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This page is dedicated to providing course-specific information relating to your start with us in September. New information will be added to this page over the coming weeks and we will inform you when this becomes available.
Meet Adrian, your course leader
Meet Adrian, your course leader
In this short video welcome you will:
Get to know Adrian a little better ahead of your start in September
Find out what you'll be doing in your first month at dBs
Learn how best to utilise your time between now and September
Welcome to Electronic Music Production with course leader Adrian Stretch.m4vMeet your teaching team
Meet your teaching team
Gill Sargent
Module Leader
Gill is an innovative and experienced figure within the Bristol music scene, teaching the likes of Roni Size - and playing a key role in festivals across the UK. Holding qualifications in History & Philosophy, a certified Pro Tools instructor and Advanced Final Cut Pro, Gill is a passionate educator and researcher whose eclectic experience makes her an invaluable member of dBs.
Martin Peacock
Module Leader
Though Martin's breakthrough came as part of a successful Dubstep duo in the late 2000s, his experience is rooted in production, sound design and synthesis.
Alongside his technical knowledge, Martin has toured the globe at an array of festivals and had the privilege to work alongside some incredible artists.
Kris Burton
Module Leader
Kris has worked with Abbey Road Studios, Underworld and was instrumental in overseeing the sound at the London 2012 Olympics.
Outside of dBs, Kris is part of Bristol-based DnB outfit, Paper Dragon.
Ben Glass
Module Leader
Ben (aka Digistep) makes up one half of Dubkasm; one of the UK's most renowned dub outfits and has played on stages in over 20 countries.
Deeply embedded in the dub and roots scene in Bristol, Ben's output with Dubkasm has given him a great insight into putting together big collaborative projects.
Course preparation FAQs
Course preparation FAQs
Will lessons begin on Monday 12th September?
No, your first week at dBs Institute will be Induction & Freshers' Week and will focus on getting everyone prepped for their first week of study and engaging in a range of workshops, guest lectures and other activities. You can find more detailed information on the dedicated Induction & Freshers' Week page.
What do I need to bring for the start of term?
It is essential that you invest in some good quality headphones (as opposed to ear buds) and bring these with you to all sessions as you will no doubt be spending many hours listening. It is a good idea to also carry with you a portable USB storage device to enable you to backup and transfer projects between dBs and home.
Is there anything I should be doing between now and when I start?
Ableton Live will be the predominant DAW that you will be learning on, so if you're unfamiliar with this software, we highly recommend downloading the free trial and getting to know the basics. We also teach on Logic Pro X, so if you have access to a Mac, and have not used this software you can also download a free 90-day trial.
Below we've provided a list of books and online resources that will be useful in preparing for your start at dBs.
Suggested Reading*
Suggested Reading*
You may find it useful to acquire the following books, as they cover some of the key aspects of the course. I suggest brushing up on areas that you feel would help you make a strong start to the course and even try to put some of what you read into action in your music. Having your own copy would help but remember, you could try borrowing them from your local library or look for second-hand copies online if you want to save some money.
Audio Engineering 101: A Beginner's Guide to Music Production - Tim Dittmar
Dance Music Manual (3rd Ed.) - Rick Snoman
Making Music Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers - Dennis DeSantis
The Secrets of Dance Music Production - David Felton et al.
*It’s important to note that there isn’t any expectation that you’ll buy these books before starting your course. However, if you would like to do some reading in preparation, these are a good place to start!
Useful Resources
Useful Resources
In addition to this, here are a few websites that will also be useful for you to explore. In particular, look out for the videos on specific tools and techniques, as well as interviews with notable producers and sound designers. Many of the themes from these will be touched upon as you progress through the course and I’m confident you will find plenty of information that you will find useful.
Software
Ableton Live (free trial) https://www.ableton.com/en/trial/
Logic Pro X (free trial) [Mac only] https://www.apple.com/uk/logic-pro/trial/
Websites
Learn Ableton Live https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/
Attack Magazine https://www.attackmagazine.com/technique/tutorials/
Resident Advisor https://www.residentadvisor.net/
dBs Institute YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/dBsSoundMusicInstitute
Other information
Other information
If you are currently holding a conditional offer and do not achieve the results you needed please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Call us on 0117 325 9290 or email admissions@dbsmusic.co.uk
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