wants to take their existing experience to the next level in professional studios.
The course is designed to give students an overview of the essentials of sound engineering and music production techniques, covering topics such as sound wave theory, the mixing desk, recording and mixing. Providing the opportunity to upskill in a range of disciplines and gain a strong foundation in the world of music production. The course also includes dedicated Pro Tools teaching leading up to the Pro Tools 101 qualification, Pro Tools Fundamentals 1. Ensuring you get to grips with industry standard software.
Although the course is 9 months in duration, students benefit from an additional 3 months of access to our studios immediately after the course finishes.
By the end of the course you’ll have the experience and technical skills to work efficiently in an analogue studio environment, utilise numerous recording and mixing techniques and leave with a portfolio of work. You’ll also have the opportunity to extend your knowledge further and progress onto our Creative Music Production, Sound for Visual Media or Studio Production and Mastering courses.
Key info
- Qualification: Spirit Studios Certificate
- Duration: 9 months plus 3 months of additional studio access.
- Mode of study: Part-time
- Hours of study: 3 hours delivery per week plus studio time and 1-2-1 tutorials. Lessons run 7 - 10pm on Mondays.
- Start date: 7 September 2026
- Fees: £175 per month or £1,418 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 experience in our studios
Right from the start you’ll get hands-on with our state-of-the-art facilities, and be able to book free studio time. Using our excellent Audient Studios to grow and develop your engineering and production skills. You’ll also have access to a range of microphones and instruments.
Pro Tools Certificate
Learn the Grammy award winning Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) from a Pro Tools certified tutor. Upon completion of the Pro Tools 101 exam, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a certified user.
Diverse learning
Working with a number of expert tutors this course will expose you to multiple musical genres and a range of workflows, allowing you to be creative and develop a creative process that works best for you.
Build your technical skills
Learn the technical skills in music production and audio engineering to accurately capture mould your sound. Honing your listening skills and giving you tools to create your own style.
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 Sound Engineering and Music Production:
Your course
The main feature of any recording studio is the mixing desk. During the course you’ll study the audio signal path (capturing sound from the instrument to the console to the DAW) of our studios and the role of the console in a recording studio.
Providing you with a solid foundation in the basics of how sound works, you’ll get to grips with the theory and science behind sound and music, and how it affects the role of an engineer.
Be introduced to Pro Tools, which is the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) found in recording studios all over the world. Throughout the courses there will be lessons dedicated to our dedicated Pro Tools 101, culminating in the Pro Tools 101 exam.
You’ll gain experience recording a range of instruments in our studios using state-of-the-art equipment and huge variation of microphones. From vocals to drums and both acoustic and electric guitar.
Be introduced to the wide world of music production and mixing. From ‘in the box’ (mixing using only a computer and software), to analogue (using hardware in the studios). Plug-ins to outboard, Pro Tools to the console.
Learn how to successfully work in a professional studio environment and understand how to maintain a recording studio by soldering your own cables.
The basics of EQ and Dynamic controllers, the fundamentals of using them to control your sound and instruments.
Alongside the Pro Tools course and mixing lessons, you’ll learn how to successfully edit the timing of instruments and how to tune vocals perfectly with Melodyne.
Teaching and learning
Teaching takes place in a variety of formats including lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and one-to-one tutorial support. Our aim throughout is to introduce you to a range of creative and technical skills, all so you’ll leave us as a confident, independent professional.
What careers will Sound Engineering and Music Production prepare me for?
- Audio Editor
- Mixing Engineer
- Music Producer
- Recording Engineer
- Sound Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Studio Engineer
Your tutors
Stuart Avery
Tutor
Stuart is a studio/mastering engineer who is heavily involved in the Manchester scene. As an experienced producer, promoter and events organiser, he's been a key player in the city's cultural output.
Stuart has worked with:
- Blossoms
- Badly Drawn Boy
- KiD BRiTiSH
- Orchids
- The Irrepressibles
Shane Dickinson
Tutor
Shane is a musician and producer, with knowledge spanning across studio-based music production and live sound engineering.
Entry requirements
- 16 Applications 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 9 months
- £1,418 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:
Related courses
We offer a range of sound engineering and music production courses, including:
Industry Course
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Studio Production and Mastering
Duration:
12 months
Start date:
8 September 2026
Entry requirements:
A good understanding of working practically in recording studios
Key areas:
Advanced recording, mixing and mastering
Industry Course
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Creative Music Production
Duration:
12 months
Start date:
4 March 2026
Entry requirements:
No formal entry requirements
Key areas:
Creating, producing and publishing
Industry Course
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Sound for Visual Media
Duration:
12 months
Start date:
7 September 2026
Entry requirements:
No formal entry requirements.
Key areas:
Audio post production, sound design and Foley