Forward in Sound 2024

Saffron, Doors Open, Resident Advisor and Sound Services are working in collaboration to deliver a funded training and work placement programme for women, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming people based in London. This project is designed for aspiring sound engineers who want to gain practical knowledge and paid industry experience to launch their career working within live events.

PROGRAMME ACTIVITY

• 4-day sound engineering course
• 2 x training days at Sound-Services HQ
• 1 x live music work experience placement
• 1 x club event work experience placement
• 1 x open-air event /can y festival placement
• Public liability insurance (1 year)
• Participation bursary of £650 per participant

No experience is necessary to apply, but a foundational understanding of the role and what it entails is essential. For this reason, we will be hosting an online webinar and Q&A demystifying the role of the live sound engineer on Wednesday 27th March, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

Attending the webinar and Q&A is highly advisable, but the session will also be recorded and made available to watch afterwards if anyone is unable to attend the live event.

TRAINING OVERVIEW

There will be 6 days of training in total. The first four days of training will take place at The Shacklewell Arms where you will learn about various sound set-ups and the technicality of sound in a live setting. Course units will cover the following topics:

• Intro to live sound 
• Roles of the engineer 
• Sound systems
• DJ equipment 
• Live band setup 
• Live mixing techniques

For the last two days of training, you will be immersed in the operation of an audio equipment warehouse, preparing you for your placements at music venues and festivals.

DAY 5 at Sound-Services HQ will involve shadowing as the team prep and organise equipment for a variety of (real life!) events and hires, covering topics such as:

• Health & safety
• ⁠Preparation and loading
• Using stock control systems
• Setup and soundcheck
• ⁠Operation and pack down

DAY 6 in the Sound-Services listening and training area will focus on sound theory and the science of audio as special guest Mike Iggy from Funktion One explains how we can use knowledge in the following areas to deliver exceptional sound experiences:

• ⁠How we hear
• The sound spectrum
• ⁠Line array vs point source
• ⁠Arrays and sound fields

WHO IS THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR?

Essential criteria 

• You must be… a woman, trans or non-binary person, intersex or gender non-conforming 
• You must be…aged 18+, there is no upper age limit 
• You must be…based in London for the entire duration of the programme (and beyond)
• You must be available for all of the training and placement dates listed below
• You must have…little to no experience working in sound engineering 

We particularly welcome applications from those without a degree (in any subject) and from low-income households

ESSENTIAL DATES

Training week at the Shacklewell Arms

Sessions will run 10am – 4pm each day

Monday 29th April
Tuesday 30th April
Wednesday – rest day
Thursday 2nd May
Friday 3rd May

Warehouse training days

Tuesday 7th May
Wednesday 15th May

Paid placement dates: 

You will be required to attend one venue placement in May and one in June  and therefore must be free for at least 3 of the dates listed below in both May and June. 

Live gig placement: 5th, 10th, 12th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd May

Club placement: 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 22nd, 29th June

RECRUITMENT PROCESS 

Complete the application form – Please read the T+C’s carefully on the first page.

Deadline to apply: Sunday 7th April

Online webinar and Q&A: Wednesday 27th March (6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)

Please sign up using the button below to receive the webinar link

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th April