COURSE INFO
GRIP is open to everyone over the age of 18. We emphasise our aim to welcome more women, non-binary and trans people in sound, light and AV technician roles in Bergen’s cultural organisations.
No previous experience is necessary.
You don´t need to want to be a sound or light engineer to join GRIP! We recognise that many people working in music, culture, education and youth work would like to feel more empowered in sound and light technology. GRIP aims to give a base introduction to gear, technical terms, and trouble-shooting.
(one day):
The GRIP one-day introductory course offers a basic introduction to sound engineering for live events. The course is a way to start to build expertise in sound engineering, confidence and networks!
The course is offered in Norwegian and English.
Through theoretical and practical demonstrations and tasks, participants get to know how a sound system works, routines for setting up sound equipment and good practice for creating sound for live events.
(6 sessions):
GRIP stage 1 for beginners consists of a course series with six practical workshops where we learn how to use mixers and PA systems for live concerts, performances and club nights. Including:
- PA system and how it works
- Mixer and mixing live
- Microphones and how they can be used
- Stage rigging and lines
- Back line
- Workflow, communication, planning and structuring of the job
- A practical approach to working as a sound engineer
Participants also gain practical experience together with professional sound technicians at live events at Bergen Kjøtt, BIT Teatergarasjen, Borealis- a festival for experimental music, Carte Blanche and Vill Vill Vest.
Photo: R. Halleraker
Photo: Johanne Karlsrud
(one day):
The GRIP one-day introductory course offers a basic introduction to light engineering for live events, to start building experience with how light systems work and routines for setting up and operating lights for concerts, clubs and live events.
The course is offered in Norwegian and English.
This introduction course gives you the opportunity to start building up your competence in lighting technology, technical terminology and create dynamic events with light!
(6 sessions):
Coming soon...!
Photo: June Lysjø
The GRIP courses in maintenance and repair are intended to empower trainees in how to take care of and repair technical gear, make cables, handle gear safely and identify problems which can be fixed.
The aim is to create greater sustainability of technical gear by storing it correctly, reducing damage to the gear (and bodies) when handling and installing, and being able to make repairs rather than buying new.
1. Cables: testing / fixing / making
This workshop provides a hands-on introduction to soldering and diagnostics of various common audio connectors, cables and electronics.
The course consists of hands-on work, with the necessary tools and equipment provided, with live demonstrations of how to identify common pitfalls and mistakes when working with soldering and cables.
2. Lifting and flying: storing gear safely on the ground and in the air!
This course gives an introduction in how to carry, install and rig heavy gear safely. This course is about how to look after technical gear and yourself while moving, installing and storing it - safely and without injury to either gear, technicians or audiences.
3. Taking care of your sound gear: maintenance / cleaning / repairing
This workshop aims to give trainee technicians an introduction into how to take care of sound gear. The aim of maintaining gear for longer, means avoiding having to replace with new and empowering trainees that they can do the cleaning and repairing themselves.
4. Taking care of your light gear: maintenance / cleaning / repairing
Are you nervous about opening the covers on a Diablo? Do you wonder why we lighting technicians blow on everything? What exactly is Schuko? At this course, the aim was to lower the threshold for opening and maintaining lighting equipment. The course aimed to empower trainee technicians to open and perform basic maintenance on moving head lamps, maintenance of other conventional lamps and other equipment connected to lamps.
Photo: BEK - Bergen Senter for Elektronisk Kunst
Photo: Nayara Leite
Through the Stage 2 course, trainees gain more confidence and focused experience in live sound mixing and working with bands and musicians. The trainees practice on different mixers and get 1:1 tuition on mixing. As part of the course, the trainees learn about setting themselves to work as a technician, contracts, riders, managing expectations and accounting.
Workshops in this course include:
Photo: R. Halleraker
An introduction in managing your time, business, accounts and communications when working as a freelance sound engineer. In addition, this course will introduce how to establish your rates, manage working across different jobs, read different riders and make sure you´re prepared for the job.
2. Get to grips with: the mixer!
An in-depth tutorial and practice in mixing live sound.
3. Rigging and mixing live sound - for real
A live session with a full band to rig, soundcheck and mix as if a real concert. During this session trainees will gain a better understanding of reading a rider, setting up the gear, sound checking and then mixing live sound.
An introduction to how to use and feel comfortable on different mixers. Trainees will be introduced to a few different mixers, consoles and interfaces that you may encounter on different jobs in different venues including the Pro series, Midas M32 / X32, Soundcraft and more.
This session takes place at the headquarters of Creative Technology, Bergen. Trainees are also introduced to the inner-workings of a large-scale rental company, like CT who are supplying many organisations, festivals and stages around Bergen and Norway.
5. Get to grips with: wireless microphones!
An introduction to the set-up, use and troubleshooting of wireless microphones. How to configure them into the mixer and venue, how to prepare for different models of rented mics and how to troubleshoot when it goes wrong.