Music Technology

Powerful Knowledge

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Music Technology (Digital Music Production)

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies to ensure that it is appropriate for those interested in working in the sector. In addition, higher education representatives have been involved to ensure that the qualification fully supports entry to the relevant range of specialist degrees.

There are two mandatory units, which cover the following aspects of digital music production:

• Unit 3: Music and Sound for Media -  Students will explore the production of the music, sound and effects that are used for media products such as games, films and apps.
• Unit 6: DAW Production - Students will develop an understanding of how a digital audio workstation (DAW) can be used creatively to produce music, manipulate audio and mix music.

The three optional units covered are:

• Unit 8: Creative Synthesis and Sampling - Students will explore the creative functions of synthesisers and samplers in making music and sound design.
• Unit 10: Remixing and Reworking - Students explore and carry out the skills required to create effective remixes and reworks of existing musical material.
• Unit 13: Mixing and Mastering Techniques - This unit aims to give Students the skills to mix and master a digital audio workstation (DAW) project to a professional standard.

Literacy

Opportunities to develop literacy in Music Technology:

• Developing new terminology and key terms that are specific to each unit (available in each unit content)
• Assessed written coursework.
• Presentations.
• Although there is no requirement for written work in certain units, it can be beneficial in supporting awarding higher grades

School Context

Exploring and exposing students to how music is created in a variety of ways both nationally and internationally.
Although we are a rural school, there are many highly renowned studios situated in rural communities, such as MonkeyPuzzle in Woolpit with clients ranging from You Me At Six to Porpcupine Tree, and Decoy Studios.

Assessment

There are two main assessment types: External assessments and Internal assessments.

For externally assessed tasks, students take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task. Some external assessments include a period of preparation using set information. External assessments are available once or twice a year. Each assessment is taken under specified conditions, then marked by Pearson and a grade awarded. Students are permitted to resit external assessments during their programme.

Unit 6: DAW Production, is the only externally assessed task for this course and requires students to complete a series of set tasks provided by Pearson under supervised conditions. The supervised assessment period is approximately 15 hours and is arranged over a number of sessions.

The rest of the units are internally assessed and are subject to external standards verification. Learners could be given opportunities to: demonstrate practical and technical skills using appropriate equipment software/ processes etc., complete realistic tasks to meet specific briefs or particular purposes, write up the findings of their own research, use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations, carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes.

Units are assessed using a grading scale of Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P), Near Pass (N) and Unclassified (U). The grade of Near Pass is used for externally-assessed units only. All mandatory and optional units contribute proportionately to the overall qualification grade, for example a unit of 120 GLH will contribute double that of a 60 GLH unit

Careers

While taking this qualification, students will be required to engage with sector employers as part of their course, where they will be given opportunities to develop practical skills in preparation for employment. This qualification will prepare students for direct employment in the sound engineering sector and is suitable for those wanting to work in entry-level roles such as: live music assistant, assistant sound engineer, audiovisual technician/broadcast assistant. Many of the mandatory and specified optional units encourage students to develop the specific practical skills that employers are looking for. As well as direct entry to employment, this qualification will prepare students for higher study of a specialist degree or BTEC Higher National Diploma. This route gives students the opportunity to enter the sector at a higher level, or in a more specialist role.