The Academy of Sound Engineering Cape Town (ASE) – opens its doors early next year.
ASE Cape Town is simply waiting for the formality of registration to be confirmed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)*. Once this is complete the college will offer certificates and diplomas in audio technology and the only three-year B.Sc. Degree in Sound Engineering Technology available in South Africa.
In the meantime, skills programmes and short courses are running for the remainder of 2015 and into 2016. ASE Cape Town is an accredited AVID Pro School and the AVID qualifications are internationally recognised.
Managing director Keith Farquharson brings with him decades of industry expertise, including his experience as sound engineer for the band Freshlyground and as tour engineer for well-known African musician Oliver Mtukudzi.
He says…
Our focus is on a hands-on simulated environment in professional recording facilities, where attention has been paid to both equipment selection and acoustic design. Once qualified, students will be able to enter the job market with confidence”
Clearly the theoretical knowledge gained from the lecturers is essential, but that is only a small part of the learning process. More importantly, it’s about being with like-minded people in a classroom of students and lecturers who are all working towards similar goals, sharing knowledge, solving problems and learning from each other. The fun part is forming bands and production teams, and that’s where much of their learning takes place at ASE Cape Town. Regular guest lecturers who are icons in the industry are firm favourites with students.
“However, there’s always a more serious aspect, particularly on the technical side. Our lecturers are all well-known audio professionals. They have vast experience, gained from working, for example, on South Africa’s largest and most popular show, Idols, and on festivals, international shows, concerts and films. Technical competence for the tasks required is paramount, and our students have the privilege of tapping into this knowledge,” says Farquharson.
According to Farquharson, South Africa still falls short in providing enough experienced sound engineers to meet demand within the local film industry, particularly in the area of location recording. Over the years, the Academy of Sound Engineering has been helping to meet the shortage of skills, as a steady stream of graduates enters the industry. But there is still a backlog. As an educational institution, we will continue to produce competent and qualified professionals who can cope with what the industry demands,” he says.
*ASE Cape Town has applied to the DHET for registration of a new campus in Zonnebloem, Cape Town where a Higher Certificate in Audio Technology, Diploma in Audio Technology, Higher Certificate in TV & Screen Media, Diploma in TV & Screen Media and the B.Sc. in Sound Engineering Technology, will be offered.
