Orbital Sound Ltd

Orbital and The National Theatre combine resources for advanced training.

Central London based Orbital Sound combined forces with The National Theatre to deliver their second annual advanced training course for students wishing to pursue a career in Theatre sound.

The five day program, which was offered at no expense to students or drama schools, covered a wide range of subjects. This year a particular emphasis was drawn on production engineering skills, specialist programming using Pro Tools editing, principles of radio communications and an introduction to digital FOH alternatives using Yamaha's PM1D.

Orbital's Simon Whitehorn explained:

"It really appears that we've got the formula right! By combining Orbital's expertise and state-of-the art equipment with the facilities and skills available at the country's leading subsidised theatre, we are confident that this course will bridge the gap".

In addition, many other subjects were covered including an introduction into electroacoustics and sound systems design. John Taylor from d&b audiotechnik, was invited to lead these conceptual workshops and commented:

"We're were delighted that d&b could assist in this training program and, from the positive feedback, I felt that everyone benefited from the sessions. We have a long working relationship with Orbital and applaud their initiative to provide this kind of advanced training to theatre students".

To further expand the course next year, Orbital and The National are looking forward to building on its success and making it available to drama schools nationwide.

Building on the success of the first course initiated jointly last year by Orbital's Simon Whitehorn and The National's Rob Barnard, the second edition expanded on its successful formula to be co-produced and staged at The National Theatre and at Orbital's Brixton-based facility.

This year the creative and conceptual workshops were staged at ‘the National', whilst in-depth technical sessions were held at Orbital's headquarters between 8th-12th April.

The importance of sound in theatre continues to grow at a rapid rate due to advances in technology and the changing expectations of audiences , producers and directors. As audio technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, both Orbital and The National are concerned that there is a skills shortfall, and that young people entering the industry have little experience of the latest technology.

The course is designed as a "top up" for final year Stage Management and Technical Theatre Students. Fifteen candidates were nominated from London Drama Schools to participate in carefully structured classes which were co-hosted by Orbital and The National's staff members.

Rob Barnard, Head of Sound, at The National, commented:

" We're delighted that the second edition was another huge success. By combining resources and expertise we are ideally positioned to offer this intensive training course for students interested to pursue a career in theatre sound. Our aim is to help provide more advanced skills as a ‘top-up' to the very good, basic training given at drama schools. Next year we are keen to make the course more available to students nationwide and are currently applying for grant status to make this possible".

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The five day program, which was offered at no expense to students or drama schools, covered a wide range of subjects. This year a particular emphasis was drawn on production engineering skills, specialist programming using Pro Tools editing, principles of radio communications and an introduction to digital FOH alternatives using Yamaha's PM1D.

Orbital's Simon Whitehorn explained:

"It really appears that we've got the formula right! By combining Orbital's expertise and state-of-the art equipment with the facilities and skills available at the country's leading subsidised theatre, we are confident that this course will bridge the gap".

In addition, many other subjects were covered including an introduction into electroacoustics and sound systems design. John Taylor from d&b audiotechnik, was invited to lead these conceptual workshops and commented:

"We're were delighted that d&b could assist in this training program and, from the positive feedback, I felt that everyone benefited from the sessions. We have a long working relationship with Orbital and applaud their initiative to provide this kind of advanced training to theatre students".

To further expand the course next year, Orbital and The National are looking forward to building on its success and making it available to drama schools nationwide.