Production Engineering

Production Engineering 101 - Sam Vincent talks us through his process and will shine a light on what skills are essential for a smooth production period.
Prep'ing Frozen the Musical - Rob Bettle and Sam Clarkson lead this backstage tour into day 2 of prep for this major musical.

Comms for Live Events - A deep dive into the world of comms for live events, with Audio and Comms Specialist Brew - James Henry Breward. Part of Winter School 2024 

An Introduction to Yamaha's DME7 - Join Tom Rundle from Yamaha as he take us through the ins and outs of the DME7! (Spring 2024). 

Beyond Theatre

Introduction to Binaural, Ambisonic and Spatialised Audio for 360, AR, VR and XR technologies - Sound designers Gareth Fry and Theo Holloway explore the use of these technologies in this emerging art form.
Darkfield - Kirsty Gilmore in conversation with Glen Neath and David Rosenberg.
Sound Design for Museums with Lewis Gibson - Lewis Gibson talks about this work at the Hans Christian Anderson Museum in Denmark. March 2022
Lunch with the ASD - Duncan Speakman - Sound, listening, movement in uncontrolled public spaces - Melanie Wilson talks to Duncan Speakman about his work. July 2022

Introduction to 4D Sound - Join Poul Holleman for a discussion about 4D Sound and how spatial sound is being used in the creation of sound design and music.

Music

Making music for theatre - Join composer and sound designer Tom Parkinson for a workshop on making music for theatre.
The collaboration between composer and sound designer - Sound designers and composer discuss how to collaborate
A brief history of music - Composer Matthew Scott offers a brief history of western music.
Approaching the music in musical theatre - Sound designer Richard Brooker looks at dealing with the music aspects of musical theatre
Ear Opener - Composer Paul Clark on a musical lecture-adventure unpicks modern classical music - explaining the different varieties of modern classical music, and unpicking what often misunderstood terms such as serialism, minimalism and atonality are.
Music: Rights, Wrongs & Wherefores - The National Theatre's Head of Music and freelance composer, Matthew Scott looks at sourcing and using music, from the different periods of music and where to find what you're looking for, to the copyrights and permissions involved.
DJ techniques - DJ Dan Savidge explains basic DJ techniques and ways to mix and edit music

Vocal reinforcement & Radio Mics

Discussion: How to do vocal reinforcement - A panel of sound designers discuss techniques of vocal reinforcement
Float mic'ing - Sound designer Tom Lishman looks at the use of float mic'ing for vocal reinforcement
Mic Positioning vs Sound - Sound designer Yvonne Gilbert discusses how vocal mic placement can affect the sound of your show
Pin The Radio Mic on the Actor - Zoe Milton demonstrates practical techniques of disguising radio mics on performers
Keeping the performers onside - Panel discussion on earning and keeping the trust of performers
Introduction to RF - Shure's Tuomo Tolonen on the basics of radio mic technology
Using Radio Mic's in Theatre / Musical Sound System Design - Sound designer Gareth Owen discusses the variety of techniques for using radio mics with performers and sound system design for muscial theatre
Perfect Panto Sound - Sound designers Gareth Owen and Tom Lishman look at some of the techniques for obtaining the best sound under the unique circumstances of pantomimes, a lot of which is applicable to any small scale musical
Radio Mics Up Close - Rosie Stroud shows us all the tricks of the trade when disguising radio mics.

Creating sound

How Do You Make Your Sounds? - Sound designers Carolyn Downing, Sebastian Frost, Gareth Fry and John Leonard discuss the various ways of making sounds, and what technique to use when.
How to Foley - Foley Artist Tom Espiner demonstrates some of the techniques of creating sound effects with everyday objects
Recording Sound Effects - John Leonard discusses various techniques for recording sound effects on location

Creative Manipulation of Sounds - Sound designer Gareth Fry looks at ways of manipulating sound with a particular focus on Audio Ease's Speakerphone
Creating Sound Design Content for Scottish Theatre - Caitlin Skinner, Artistic Director and CEO of Stellar Quines to host a panel discussion about how sound designers create new content for theatre productions. Panelists include Niroshini Thambar, MJ McCarthy and Niamh Gaffney. Part of Winter School 2024. 

Creative Sound Design - Calum Paterson (sound designer and founder of The Audio Story Company) brings the day to a close with a relection on the workshop and content creation. Part of Winter School 2024.

