Spirit Studios opened in 1980 in Tariff Street Manchester with 4 small rehearsal rooms and a single 4 track recording studio. The first band to use our studio was at the time, a little known outfit called The Smiths. Over the following years, other rising bands of the time came through our doors including The Stone Roses; Simply Red; Happy Mondays; 808 State and New order and Bill Wyman brought The Rolling Stones mobile studio to Tariff street. From the early 80s, Spirit Studios remained at the centre of the Manchester music scene and producers such as Trevor Horn ( Frankie Goes To Hollywood/Seal etc ); Martin Hannet ( Stone Roses, Joy Division etc ); Arthur Baker (Bruce Springsteen; Bob Dylan; Kraftwerk; Al Green); all visited Spirit to record and produce their work. These same producers were also involved in the transition from commercial recording studio to educational facility and helped create our new company SSR, the School of Sound Recording in 1984. From 1984, the same leading producers assisted and advised on course content based on their own experiences of the industry. Arthur Baker delivered a series of lectures to SSR students as part of our first Audio Engineering Technology and Techniques programme. SSR staff visited other commercial studios, leading manufacturers and service providers to investigate the skills and knowledge they expected of new recruits. Roland UK supplied a complete training studio based on their state of the art digital equipment and used that studio to train their own staff. We linked with various leading music software manufacturers including Digidesign (Pro Tools) and Steinberg (Cubase). We forged links across the Atlantic delivering Sonar training (Cakewalk )and later Propellorheads (Reason). So SSR, from its inception, made many friends and was industry-led and the industry support we continue to receive is fantastic. SSR was delivering Pro Tools training in 1996, many years ahead of other training organisations in the UK or indeed Europe. We became Europe’s first Digidesign Pro School in May 2002. We remain the largest training provider in Europe for Pro Tools accreditation. Moreover, we have developed our links with universities and our Degree programme has become a core feature of our business. We continue to be at the heart of the Music Industry in Manchester and the UK. We still have leading lights from the Music Industry delivering guest lectures and master classes. Coldplay’s Sound engineer chose SSR to mix new tracks; we mixed the backing tracks for a Girls Aloud and Westlife private party, and there are always student bands that are making their way in the Music Industry such as Cherry Ghost. We are proud to be invited by “The Tony Wilson Experience” to develop a scholarship programme in Tony’s memory here at SSR, and we are in talks with3sixty media about a possible Music Programme to be filmed in our Venue. SSR never stands still. Each year we have continued to develop our curriculum and add important leading service providers and manufacturers to our ‘Creative Partner’ list, branching out into fields such as TV and broadcast companies; post production houses; live sound reinforcement companies; video production companies; radio stations; theatres and retailers. To date we have a symbiotic relationship with well over 100 industry partners. This has led to our by-line ‘Get Connected’. In 2008 we remain at the heart of the UK Music Scene and a centre of excellence for education and training. A small selection of industry statements of support: Wigwam Acoustics Managing Director Chris Hill “We linked in with SSR as a creative partner for many reasons. The dedication and commitment of the teaching staff, the strong industry focus, the amazing facilities and up-to date approach to teaching are just some of those reasons.” Digidesign Mike Case Head of European Business “We are happy to use SSR to showcase our equipment as we know it’s going to be used by tomorrow’s professionals.” STS Touring - Managing Director Peter Dutton “I employed 3 students from SSR over 2007 – all great guys. I don’t know what you do over there but whatever it is, just keep on doing it!” Tour Supply UK Manager Paul Collis “SSR have provided us with students with not only good technical skills but students with the right attitude. In this business you can’t afford to employ anyone else. SSR focus on soft skills as well as technical skills. They listen to the industry and adapt their training accordingly.”