It’s that time of year again to be thinking about taking the step in to music production and sound engineering.



Our evening music production course and sound engineering Diploma is now open for registration.

This is the only evening course that we run so places go quickly.

The music production evening course is perfect for those that have daytime commitments or are unable to study during the day.

The course is designed for those looking to get into music production, be it writing their own tunes or producing other peoples work.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to use a recording studio? You will be taught all there is to know about professional studios and music production software.

Apple – Steinberg and Ableton, certifies the course.

Classes are every Tuesday & Thursday 7pm — 10pm.

Your practical time in the studio is available 7 days and evenings per week to fit around your schedule; we offer more practical studio time than any other training centre.

Music production and sound engineering courses.

Don’t wait another year to make that career change!

We believe it is necessary for producers and engineers to have a good musical ear when programming their sounds.
This music composition course will also enable the student to write his/her own tracks and feel confident in arrangement and structure.

The music composition course offers an insight into the theoretical side of music, students are encouraged to listen and develop their ears to improve their writing and arranging skills.

The skills and experience gained during the music composition course  will be useful to anyone wishing to improve their music production, writing tunes, compose tracks, songs, concert music or for broadcast.

This music composition course includes writing music for media.

Some of the subjects covered.

Song writing : Melodies : What makes a good track : What are chords : Chord types : Arranging string sound

What is a harmony : How to write a baseline : What are scales : Reductions : Music Arrangement : 

Music styles  : Prominence  : Melodic content : Impact & effect  : Pre-existing music for promotion : 

Time code/film manipulation : Scores : Instrumentation : Production tip and tricks : Beat correction : Further effects

There are many reasons why a course is a great option for somebody looking to learn new skills or techniques.

It’s going to be related to a subject area or specific software. Something that you have an interest in already, so gaining as much knowledge as possible from others who are more experienced is a great starting point.

The Internet is littered with tutorials that make the subject much more interesting to learn than reading a manual or dedicated document, something that is all too often a latter option, in favor of an element of human contact. These tutorials are still presented to you as a lesson. Everything that you learn from walking, speaking, driving, making music etc etc all stem originally from a lesson from somebody who knows more than you or has more experience in the subject area.

An internet tutorial is a great way of seeing somebody else’s understanding of the subject or technique, in a way that you can grasp. Although some areas or steps can be overlooked and prior knowledge assumed or disregarded, because of the technical level or ability of the instructor. The best thing that can be achieved from a one off tutorial is awareness of a subject.

A course on the other hand, will be structured and designed, refined and continuously updated to ensure it is delivering the finest quality training available. A course will quite often start at the very basics, assuming that no knowledge is shared by any of the students. This is important to make sure that all members of the group understand the lessons and are able to move forward to the more complex of techniques and more capable equipment, which in turn increases the level of project being worked on.

As knowledge is gained, guidance is provided to maintain that the techniques and processes are being understood. Students will then develop more confidence when understanding how and why to use what they have learned and a level understanding of exactly what is happening. Supporting notes will always be provided which add, once again, a differently worded explanation of the technique, process, software etc that is, in turn, as important to back up notes made by students.

Some may not be able to afford the equipment needed to record a live band and therefore, the opportunity to do so may never be taken or even arise. Space can be improvised to a certain extent but microphones; audio interfaces and other equipment may be unattainable.

A certified or authorised training centre will have all the equipment that you will need, with variations across the studios, in which to learn and practice with guidance and help. That’s not to say that the skills and experience gained by using a smaller setup are inferior, but the thrill and sense of achievement of learning to record “that take” with all channels perfectly routed, time after time, is certainly more rewarding and confidence is gained much quicker.

What better way than to utilise the facilities of a certified institution in which to build a portfolio, start producing music, networking — what ever your aim is. Somewhere that is maintained and equipment is fixed and repaired, a cost that is ways untimely to the individual, is a much easier way to learn and build experience in which to put into practice in the chosen field.

An online course bridges the gap between the physical course and learning in your own setup or studio. A choice that is becoming more widely available and doable by a student because of the availability and wide ranges of high quality equipment on the market.

What sets an online course aside from online tutorials is the interaction between the online tutor and course members via the dedicated training portal created for that course or set of courses. A chance to get feedback, guidance, and networking opportunities.

All courses will have been written by current industry professionals, in many cases, still working in their own studios alongside teaching and tutoring. A great opportunity to ask all the questions you can about music production and audio engineering techniques.

Aside from the structure and delivery of the course, you will be placed in to a group of people, all of which have a common interest in music, music production and audio engineering. One of the most important parts of the industry is the connections and subsequent collaborations. Chances are that everybody enrolled on the course will have a different preferred genre or style that they wish to make music in or with. A perfect opportunity to blend different styles and experiment. Friendships are formed, acts, production teams or bands are created, future business partners and collaborative interaction is initiated.

Music business courses will also be available in which areas like event management and planning can be looked at, and marketing or business model development can be delivered. Great for those wanting to take their skills and offer them out as a commercial service, for example. Again, taught by somebody who has worked in many areas of the industry, some of which, you could be unaware of.

Some  people just want to learn as a hobby so shorter courses or individual training are often arranged for those looking to develop existing skills or move on to the next level.