How Do you Create Your Content - Discussion & practical insights into how sound designers create their content, chaired by Peter Rice (Sound Designer and ASDP Co-Chair). Part of Winter School 2024.

Software-specific courses

An introduction to d&b En-snap - Gareth Owen and Steve Jones look at this software for controlling d&b Soundscape systems (2021)
Reaper - Educator Steve Mayo offers an introduction to the DAW: Reaper (2020)
Max MSP - Sound designer Sarah Angliss shows how to use Max synthesis software, particularly looking at its integration in Ableton Live. (2017)
QLab - Sound designer Seb Frost demonstrates hints and tips for using Figure 53's QLab v4 software (2017)
An introduction to SMAART - Steve Badham introduces the uses of SMAART. Please note, we have a SMAART system available for members to borrow via our Equipment Loan Scheme. (2017)
ProTools for Theatre - Sound designers Seb Frost and Tom Lishman explore using ProTools for theatre, starting with the basics and working up to more advanced techniques. (2016)
CSC for Beginners - CSC's developer Richard Carter offers this introduction to using this playback software (2014)
NI Reaktor - Sound designer Donato Wharton offers a brief look at Native Instruments Reaktor synth (2014)

Advanced QLab - A workshop looking at some of the more advanced techniques for programming QLab with sound designer Gareth Fry (2013)

QLab v3 seminar - Figure 53's Chris Ashworth with Gareth Fry look at the new features introduced in QLab v3 (2013)
Ableton Live for Theatre - Sound designer Gareth Fry takes us through the use of Ableton Live as a tool for sound design, and as a playback device for shows. This introductory seminar from 2014, was followed by this seminar in 2021 which looks further at the use of Ableton Live in Gareth's recent shows.
An Introduction to Qlab V5 - with Sam Kusnetz of Figure 53. Sam takes us through the new audio features in Qlab V5 (Oct 2022)
Introducing panLab 3 - Daniel Higgot of Innovate Audio takes us though panLab and the new features in panLab 3 (Nov 2022)
A Beginners Guide to Apple Script for Qlab - Jack Baxter takes us through the basics of apple script. (Nov 2022)
Meyer Sound Space Map Go - Exploring the possibilities of spatial sound with Meyer Sound's Application Architect, Spatial Audio Specialist Ianina Canalis. (Dec 2022)

panLab Console - Join Daniel Higgott of Innovate Audio as he takes us through panLab Console, bringing spatial mixing to hardware you already own. (Nov 2023)

Atlas Show Control - An Introduction to Atlas show control, the go-to software for controlling Spatial Audio. (2024)

An Introduction to Sonoros - Modern RF, Audio and Routing Management (Sep 2024)

Atlas/Zactrack/d&b Soundscape - Insight and Case Studies about how these three pieces of software work together in Spatial Audio systems. (Jan 2025).

Mixing Desks Specifics

DiGiCo Theatre Software June 2022 - Recorded Live at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in June 2022. This 2 hour workshop presents the DiGiCo Theatre specific software extension. Learn about the features we offer and how they might be used. 

Computer and Audio Networking

Computer Networking for Audio Professionals - Dom Bilkey examines in depth setting up computer networks for theatre and audio use.
Beginner’s guide to Computer Networking - Dom Bilkey leads a 90 minute seminar on computer networking, looking at the cables, connectors, switches and routers that can be used and explain the protocols that power them, and the problems that most commonly occur.
Audio networking - Yamaha's Wayne Powell leads this seminar on the various flavours of Audio Networking Protocols including Dante, AVB, Ethersound, and how best to implement them.

Audio Networking for Secret Cinema - Ian Threlfall talks about his creative solutions to audio networking for Secret Cinema. Part of Winter School 2024. 

Documentation & CAD

Vectorworks: An Introduction to - Tom White talks you through how to work with Vectorworks with a focus on sound. (2020)
Vectorworks: ConnectCAD - Tom White introduces ConnectCAD with a focus on sound. (2020)
VectorWorks Training Seminar - Tom with talks you through the lastest vectorworks features (2021)

Paperwork using Microsoft Excel - Ben Lloyd takes us through his processes for Sound Paperwork using Excel. 

Paperwork using Minotaur Sound System Database - Daniel Lundberg takes us through how he uses Minotaur to create sound paperwork.

