Manchester MIDI School was created for people wishing to master the demands of today's rapidly evolving recording studio environment at a time of great change and progression in the Music Industry. M.M.S. prides itself in providing its students with relevant training for that 'Industry'.

Based in the City Centre, M.M.S. is far from just a place of education. We have established connections in the industry with current artists, recording studios and record companies. M.M.S. represents the North West area of the UK, as an integral part of the international Steinberg Training Centre network. Cubase and other Steinberg music software is now used for training in education in over 40 countries, reflecting its status as the audio industry market leader.

M.M.S is always equipped with current 'industry standard' studio equipment. The School's studios were designed, built and are only used for teaching purposes. Unlike other courses so often claiming 'maximum hands-on' - yet still taught in a classroom - M.M.S. offers exclusive 'in-the-studio tuition'. This is the only way to learn and develop a student's confidence, speed and imagination right from the first lecture. M.M.S. caters for both the novice and professional alike. The School also trains music educators from across the country, keeping them abreast of the latest in music technology developments.

M.M.S. employs staff solely dedicated to overseeing student's practical time and guarantees more individual studio time per person than any other music technology college. Access is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. M.M.S. training programmes place great emphasis on developing each student's creative abilities, as well as their technical skills. With music technology, it's how you use it that counts... And to use it effectively you must first learn to understand it... This is why M.M.S. exists.

We employ experienced Lecturers, Engineers, and Producers who share production techniques and tricks of the trade, whilst encouraging each student to involve their own ideas in the learning process. The courses offered are taught on a personal level by qualified lecturers, emulating the studio session environment through their practical and interactive nature. The real value of this approach to training lies in a more rapid and tailored learning curve. All curriculums were written by a collective of studio professionals and developed in conjunction with employers in the recording industry.

Quality MIDI-based training is virtually non-existent because mainstream music educators have found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the rate at which technology is evolving. Yet, this field of the audio industry is vast and in demand of suitably skilled professionals.

Manchester MIDI School bridges the gap between a host of ambitious individuals and an industry shrouded in mystery and too often perceived as inaccessible... Yet music is actually the U.K's second largest export! At present we are witnessing a new musical renaissance, with computers, electronic instruments and the Internet leading the way. If you have creative ideas and the drive to express and realise them, now is a great time to start.

The M.M.S Diploma is our most in-depth course, covering all aspects of modern music composition and production. It is designed for those wanting to master today’s computer based studios and produce music of a professional standard for a variety of outlets. During the Diploma Course students progress through all of the School’s studios with guaranteed individual practical time throughout. Learning the creative operation of several studios produces a diverse set of skills, opening up a host of career paths now requiring a combination of software and 'traditional' studio knowledge.

The course was written by a collective of studio engineers and producers in conjunction with employers in the recording industry. It introduces the studio equipment and its operation in a logical format, focussing on practical 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 you.

Subjects covered

commercial engineering diploma 2

Groups are limited to 6 graduates from Diploma Module One looking to broaden their horizons and attain the full compliment of studio skills. This course commences after a short break, in which students can finish up studio project work from their Diploma Module One. Training continues on the same lecture day as the Module One Programme and takes place in 4 studios using digital automated desks and a wide range of both current and ‘classic’ equipment.

Plenty of individual studio practical time remains available throughout this course so that everyone can improve their recording and mixing skills, working with friends or musicians. Later in the Course you will be required to team up and work in pairs on a recording and production project with one of a number of bands from the Manchester gig circuit. Working this way allows the ‘live’ room and the ‘control’ room in the studio to be separately manned and best understood while getting used to working with a band.

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 band’s sessions go on to be released, giving many students their first step on the ladder with a credit as engineer / producer.

Subjects covered

The 10 week course, aimed at beginner and intermediate DJs, is taught in our DJ suites equipped with the latest Technics, Pioneer, Vestax and Stanton equipment. The latest pro-DJ products are used alongside computer workstations running Final Scratch, for mixing MP3s on decks, and Reason software, for producing music. As part of this course individual studio time is available to each student for practising mixing techniques in between the weekly classes.

The formula for the success of this programme is the personal nature of our in-studio tuition, with groups of 6 or less learning the creative operation of DJ equipment through practical tuition and interaction. The course deals with both creative DJ skills and understanding the workings of the industry. Initially mixing techniques are taught, and then the importance of creativity and individuality in the mix are explored, before real world club and radio DJ environments are experienced and outlined by professional guests on our exclusive tours.

