Funktion-One chief delivers audio masterclass at Backstage Academy

Funktion-One’s Tony Andrews and John Newsham spent a day recently with students at Backstage Academy in Wakefield, UK.

The duo delivered a Funktion-One Masterclass for the Live Sound Module – part of the Academy’s Foundation Degree in Live Events Production.

Drawing on a combined experience of more than 80 years, Andrews (pictured, left) and Newsham (pictured, right) shared some of the knowledge that they’ve gained during their careers at the forefront of professional sound technology.

Attendees were taught how to really listen to and interpret what is heard. Utilising a Funktion-One system, comprising Resolution 4 Touring speakers and F218 bass enclosures, the pair demonstrated the art of listening through the products of their craft.

The tutorial also examined the nature of sound, covered human sensitivity to time information, as well as the importance of transient and its connection to good sound. The duo also spoke about the audio chain and signal path integrity, types of distortion and ways to avoid it, and presented a comparison of loudspeaker technologies.

Both Andrews and Nesham were encouraged by what they’d seen.

"We covered a lot of ground during the day and enjoyed the enthusiasm of the students and their interaction with us," they said.

Backstage Academy’s technical director Gareth Welbourn added: “I’d like to thank Tony and John for giving up their precious time to talk to our students on the course. Everyone was very inspired by the session and it caused many students to think outside of the box. The involvement of people like Funktion-One allows us to expose the students to a variety of current ideas, practices and technologies that drive today’s industry.”

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