Sound Engineering Courses.

If you love technology, music and sound, our industry-led sound engineering courses will equip you with the essential skills and experience you need to stand out against the crowd. You’ll learn how to record and deliver the highest quality digital audio for a range of different platforms and experiences.

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Students preparing for a studio recording session

What is sound engineering?

As a sound engineer, you’ll be less involved in the creative and compositional processes. Instead, you’ll be responsible for recording and editing audio to the highest standards by operating mixing desks, digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Logic Pro and Pro Tools, recording tools and live equipment. This requires acute attention to detail, technical expertise and knowledge of how to make raw audio fit for an audience. All of this is taught in our sound engineering courses to make you industry ready when you leave us.

A career in sound engineering could see you running studio recording sessions, utilising audio production and recording techniques you’ve picked up along the way. Your career could also see you touring with bands as a live sound engineer or working in audio post-production on your favourite TV show.

Live Sound Engineering course student in the Charlie jones Live Venue

Why study sound engineering at Spirit Studios?

There’s no better place than Manchester to study sound engineering. Home to some of the UK’s greatest live venues and an ever-growing empire of media production and tech companies, our city offers endless opportunities for you to launch your journey into the industry – no matter your specific interests.

Our studios are based in the epicentre of this creative activity and by utilising our networks, we’ll encourage you to get your foot in the door of the music industry as soon as you join us.

Band recording taking place in Spirit Studio

What is the importance of the sound engineer?

As the world of digital listening experiences expands – and with so many artists heading back on tour – the importance of sound engineers in our day-to-day lives is paramount. From game audio, TV, film, music and radio, to live events, festivals and gigs; sound engineers shape the world we live in.

They’re the music technology experts behind your favourite songs, shows and live  performances. By using dynamic audio processing and equalisation tools, as well as reproduction and mixing skills, audio engineering is used to balance and adjust various sound sources to create a complete audio experience in different environments, whether in the recording studio or for live sound reinforcement.

A student from one of our sound engineering courses mixing an audio post production project

Our sound engineering courses

We offer a range of sound engineering courses to suit your study preferences, including sound engineering degrees, evening-based industry courses and short courses. You can filter by course level below:

BA (Hons) Music Production
Undergraduate Degree

BA (Hons) Music Production

Duration:
3 years full-time or 5 years part-time

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
A minimum of 64 UCAS points at A2 or equivalent

Key areas:
Creating, recording, mixing and mastering

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BSc (Hons) Live Sound Engineering and Music Production
Undergraduate Degree

BSc (Hons) Live Sound Engineering and Music Production

Duration:
3 years full-time or 5 years part-time

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
A minimum of 64 UCAS points at A2 or equivalent

Key areas:
Sound-checking, monitoring, mixing and mastering

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BSc (Hons) Entrepreneurial Audio Production
Undergraduate Degree

BSc (Hons) Entrepreneurial Audio Production

Duration:
3 years full-time or 5 years part-time

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
A minimum of 64 UCAS points at A2 or equivalent

Key areas:
Composition, acoustic theory and post-production

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BA (Hons) Music Production with Foundation Entry
Undergraduate Degree

BA (Hons) Music Production with Foundation Entry

Duration:
1 year full-time foundation course, followed by 3 years full-time degree course

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
40 UCAS points at A2 or equivalent

Key areas:
Creating, recording, mixing and mastering

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MA Music Production
Postgraduate Degree

MA Music Production

Duration:
1 year full-time, 2 or 3 year part-time options available

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
Higher second-class Bachelor degree

Key areas:
Research, portfolio creation, advanced mixing and mastering

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Sound Engineering and Music Production
Industry Course

Sound Engineering and Music Production

Duration:
9 months

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
No formal entry requirements.

Key areas:
Introduction to the studio, Digital Audio Workstations, recording and mixing

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Live Sound Engineering
Industry Course

Live Sound Engineering

Duration:
12 months

Start date:
16 September 2024

Entry requirements:
No formal entry requirements

Key areas:
Soundchecking, monitoring, mixing and stage management

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Sound for Visual Media
Industry Course

Sound for Visual Media

Duration:
12 months

Start date:
23 September 2024

Entry requirements:
You will need a basic understanding of digital audio workstations.