An introduction to music production is also provided on ‘Reason’ software, covering the essentials of drum programming, building grooves and arranging tracks. Comparisons to the records you play are part of this, making for essential knowledge.

Subjects covered

The M.M.S ‘Scratch Lab’ offers a unique programme covering all aspects of Turntablism and embraces the future of scratch technology. You will be given the opportunity to gain key scratching and turntablism skills, at your level, from beginner to pro standard. Learn the tricks of the trade directly from the professionals and pick up the essential new technical knowledge needed as turntablism ‘goes digital’. The 4 week course runs over 4 x 4 hour sessions (i.e once a week for 4 weeks) with additional practical session time available to all participants.

The Scratch Lab is held in the School's acoustically treated scratch studio and uses the latest Technics, Stanton, Vestax and Pioneer equipment. The ‘Scratch Lab’ is taught by a professional Turntablist and seasoned musician. Deeply involved with the UK music scene, he has worked with labels such as Deroy Records, Sub Tub Players and Hed Kandi and has also performed alongside members of Rae & Christian, Aim and Fingathing of Manchester’s Grand Central Records.

Subjects covered

This short programme is an ideal option for home studio owners, DJs, or people just driven by music. It provides a concise and intensive overview of the dance music programming, writing and production process.

Each person will work towards creating and mixing a track with the ideas, samples and music that has inspired them. This forms the basis for teaching each person about the equipment and what is relevant to them. These are informal and relaxed working sessions where time is taken out at regular intervals to explain each stage in the construction of a track, demonstrating production techniques and tricks of the trade along the way.

Subjects covered

Session 1 MIDI

Session 2 MIDI

Session 3 AUDIO

Session 4 AUDIO

The Dance Music Production Course is an ideal stepping stone towards further studio training Places on this course are limited to 4 per group to guarantee maximum hands-on. You are advised to book early.

Music enthusiasts and DJs are fast becoming producers via new virtual studio technology running on their home computers, whilst building their artist profile by setting up record labels and organising club events. Having detailed insider knowledge concerning certain areas of the industry, or indeed understanding it in general as a whole, could make all the difference with the success of a music business project. The dance music business course at Manchester Midi School was set up to offer a clear behind the scenes view of how the wheels and cogs of the music business turn - steering the participants in the right direction whatever their personal aims might be.

The course, running over two sessions, gives practical and detailed advice on how to get started and proceed with a variety of projects, from running a club night all the way through to setting up, or signing to a record label. With the vast experience of the course tutors and occasional guest speakers from specialist fields, the course will focus on many real-life cases, highlighting successes and warning of some pitfalls that may lay ahead.

The numerous course handouts provided are a valuable source of reference and Manchester Midi School's array of industry contacts gives a strong backbone to the curriculum. Completion of the course could act as a stepping stone to further training and obtaining the industry-recognised 'Dance Music Industry Certificate' will certainly add weight to any C.V.

Subjects covered

If you are intrigued about what goes into making the music that moves you, or are considering committing to a longer course, this is an ideal opportunity to check out the School's facilities and learn from our head tutor. Taster Courses run regularly on Saturday's from 1pm till 5pm

Subjects covered (Saturday 1pm - 5pm)

Morning

Afternoon

This concise mixing course, supported by Pioneer, Stanton and Vestax, is taught in our purpose built DJ Studios and requires no previous mixing ability. The aim of the day is getting started on the decks and learning effective mixing techniques. The programme is for entry level DJs seeking to learn key skills and/or polish up existing skills. Students learn with Technics & Stanton turntables housed alongside Pioneer CDJ1000 units. A selection of effects units and samplers are also on hand to encourage the creative manipulation of sound.

The course tutor has been a professional DJ for 10 years, promoting club events and writing music within the fields of drum 'n' bass, progressive house, beats and more recently broken beats. In addition to DJ work across the U.K. and abroad, he has remixed for EMI, runs Jus' Listen Music and is signed to the Phuture Lounge label in Manchester. Recent involvement in co-organising music conventions and dealing with the DJs at Manchester's Depercussion festival illustrate the wealth of his experience.

If you are frustrated with trying to mix, have always fancied your chances behind the decks, or are considering committing to a longer course, this Taster Course is an ideal opportunity to check out Manchester Midi School's facilities and meet our head DJ Tutor personally.

