Advanced Live Sound Engineering & Live Music Production Training at

Course Outline

Course Duration: 12 weeks
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Prerequisites: Basic computer literacy and an interest in music, audio, or event production

Course Description

This course introduces students to the technical and creative processes involved in producing live music events. Students learn audio fundamentals, signal flow, microphones, mixing consoles, PA systems, monitor mixing, stage management, system setup, troubleshooting, and live-show production. The course emphasizes practical experience and culminates in the planning and execution of a live performance.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Explain the principles of sound, acoustics, gain structure, and signal flow.
• Identify and correctly use common microphones, DI boxes, cables, speakers, and audio equipment.
• Set up and dismantle a basic live sound system safely.
• Operate analog and digital mixing consoles.
• Create input lists, stage plots, patch sheets, and technical riders.
• Perform soundchecks efficiently.
• Mix front-of-house sound for a small live event.
• Create and manage monitor mixes.
• Apply equalization, compression, gating, effects, and feedback control.
• Troubleshoot common live audio problems.
• Coordinate musicians, stage crew, venue staff, and production personnel.
• Plan and produce a complete live music event.

Weekly Course Schedule

Week	Topic	Key Content	Practical Activity
1	Introduction to Live Sound	Roles of the live sound engineer, production team, FOH, monitors, stage crew, and system technician	Identify equipment and analyze a live-event setup
2	Fundamentals of Sound	Frequency, amplitude, wavelength, phase, decibels, SPL, dynamic range, and human hearing	Use audio examples to identify frequency and level changes
3	Signal Flow and Gain Structure	Sources, preamps, inserts, buses, aux sends, outputs, gain staging, balanced and unbalanced connections	Trace signal flow through a complete sound system
4	Microphones and DI Boxes	Dynamic, condenser, ribbon, wired, wireless, polar patterns, microphone placement, DI operation	Mic a vocalist, acoustic guitar, drum kit, and amplifier
5	Cables, Connectors, and Stage Wiring	XLR, TRS, TS, speakON, patching, multicore systems, digital audio connections, cable care	Build and test a stage patch using an input list
6	Mixing Consoles	Channel strips, preamp gain, EQ, filters, dynamics, mute groups, VCA/DCA groups, scenes, and routing	Create a basic mix on an analog or digital console
7	PA Systems and Loudspeaker Design	Main speakers, subwoofers, monitors, amplifiers, powered speakers, coverage, crossover, delay, and system alignment	Set up a small PA and evaluate speaker coverage
8	Stage Monitoring	Wedge monitors, in-ear monitors, aux mixes, monitor etiquette, gain before feedback, and communication	Build separate monitor mixes for a band
9	Soundcheck and Live Mixing	Line checks, patch verification, virtual soundcheck, show files, mixing priorities, and engineer workflow	Conduct a complete band soundcheck
10	Processing and Feedback Control	EQ, compression, gates, limiters, reverb, delay, feedback identification, and corrective techniques	Process vocals, drums, bass, and instruments in a live mix
11	Live Music Production and Event Management	Production schedules, stage plots, input lists, technical riders, advancing, crew coordination, safety, and contingency planning	Prepare documents and a production plan for a live event
12	Final Live Production	Event setup, rehearsal, performance, changeovers, recording, documentation, and strike	Produce and operate a live music event

Core Units

Unit 1: Introduction to Live Music Production

Topics include:

• The live production workflow
• Roles and responsibilities:
  • Production manager
  • FOH engineer
  • Monitor engineer
  • System engineer
  • Stage manager
  • Backline technician
  • Lighting and video crew
• Venue types and production requirements
• Professional communication and workplace conduct
• Basic production terminology

Unit 2: Audio and Acoustics Fundamentals

Students study:

• Sound waves and frequency
• Amplitude and loudness
• Phase and polarity
• Harmonics and timbre
• Decibels and sound pressure level
• Frequency ranges of common instruments
• Room acoustics and reflections
• Noise, distortion, and dynamic range

Unit 3: Equipment Identification and Operation

Equipment covered:

• Mixing consoles
• Microphones
• DI boxes
• Signal processors
• Power amplifiers
• Main speakers and subwoofers
• Monitor speakers
• In-ear monitoring systems
• Stage boxes and multicore cables
• Wireless microphone systems
• Playback systems
• Power distribution equipment

Unit 4: Microphone Techniques

Students learn:

• Selecting microphones for different sources
• Polar patterns and proximity effect
• Microphone placement
• Vocal microphone technique
• Drum and percussion miking
• Guitar and bass amplifier miking
• Acoustic instrument miking
• Avoiding microphone bleed
• Handling and storage procedures