An Introduction to AutoCAD - David Ripley takes us through the basics of using AutoCAD for Sound. (2024).

An Introduction to SketchUP - Paul Colwell takes us through the basics of SketchUP for Theatre. (2024).

An Introduction to Vectorworks - Tom White takes us through the basics of Vectorworks for Theatre (2024).

Meet Scriptation - The team from Scriptation show us the latest features and how it can help your workflow (2025)

Techniques and Approaches

Large Scale Musicals: Mixing & Designing - Tony Gayle, Simon Fox and Borneo Brown delve into the relationship between designer and mixer.
Sound Design and Artistry - Melanie Wilson discusses how she approaches sound design, text and composition.
Mixing for musicals - Join Ian Dickinson  and Roisine Mamdani as they walk Zoe Milton through how the mix for Company was created.
Sound Design And Artistry - Melanie Wilson discusses how she approaches sound design, text and composition.
Sound Design In Amazing Spaces: Contextualising The Theory - Scott Willsallen discusses some of his work for the Olympic Games and other large scale venues.
Lunch with the ASD - Julie Rose Bower - The intersection of sound, movement and touch - performed sound design from Foley to ASMR. Julie Rose Bower talks to Melanie Wilson about her unique blend of performed Sound Design.
Immersive Sound in Immersive Theatre - Liam McDermott, Luke Swaffield, Niamh Gaffney discuss Immersive Sound for Immersive Theatre, Chaired by Gareth Fry (Jan 2023).
How to set up your desk and operate a musical using DiGiCo SD7t Quantum - Roisine Mamdani and Michael Poon take you through step by step setting up your desk for a musical. (Feb 2023).                 Panto Sound - Helen Skiera hosts Chris Mock, Matt Peploe and Rosie Stroud in a discussion about working on Pantomimes as Designers, PSE's and Sound Number 1's and 2's. (October 2023)

How to be a Touring Sound No.1 - Vicki Hill, Leeluu Dallas King and Callum Donaldson discuss the role and responsibilities of the touring Sound No. and offer advice on how to thrive in this key position. Part of Winter School 2024. 

Mic'ing an Orchestra - Explore the process of micing, mixing and system designing sound for an orchestra, with Phil Wright. Part of Winter School 2024. 

An Introduction to Spatial Audio - Ronan Breslin, lecturer in Sound Design at Glasgow School of Art holds a lecture to explain spatial audio and some of the applications within live arts and theatre. Part of Winter School 2024. 

Discussions & Speculation

The future of sound design - sound designer Gareth Fry looks at some of the technologies underpinning how sound design may be done in the future.
Working with directors - director Catherine Alexander and sound designers Paul Arditti, Gareth Fry and Donato Wharton discuss the best ways to collaborate.
Discussion: Getting educated, getting work - a panel of tutors and sound designers discuss what it's useful to lean, and how to achieve it
Sound education - Gregg Fisher leads a discussion of what are the useful things to be taught for those entering the theatre sound industry
Negotiating Contracts, Fees, Salaries and Rates - Gareth Fry moderates three panel discussions, looking at touring, West End work, production engineering, casual work, sound design and composition, and how terms of work and pay work in these different sectors of the industry. March 2022
Parents in Sound - In this panel discussion chaired by Carolyn Downing sound professionals discuss their experiences of being parents and carers in our industry.  June 2022
Toolbox Talks - Career Coaching Panel Discussion - this panel discussion was a collaboration between the ASD and Applause for Thought. The discussion chaired by Vicki Hill and AFT's Dr Lucie Clements, discussed goal setting, resilience, negotiating and expressing yourself in a professional forum. July 2022

You've Got Your First Big Sound Design... Now What? - A panel discussion aiming to answer the questions that come up during the transition from small-scale/fringe to mid- and large scale productions. Hosted by Roly Botha featuring John Leonard, Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Sorcha Steele and Jonas Roebuck.

Sound For Cruises - Join Seasoned Sailor Liam McDermott and new to sailing Helen Skiera as they discuss their latest project on board the Resilient Lady and the different working methods on cruise ships. 

Sound Designers and Directors in Conversation - Melanie Wilson hosts Ian Dickinson and Matthew Dunster in a conversation about how directors and sound designers work together. Autumn 2023. 

