22
Jan
Studio Production and Mastering.
Working in our highest-level studios, our Studio Production and Mastering course is for advanced music producers and sound engineers who are looking to refine their recording and mixing techniques.
Overview
With recording, editing, mixing and mastering at the core, this evening-based course will give you the opportunity to further develop your critical listening and engineering skills. You’ll learn how to produce work to the highest commercial standards and achieve your goals as a professional mixing or mastering engineer.
Moving beyond digital recording and processes, you’ll learn how to use a tape machine for both recording and mastering, and develop the confidence to work with complex audio paths and levels, as well as synchronising analogue equipment with Pro Tools using SMPTE timecode.
Building on your knowledge of spatial sound, the course explores psychoacoustics and the way sound navigates, interacts and responds in different enclosed spaces and environments. You will learn industry techniques for analogue mixing using our flagship Neve VR console, and how to blend analogue and digital technologies into effective hybrid workflows for advanced mixing.
Finally you learn the often underestimated art of mastering, dispelling some of the myths around this skill that is essential if you want to bring a finished mix to release standards for a range of platforms.
Key info
- Qualification: Spirit Studios Certificate
- Duration: 12 months
- Mode of study: Part-time
- Hours of study: 3 hours delivery per week plus studio time and 1-2-1 tutorials. Tuesdays 7pm - 10pm.
- Start date: 8 September 2026
- Fees: £250 per month or £2,700 if paid in full
- Entry Requirements: A good understanding of working practically in recording studios. 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
Learn from industry titans
Each tutor has significant, real-world experience working within the industry and remain active within their respective fields.
Real-life structure
The programme is structured to follow the same workflow as a modern commercial project. You’ll cover everything from initial recording through to mixing, revisions, editing, mastering and any stage in between; giving you an authentic exposure to what a career in music production will look like.
Get hands-on in our world class facilities
We’ll throw you in at the deep end. From day one you’ll benefit from hands-on, tactile experience in our professional recording studios – no matter your experience level. The course is built to give you time in every studio and edit suite, progressing to the iconic Spirit Studio where you’ll work with an impressive 48 channel Neve VR mixing console.
Diverse learning
Working with a number of tutors, you’ll be exposed to a truly diverse range of workflows. These workflows will encourage your own creativity and push you to flourish in as many ways as possible, allowing you to meet the challenges of any production project with confidence and versatility.
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 Studio Production and Mastering:
Your Course
This topic takes you beyond the basics of EQ. You will learn the importance of considering a sound’s role in the mix before making any creative decisions and how all EQ adjustments need to be made in the context of the mix. You will also examine how the genre of a track should be taken into account when it comes to treatment of individual components of the whole mix.
Here you will explore the different approaches to applying dynamic control. Practices such as New York Compression, Frequency Conscious Compression and Ducking will be explored. You will also consider when limiting might be preferable to compression and why. Not to mention the various effects you can achieve by triggering dynamic controllers externally.
Far from being an outdated technology, analogue tape is still very much in demand when it comes to producing music. You will get first hand experience using our Studer A800 MKIII 24-track tape machine, learning how to use it to its full potential as well as basic maintenance.
Taking your finished stereo mixes to the final production master, this course will develop your skills in a wide range of current mastering techniques, and explore the creativity and sonic qualities achieved through both digital and analogue workflows. You’ll develop confidence in using EQ for tonal balance adjustments and corrections, applying compression and limiting techniques to achieve loudness and impact without compromising the dynamics of the mix. Finally, you will learn how to compile a complete production master to professional standards for current listening platforms.
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 Studio Production and Mastering prepare me for?
- Audio Editor
- Educator
- Mastering Engineer
- Mixing Engineer
- Music Editor
- Music Producer
- Music Production Coordinator
- Record Label Manager
- Recording Engineer
- Recording Studio Manager
- Sound Artist
- Sound Designer
- Sound Editor
- 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
Josh Cullen
Tutor
Josh is a producer and musician who has toured extensively and produced audio for some high profile clients.
Josh has previously worked with:
- Jagwar
- Ray Lewis
- Dom Major
- Ravenface
Entry requirements
- Experience Working practically in recording studios
- 16 years Applicants must be at least 16 years old
To begin your studies at this level you’ll need prior experience working on both analogue and digital desks or control surfaces. You’ll also need to have a clear understanding of digital audio and microphone theory, and dynamic controllers. You’ll also need to have 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
- £250 Per month for 12 months
- £2,700 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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