We are constantly exposed to recorded music, through the internet, television, and radio, nearly every day of our lives. A and AS Level Music Technology strikes a balance between the technical and creative aspects of producing that music. You will develop your technical skills in sound recording, audio processing, editing and mixing while exploring the underlying scientific principles of analogue and digital audio. Studying Music Technology at A Level, your creative side is encouraged as you undertake coursework projects in composition and recording. You will explore recent advances in music production, sound processing, sampling and synthesis, and examine contemporary innovations in digital technologies and multi-track recording, as well as the history of recorded music. Many universities offer degree courses in Music Technology as well as related specialisms such as Acoustics, Recording Engineering, Software Development, Music Production, Sound Design, Foley Engineering, Audio Systems Design, and many more. Many of our students go on to pursue the subject at degree level. Careers related to Music Technology include Music Producer, Arranger, Performer, Songwriter, Composer, Software Developer, Recording Engineer, Acoustics Engineer, Music Therapist, Television Audio Producer, Music Industry Management, Researcher, Journalist, Teacher, Music Publisher, Promoter, and Sound Designer. Three Areas of Study underpin the whole specification, encouraging both breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding. In addition, within individual components, they provide a contextual focus for students’ practical and theoretical work. They are:
• General requirement: GCSE grade 6 or above (or Grade B or above) in Mathematics and English Language. • Course requirements: ▪ GCSE grade 7, 8 or 9 (or Grade A or A*) in the subjects to be studied. A grade 6 or above in GCSE music is advantageous, but this is not essential if you have studied some music theory or have some prior experience in Music Technology
Area of Study 1: Recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes In Component 1, the focus of this Area of Study will be on the use of recording and mixing techniques to capture, edit and produce a recording. In component 2, the focus will be on the use of sound creation and manipulation techniques to create, edit and structure a technology-based composition. In component 3, the focus will be on the capture, arrangement of sounds and mixing and mastering techniques that have been used on a series of unfamiliar commercially available recordings and in component 4, the focus will be on the use of sound creation and processing techniques to correct and mix a recording. Area of Study 2: Principles of sound and audio technology In Component 3, the focus of this Area of Study will be the knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound and audio technology about unfamiliar commercially available recordings provided by Pearson in the exam. In component 4, the focus will be the knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound and audio technology about theoretical and practical contexts provided by Pearson in the exam. Area of Study 3: The development of recording and production technology In Component 3, the focus of this Area of Study will be the knowledge and understanding of the history and development of recording and production technology from current digital technologies back to mono, analogue recording technologies in the 1930s. What the assessment structure looks like Edexcel A Level Music Technology consists of two externally examined papers and two non-examined assessment components (coursework). Students submit their non-examined assessment (coursework) and complete the examinations in May/June of the year of certification. Component 1: Recording Non-examined assessment: externally assessed 20% of the qualification 60 marks Content overview Production tools and techniques to capture, edit, process and mix an audio recording. Assessment overview One recording, chosen from a list of 10 songs provided by the exam board, consisting of a minimum of five compulsory instruments and two additional instruments, released on 1st June in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded. Component 2: Technology-based composition Non-examined assessment: externally assessed 20% of the qualification 60 marks Content overview Creating, editing, manipulating and structuring sounds to produce a technology-based Composition. Assessment overview • One technology-based composition chosen from three briefs set by the exam board released on 1st September in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded. • Synthesis and sampling/audio manipulation and creative effects use must be included. • Total time must be 3 minutes. • A logbook and authentication form must be supplied. Component 3: Listening and analysing Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 25% of the qualification 75 marks Content overview • Knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques and principles, in the context of a series of unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by the exam board. • Application of knowledge related to all three areas of study: • recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes • principles of sound and audio technology • the development of recording and production technology. Assessment overview • This paper comprises two sections: A and B and all questions are compulsory. • One audio CD with the unfamiliar commercial recordings to accompany questions on the paper will be provided per student. • Section A: Listening and analysing (40 marks) – four questions, each based on unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by the board (10 marks each). • Section B: Extended written responses (35 marks) – two essay questions. One comparison question, which uses two unfamiliar commercial recordings from the CD (15 marks). The second uses the final unfamiliar commercial recording on the CD (20 marks). Component 4: Producing and analysing Written/practical examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (plus 10 minutes setting–up time) 35% of the qualification 105 marks Content overview • Knowledge and understanding of editing, mixing and production techniques, to be applied to unfamiliar materials provided by Pearson in the examination. • Application of knowledge related to two of the areas of study: • recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes • principles of sound and audio technology. Assessment overview • This paper comprises two sections: A and B and all questions are compulsory. • Each student will be provided with a set of audio/MIDI materials for the practical element of the examination, to include: • audio files relating to three instrumental/vocal parts. • a single MIDI file from which a fourth instrumental part will be created or synthesised. • Students will correct and then combine the audio and MIDI materials to form a completed mix, which may include creating new tracks or parts from the materials provided. • Section A: Producing and analysing (85 marks) – five questions related to the audio and MIDI materials provided that include both written responses and practical tasks. • Section B: Extended written response (20 marks) – one essay focusing on a specific mixing scenario, signal path, effect or music technology hardware unit.