Key areas:
Audio post production, sound design and Foley

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Studio Production and Mastering
Industry Course

Studio Production and Mastering

Duration:
12 months

Start date:
24 September 2024

Entry requirements:
A good understanding of working practically in recording studios

Key areas:
Advanced recording, mixing and mastering

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Sample into Sound
Summer School Course

Sample into Sound

Duration:
5 days (non residential)

Start date:
5 August 2024

Entry requirements:
No formal qualifications required

Key areas:
Sound engineering, music production and music business

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PT101 Pro Tools Fundamentals I
Pro Tools Course

PT101 Pro Tools Fundamentals I

Duration:
2 Days

Start date:
20 April 2024

Entry requirements:
Knowledge of audio recording and DAW basics is required

Key areas:
Audio production, editing and mixing

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PT110 Pro Tools Fundamentals II
Pro Tools Course

PT110 Pro Tools Fundamentals II

Duration:
3 days

Start date:
1 March 2024

Entry requirements:
Pro Tools Fundamentals I, or equivalent experience

Key areas:
Recording, clip-based editing and mixing

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PT201 Pro Tools Production I
Pro Tools Course

PT201 Pro Tools Production I

Duration:
2 days

Start date:
16 March 2024

Entry requirements:
Pro Tools Fundamentals I and II

Key areas:
Submixing, automation and auditioning techniques

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PT210M Pro Tools Production II (Music Production)
Pro Tools Course

PT210M Pro Tools Production II (Music Production)

Duration:
3 days

Start date:
15 November 2024

Entry requirements:
Pro Tools Fundamentals I, Fundamentals II and Production I

Key areas:
Fine-tune automation, static automation and advanced MIDI production techniques

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PT210P Pro Tools Production II (Post Production)
Pro Tools Course

PT210P Pro Tools Production II (Post Production)

Duration:
3 days

Entry requirements:
Pro Tools Fundamentals I, Fundamentals II and Production I

Key areas:
Field recording, dialog editing and mixing audio to picture

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PT301S6 Essential Pro Tools | S6 Mixing Techniques
Pro Tools Course

PT301S6 Essential Pro Tools | S6 Mixing Techniques

Duration:
1 Day

Entry requirements:
Pro Tools Fundamentals I and II, and Pro Tools Production I and II

Key areas:
Session management, system customization and expanded parameter control

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PT310P Advanced Post Production Techniques
Pro Tools Course

PT310P Advanced Post Production Techniques

Duration:
4 days

Entry requirements:
Pro Tools Fundamentals I and II, and Production I and II (Post)

Key areas:
Post production, sound design and Foley

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In-Person One-to-one Tuition
One-to-one Course

In-Person One-to-one Tuition

Duration:
2+ hours

Entry requirements:
No formal entry requirements

Key areas:
Previous students have studied areas such as DJ skills, mixing techniques, building a personal brand and more.

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Online One-to-one Tuition
One-to-one Course

Online One-to-one Tuition

Duration:
2+ hours

Entry requirements:
No formal entry requirements

Key areas:
Previous students have studied areas such as post production techniques, DAW familiarisation, mixing techniques and more.

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Features and benefits

Our facilities speak for themselves icon

Our facilities speak for themselves

Whichever sound engineering course you choose, you can expect to be provided with the tools and equipment you need to become an expert in the field.

Build your portfolio ready to enter the world of work icon

Build your portfolio ready to enter the world of work

As we still operate as a professional studio, there’s opportunities throughout the year for our students to get involved in ‘real-life’ recording sessions and live rehearsals.

One-to-one mentorship icon

One-to-one mentorship

You’ll benefit from one-to-one mentorship from our expert calibre of tutors when you take a sound engineering course with us. This really allows you to focus on your own ambitions and tailor your learning experience.

A collaborative attitude icon

A collaborative attitude

We prioritise a collaborative approach to your learning. This helps to contextualise your practice, inspire ideas, amplify your sound and get you ready for the real world.

What careers will a sound engineering course prepare me for?

  • ADR Mixer
  • Audio Director
  • Audio Editor
  • Audio-Visual Technician
  • Boom Operator
  • Dubbing Mixer
  • Educator
  • Foley Artist
  • Game Audio Engineer
  • Instrument/Backline Technician
  • Live Sound Engineer
  • Mastering Engineer
  • Mixing Engineer
  • Music Editor
  • Music Therapist
  • Recording Engineer
  • Recording Studio Manager
  • Sound Artist
  • Sound Designer
  • Sound Editor
  • Sound Engineer
  • Sound Technician
  • Studio Engineer
  • Tour Manager

What to expect

As you progress through one of our sound engineering courses, whether at degree or industry level, you can expect to move to a state of independence that is essential when forging your own career path. Our courses are designed to give you hands-on experience to ensure you leave us industry-ready.

