These courses were written by a collective of sound engineering pros and producers in conjunction with employers in the recording industry. Studio equipment and music construction are taught in an easily digestible format, focusing on practical sound engineering skills for today's industry.

Full / part-time options of either one full day or two evening lectures per week are available in conjunction with unlimited individual practical time to suit your schedule.

Within the course structure there is ample time for experimentation and everyone is encouraged to learn both the technical aspects of sound engineering and the creative side of the production process with their choice of tracks and musical style.

The studios are designed as a stepping stone system, maintaining familiarity and transferability as the course progresses. The introduction of additional studio kit and music production techniques is made logical, gradually moving up in complexity as knowledge and confidence grows.

Guest lectures come from leading industry names who share their expertise and experiences in the field. Our partners at Manchester City Music Network (MCMN) run Music Masterclass Programmes which are free to Midischool Students. Past topics of discussion have covered establishing and developing a record label; label to label deals; music for media opportunities; tour sound engineering; publishing; contracts; music in advertising, film, games and TV.

Lectures are supported by printed notes and all studio practical time is assisted by technical support staff providing individual help and extra tuition as required. The Course presents students with 6 assessments, mostly of a practical nature, all contributing to a final grading for the Steinberg Diploma qualification. A further qualification comes from Apple, for whom Manchester MIDI School is also an official training centre. Many graduates from our music college have gone on to work at the BBC; local radio stations; commercial studios; production houses; and record companies, whilst others have since received recording contracts or released material on their own labels.

The unique framework of the music technology and sound engineering courses at M.M.S enables students to learn at their own pace and work within their musical taste. Results and grades are discussed individually during tutorial sessions. We feel our approach is more personal than at other music colleges. As the course progresses an audio portfolio of each person's practical work is compiled. Since 'sound' is the very nature of the industry, students from the Diploma Course leave with the ability to demonstrate a proficiency and overall grounding in every aspect of the studio with their audio CV. Examples of work that has been mastered and burnt / pressed can then be passed on to prospective employers / record labels - giving instant access to skills and abilities, in conjunction with the Steinberg Cubase and Apple Logic qualifications.

Unlike many music colleges, no previous knowledge of MIDI or recording studios is assumed or required.

The learning programme is unique in that it is taught in a purpose built teaching studio, in conjunction with 7 additional studios and programming suites in groups of just 16. At other music colleges and on other music technology courses you are in danger of being lost among 30+ students in a classroom!

The M.M.S Diploma is the only course of its kind giving individual studio practical time on a daily basis - 7 days and evenings per week - with dedicated technical support staff at all times.

As the Certified Steinberg and Apple Training Centre for the North West, the sound engineering courses at M.M.S. are at the very cutting edge, teaching the latest music software as it is launched.

Our teaching staff are qualified lecturers who remain professional producers working in the music industry whilst teaching the music technology courses here.

The school literally operates from within the industry it serves, alongside the day to day life of: Musicians / Engineers / Producers / Recording Studios and Rehearsal Rooms / Promoters / Record Labels and Record Manufacturing.

Being immersed in a pool of accumulated knowledge and experience is the real value of training at M.M.S. Manuals and textbooks, while informative, miss the fundamental point: 'Sound' must be experienced first hand to be truly appreciated and understood in depth.

Module Two is a supplementary audio engineering module based around the ‘live’ studio, incorporating Pro Tools training. As a natural progression from Module One, it integrates and builds on the knowledge already gained with real life recording sessions at the only industry based music production school. As a sound engineer’s course it concentrates on the skills required to record and produce a band as well as engineer live events. The 12 Month Diploma is an audio engineering course designed for those seeking employment in a recording environment or wishing to set up their own commercial studio.

With an emphasis placed on project work under time restrictions, the itinerary reflects real-world working deadlines and is designed to improve the practical competence of the student while reinforcing the importance of time management within live recording and mixing sessions.

Unlike at many music production schools, students at M.M.S spend all of their time ‘in the studio’.... organising musicians, managing recording projects and mixing tracks. Recording projects from our audio engineering courses have contributed towards releases, crediting students who recorded and produced tracks at the School.

With Pro Tools training as part of this course, you are assured to leave with the best possible grounding for a career as a professional audio engineer / producer, whether that be in-studio or at live venues.

This module is taught in groups of just 6 students, ensuring the ideal student to teacher ratio for this hands-on training.

Training continues on the same lecture day as Module One and takes place in 4 studios using digital automated desks and a wide range of both current and ‘classic’ equipment.

Initially, the range of microphones most commonly used in the industry are taught utilising live rooms and the drum kit. Here you will learn the importance of isolating and optimising each signal in the recording process. Next, a range of other instruments are recorded as you shadow the tutor while he works with your first band.

Unlike audio engineering courses elsewhere, plenty of individual studio recording time remains available throughout this course so that everyone can master recording and mixdown skills. Following Pro Tools Training, each student will get to do an individual recording and production project with one of a number of bands from the Manchester gig circuit...a unique approach that sets us apart from other music production schools. Working this way ensures that the ‘live’ room and the ‘control’ room in the studio are entirely understood by you.

Over the duration of this module the politics of the recording session, along with the specific roles of the artist, the engineer and the producer become clear.

To pass Module Two each student must successfully conduct a recording project, which is mixed and produced using the skills gained on both modules.

Analogue and digital sound modules, plus instant access to a vast sample library are on hand to make sure any production style can be catered to.

The usefulness of the internet in further expanding the producer's and artist's resources will be shown.

Often bands' sessions go on to be released, giving many students their first step on the ladder with a credit as engineer / producer.