The Academy draws upon the insight gained through its links to the production rehearsal studio and set construction operation LS-Live, to promote the teaching of current working practices, methods and technologies in the entertainment industry.
The month-long Live Sound module on the Academy's Foundation Degree in Live Events Production (validated by The University of Bolton) was delivered by audio engineer, author and writer Dave Swallow, who held training sessions on The Science of Sound, Digital Sound, EQ, Dynamics, FX Live Sound mixing, and by Nigel Pease of Selva Sound who delivered Pro Tools 101 training.
The module featured training sessions by Funktion One founders Tony Andrews and John Newsham, EV's Neal Allen and Dave Howe, The Prodigy's FOH Sound Engineer Jon Burton, and an off-site training day at the Midas headquarters with technical support manager Jason Kelly. The course also had product support from XTA.
Tony Andrews and John Newsham brought the Funktion One Resolution 4E and F218 MKII loudspeakers, MC2 E Series amplification, an XTA processor, Midas Venice F mixing console and a range of Audio Technica microphones, with a laptop running Foobar and Traktor audio file players with an Echo Audiofire 2 Soundcard, to teach the students how to listen to and interpret music, and understand what makes good sound. They also discussed audio chain and signal path integrity, types of distortion and ways to avoid it, and the different types of loudspeaker technology available.
Said Andrews, "We covered a lot of ground during the day and enjoyed the enthusiasm of the students and their interaction with us."
EV's Neal Allen and Dave Howe ran a masterclass on their IRIS system, digital networks and distribution, whilst sound engineer Jon Burton spoke to the students about his career, life on the road and mixing sound for The Prodigy.
Down at the Midas office in Kidderminster, Jason Kelly accommodated two days training with the Backstage Academy students, demonstrating an example of a digital mixing console with the Midas Pro 2 and educating them on the AES5O audio transportation protocol.
The students finished the module by mixing and recording a track for bands in LS-Live's new band rehearsal room, using Midas Pro 2 and Venice F mixing consoles with a Pro Tools recording system. Staff from J&C Joel Limited, who play in the band Bellaruse, gave up their time to help the students during two of the recording days.
Swallow said, "As part of a full production course, to have so many students interested in learning something outside their own interests is a true testament to the morale of the Academy.
"Watching as all the light bulbs spring into life when the students piece the puzzle together between science, technology and creativity is seriously inspiring and gratifying.
"Even those that had no intention to work in the audio industry brought something to each class and walked away with unintentional skills and understanding."
Said Backstage Academy director of courses Robin Watkinson, "Our educational formula relies on close engagement with industry professionals and we were privileged to work with a number of new people this year to expose our students to a variety of technologies and skillsets.
"We'd like to thank all our supporters on the module this year for engaging with us and loaning equipment - Funktion One, EV, Midas, SSE Audio, WE Audio, JHS Audio, STS Touring XTA and Audio-Technica.
"We adapt course content each year to ensure we are keeping up to date with current working practices and these efforts seem to have been reflected in the popularity of the course; we increased our intake by over 200% in November 2012."
Backstage Acade
