Specialized Track

Audio Track

Live sound is its own discipline. Learn to mix front of house and monitors on industry standard consoles, understand system design, signal flow, and RF coordination with hands on real gear under real conditions.

Duration 3 Day Intensive
Class Size 15 to 30 Participants
Level Entry to Intermediate

This Track is for People Who Want to Work in Live Sound

Not bedroom producers. Not studio engineers. Live sound is its own discipline, and it demands a specific skillset: the ability to think fast, troubleshoot faster, and deliver consistent results in high pressure environments where there's no "fix it in post."

You'll learn to mix front of house and monitors on industry standard consoles. You'll understand system design, signal flow, and RF coordination. And you'll do it all with your hands on real gear, under real conditions.

What You'll Learn

Three days of intensive, hands on training covering every aspect of live audio production.

Day 1

Foundations

  • Signal Flow Trace audio signals through the entire chain: microphones, stage boxes, snakes, consoles, processing, amplification, and loudspeakers.
  • Console Fundamentals Work primarily on DiGiCo and Yamaha systems. Learn channel strips, routing, aux sends, and building mixes that translate.
  • Input Patching and Gain Structure Proper gain staging, headroom management, and why your input list is the most important document on the gig.
Day 2

System Work

  • PA System Design Flying line arrays, ground stacking subs, delay towers. Learn the physics behind speaker placement and achieving consistent coverage.
  • System Tuning Introduction to measurement tools and how engineers use them to make informed decisions about what you're hearing.
  • RF Coordination Modern shows run dozens of wireless channels. Learn frequency coordination, antenna placement, and avoiding RF disasters.
Day 3

Show Operations

  • Monitor Mixing Artists depend on their monitor engineer. Learn to read an artist's needs, build monitor mixes quickly, and adjust on the fly.
  • Changeover Procedures When you have 15 minutes between acts, there's no room for confusion. Practice efficient changeovers and communication protocols.
  • Live Mixing Session Mix a live performance start to finish, applying everything in a real world scenario with real artists.

What You'll Train On

DiGiCo SD Series Consoles

Industry standard digital mixing for touring and live events

Yamaha CL/PM Series Consoles

Widely deployed systems found on tours and in venues worldwide

L-Acoustics Speaker Systems

Premium line array systems used on major tours and festivals

d&b audiotechnik Systems

High performance loudspeakers and amplification

Shure Axient Digital Wireless

Professional wireless microphone and monitoring systems

Smaart Measurement Software

Industry standard for system measurement and optimization

What You Need

Basic understanding of audio concepts is helpful but not required. What we do require is a willingness to learn, the ability to take direction, and the physical capability to handle the demands of live production work.

This is a hands on program. You will be on your feet, moving gear, and working with equipment for the duration of the training.

Where This Leads

Graduates of this track are prepared for entry level positions as:

  • Audio Technician / A2
  • Monitor Tech
  • System Tech
  • RF Coordinator
  • Audio Crew Chief

Ready to Begin Your Audio Career?

Apply now for CDI's Audio Track and gain the skills to work on world class productions.