Whether you want to record in the studio, work front of house (FOH) in your favourite live venues, or design sound for TV, our range of sound engineering courses give you the freedom to explore these areas of interest. With a variety of specialist modules, each course covers the core skills needed to succeed as a creative sound engineer and bring your ideas to life.

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.

You'll cover topics and core modules such as

  • Sound-checking
  • Studio mixing and mastering
  • FOH and monitor mixing
  • Fundamental DAW skills
  • Microphone selection and placement
  • Acoustics and room treatment

Your sound engineering tutors

Our tutors are all experts in their field, each with their own specialisms and industry experience. Whether you’re looking to work on global tours or in the studio, our sound engineering tutors will get you to where you want to be.

Mark Winterburn

Mark Winterburn

Tutor

Mark is producer and sound engineer who has worked on UK number one and Mercury nominated singles. He joined Spirit as a student and has returned as a tutor after a successful commercial career.

He has worked with:

  • Sylvia Massy
  • Plan B
  • James Arthur
  • 5 Seconds Of Summer
  • Cassia
Shane Dickinson

Shane Dickinson

Tutor

Shane is a musician and producer, with knowledge spanning across studio-based music production and live sound engineering.

Stuart Avery

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
Brandon Nightingale

Brandon Nightingale

Tutor

Brandon is a music producer with many talents such as DJing, graphic design and occasional filmmaking.

Al Atcheson

Al Atcheson

Tutor

Al is a producer and sound engineer who teaches a wide variety of modules here at Spirit, allowing him to share his expertise with his students.

Liam Peacock

Liam Peacock

Tutor

Liam is a soundtrack composer who has worked on creating music for film, television, games and animation.

He has previously worked with:

  • Orb Soundwerx
  • The BBC
Steve Boyce-Buckley

Steve Boyce-Buckley

Tutor

Steve is a professional recording engineer, producer, arranger and classically trained musician with over 4 decades of industry experience.

Emlyn Spiers

Emlyn Spiers

Tutor

Emlyn has worked worldwide as a sound engineer, as well as being a production manager for some of Manchester's' top venues.

Lewis Jones

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
Josh Cullen

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
Paul Rattcliff

Paul Rattcliff

Programme Leader

Paul is an audio engineer who has toured the world with various artists. As well as teaching at Spirit Studios, Paul is also the technical manager at the O2 Ritz here in Manchester.

Paul has previously worked with

  • Neneh Cherry
  • The Streets
  • The Charlatans
  • The Zutons
  • KSI
  • New Order
Jonathan Radford

Jonathan Radford

Programme Leader

Jon is a producer, label manager, DJ and promoter who has over a decade of experience within the industry and has released five albums under the alias Diesler.

Paul Maunder

Paul Maunder

Tutor

Paul Maunder is a sound engineer who primarily works in making audio for visual media such as corporate videos and TV programmes.

Real opportunities

Our creative partnerships benefit our sound engineering students by providing work placements, field trips, guest lectures, educational discounts and, of course, job opportunities.

Find out more about our partnerships

Why study with Spirit Studios?

Outstanding facilities icon

Outstanding facilities

Our facilities are designed to meet the needs of tomorrow’s music industry, ensuring you feel confident in every studio or live venue you encounter as a sound engineer.

Industry connections icon

Industry connections

You’ll have a range of exciting creative and collaborative opportunities, including hands-on work experience at legendary venues in Manchester and beyond.

Proven results icon

Proven results

Our career focused attitude means that from day one, everything we do is designed with your future in mind.

Spirit + icon

Spirit +

We prepare our sound engineering students for a bright future.  Through our Spirit+ programme, we provide extracurricular masterclasses and workshops from leading industry figures.

Taught by industry-active experts icon

Taught by industry-active experts

Our tutors have not only had years of experience in the creative industries, but share a commitment to helping you on your journey as well.

Community spirit icon

Community spirit

We’re a supportive community that takes pride in our small size. We’ll get to know you as an individual and tailor mentorship to your personal development.

Interested in studying sound engineering with us?

Click below to start your application, register for an open day or get in touch with any questions

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