Either way, a course is not about being told what to do, but a practical based, purposely designed stepping stone system through many processes and equipment variations. A dedicated set of staff that is not only experienced, but also supportive of students taking the course.

Experience is key so keep making music and play with your sounds.

Written by Ben Jacob, M.M.S

DJ Rocky one half of  X-Press 2 has just finished our Ableton online course

“The Ableton Online course was brilliant for me. It lays out the basics of Ableton live at first, in a simple to follow, concise way. Each following lesson is then grouped into 5 or 6 sections. 



A real bonus for me, was that I could take the lessons whenever I wanted, fitting them in with work and travel commitments.
I found each Ableton lesson very easy to follow and for someone that hasn’t ‘studied’ since I left school, that’s saying something.



I love the ability to pause and re watch sections that I wasn’t sure of until I was clear on them. Pretty much every aspect of Ableton was covered in the course and I now feel completely confident using the software”



Huge thanks to MMS for taking a complete luddite and turning him into a Jedi master! 

DJ Rocky X-Press 2

X-Press 2 make music for the dance floor. Pure and simple.

Check out their Facebook page for a free minimix of the new album out this year  
The House Of X-Press 2′

Berlin Midi School  (B.M.S)

Manchester MIDI School is pleased to announce our new campus in Berlin is on schedule to open in early winter 2012.

Music production courses and audio engineering courses will be available from our Berlin Music Production School along with Ableton live courses and the industry recognised DJ courses.

The site in development is located in one of Berlins buzzing areas surrounded by bars, and clubs alongside the thriving creative arts of Berlin.

The building is shaping up nicely, designed with a bespoke layout for our music production courses, sound engineering course studios and teaching facilities.

The Berlin music production courses, sound engineering courses and Berlin DJ courses will run on the same format as our existing site in Manchester has for the last 15 years, along side some new electronic production courses planned specifically for the Berlin campus.

The web site is in place and ready for the official launch…

M.M.S will be releasing its official press release prior to opening.

Berlin music production courses at B.M.S

Music construction and production
Sound engineering
Ableton live
DJ courses
Dance music production courses 

In the meantime if you are to far away  to study in Manchester we have a selection of online music production courses available

 “Berlin is and always has been the place to be for music,”

The German capital is taking a new route, setting trends and bringing business and fans together in their enthusiasm for music across all types of music and platforms.”

 Harald Wolf, Berlin’s senator for Economics

According to NME

The X Factor mogul Simon Cowell has announced that he will be launching a new TV talent show which aims “to find the world’s greatest DJ’s”. 

Manchester MIdi School has been training DJ’s since 1996

The show, which does not yet have a title, will operate in a similar manner to the X Factor, with DJs battling it out to secure fame and fortune, reports Music Week. 

Speaking about the project, Cowell described DJs as “the new rock stars” and said that the show will capture the rise of “DJ phenomena”. The show has been in development for over a year. 

The show will be co-produced by Cowell’s company SyCo and production group Overbrook, which is owned by actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith. 

Simon Cowell said of the show: “We have been working on this show for over a year and we wanted to partner with the right people. As soon as I met Jada and Miguel from Overbrook, I knew they would be our ideal partners. DJs are the new rock stars, it feels like the right time to make this show.”

Jada Pinkett Smith said: “This show will comb the world to find a new breed of talent. I am happy to be creating it alongside Simon Cowell, the Sony team, and my partner Miguel Melendez, on behalf of the Overbrook family.” 

It is still unknown which UK and US TV networks will broadcast the show, with more details expected to be confirmed shortly. 

Those who actually are interested in training to be a DJ can view our courses

Resident Advisor Established in 2001, RA publishes news, reviews and features to an audience of more than a million monthly readers, RA covers anything and everything that is electronic music-related.

We are running a competition to win either a Ableton online course or a Reason online course, you can choose to take the Reason course on Reason Six (6) Or Reason Five (5)

Simply head over to Resident Advisor and try your luck, not much is for free today but this is!

He completed the Propellerhead beta testing programme on Reason in December 2011 and has now completed the First ever Reason Six (6) online course.

Registration is now open for the Reason course through the Schools online music production portal, of course if you are yet to either upgrade to Reason Six (6) or buy Reason Six (6) then we will still be running the Reason Five (5) online course.

Check out the Propellerhead Reason courses available online.

Manchester Midi School is a certified Propellerhead Reason training centre.

To learn what’s new in Reason Six (6)…

Music Production Courses are at the top of many peoples list to look at doing in 2012.

New years resolution for 2012?

Most people think of starting that diet, joining a gym and all the usual promises, however this year seems to be one where many people are putting “change of career” at the top of their list of things to change.

We all at some point wish we working in the Industry we really want to…

Well the music industry has never looked such an exciting place to work in and so why not finally make that move you say you will every year, get some training in music production.

Thinking of a unique Christmas present?

Why not treat them to something different and something they will enjoy.

DJ courses &  music production courses.

DJ Course taster days start from £30.00

Music production courses start from £141.00 for a private 1 on 1 day in the studio.

Vouchers can be redeemed against any courses at the School. 

Check the web site for all course options