Ever left a concert disappointed because the sound was poor? Behind every successful live performance are sound technicians whose expertise can make or break the audience’s experience. As Bhutan’s creative industry grows, so does the need for skilled technical professionals. To strengthen technical expertise in the sector, the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) is conducting the first-ever Essentials Training Programme for Live Sound in Thimphu.
The four-day programme, which began yesterday, has brought together over 20 sound technicians and audio professionals from across the country to strengthen skills in live sound production.
Leading the training is a sound engineer from India, who brings more than a decade of experience in live sound reinforcement, touring productions, and audio system optimisation.
“The programme is designed to provide participants with a clear understanding of how live sound works, how sound travels in live, system tuning techniques, and effective communication between engineers and artists,” said Shray Saxena, the trainer.
While artists often take centre stage, industry stakeholders say quality live performances depend heavily on the expertise of sound professionals working behind the scenes.
They say programmes such as this can help build a stronger professional workforce to support the country’s growing entertainment and events sector while improving the quality of live productions.
“While musicians and producers often receive support and recognition, sound professionals frequently remain behind the scenes despite their vital contribution to the industry. This programme is the first of its kind for people working in sound. We are very thankful for DOMCIIP for organising this programme,” said Choeying Jatsho, Founder/Creative Director, M-Studio.
“The programme has provided valuable insights that have enhanced my understanding of the profession despite more than 16 years of experience in the field. I am thankful to DoMCIIP for organising the training and hope similar programmes would be conducted for other technical disciplines in the future,” said Raj Kumar Biswa, Freelance Sound Technician.
M-Studio and Bhutanese singer Ugyen Dorji, popularly known as Ugyen Panday, in collaboration with DoMCIIP, are coordinating the programme.
As Bhutan’s creative economy continues to evolve, industry experts say investing in technical skills will be just as important as nurturing artistic talent.
Anita Chhetri
Edited by Sonam Pem
