Students attend two lectures per week. Depending on the subject matter, the lectures will take place in air-conditioned classrooms, computer suites (where each student has their own workstation), recording studios or SSR's Live Venue (The Charlie Jones Live Room). In addition to this, students can book weekly studio/live venue sessions to undertake progressive practical projects and to work on their own material.
As the course assumes no previous experience, students begin with the fundamental principles, progress through an intensive programme and ultimately develop the advanced skills necessary to operate at the very highest level. There is the option of either daytime or evening study, to allow for personal and work committments (practical time is available 7 days per week). The course has two intakes per year, in March and September. The outstanding success of SSR graduates is due in no small part to the exceptional diversity and quantity of practical time enjoyed during their time here.
In addition to two classroom lectures per week, students enjoy an unrivalled amount of studio time, not only to undertake progressive practical exercises, but also to work on their own material (students can use our studio booking system to determine their own schedules).
The course content is delivered in 3 key phases (see 'Study Modules' for full details). Students begin with the fundamental principles, progress through an intensive program.
There is the option of either daytime or evening study, to allow for personal and work committments (studio time is available 7 days per week). The course has two intakes per year, in March and September.
The majority of your assessment is based on practical work. Projects are submitted throughout the course from the sessions you do in each of the studios. These take the form of music recording of varying degrees of complexity. There is also an AV project that involves creating and mixing the music, dialogue and sound effects for a commercial film clip.
In addition there are practical tests where an assessor will discreetly observe you at work in one of our many control rooms. To test your knowledge of theory, there are written exams - don’t worry a tutor is always on hand to help with any revision if necessary.
An analysis on production plus a thesis on studio design and management complete the assessment for the diploma in Audio Engineering. An assessment file is kept for each student, documenting their progress through the course units. A student may review their file with an assessor at any time during the course.
Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded a diploma stating your grade of pass, merit or distinction. This is accompanied by a full breakdown of your marks and the return of all your project work.
The course is divided into three phases, each lasting approximately 6 months. each phase is taught mainly by a single tutor and ties in with specific practical work and studio access. The topics covered in each phase are as follows:
The course begins by teaching the essential basic principles of sound recording, along with the fundamental elements of the recording studio environment. Using at first entry-level studios, then later intermediate studios, you will work individually or in groups, with additional support available from experienced studio technicians. This phase also includes the first level of Pro Tools training (Pro Tools 101).
The Recording Chain, Principles of Sound, The Human Ear, Multitrack Recording, The Mixing Desk, Studio Familiarisation, Pro Tools 101, Equalizers & Equalisation, The History of Sound Recording, Time Delay Effects, Dynamic Controllers, Microphones, Recording Formats, The Patch Bay, Session Procedure, Studio Design.
Like many vocations, sound engineering is becoming increasingly reliant on digital technology. Based predominantly in the Computer Music and Pro Tools suites, this phase of the course focuses on the use of industry-standard software to teach skills such as sequencing, editing and processing in the digital environment. This phase also includes the secondary level of Pro Tools training (Pro Tools 201).
Introduction to MIDI, Introduction to other Digital Audio Workstations, Rewire, Pro Tools 201, Computer Systems & Specifications, Digital File Formats, Digital Mixers.
The final six months of the course are dedicated bringing your engineering and production skills up to professional level.
Moving into the school¹s advanced studios and Live training room you will have access to the equipment necessary to enhance your skills in Live audio.
Dedicated seminars and training will be given in areas that are a key part to becoming a live sound engineer or technician.
Throughout the course at SSR some of the leading companies and individuals will be giving lectures and demonstrations of all the latest equipment and techniques that are relavent to live audio.
You will have unlimited access to the equipment in the live room with all free issue software to allow off line editing of consoles and dsp units.
You are here: The Charlie Jones Scholarship » The Course
This section is dedicated to the Scholarship winners and is where we keep the world posted on current winners progress, graduates successes after finishing the course and announce details of new scholarship winners.
If you think you have what it takes to become a leader in the live audio sector and you fit the criteria of the application requirements then we want to hear from you.
Please send or email your CV and a covering letter explaining why you think you should be considered and awarded the scholarship.
If you think you have what it takes to become a leader in the live audio sector and you fit the criteria of the application requirements then we want to hear from you.
Please send or email your CV and a covering letter explaining why you think you should be considered and awarded the scholarship.
The Charlie Jones Scholarship
Att: Bill Devon
School of Sound Recording
65-69 Downing Street
Ardwick
Manchester M1 7JE
bill.devon@s-s-r.com
Telephone: 0161 276 2100
Facsimile: 0161 272 7242