Sound Designers and Directors in Conversation - Melanie Wilson and Rachel Bagshaw in conversation about how directors and sound designers work together. March 2024

In it Together with Tonic - Melanie Wilson & Lucy Kerbal share ideas on how we can all show up for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion this year. Part of Winter School 2024.

In Conversation: Life of Pi - Join Sound Designer Carolyn Downing, with Composer Andrew T.Mackay as they discuss their Tony and Olivier award winning design for Life of Pi. Part of Winter School 2024.

Parenting in Performing Arts with PiPA - Parents in performing arts join us to talk about the some of the practicalities of parenting in the arts. Part of Winter School 2024.  

The Show Must Go On - Inspiring Positive Mental Health wit Mig Burgess. Part of Winter School 2024.

Everything You Need to Know About The Edinburgh Fringe - Panel Discussion hosted by Vicki Hill about how to survive and thrive at the Edinburgh Festival. Spring 2024.

Sound Designers and Directors in Conversation - Join long-time collaborators Peter Rice (Sound Designer) and Yaël Farber (Director), for a conversation on how they have developed their unique working relationship.  

Adam Fisher discusses Sunset Boulevard - Join Adam Fisher from New York where he discusses the Broadway transfer of Sunset Boulevard and how to transfer a show across the pond. (Oct 2024)

Sound Designers and Directors in Conversation - Daniel Balfour and Sam Yates in conversation about their working relationship. (Nov 2024)

Case Study: Viola's Room - Gareth Fry Steps us through the immersive Punchdrunk Show 'Viola's Room'. (Feb 2025).

Business and Work

You're a Number One! Now What.. - Roisine Mamdani as she gets to grips with the team building side of being a number one Sound Mixer in the West End.
Adapting our skillset - Gareth Fry hosts a panel of designers as they discuss how they use their knowledge of DAW to adapt their skill set and how we can all adapt to working due to the 2020 COVID Restrictions.
What is Public Liability and When Do I Need It? - Gareth Graham from Performance Film & Media Insurance discusses what your PLI is for, how Professional Indemnity is different, and when you might need extra cover.

Accounting for Sound Professionals - Amanda Dean shows us how to set up and run your accounts, with practial advice and tips. Part of Winter School 2024.

Building Career Success through Mentorship - Join Melanie Wilson, Rosie Stroud, Clare Loveday and Amanda Priestley to learn how mentorship can help you grow your career and connect you to the sound community. Part of Winter School 2024. 

The Sound Associate - Join Ella Wahlstom as she dives into the world of the Associate, with advice and insight from a range of panellists including Emma Laxton and Chris Reid. Part of Winter School 2024. 

Events archive

Theatre Colloquium 2013

From Anechoic Chambers to Cocktail Parties: The Challenge of Localizing Sounds in Complex Acoustic Environments with Dr Jennifer Bizley and Prof Andrew King

Panel Discussion: The Auditory Scene, with Prof Ross Brown, Dr Jennifer Bizley, Prof Andrew King, Mic Pool, Duncan Speakman, Melanie Wilson

Making Music on Broadway and in the West End: Changing Technologies and Divisions of Labour, Changing Attitudes toward Work with Dr Jonathan Burston

Panel Discussion: Musicals and Sound Reinforcement. Chair: David Roesner, with Dr Jonathan Burston (via Skype), Wendy Gadian, Terry Jardine, Gareth Owen, Nick Lidster

Video Games Sound Design and Procedural Audio with Graham Gatheral

Panel Discussion: New Technologies in the Rehearsal Room: Sound Design Process, with Geoffrey Colman, Catherine Alexander, Carolyn Downing, Andy Farnell, Gareth Fry, Graham Gatheral

David Collison, the first credited sound designer in the world, in conversation with Ross Brown

Pause Play Discover Festival 2022

In conversation with Mwen 

In conversation with Munotida Chinyanga 

Nela Brown - Female Laptop Orchestra

Eddie Dobson - Whats the big deal about gender based sound collectives?

Natalia Szczepanczyk (HOLOPLOT) - The role of applications engineer in deploying the worlds first matrix array.

From Our Friends

Clear-Com Technical Training Webinar Library - Follow this link to access Clear-Com's Webinar Archive. You can also find links to Clear-Com resources here.

DPA Mic University - A wealth of useful videos and pages about all things mic technique!

Explore Theatre Miking from Head to Heel - A seminar run by Point Source Audio about mic technique for theatre.