Workshops

Sontronics - Microphone Techniques

@The Venue - DMU - Drop in sessions

Sontronics is a British microphone company trusted in studios and on stages around the world, with its microphones heard everywhere from Abbey Road to the BBC Concert Orchestra. Used by Grammy-winning engineers including Mark Rankin (Adele, Florence + The Machine) and Simon Gogerly (U2, Paloma Faith), the Sontronics range spans dependable dynamics through to premium studio condensers designed for exceptional detail, warmth and musicality.

At the Expo, Sontronics will run hands-on workshops focused on mic technique and placement, giving attendees practical tools to improve their recordings and better understand how different microphones shape a sound.

Using Ableton Live for Live Performance

@2Funky - 3pm to 4pm

Host: Simon Lyon

Learn how to integrate Ableton Live into your performances, from first steps to professional playback engineering. Simon Lyon will break down the essentials and share behind-the-scenes insight from touring setups with artists such as The Chemical Brothers and Enter Shikari. His session shows how performers at any level can begin using Live in their sets, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, explore ideas and try out some of the techniques demonstrated.

Meet the Funders Zone

@The Venue - DMU - Drop in sessions

The Meet the Funders Zone offers a chance to speak directly with organisations supporting creative and music projects, including Arts Council England, Youth Music and the Step Up Fund. Whether you’re an artist, producer, educator or creative organisation, this space is designed for informal conversations, practical advice and guidance on funding routes, application processes and next steps for developing your work.

MMF Session: Managers, Aspiring Managers and Artists Seeking Managers

@The Venue- DMU

This session will see managers exchange ideas on how they are growing and sustaining there businesses in the current industry. Each music manager faces different opportunities and challenges and this forum will allow those at any stage of their career to hear from others and explore the MMF (Music Managers Forums) research project ‘Managing Expectations’ which probes the business models, skills and approaches managers are making in 2025. The session will be led by Paul Bonham who leads the MMF’s Accelerator fund and professional development work and MMF Board Member

Host: Paul Bonham (Music Managers Forum) & Tania Lee (Ultimate Management)