I began my work-placement as part of a module while I was studying Music Technology at Queen's University, Belfast. At this point I didn't really know what the workshop did, but I was assured by the EMS audio guys, I would learn everything about the music business and working as a recording engineer and musician.

Week 1: I was certainly thrown in at the deep end. Luckly I had Clive Wills, who was the technical director at the time to be my guide!

I had to learn how to use a digital mixing desk, a Roland 2400CDR and how to edit using Cubase, which was a totally different setup than I was use to. I had to record come extras onto a track and give it a final edit, mix and master before it was sent away to be duplicated along with other tracks Clive had recorded and mastered, which was part of a mass schools workshop along with the Belfast School of Music.

Week 2: Further editing, mixing and mastering

Week 3: Updating the company database and creating handouts for the company's business pack, for the RDC workshop on Sequencing, PA systems, Sound Checks, Recording Techniques and Terms for Recording and Editing.

Week 4: The start of the most exciting weeks of all, Recording workshops for the RDC project.

My task was to become Clive's assistant, setting up the equipment, working out microphone placement, recording some parts of the tracks and working out ways to improve the recordings.

This week began at the Dungiven Sports Pavillion.

I was involved with the following tracks:

Cover  - Angels     

Original - Travesty

Original - I Miss You

The second day was at the Rasharkin Community Centre.

I was involved with the following tracks:

Original - Hypnotised

Original - Waste Of Time

Original - Wake Up

I also got the opportunity to record the narration for the late Foggy Lyttle evening at the King's Head and matched up the audio with moving images Clive had created to make a DVD.

The third day was in the Kesh Community Centre.

I was involved with the following tracks:

Original - I need you now

Original - Where are you now

Original - Superstar

Over the last months of my six month placement, I came in one or two days a week and I became involved in the editing mixing and mastering of the following tracks:

- Patience

- Raining Blues

- Trainspotting

- Inspiration

- Angel

- Clean Up

- Princess Of Darkness

- Unforgiven

- Find Me

I had an intensive but wonderful experience as being part of the Making Music Workshop Team, all the hard "Slave Labour" (only joking) paid off and on completion of my BSc in Music Technology I Have since become an active working member of The Making Music Workshop Family.

I currently work with them Monday - Friday looking after the website, administration and design of posters and CD covers for projects, I am also an assistant to the house recording engineer Sammy D, for workshops and have ran the recording, editing and mixing for two workshops. I have also had the opportunity to work as a tutor and I am always upgrading my CV.

I have also had the opportunity to work with Linley and Paul 'Hammy' Hamilton's entertainment company and I teach music theory and brass at the Institute of Contemporary Music.