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Charlie Killen
London
@charliekillen._
Before joining Sound Academy, Charlie was already immersed in audio-visual work — particularly boom operation and the technical side of on-set sound. But he felt a growing pull toward something more creative, more hands-on, and more connected to the world of music production. He had always loved music, yet never had the technical foundation to fully explore that passion. When he discovered Sound Academy, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally bridge those two worlds.
Charlie first came across Sound Academy while exploring ways to expand his skills and get closer to music. “I’d worked around sound for years, but I wanted to actually shape it,” he shares. The Academy’s hands-on format stood out immediately — a chance to step into a real studio, touch the equipment, and truly understand how sound is crafted from the ground up.
Walking into the studio on his first day, Charlie remembers being struck by how welcoming the space felt. “It didn’t feel intimidating. It felt like a place where you’re supposed to experiment and mess things up until you figure it out.”
Under the guidance of Eoghan and Marco, Charlie quickly found himself diving deeper into audio engineering than he ever had before. Concepts like signal flow and gain staging suddenly clicked once he could see and hear them in action.
“One of the best things about the course was how practical it was,” he says. “We weren’t just told how things work — we did it. They’d put us in front of the desk, let us patch things wrong, fix it, try again. That’s how everything finally made sense.”
Even the most intimidating parts of production became exciting challenges. Analogue gear, compressors, and studio routing stopped feeling like a foreign language and started becoming tools Charlie could confidently use.
Beyond the technical learning, what Charlie treasures most is the sense of community he built. He and his classmates bonded quickly — sharing ideas, helping each other, staying late to experiment, and talking music during breaks.
“We all came from different backgrounds, but everyone brought something interesting. It was inspiring. I definitely walked away with friendships I want to keep for the long term.”
The instructors fostered that atmosphere too. Eoghan’s detailed explanations and Marco’s industry insights made the studio feel alive — a place where stories, skills, and creativity flowed naturally.
By the end of the course, Charlie felt completely transformed in how he understood sound. Not only did he gain technical confidence, but he also developed the creative instincts he had always wanted to explore.
“Now I can listen to a track and understand what’s happening under the surface — the textures, the choices, the little details. It’s changed how I think about sound completely.”
Today, Charlie is blending his on-set experience with his new production skills, opening the door to roles that connect storytelling, sound, and music in new ways. He continues to record, experiment, and build projects that reflect his broadened abilities.
“Come in curious. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes — that’s what the studio is for. And get to know the people around you. The course is about sound, but it’s also about collaborating, connecting, and finding your creative voice.”
Charlie took a chance with Sound Academy and was able to establish himself with skills that will carry him throughout the rest of his days as an artist. Our accelerated course has assisted his journey, hopefully yours is next.
