Music Technology Introduction to your course for

2015/2016

BTECs in Music Technology

Give education and training to those working in the industry, and opportunity to achieve vocationally-specific qualification.

Give full-time learners the opportunity to enter employment in the Music Tech industries, or progress onto higher education.

Give learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.

Your Course

You are enrolled on the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Music Technology.

This is a one year course consisting of 6 units and in terms of UCAS points is equivalent to one A Level. This must be completed by Easter 2016.

Successful completion of this course can lead onto the Extended Diploma, which demands the completion of another 12 units. This is completed in your second year and together with your first diploma will give you the equivalent to 3 A Levels.

Units You must complete 6 units to be awarded the Subsidiary

Diploma.

Different units cover different topics, and have been chosen to give you a well rounded training in music technology.

There is one mandatory unit you must complete: Unit 25 Music Production Techniques One specialist unit: Unit 32 Sequencing Systems and Techniques And four other units: Unit 1 Acoustics for Musicians; Unit 9 Delivering a Music

Product; Unit 14 Listening Skills for Music Technologists; Unit 43 Special Subject Investigation

Units

During term one you must complete these units: Unit 1 Acoustics for Musicians; Unit 32 Sequencing

Systems and Techniques

Also during term one you will start Unit 43 Special Subject Investigation

During term two you must complete: Unit 25 Music Production Techniques; Unit 9

Delivering a Music Product; Unit 14 Listening Skills for Music Technologists

By the end of term two you must also submit Unit 43 Special Subject investigation

Term 3 and beyond

If you have successfully completed the Subsidiary Diploma you will be registered onto the Extended Diploma in Music Technology.

3 units from the Extended Diploma will be completed in third term:

Unit 19 Music and Society; Unit 20 Music and Sound for the Moving Image; Unit 37 The Functional Music Keyboard

Grading

Each Unit consists of a number of criteria (usually four).

Each criterion asks if you have worked at pass level, merit level, or distinction level. Naturally you must meet the requirements of pass before you can attain a merit, and of both before distinction.

The overall grade for the unit is your lowest criterion grade. So: GC1(grading criteria 1) Pass, GC2 Merit, GC3 Distinction, GC4 Merit or PMDM, equals overall grade for this unit: PASS.

3Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Music and Music Technology Issue 1 January 2010 Edexcel Limited 2009

Assessment and grading criteria

In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the level of achievement required to pass this unit.

Assessment and grading criteria

To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to:

To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to:

To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to:

P1 set up a computer and peripheral MIDI hardware safely and competently with limited tutor support[IE, CT, SM]

M1 set up a computer and peripheral MIDI hardware safely and competently with total independence

D1 set up a computer and peripheral MIDI hardware safely and competently demonstrating mastery of the processes involved

P2 realise musical ideas using MIDI sequencing skills[CT, RL, SM, EP]

M2 realise musical ideas using MIDI sequencing skills competently

D2 realise musical ideas using MIDI sequencing skills with confidence and flair

P3 realise musical ideas using audio sequencing skills[CT, RL, SM, EP]

M3 realise musical ideas using audio sequencing skills competently

D3 realise musical ideas using audio sequencing skills with confidence and flair

P4 explain the terminology associated with music sequencing techniques.[IE, RL, SM]

M4 illustrate the terminology associated with music sequencing techniques.

D4 analyse the terminology associated with music sequencing techniques.

PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal, learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate effective application of the referenced elements of the skills.

Key IE independent enquirers

CT creative thinkers

RL reflective learners

TW team workers

SM self-managers

EP effective participators

Your Project Brief

Consists of:

- An Assignment Cover Sheet (units covered, lecturer in charge, deadlines etc)

- Details of the skill-set process and the assignment project

- The Brief in Detail

- The Tasks/Evidence required

- Grading Criteria Sheet

Skill-Set Process and Assignment Project

During the skill-set process you will learn new information and skills that are vital for music technologists. This could include how equipment and software works, areas of the music industry, or specific vocabulary.

The assignment project is where you demonstrate your knowledge or skills, this could be in the form of recordings, assignments, videos or blogs.

During the assignment project you must work individually and will not be given tutor guidance specifically relating to unit criteria.

Feedback

Before you are in an assignment project you will be told at what level you are working and what criteria you should take specific note of to achieve the best marks.

You must submit work by the specified deadline or the work may not be marked.

You can only attempt each criterion once, although criteria from a unit may be spread over two projects.

You will be given an overview after each main project which will help you track your progress.