Subjects covered (Sunday 1pm - 5pm)

Manchester MIDI School represents the North West area of the U.K. as an integral part of the international Steinberg Training Centre network, providing specialist training in any aspect of music technology or the recording studio.The intrinsic value of personal training lies in an accelerated and tailored learning curve. A day's studio tuition with an expert in the field at M.M.S. will enable you to hone in and focus on a level of operation that suits your needs.

Whether you are a novice, or experienced with music software, a guided tour through the ‘virtual studio’ can bypass weeks of pondering and frustration over exhaustive manuals to get you to where you want to be.M.M.S. lecturers can not only teach you what you want to know, but show you what you will need to get to grips with as the complexity of your music production develops.

Training, to your requirements, is available in all aspects of digital sound recording and music production at either one of the School's in-house studios, or at the location of your choice. Distance is no problem... the School recently sent a lecturer to Nigeria to train the resident sound engineers at Dolphin Studios in Lagos.M.M.S. also caters for hard-and-software installation and studio set-ups.

The value of learning with personal tuition is its tailored and intensive nature. From our experience, people benefit most from sessions of no longer than five hours at any one time. Intervals between sessions are recommended, so as to put what has been covered into practise. Training is scheduled around your timetable restrictions and travel constraints.

“I’ve been given some great opportunities...Playing the “sunset” after Norman Jay with him sat in front of the decks nodding to my set i still believe was a dream! There’s loads more, Ron Carol, live mix on my show, interviewing Danni Minogue, meeting P. Diddy!!... I’m working for Eden as well, the cream of the crop is next week though, I’m playing at Space! - Anyway, enough of my showing off, someone please say thanks to Jonny for me (the MMS DJ Course manager) coz if it wasn't for him i probably wouldn't have the balls to be doing this!”
E-mail from Dave Johnson - Ex DJ & Diploma Student, now in Ibiza with a nightly show on Holiday FM, Cafe Mambo, San Antonio.... Summer 2004.

“I did the Basement DJ course in 1998 at the age of 16 and played around locally for a few years in the North West, since emigrating to New Zealand in 2001 I've gone on to support more than 35 internationals including Armin Van Buuren, Lisa Lashes, The Tidy Boys and many more. I worked as promoter for Tidy Trax New Zealand for over 2 years and have promoted 20 events under various other names with 5 internationals toured to date (Phil York, Guyver, Carl Nicholson, Paul Maddox, Technikal and ReBirth). I also run a weekly saturday night radio show on UPFM and have played at such events as Summadayze, Chemistry, Slinky, Tidy vs Masif and many more, playing out every weekend.. I co-produced my first track last year which was signed to be released in 2006 on UK hard dance label - Housewives Choice... the skills you guys taught me proved very useful and I salute you!” From diary e-mail update of DJ Justin Sane, now based in New Zealand.

“.... Just wanted to say hi, and tell you thanks again for everything. I really enjoyed my courses there. Since i’ve been back in Texas i've done some intern work at Rhapsody Street Studios - i recorded a couple of bands with them on a pro tools set up. More recently i got a job at Syntaur Productions, where i've been making sample programmes for the Akai MPC2000, so all the that work we did with sampling at the Midi School really paid off!” “.... I was surprised how easy it was to get a job and how much i had really learned from all of you...”
E-mail from Jason Miller, now based back in Texas after completing the DJ & Diploma Module One courses in 2003

C.D.Ls are obtainable through Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, and the Co-Operative Bank.You can apply to borrow up to 80% of course fees plus the cost of any related course expenses (e.g. travel and accommodation). In addition, if you have been out of work for 3 months or longer, you may be able to apply for 100% of course fees. M.M.S. can provide Application Forms, or they may be obtained directly by ringing 0800 585 505.


Prince's Trust
This award is available to anyone aged between 14 and 25 who is either long-term unemployed, homeless, or a single parent. Call the Prince's Trust on 0800 842 842.

Association of British Credit Unions
These organisations exist in most areas to lend money to their members who live there. It is easy to join and offers a very cheap way to borrow money. Once an account is opened it is possible to borrow 3 times what you have paid in. Typically 10 payments into the account must be made over a 10 week period as a minimum requirement before being able to borrow money. Credit Unions are voluntary organisations. Some are run through large companies for employees use, while others are independently set up. Telephone 0161 338 8333 (Hyde branch, Manchester)