Sound Engineering (Operator) 1-Year Course
- Total Course Fee:
- R 69 000 per annum
- ENROLL NOW FOR 2027
- Begins 11 February 2027
Entry Requirements (SA)
- Grade 12 Certificate (call us if you have grade 10/11)
- ID Document
- Completed CAE Registration Form
- Registration Fees
Accreditation
- national occupational qualification awarded by the QCTO.
Why Choose the Sound Operator Course?
- It will take you only 1 year of studying to get a job in this exciting Industry
- You will gain great hands-on experience working on the in-house facilities at CAE. This, in turn will increase employability
- Experienced facilitators will assist you to exploit your full potential
- Small class sizes will increase the focus area individually
- Career-focused learning takes place every day of the week
- You will be exposed to working with musician and doing real recording
- After completing this course, you can extend your career opportunities by enrolling for the Radio & Multimedia Content Practioner’s course
2027 1-Year Sound Engineering (Operator) Course
- Date : 11 February 2027
- Days : Monday - Friday
- Location : CAE Institute
Course Description
Turn Your Passion for Sound into a Career
If you love music, live events, recording, radio, film or working with audio equipment, this course gives you the skills to turn that interest into a professional career.
The Sound Engineering programme combines sound theory with extensive hands-on training. You will learn how to record, edit, mix, master and operate sound equipment using professional studios, software and audio equipment at CAE Institute.
What will you learn?
During the course, you will develop skills in the following areas:
- sound recording
- studio production
- audio mixing & mastering
- sound editing on a DAW
- live sound reinforcement
- broadcast audio production
- administration and legal guidelines
Graduates are prepared for careers in the fast-growing and modern digital audio and media industry.
What you will learn
During this course, you will develop skills in the following areas:
Audio Fundamentals
- Theory of sound (Make-up of sound, waveforms, frequency)
- Acoustics (Standing Waves, Measuring devices, Reverberation time etc)
- Audio signal flow (Devices sound goes through to reach its end destination)
- Microphone techniques (Different industry mics are demonstrated)
Studio Production
- Recording techniques (Recording different instruments)
- Digital audio workstation (Cubase 15 Pro)
- Audio editing (Working in the audio timeline)
- Mixing and mastering (balancing signals and output formats)
Live Sound
- PA systems (analogue and digital mixers)
- Sound reinforcement (Setting up live sound equipment)
- Stage monitoring (setting up live performers’ stage monitors / in-ears)
- Live event audio setup and stage plots
Learn the Business Side of the Industry
Working in the audio industry is about more than equipment.
- Professional industry communication
- Business Management
- Legal contracts
- Copyright Law
- Working as a freelancer
- Contracts
- Professional and ethical conduct
Audio Equipment & Technical Skills
- Audio equipment maintenance
- Troubleshooting sound systems
- Carry out advanced signal routing
- Rig and set up live sound equipment
- Basic electronic maintenance
How the course works
The qualification combines three important parts:
Knowledge Modules
Learn the theory and principles behind sound, audio equipment, electronics and the audio industry.
Practical Skills Modules
Put your knowledge into practice in CAE’s studios and practical training facilities using professional audio equipment and software.
Workplace Experience
Gain valuable exposure to real working environments and experience how the audio industry operates outside the classroom.
This means you graduate with more than theoretical knowledge — you have also spent time working with equipment, completing productions and gaining practical industry experience.
Career Opportunities
After completing the qualification, graduates will has workplace experience to the following industries:
- Sound Operator (Engineer)
- Studio Technician
- Live Sound Technician
- Radio Studio Operator
- Podcast Producer
- Audio Production Assistant
- Broadcast Technician
- Audio Advisor
- Film audio and post-production
- Your own business
These skills are in demand in industries such as:
- Studio Recording
- Broadcasting Industry
- Music Production
- Film & Television
- Live events
- Digital media
- Advertising Industry
Assessment and Certification
Internal and external assessments will include formative, summative and workplace assessments.
Upon successful completion of the programme and passing the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), you will receive the national occupational qualification awarded by the QCTO.
Faculty
Michael Slater
Principal
Riette Jonck
Administration
Liam Apollos
Lecturer
Andrew Brink
Lecturer
Liam Walklett
Lecturer
