Music Technology

Assessment

A studio-based recording project, where students will be given a choice of artists from which to select a song to record. Students will be expected to record a number of compulsory instruments and will have a range of further additional instruments. The recording forms 20% of the overall mark. The students will compose one piece of music from a choice of three briefs. One will be to compose a piece of music to a short film (provided by the exam board), another to compose a piece of music based on a set text and finally, a composition using samples based on a particular theme. This forms 20% of the overall mark. The students will sit two exams for this subject. The first is a listening and appraising exam with two sections. Section A is made of short questions where students are expected to identify and analyse different recording techniques. Section B has two longer questions, one is a comparison of recording techniques from two versions of the same song. The second is an essay-style question where students would be expected to comment on a particular aspect of recording and producing techniques. The final exam requires students to manipulate and mix audio, completing a series of set tasks. This will be completed using a digital audio workstation in exam conditions.