Week Two!

The course has been great so far and I feel great in finally knowing the technical stuff that I've been wanting know for ages. And the good thing is that its not just information thrown at me, I've been able to use it straight away and get the full understanding of all the stuff. eg, gates, compressors, matrix, etc.

One of the guys who's on the course with me has an Indie band and they came and played on the Friday afternoon, so we where able to do a live scenario of what would actually happen on a proper gig from scratch. I was running front of house first and then switched to monitors. It was great to be able to use what I've learnt in the two weeks and hear the results immediately.

On Thursday our teacher, George, took us to a pub to do sound for a band that were playing there that night. It was a small place about the size of the Vine lounge area. The stage was at one end of the room. We set up and got things ready as the band got organised. They had drums, bass, electric guitar x 2, vocals, 3 congos, 2 bongos, chimes, cow bells, cymbals & a sax, all on this tiny stage! George kinda of put me in charge as everyone else on the team left for dinner! The first band were quite good playing Spanish stuff, then it went to African something. I ended up doing 4 bands that night with people adding keyboards and Djembes! It was fun and George & I were having a laugh cause at the end everyone was playing everything whenever, it was like the drums were trying to compete with the sound system! Overall, everyone had a good time and a laugh which was a good result for me.

Living with Ben's parents has been good and Ben's mom Kim, bakes a great Banana cake! They're very giving and its nice to stay in such a safe and warm environment.

I've had some great food experiences this week:
Fish'n'chips in Arnos Grove was good.
Sunday roast lunch with me cousin (who I haven't seen in 13yrs) was fantastic! 3-4 slices of roast beef, 2 Yorkshire puddings, roast tatties, veg & gravy and steamed toffee pudding with custard, champion!!
Rolo doughnuts!!!! Doughnut ring filled with toffee with chocolate on top. Oh Aye!!
Cornish Pasty from Cornwall Pasties, grand!
99 Flake - a must!
As most of you know I'm into my pop/soda and its been great having IrnBru, Lilt, Dr.Pepper and stuff on the shelf but I've been searching for two weeks in nearly every supermarket in London for a Mountain Dew!....Today my efforts were rewarded!!! In Covent Garden, a store called the Cyber Candy Sweet Shop had sitting in its fridge Mountain Dew Code Red!!!!
It was a great find and made my day especially after a bad weekend for us Geordies!

Sorry didn't get time to take as many photos this time: London Week 2
I'll take more this week!!

Seeya!!!

Week One!

The first few days in London, I travelled around and got to see a bit of London before my course started. With the help of my monthly travel pass I can travel on the Tube and buses, as many times I want around London. Cool! But I found walking around was better for seeing stuff. I went to Piccadilly, Oxford Circus, Hyde Park, Green Park, The National Army Museum, Knightsbridge, Soho and some other places.
It’s been generally sunny, a few mornings with frost but I reckon that doesn’t mean its cold. I’ve yet to wear a coat! Apparently its 7 degrees here. It can get chilly when the suns down though, nowt a jumper wouldn’t solve.

Day 1 of the course and I was back in the thick of the sound action. Lots of information and practical and I’m really enjoying the course. After the 3rd day I was helping on stage during one of the gigs where 3 bands playing. The headline band was an American band called Manchester Orchestra, which I had not heard of but they sounded good. It was a good insight how things went as bands switched equipment and during the earlier sound checks how different artists set up their gear. At one point I thought this electric guitarist was deaf cause he kept wanting to turn his amp up. It was so loud we couldn’t put any of it through the house and it’s not a small venue! But I’ve been lucky to see all these bands for free and hear different electric & bass guitars, effects and amps and drums, cymbals & snares live.

Thursday was fantastic cause the venue was hosting Sheryl Crowe. Man, they were using a Dshow digital board it was awesome. She was great too. She had her whole band with her and she played songs from her new album and old ones. She’s got a great voice. They were using about 4 different acoustic guitars and it was great to experience how they sounded, they were nice. The total mix was awesome.

The other people on the course with me are nice and it’s been great getting to know them. The course instructors are very helpful and are very keen for us to learn as much as we can during the 4 weeks. Next week I’m helping on another gig probably some others during the week. Its great to get all the hands on experience as you're studying and keeping your eyes and ears open for any information that can be beneficial in the long run!

Check out me photos: London Week One

I'm Off!!!!

Its been a year since I last blogged but its now blogging in excitement!!

Its also been a year since I quit my job after more than 10yrs of working on cars to follow God's calling for me in sound.
So far it has been a journey with many, many struggles and at times I was not confident that I was heading in the the right direction. There were times of doubting that I had made the right choice and that I was crazy, quiting a job that enjoyed.
But God had tipped my world upside down so that I would come to know the path he has set for me.
Through the encouragement and prayers of close friends, I pursued on the sound route and now I have a great opportunity to go on a Live Audio Engineering diploma course in London!

Through the ingenious minds of some friends, they eventually convinced me to have a Grow-a-thon to help raise money for the course fee!

We have managed to raise more than enough money to pay for the course!
I still can't believe I'm going!! I've got 6hrs before I take off!!!

I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me in donations, prayer and encouragement.
Without your support this would of not been possible.

God is awesome and I'm so excited!!! Wohoo!!!!