Frequently Asked Questions
Will I gain enough skills to get a job in sound engineering after your course?
Absolutely! Over the weekend we cover all the essential aspects of live sound engineering combining theory and practical work ensuring that you have the skills to start sound engineering. As with all skills the more you practice the better you will become and there is no better way to practice than to start sound engineering straight away.
Are you able to help us find employment?
Yes we have helped many students find full time jobs in some of the Uk's leading AV and Sound Production Companies. Having completed the course you will discover there are many avenues of employment open to you and we can help you decide the best route forward for you. These range from being a freelance sound engineer for various bands and artists etc or as a sound engineer in a venue, a nightclub or theatre etc. Alternatively one could find employment with a sound production or rental company and many other areas. With many contacts in the industry we can help find the right opportunity for you.
Do we receive any formal qualification at the end of the course?
Companies working in the live sound industry will generally evaluate potential employees on what they know and their ability to do a job. At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of completion that shows the subjects you have covered. From here on we stress the importance of practicing and fine tuning your skills and this is what will really count.
Is the equipment that we learn similar to what we find in real venues and concerts?
The equipment that we teach on represents some of the leading manufacturers with in the live sound equipment industry. Don’t take our word for it just look them up.
Martin Audio, Allen & Heath, QSC, DBX, XTA, JBL, Lexicon, Proel
BSS Processing, XTA Processing
Shure Microphones, Sennheiser Microphones
Lexicon Effects Processors, Yamaha Effects Processors
Will your course help me with working in a recording studio?
There are a lot of similarities between the equipment that is used in a studio set up and the equipment used in a live setup. The main difference being that in a studio you are there to make a recording of the music using a variety of recording mediums whilst in a live set up the objective is to get the performers to sound as good as you can to the live audience watching.
In terms of correctly using the desk, the principles are the same except for live you have to get it right very quickly as you are in a live situation. Many areas of the course are useful for studio recording such as understanding the mixing desk, gain structure, signal routing, monitor/headphone mixing. Also there is microphone placement for instruments and vocals, the use of gates, compressors and multi-effects processors etc. There are many areas that we also cover that are specific to live sound engineering that would also help you when you wanted to play your recording to a live audience.
What makes your course different from others I have seen?
Base Sound is not just a remote teaching school but is also involved with many areas of the live music industry such as sound equipment rental and production for concerts, festivals and corporate events. We are also involved in the design and installation of numerous live music venues. As a result we are not only able to offer the best in training but can also offer career and development advice to really help you with your future.