About Education Provider
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Local Authority | Bradford |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £15,684 |
| Address | Keighley Road, Bradford, BD9 4JP |
We are constantly exposed to recorded music, through the internet, television, and radio, nearly every day of our lives. A and AS Level Music Technology strikes a balance between the technical and creative aspects of producing that music. You will develop your technical skills in sound recording, audio processing, editing and mixing while exploring the underlying scientific principles of analogue and digital audio. Studying Music Technology at A Level, your creative side is encouraged as you undertake coursework projects in composition and recording. You will explore recent advances in music production, sound processing, sampling and synthesis, and examine contemporary innovations in digital technologies and multi-track recording, as well as the history of recorded music. Many universities offer degree courses in Music Technology as well as related specialisms such as Acoustics, Recording Engineering, Software Development, Music Production, Sound Design, Foley Engineering, Audio Systems Design, and many more. Many of our students go on to pursue the subject at degree level. Careers related to Music Technology include Music Producer, Arranger, Performer, Songwriter, Composer, Software Developer, Recording Engineer, Acoustics Engineer, Music Therapist, Television Audio Producer, Music Industry Management, Researcher, Journalist, Teacher, Music Publisher, Promoter, and Sound Designer. Three Areas of Study underpin the whole specification, encouraging both breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding. In addition, within individual components, they provide a contextual focus for students’ practical and theoretical work. They are:
• General requirement: GCSE grade 6 or above (or Grade B or above) in Mathematics and English Language. • Course requirements: ▪ GCSE grade 7, 8 or 9 (or Grade A or A*) in the subjects to be studied. A grade 6 or above in GCSE music is advantageous, but this is not essential if you have studied some music theory or have some prior experience in Music Technology
Area of Study 1: Recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes In Component 1, the focus of this Area of Study will be on the use of recording and mixing techniques to capture, edit and produce a recording. In component 2, the focus will be on the use of sound creation and manipulation techniques to create, edit and structure a technology-based composition. In component 3, the focus will be on the capture, arrangement of sounds and mixing and mastering techniques that have been used on a series of unfamiliar commercially available recordings and in component 4, the focus will be on the use of sound creation and processing techniques to correct and mix a recording. Area of Study 2: Principles of sound and audio technology In Component 3, the focus of this Area of Study will be the knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound and audio technology about unfamiliar commercially available recordings provided by Pearson in the exam. In component 4, the focus will be the knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound and audio technology about theoretical and practical contexts provided by Pearson in the exam. Area of Study 3: The development of recording and production technology In Component 3, the focus of this Area of Study will be the knowledge and understanding of the history and development of recording and production technology from current digital technologies back to mono, analogue recording technologies in the 1930s. What the assessment structure looks like Edexcel A Level Music Technology consists of two externally examined papers and two non-examined assessment components (coursework). Students submit their non-examined assessment (coursework) and complete the examinations in May/June of the year of certification. Component 1: Recording Non-examined assessment: externally assessed 20% of the qualification 60 marks Content overview Production tools and techniques to capture, edit, process and mix an audio recording. Assessment overview One recording, chosen from a list of 10 songs provided by the exam board, consisting of a minimum of five compulsory instruments and two additional instruments, released on 1st June in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded. Component 2: Technology-based composition Non-examined assessment: externally assessed 20% of the qualification 60 marks Content overview Creating, editing, manipulating and structuring sounds to produce a technology-based Composition. Assessment overview • One technology-based composition chosen from three briefs set by the exam board released on 1st September in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded. • Synthesis and sampling/audio manipulation and creative effects use must be included. • Total time must be 3 minutes. • A logbook and authentication form must be supplied. Component 3: Listening and analysing Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 25% of the qualification 75 marks Content overview • Knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques and principles, in the context of a series of unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by the exam board. • Application of knowledge related to all three areas of study: • recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes • principles of sound and audio technology • the development of recording and production technology. Assessment overview • This paper comprises two sections: A and B and all questions are compulsory. • One audio CD with the unfamiliar commercial recordings to accompany questions on the paper will be provided per student. • Section A: Listening and analysing (40 marks) – four questions, each based on unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by the board (10 marks each). • Section B: Extended written responses (35 marks) – two essay questions. One comparison question, which uses two unfamiliar commercial recordings from the CD (15 marks). The second uses the final unfamiliar commercial recording on the CD (20 marks). Component 4: Producing and analysing Written/practical examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (plus 10 minutes setting–up time) 35% of the qualification 105 marks Content overview • Knowledge and understanding of editing, mixing and production techniques, to be applied to unfamiliar materials provided by Pearson in the examination. • Application of knowledge related to two of the areas of study: • recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes • principles of sound and audio technology. Assessment overview • This paper comprises two sections: A and B and all questions are compulsory. • Each student will be provided with a set of audio/MIDI materials for the practical element of the examination, to include: • audio files relating to three instrumental/vocal parts. • a single MIDI file from which a fourth instrumental part will be created or synthesised. • Students will correct and then combine the audio and MIDI materials to form a completed mix, which may include creating new tracks or parts from the materials provided. • Section A: Producing and analysing (85 marks) – five questions related to the audio and MIDI materials provided that include both written responses and practical tasks. • Section B: Extended written response (20 marks) – one essay focusing on a specific mixing scenario, signal path, effect or music technology hardware unit.