A year in review of dBs Pro 2024/25

What a year it's been for dBs Pro. From BBC broadcasts watched by 1.8 million people to cutting-edge AI research, our in-house creative studio has given students opportunities that most graduates can only dream of. 

As we look back on the last academic year, the numbers tell an impressive story, but it's the individual student experiences and career outcomes that really matter.

Breaking record numbers

Let’s start with the headline figures, because they’re genuinely remarkable,

This year, 48 students took on 70 individual roles across 23 professional projects. That's more students, more roles, and more diverse project types than any previous year. Together, these students clocked over 1,400 hours of real industry-facing experience - time spent not in classrooms or on hypothetical briefs, but working on professional commercial projects.

And here's something we're particularly proud of: 25 of those students were paid for their work. The rest completed work experience roles that built their portfolios, developed their professional networks, and gave them skills you simply can't learn from textbooks. Either way, every student gained something genuinely valuable for their career.

dBs Pro operates as a not-for-profit, so every pound earned goes straight back into creating better experiences for students. Our income is reinvested in equipment, opportunities, and development to provide the best experience.

But the real measure of success was that all of our dBs Pro 2024/25 interns are now actively working in professional industry roles. Not some of them. All of them. That's the kind of employability impact we're aiming for.

The standout projects

This year's project portfolio was genuinely diverse, spanning everything from live broadcast television to bone-conduction audio research. 

Here are some of the highlights that defined 2024/25:

BBC Springwatch

Image of Acacia, a student, with Chris Packham CBE

The big one, dBs Pro was commissioned to produce the 20th-anniversary live music performance for BBC Studios, and our students were right in the thick of it. They assisted with orchestral arrangements, recording, worked in the BBC outside broadcast truck,  supported the live mixing, and contributed to behind-the-scenes production.

The performance aired on BBC Two and was watched by 1.8 million people. That's the kind of pressure and exposure that prepares you for a professional career, not just a degree.

One student who worked on the project told us: "Springwatch was eye-opening - working in a BBC OB truck was incredible." And it wasn't just about the technical experience. Students worked with arranger Hans Hess, fixed the musicians, and operated on-site in the Peak District. It was a full professional experience from start to finish.  

Charismatic AI

Image of Charismatic recording

This year, we dove headfirst into the future with the Charismatic AI project, an Innovate UK-funded research initiative exploring adaptive music and AI-powered media. Thirteen students were involved in this exciting project, working alongside heavy hitters like Channel 4 and Aardman.

Voices from the Courts

We adapted audio stories for a unique version of Voices from the Courts for the Bloomberg heritage app, expanding the reach of Bristol's historic magistrates' court. Eleven students worked on the project, contributing music, sound design, and audio production.

This project was particularly special because it combined technical audio skills with cultural heritage work. Students weren't just creating content; they were preserving and sharing history through sound. 

Open Orchestra

For several years now, dBs Pro has been commissioned to produce a live performance film and documentary for Open Up Music's Open Orchestra project, which works with schools around the country. This year, we visited Chadsgrove School, taking a portable recording studio to capture performances and interviews with students and staff.

The resulting film was broadcast live at their annual conference and is now used by the school to document their students' achievements and reach broader audiences online. Our students took on a mix of work experience and paid roles, gaining invaluable skills in location recording, documentary filmmaking, and live event capture.

Embody XR

This year, dBs Pro contributed to the development of  Embody XR, a VR and audio experience that was featured on MusicRadar. Multiple students took on work placements and paid roles, developing skills in spatial audio, immersive sound design, and interactive media.

For students interested in game audio, immersive experiences, or emerging technologies, this project was a perfect showcase of where the industry is heading.

Goldfinches - Shanti Time

Not every dBs Pro project is a high-profile commission. Sometimes, it's about taking an artist's work and elevating it to a professional standard. This year, students mixed the Goldfinches album Shanti Time, which is now commercially released and available on streaming platforms.

The Dings/The Up of the Down

Students mixed this community film in stereo, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound, working with BAFTA-winning filmmaker Esther May Campbell. The film then toured to arts cinemas, giving students the chance to see their work on the big screen.

Esther said: "Working with dBs Pro was dreamy… the students' work genuinely elevated the film." When a BAFTA-winning filmmaker says your work elevated their project, that's when you know you're doing something right.

Podcasts, albums, and more

Beyond the headline projects, dBs Pro worked on a diverse range of commissions this year:

• Podcasts for organisations ranging from law firms to cerebral palsy charities, produced in both Bristol and Manchester.
• Sonic Stones, an R&D project in bone-conduction audio with the University of Bristol and Sound Reactions.
• Jonathan Westrup's album, another long-form collaboration involving multiple students over several months.
• St John's Chambers podcast series, giving students experience in professional podcast production.

Whether you're into music production, post-production, game audio, immersive experiences, or podcasting, there's been a dBs Pro project this year that matches your interests.

What the students say

The numbers and project names are impressive, but what really matters is how students experience dBs Pro. Here's what they told us this year:

"Projects like these provide me with real-life professional experience – absolutely invaluable for my personal development." - Jamie Gibney.

"The internship is so broad. You sit in on business meetings, finance, planning… It's very transparent and incredibly helpful." - Lulu Thompson.

"Landing paid work through the internship was incredibly valuable and rewarding." - Samson Timmer.

"One of the reasons I chose dBs was dBs Pro - the opportunities help nurture a professional mindset." - Noah Charles.

Students aren't just discovering dBs Pro once they start their studies at dBs; it's a deciding factor in choosing dBs Institute over other music schools. And we're hearing that more and more.

dBs Pro Student Development Programme

This year, we redesigned and relaunched our internship as the dBs Pro Student Development Programme, built around transparency, inclusivity, and mentoring. 

It's about creating opportunities for all students to gain experience, develop their skills, and build their confidence, whether you're a first-year student looking to observe or a final-year student about to graduate.

Looking ahead to next year

As we close out this record-breaking year, we're already planning for 2025/26. More projects. More opportunities. More students are gaining the kind of experience that transforms their career prospects.

dBs Pro has grown from a studio with just a laptop and a soundcard into a professional operation that's generating meaningful income, delivering high-quality work for major clients, and consistently launching students into professional careers.

But we're not done yet. The music and audio industries are evolving rapidly, with AI, immersive audio, and new distribution models changing the landscape. dBs Pro evolves with it, ensuring our students are always working on the cutting edge.

To everyone who contributed to this year's success - students, staff, clients, partners, and collaborators - thank you. You've helped make the 2024/25 academic year our best year yet.

Want to be part of dBs Pro's next chapter? Explore our music production and sound engineering, music performance courses and our many more music-centric degrees, and discover how dBs Pro can launch your career from student to professional.