The Music Industry is now the largest segment of the international entertainment market, and within the Industry itself, it has been dance music which has grown most rapidly during the past decade.
Today, dance music is the primary component of British youth culture and the status of the DJ is clear. ... with new music styles and the shift from club P.A.s to fully blown live performances, the DJ is now an integral member of many bands, respected as a musician in his or her own right, often attaining superstar status.
Back in 1996 we brought together some of Manchester’s most prestigious club and radio DJs, promoters and venues (including the long lost Hacienda!) to input their expertise in formulating the UK’s first and finest range of DJ courses.
The M.M.S DJ Courses have proven to be one of the most successful ways of getting into the industry, attracting people from around the world who want to learn to DJ. Naturally, in this fast moving sector, equipment and curriculums are constantly reviewed so that our students are kept at the cutting edge of both technical developments and artistic trends in the Industry.
The DJ Courses Manager and Tutor has been a professional DJ for over 15 years, promoting club events and writing music in many styles. In addition to his DJ training, his club work across the U.K. and abroad, he has also remixed for EMI, runs Jus Listen Recordings, is signed to Zed Bias’ Phuture Lounge Recordings and has a wealth of broadcasting experience. Recent involvement in co organising music conventions and dealing with the DJs at Manchester’s Depercussion festival also illustrate the wealth of his music business knowledge.
The 10 week course, aimed at beginner and intermediate DJs, is taught in our DJ suites equipped with the latest Technics, Pioneer, Vestax and Stanton equipment. The latest pro-DJ products are used for the DJ training alongside computer workstations running Final Scratch / Serato for mixing MP3s on decks, Ableton Live and Reason software, for producing music.
As part of this course individual studio time is available to all 7 days a week... so you learn to dj at your own pace in between the weekly classes.
The formula for the success of the DJ Course is the personal nature of our in-studio tuition, with groups of 6 or less learning the creative operation of DJ equipment through practical tuition and interaction. The DJ Course deals with both creative DJ skills and understanding the workings of the industry. Initially mixing techniques are taught, and then the importance of creativity and individuality in the mix are explored, before real world club and radio DJ environments are experienced and outlined by professional guests on our exclusive tours.
As well as the essential ‘learn to DJ’ aspect of the course, an introduction to music production is also provided on ‘Reason’ software, covering the essentials of drum programming, building grooves and arranging tracks. Comparisons to the records you play are part of this, making for essential knowledge.
The DJ Course comes to an end with a chance of a lifetime opportunity to mix live at one of Manchester’s leading clubs. In a private session, behind closed doors, students are shown the layout and workings of the sound system first-hand, gaining valuable DJ experience. To achieve the ‘Industry’ recognised DJ qualification practical assessments are made and you are encouraged to compile a demo CD in the studio as a way of demonstrating your skills.
Recent graduates from the M.M.S DJ Courses have played at and become resident DJs in Ibiza and Tenerife and at clubs like God's Kitchen and Good Greef. Others have promoted nights at Sankey's and the Music Box; become 'Mixmag Future heroes'; won DJ competitions; done radio work; and landed jobs at the likes of Ministry Of Sound.
Click here >> for more success stories
At M.M.S we provide one-to-one training in any aspect of the DJ Industry, from simply wanting to learn to DJ, to scratching and making your DJ set different, to getting noticed and setting up something new within the music business.
All this is available for those with clear specific needs and those seeking more personal, tailored tuition. It may be as simple as learning about Stanton Final Scratch or Serato and how they could change the way you DJ.
The one-to-one DJ training provides the chance for those who live outside of the region to attend the full DJ Course in a condensed format - over 5 individual days or over a couple of weekends, for example, booked to suit your schedule.
Studio produced DJ mix CDs
Create professional standard DJ mixes or demos at Manchester MIDI School using industry standard, top of the range Stanton and Pioneer DJ equipment all housed in one our professionally sound treated studios.
Prepare, record, then master your mix with the help of an engineer, editing if necessary, to get the result you require, before finalising and burning your finished mix to CD.
DJ Studio equipment
4 x Stanton direct drive turntables, 2 x Technics 1210s, A range of Carts & Styli, Eccler NU04 mixer, Pioneer DJM600 mixer (full EQ, Effects & Sampler - the DJ's mixer), Stanton SK6F scratch Mixer, Pioneer CDJ1000, Pioneer CDJ800, Pioneer CDJ500s, Pioneer EFX500 - full effects unit (DJ friendly and very hands-on), Final Scratch, Serato and Ableton Live.
Recording, mastering and Industry guidance
Apple G5 / Cubase SX - digital recording, Peak - audio editing and mastering, Full burning and duplication facilities, Advice on marketing yourself as a DJ and the music business.
Session time: 4 hours
Price: £141 (inc. VAT).
Call the M.M.S office on (0161) 833 4722 to book a session.
The final part of the Basement DJ Course involves taking the group to one of the finest clubs in the city - The Music Box - home to Mr Scruff's monthly 'Keep It Unreal' sessions and the infamous Electric Chair club night.
At a closed, private session, we meet the clubs engineer, sound check for that evenings club night and then each student spin a short set gaining valuable experience of playing out on an 18K club sound system
Check the pictures from the last DJ Course club session below (click on each one to enlarge in a popup)
