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A Level | Music Technology

Music Technology at Leighton Park

Exam Board: Edexcel

Coordinator: Daniel Fisher-Wienesen

Is this the Course for Me?

The A level Music Technology specification is exciting, covering a broad range of skills from: Designing and Composing to Producing and Recording; to mixing and mastering sound and music. This course would really benefit students who wish to undertake composition opportunities and studio work or acoustic design and engineering. You should have a clear desire to use the computer as an instrument to enhance sound and music production.

Music Technology offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities which can include:

  • Composer for TV, Film and Games.
  • Acoustic Design Engineer.
  • Stage and Auditorium Audio Design.
  • Music Producer and Mixing Engineer.
  • Media and Event Recording Recording Specialist.
  • Studio Recording Specialist.
  • Live Music Technician and Engineer.
  • New and Radio Sound Programmer.
  • Forensic Law Audio Mixer.
  • Director of Audio/Visual Events.
  • Foley Design and Sound Designer.
  • Recording Artist and Sample Pack Designer.
  • Multimedia Specialist.
  • Music Industry Business Specialist.
Component Assessment Description
1: Recording Non-examined assessment: externally assessed 20% of the qualification Total = 60 marks

This section of the course focuses on Production tools and techniques to capture, edit, process and mix an audio recording.
Students will create One recording, chosen from a list of 10 songs provided by Pearson, consisting of a minimum of five compulsory instruments and two additional instruments.

Within this area, students will understand what microphones setups and types give the best recording outcomes of chosen instruments. They will also look at how to clean audio, mix tracks effectively and look at frequencies and processing of sounds for professional studio practice
2: Technology-based composition

Non-examined assessment: externally assessed 20% of the qualification Total = 60 marks

This section of the course focuses on Creating, editing, manipulating and structuring sounds to produce a technology-based composition.
Students will create One technology-based composition chosen from three briefs set by Pearson

When undertaking this task, students will learn how to construct sounds from scratch using synthesis and how to make professional sampling libraries using software. Students will have the opportunity to creatively explore effects using the computer as an instrument, producing sounds only computers can generate. Often supporting career areas writing for TV and Film, current commercial music and engineering instrument libraries; orchestral and synthetic.
3: Listening and analysing Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 25% of the qualification
Total = 75 marks		 This section of the course focuses on Knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques and principles, in the context of a series of unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by Pearson.
This exam focus will give students the fundamentals on how music technology works. They will look at production techniques carried out by famous artists in history and look at the principles of sound and audio technology. Students will also be able to experience audio technology setups for live performances, band captures and events; as well as how to create vintage sounds with historical techniques
4: Producing and analysing Written/practical examination: 2 hours 15 minutes (plus 10 minutes setting–up time) 35% of the qualification
Total = 105 marks		 This final area of exam will allow students to creatively respond to materials given to them, similar to what can happen in the industry.
During this predominantly practical exam students will be asked to clean and mix audio materials using signal processing and to add new compositional writing ideas to enhance a piece of music. Students will correct issues in the material, tune recordings and master music into a completed mix. They will be asked to think about signal paths and the engineering of their mix to finalise this exam.

 

If you have any queries about this course, please contact Head of Music & Media Department, Rosemary Scales

or Dan Fisher-Wienesen, Head of Music Technology & Sound and TV & Film Production teacher

To apply for our Sixth Form, please visit our Admissions page.

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