BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology (Level 3)

Now enrolling for September 2009 – limited places available.

The BTEC qualification gives you the opportunity to study a broad curriculum and covers training for a wide range of careers and roles relating to the recording and live music sectors of the music industry. The qualification also allows access to a large number of related higher education degree courses.

The course is delivered at both SSR and Stockport College, allowing the student access to the best music facilities in the UK. SSR has 14 recording studios and editing suites, a live music venue and a host of industry-active tutors with many years of experience working in the music industry. Stockport College was recently judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Excellent rail and road links between campuses minimises travel time to around 20 minutes.

The BTEC units are shaped into a variety of practical hands-on projects allowing you to learn the latest music technology skills through a wide variety of real world tasks. Industry working practices are followed closely and we cover only the equipment (hardware and software) actually used in the workplace.

The course is up to date and fully comprehensive covering topics such as music recording and production techniques (using both analogue and digital systems), live sound engineering, sound creation for games, music keyboard skills, and much more. Please see the course description page for further details.

The BTEC National Diploma consists of five core units (including one 120 hour unit) plus twelve specialist units that provide for a combined total of 1080 guided learning hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.

The BTEC units are shaped into a variety of practical hands-on projects allowing you to learn the latest music technology skills through a wide variety of real world tasks. Industry working practices are followed closely and we cover only the equipment (hardware and software) actually used in the workplace.

Who is this course for?
The course is designed to provide you with the skills needed to enter either higher education (degree level) or enter the exciting and challenging music industry, as one or more of the following:

• Studio Sound Engineer
• Live Sound Engineer
• Music Producer
• Remixer / DJ<
• Sound Designer for games, film and TV work

…Plus a variety of other roles in music and media

Suitable for school leavers at age 16 or above. For beginners or those with some previous experience in music and/or music technology.

Are there any pre-requisites?
A minimum of 4 GCSEs (grade A*– C) including English Language and Maths. You should also demonstrate a basic understanding of music technology, preferably with some previous experience (although this is not essential).

When will I study?
Afternoon study – Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am till 1pm (2 x 3 hour sessions, plus flexible weekly studio time, same day or pre- booked to suit your availability.

When is SSR open?
Monday-Thursday – 8.30am -10.00pm
Friday 8.30am -6.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.00am - 8.00pm

Who will teach me?
You will be taught by industry-active tutors who, as well as teaching at SSR are currently working within the music and media industries. Our tutors have worked for Snow Patrol; the Doves; Warner Brothers; Granada; 3sitymedia; LioneyesTV; BBC; Peter Kay; The Royale Family. In addition our tutors are world class expert instructors in Pro Tools and other popular music programmes.

Where will this course lead me?
As a successful graduate of this course you will have a number of career options available to you. Many freelance sound engineers work in live sound, recording or production, film and television post production, TV broadcast; computer games; Radio or a combination of these areas.

What is the success rate of this course?
As this is a new course we won’t have any figures until 2011. On similar SSR courses our pass rates are impressive. Of those who complete the course about 90% will successfully pass all exams and meet the professional standards that the course demands. Students emerge with a qualification and showreel to impress employers. Our careers department offers support to students and through our impressive industry connections and creative partners we are able to successfully place students into jobs working for companies such as WIGWAM; Granada; BBC; Sumners; GMAZ; Hummingbird sound; MUTV as well as leading bands and musicians such as Radiohead, Girls Aloud;Take That; Amy Winehouse and Westlife.

As one of our students recently commented:
"Other organisations have got a toe in the water of the industry SSR is fully immersed". For more information on student success stories click here.

What facilities and studios will I use?
We have some impressive and highly professional studios and resources that emulate exactly the studios, equipment and environments used in the industry. Although some studios are level 4 and above, students studying on the BTEC will be able to gain access to most of the areas listed below:

• 9 introductory and intermediate recording studios and editing suites
• Pro-Tools High Definition systems
• A 2000sq ft live music venue
• DJ booths
• Computer facilities including a dedicated Mac suite
• The Green Room – the student common room
• A dedicated post production facility which includes a foley studio, the only one in the north west
• Apple Mac suite and 2 PC based computer suites
• The Neve console VRP 60 series housed in our impressive 15,00 sq ft top floor studio unique to the north -west.
• The Digi-design ICON console
• The D-Show Live consol
• A Digico DS-00 consol
• Final Cut edit suites with Fibre Channel

In addition to the teaching what extra features does this course have?
Students on this course can expect to be offered a number of field trips to exciting music venues and events, external recording studios and media companies to see what goes on behind the scenes and meet key people in the industry.

A number of recent examples include ELBOW, Radiohead, Girls Aloud and Westlife as well as trips to Granada Television Studios and BBC radio. We also have regular guest lectures from key experts from the Music industry and the TV and film world. Some examples are ; the sound engineers for Prince, Def Lepard and Ian Brown and the post production staff for Peter Kay and Steve Coogan.

Once I leave is that it?
We have a saying at SSR: "Once an SSR student always an SSR student" and through our Graduate Support Programme you can expect to receive additional services from SSR. This includes continued access to our careers service and introductions to our creative partners; information on job opportunities; use of studios and edit suites including our Neve facility at heavily discounted rates; special discounted rates on continued training courses such as Pro tools and Apple software.

As the BTEC is a new course, following is a selection of student comments regarding similar SSR music technology courses:

"As a student at SSR, you get what I feel to be the best Audio Engineering training in the country."

"A fantastic experience from start to finish"

"I am extremely pleased and proud to be a student of the School of Sound Recording"

"The tutors are awesome. They bring real industry experience into the classroom. This kind of day to day industry knowledge is something that can not be learned from a text book and it gives us the edge we need over other students from other courses."

"A great deal of importance is put on learning the basic foundations of audio engineering allowing us to build our knowledge and skills upon the fundamentals of audio so that we can develop into well rounded, diverse, knowledgeable industry standard engineers."

"The studios and equipment at SSR are great giving us the chance to work in top notch professional facilities that can’t be found easily anywhere else."

"I really appreciate the range, quality and quantity of studios available to me 7 days a week to suit my life."

"The staff are really friendly (I love Sarah) and the extra events like the live gigs make being a student at SSR a totally great experience."

"SSR feels ands acts like a professional place but at the same time like a really cool college."

"With 25 years of experience it’s no wonder that the SSR name carries so much weight in the industry."

"Trips to the MEN to observe engineers at work on large production tours such as Westlife, Girls Aloud and Slayer have all been possible because of the school's connections. Again these are benefits that can't be guaranteed at other audio schools."

"Due to their connections, I have managed to secure work experience, and hopefully a job with a leading company, in which I can put into practice what I have learnt in my two years here."

"I feel that SSR is the only place in the country I could have gained the diverse experience that I have, which I believe will stand me in better stead than young sound engineers in Britain in the coming years."

How to apply

To apply please download the application form, complete it and send it to:
Andy Low
School of Sound Recording
65 - 69 Downing street
Manchester M1 7JE

Entry requirements:

Age

The minimum age at the time of enrolment for the BTEC National Diploma course is 16 years of age. There is no upper age limit on entry.

Entry Qualifications

A minimum of 4 GCSEs (grade A*– C) including English Language and Maths. You should also demonstrate a basic understanding of music technology, preferably with some previous experience (although this is not essential).

Interview

On application you will be invited to attend a short interview to determine suitability for the course.

For further information and to register your interest in the course contact andy.low@s-s-r.com or call 0161 276 2100 and ask to speak to Andy Low.