PA Technicians’ Course
The Live Sound Engineering and Recording Techniques programme is an OCN London Level 2 accredited programme which will award participants a Level 2 Award in Progression certificate on successful completion of the course. The programme has been designed to provide skills development and support to all Adventist Church members currently operating, or preparing to operate live sound and PA equipment in church and other related services.
The SEC Music Advisory Committee has identified that there is a serious need for some sound engineering training to bolster the skills of those dedicated church members who handle the technical aspects of our services each week. This provision has therefore been devise and tailored to meet the needs of those key individuals who have the crucial role of handling the live sound and streaming services of the Church.
This course is subsidised by the South England Conference Music Advisory Committee. To register please click here or for more information please drop us an email at david@musictechtraining.com. You can also call the course tutor David Smart on 07956 350 929 or Mike Johnson SEC Music Director on 07757 816316.
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Overall Learning Outcomes for PA Technicians
This is a 3 day attended programme spread over 3 Sundays. Sessions consist of practical, hands on workshop based learning as well as some basic audio theory development. There also a requirement for participants to complete additional practice tasks in their home churches along with directed audio mixing assignments in their own time, all of which go toward their final assessment. The attended sessions will be full day classes with a break for lunch. Specific topics to be covered are as follows:
- Health & Safety Considerations
- Basic Acoustics Theory
- Live Sound Equipment Positioning
- Understanding Microphones
- Loudspeaker Systems
- Stage Monitoring & Backline Amplification
- Audio Connections
- Understanding the Mixing Console
- Channel Equalisation
- Audio Effects and Signal Processors
- Practical Miking Techniques
- Signal Flow
- Sound Check & Line Check
- Live Mixing Techniques
- 2 Track Master Bus Recording Techniques
- Fault Finding and Troubleshooting
Additional Skills Development
Teamwork and team building activities will be integral parts of the programme where real value is placed on each learner’s ability to handle assigned responsibilities. As well as the acquisition of skills and knowledge pertaining to the subject area, participants can also enhance many transferable skills such as:-
- enhanced confidence & boosted self-esteem,
- improved communication skills,
- increased self awareness
- heighten awareness of others,
- improve planning and working to deadlines,
- elevate self motivation
When designing this course, a number of key factors have been taken into account. We recognise that the individuals who are likely to be interested in a programme such as this very likely have full time or part time jobs or studies and are therefore unable to commit to a regular college structure. Many will be hobbyists who are active on the church music circuit and have a desire to sharpen their skills in a relaxed learning environment. Most will be over 18 years of age and would rather learn at an easy pace whilst collaborating with a group of fellow students. This group will also include individuals taking an active role in their church’s media operations but have no formal training and could use support and skills development to assist in the management of live sound and recording services. There are no subject specific entry requirements besides a keen interest in the field and a willingness to complete the required tasks.
Learning Venue
The programme will be run at the New Life Centre. The Centre is well equipped with all of the essentials needed to meet the course requirements and is located in Finsbury Park which is very well connected to transport links and there are also parking options depending on the time of the sessions.
I have learnt a lot from David, before the course, I know only to turn on the PA system and to use the faders. Now ears have been trained to hear and understand all different frequencies, to set up for live performances, how to wire up a PA system from scratch, with multi cores, XRL’S, Jack to Jack’s etc. I would 100% recommend this course and David personally, he is a good man with a lot of knowledge. Worth every penny!
Dear Mr Smart, I have to say that you are really a smart teacher. Ever since I have done my last PA introduction training at the NewLife Centre, it has certainly enhancing my knowledge in live system sound engineering. At this present time whenever I see a desk, it doesn’t worrying me as such. The knowledge gained during the sound engineering training certainly has boosted my confidence. Since then I have been able to sort out few things on live issue for others and even advising a bit and even for my own stuffs. I have also recommended others to join the training if possible. People seem to ask me advise about the sort of system they would need to buy nowadays. I have to say a heartily massive thank you for your skills and the knowledge that your have and have passed in to me. I do hope that others who were on the training have benefitted as well. Great blessed talents you have. Thank you again Looking forward to your next session. God bless.Benoit Lavaud
I have attended three work shops in the past, headed by Mr David smart and his brother Noel.
I had a very limit knowledge of how to be an audio technician, but by the end of the third session I was confident in how to tune the mixer, how to listen for different frequencies and how to do a live set up from scratch.
I found the classes to be friendly, easy to understand, and i along with others there were able to retain the knowledge long afterwards.
David and Noel ensured that we all had a lot of hands on experience and a clear understanding of each step as we moved on.
I would highly recommend others to use their course if they are able to.
Having an hour to share a lifetime of knowledge is always the start of a hectic morning. In spite of this daunting task David was able to share with us information that has become invaluable. From testing our hearing and demonstrating the issues around feedback to highlighting key health and safety issues David used the limited time that we had available exceptionally.
Hi Mr Smart so sorry for the late response but I must admit that your course help me tremendously especially when there is a event on at Newlife and Noel is not available.