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.

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. While some things will only be available in-person, we are aiming to make as much of the offering available online. You can find more detailed information on the dedicated Induction & Freshers' Week page.

What do I need for the start of term?

As you're studying remotely, it's important to ensure that your home working environment is suitable for learning and developing your practical skills. We recommend that you have a desk, supportive chair, computer - PC or laptop - monitors and/or headphones, an audio interface and most importantly, a strong internet connection. While this is entirely dependent on space, we recommend setting up your work space in a dedicated area in your home, so that you can set a distinction between study and relaxation spaces.

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.

You may find it useful to acquire the following books, as they cover some of the key aspects of the course. We 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!

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

• https://www.ableton.com/en/trial/

• https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/

• https://www.apple.com/uk/logic-pro/trial/

Websites

• https://www.attackmagazine.com/technique/tutorials/

• https://www.residentadvisor.net/

• dBs Institute YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/dBsSoundMusicInstitute

• dBs Insider

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