Alumni Case Study Max Burditt

Max Burditt is a prime example of the multi-faceted professional the modern industry demands. His career is a masterclass in versatility, spanning live sound, studio production, and education. Currently, Max is the touring Front of House (FOH) engineer for the legendary electronic act Kosheen, a role that sees him mixing shows across Europe.

When he isn’t behind a live console, Max is deeply embedded in the South Coast music scene. He has produced nearly 100 tracks for various artists and remains a dedicated mentor, teaching music production to the next generation of driven musicians.

For Max, the move to postgraduate study was about bridging the gap between technical skill and commercial strategy. Despite being an established working musician, he felt he had traditionally avoided the “business side” of the industry to focus on production.

“I wanted to develop a stronger understanding of the business side of the music industry,” Max explains. “I was also keen to work more closely with, and produce, emerging artists.”

The flexibility of WaterBear’s online MA was the deciding factor, allowing him to maintain his busy schedule of teaching, producing, and live engineering to support his mortgage while he studied.

Max found the MA Music Enterprise to be a deeply introspective experience that went beyond standard business modules. He describes the course as “philosophical at times,” helping him strip his existing business model back to its fundamentals and rebuild it with absolute clarity.  

The standout feature for Max was the access to industry experts. “The ability to book 1-to-1 mentoring sessions with highly knowledgeable professionals was invaluable,” he notes. These sessions helped him make sense of his ideas, with the added benefit of being able to follow up for direct advice via email.  

Since starting his journey at WaterBear, Max’s career has reached new heights. His work in the live sector has seen him support Faithless at Cardiff Castle, whilst his production work has also gained traction, with tracks he produced landing on BBC Radio.  

However, the impact isn’t just measured in big stages. Max finds equal success in the achievements of his students, such as seeing a pupil complete and release a full album on vinyl. The course provided him with the tools to market himself as a self-employed engineer more effectively, allowing him to balance his diverse portfolio across live events, teaching, and studio work.  

Strategic Marketing for self-employed engineers  

Business Model Refinement and clarity  

Live FOH Engineering for international touring  

Artist Mentorship and production