Unit 5: Signal Flow and System Setup

Students should be able to follow a signal from:

Sound source → microphone or DI → stage box → multicore or digital network → console input → processing → bus or aux → output → amplifier or powered speaker → audience

Practical topics include:

• Input and output patching
• Phantom power
• Gain structure
• Cable testing
• Ground loops
• Polarity checks
• Analog and digital signal flow
• Redundancy and backup planning

Unit 6: Console Operation and Mixing

Console skills include:

• Channel selection and routing
• Preamp gain
• High-pass filters
• Parametric EQ
• Compression
• Gates and expanders
• Aux sends
• Subgroups and matrices
• VCA/DCA control
• Mute groups
• Effects sends and returns
• Scene and show-file management
• Recording and playback routing

Unit 7: Front-of-House Mixing

Students practice:

• Establishing a balanced mix
• Setting vocal clarity and presence
• Managing low-frequency energy
• Mixing drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, and playback
• Creating a musical mix rather than simply increasing volume
• Handling changes in arrangement and dynamics
• Mixing different genres and performance styles
• Maintaining appropriate sound levels

Unit 8: Monitor Engineering

Topics include:

• Creating individual monitor mixes
• Understanding performer requirements
• Wedge placement
• In-ear monitor workflows
• Reducing stage volume
• Preventing monitor feedback
• Communicating with performers
• Managing monitor changes during a show
• Maintaining safe listening levels

Unit 9: Loudspeaker Systems and System Optimization

Students learn about:

• Speaker placement
• Coverage and dispersion
• Subwoofer arrangement
• Crossover points
• Speaker polarity
• Delay systems
• Amplifier and speaker matching
• System tuning
• Equalization of the PA
• Sound-level management
• Basic measurement tools

Unit 10: Soundcheck and Show Operation

A standard soundcheck workflow:

1. Confirm the stage is safe and ready.
2. Verify the patch and console file.
3. Perform a line check.
4. Check microphones and DI inputs.
5. Set preamp gain.
6. Check monitors.
7. Tune individual channels.
8. Build the front-of-house mix.
9. Check the full band.
10. Confirm show cues, playback, and communication.
11. Save the console scene or show file.
12. Prepare for doors and performance.

Unit 11: Troubleshooting

Common problems addressed:

• No signal
• Low or distorted signal
• Hum and buzz
• Intermittent cables
• Feedback
• Incorrect routing
• Phantom-power problems
• Wireless interference
• Phase and polarity issues
• Dead batteries
• Digital-network or clocking errors
• Speaker or amplifier failure
• Unexpected console changes

Students use a systematic troubleshooting process:

Source → cable → input → channel → bus → output → amplifier → speaker

Unit 12: Production Planning and Documentation

Students prepare:

• Stage plots
• Input lists
• Patch sheets
• Channel lists
• Monitor mix sheets
• Technical riders
• Equipment lists
• Crew call sheets
• Production schedules
• Changeover plans
• Risk assessments
• Event budgets
• Post-event reports

Unit 13: Safety

• Safe lifting and equipment handling
• Cable ramps and trip hazards
• Electrical safety
• Safe speaker and truss practices
• Hearing protection
• Working around crowds
• Weather protection for outdoor events
• Emergency procedures
• Safe use of ladders and access equipment
• Maintaining clear exits and walkways
• Appropriate sound exposure levels

Final Assignment: Live Event Production

In teams, students plan and deliver a live music performance. Responsibilities may include:

• Production coordination
• Stage management
• FOH mixing
• Monitor mixing
• System setup
• Artist liaison
• Documentation
• Recording
• Equipment strike

Suggested Final Competency

A student successfully completing the course should be able to prepare, set up, soundcheck, operate, troubleshoot, and dismantle a small live sound system for a band or event while working safely and communicating effectively with the production team.

Why Train at MX Academy?

• Practical, hands-on training
• Learn from experienced instructors
• Build confidence in real event situations
• Develop skills for concerts, studios, churches, events, and production companies
• Internationally recognized certifications.

  
  Whether you are a beginner, musician, church sound operator, aspiring audio engineer,
  or event professional, this training will help you take your skills to the next level.
  Start your journey in live sound engineering today!

Delivery Format: Physical Class and Online Class


Duration: 12 Weeks


Registration: www.mxacademy.ng/register

Physical Class Location: Calabar, Cross River State
Contact: +234-8123 011 179.
www.mxacademy.ng

MX Academy — Learn the Sound. Control the Experience.

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