Live Sound Engineering
Learn how to set up, test and mix a small live sound system for performances and events. The course covers cabling, speakers, consoles, signal flow, gain, equalisation, monitors, stage setup and the calm troubleshooting needed during a sound check.
Learn the full process.
Live sound is practical, physical and time-sensitive. This short course gives learners a structured way to understand the system from the microphone on stage to the sound heard by the audience and performers.
Saturday sessions include equipment setup, routing, sound checks and mixing practice. Learners also cover basic maintenance and the business considerations involved in offering live sound services.
Skills you can use.
- Identify and connect the main parts of a live sound system.
- Route signals safely using the correct cables and connections.
- Set gain and use equalisation and signal processing with purpose.
- Set up front-of-house and monitor mixes.
- Run a sound check and respond to common problems.
- Prepare the stage, console and speaker system for a small event.
Knowledge. Practice. Workplace experience.
Classes are presented in person on Saturdays and combine explanation, demonstrations and guided practical work. The campus and start date depend on the published intake timetable.
Equipment and software are used during supervised sessions. Admissions will confirm what learners need to bring and whether any practice outside class is expected.
- Sound equipment, cabling, connections and maintenance
- Speaker setup and basic system measurement
- Analogue and digital mixing consoles
- Signal processing
- Equalisation, gain structure and routing
- Front-of-house and monitor mixing
- Stage setup and sound checks
- Live sound business basics
How progress is assessed.
Learners complete practical exercises, short knowledge checks and a final project or demonstration. Feedback is given throughout the course.
An RMA short-course certificate is issued after the required attendance and assessment work has been completed successfully. This is a non-credit-bearing provider course, not a QCTO occupational qualification.
Take the course information with you.
Course prospectus
Fee structure
Check that you qualify.
A minimum of Grade 10 is recommended. No Matric certificate is required. Learners should be able to understand spoken and written English, have an interest in sound and be prepared for practical equipment work.
Apply online and choose your preferred campus. Admissions will confirm the next Saturday start date, available places, fee, required payment and anything you need to bring to class.