Entertainment
17 September, 2026
A chance to mix it up with the Folk Festival
BEGINNERS eager to explore both digital and analogue audio technologies can sign up for a tailored sound-engineering course and ultimately take part in the Tablelands Folk Festival (TFF) next month.
BEGINNERS eager to explore both digital and analogue audio technologies can sign up for a tailored sound-engineering course and ultimately take part in the Tablelands Folk Festival (TFF) next month.
Experienced sound engineers, TFF’s Michael Hodgkins and Tablelands Music Lovers (TML’s) David Lynch, will run the Mixing it Up workshops over four weeks, giving participants foundational knowledge and practical skills, culminating in a hands-on exercise at the festival.
The course runs every Thursday for the first three classes, starting on 24 September at 6pm, at the TML Grainger Lane clubhouse in Atherton, with a $5 cover charge for each class.
The first class teaches the basics of sound, signal flow, and the essential components of analogue systems, including mixing desks, microphones, and cabling.
The second class shifts focus to digital audio, covering interfaces, digital mixers, and software used in modern production environments.
Class three brings analogue and digital worlds together, teaching how to integrate both systems and troubleshoot common issues encountered in live and studio settings.
The fourth session will be held on Saturday 17 October at 7.30pm at the TML venue, where students will prepare for their practical assessment by setting up a small PA system and rehearsing a live mix scenario featuring a showcase of some of the 2026 Folk Festival performers.
Open to the public, the night will have cover charges of $5 for the students, $10 for TFF or TML members, and $15 for non-members.
This then leads to the highlight of the course, when graduates can apply their new skills at the Tablelands Folk Festival on 23-25 October, assisting with stage setup, soundchecks, and live mixing.
This real-world exposure ensures graduates leave with confidence and a practical understanding of sound engineering fundamentals, ready to support live events or continue their studies further.
For more information contact Tablelands Music Lovers at their website www.tablelandsmusiclovers.org.au/
