Music Technology What’s in the course?

Music Technology So what’s involved? The music Technology course will focus on 3 key areas: Music Technology Skills: As we progress through the course, we will learn skills in both recording using microphones, using electronic effects and using a computer. Music Technology in Context: We will use the skills you acquire to create your own electronic music, film and game soundtracks and record live music. Understanding 20th and 21st Century music: We will discover more about styles of music and developments of music technology in the 20th and 21st century.

Music Technology What do I need to do to pass the course successfully? A large amount of the course is “Evidence based”. This means you need to keep a note of the work you have done as you do it. This will be explained for each task but you should check to ensure you are following instructions fully. Take responsibility for your own learning: To progress quickly in Music Technology, you should take responsibility. If you miss work or don’t understand a task – ask! Be experimental with your work and try to push your ability and knowledge!

Help with catching up… A lot of the work we cover is in the “Pupil Share” folder More materials and support is available online at… www.balweariemusictech.weebly.com

Music Technology For National 5, what will decide the grade I will achieve? You need to have completed all the “Unit Work” and tasks to pass – To do this you will need to try your best throughout the course, not leave it all till 4th year! In 4th year there is a final listening / written question paper. This is worth 30% of your mark. You will complete a larger “Recording Assignment Project” based on what you have learnt. This is worth 70% of your mark and will be sent to the SQA for grading.

The Project For your project, you have the following options… A Radio Broadcast Sound Design for a short film / Advert Sound Design for a Computer Game The project is a significant part of your work (70%) and should demonstrate all skills learnt this year.

Project – Allocation of Marks Planning – 15 Marks Implementation – 45 Marks Evaluation – 10 Marks How you write and present your work will be just as (if not more) important than what you actually record and do!

The Project The final project should include: Evidence of research about your chosen context – At least 2 examples discussed! (Planning – 15marks) A full and complete plan of what you will do. (Planning – 15marks) A detailed (lesson by lesson / week by week!) account of what you did. (Implementation – 45 marks) An honest and in-depth evaluation (including 2 +ve and 2 next steps) (Evaluation – 10 Marks)

Research and Introduction This section should outline which context you will do (Radio show, Sound for film / advert, Sound for computer game). Describe the history of your context, where possible with some link to music technology (i.e. history of radio, computer games and film music design) Give examples which you have researched – Identify the types of sounds used, music used etc. (i.e. excerpts of a film – sound effects used) What video / game / genre of Radio show will you produce? (Specific game / film / type of radio show?)

Research and Introduction You should also comment on the technology you will be using – You should explain… Microphones and polar patterns used Mixing desk used Mixcraft Software 2 or 3 Effects and , if used, the Virtual Instruments Section.

Fully Plan your Project! (15 Marks!) You need to plan what you will do fully before you start. This will vary depending on what you have decided to do. For a film clip or video game: Create a table which details everything that happens in the film / game both for what is in the completed original score and your own ideas. Add a description of the sound and how you will create this… for example: Event Sound Start of the movie Background music – created using virtual instruments on Mixcraft Character wakes up “Yawning” sound recorded Character falls out of bed “Thud” and noises recorded of things falling over etc. Sound effect of lamp smashing from internet…

Fully Plan your Project! (15 Marks!) You need to plan what you will do fully before you start. This will vary depending on what you have decided to do. For a radio show you will need: A detailed script featuring intro, interview, advert and 2 songs (created by yourself) A plan for each song, identifying the structure and instruments to be used etc.

Implementation of Project (45) You should begin to record / create your sounds. It is important you have included the following… AT LEAST 5 live recorded tracks. A voice should be included at least once! Recorded tracks must include 2 Polar Patterns and one must use 2 microphones at once. Your own unique music and music loops (using “Virtual Instruments”) Any other sounds used should be justified. You should use a wide range of effects and techniques, justifying these.

Implementation of Project (45) The final marker of your project will receive a sound or video file of the project and your project power point / report. How will they know what you did? You must explain your reasoning thoroughly! Keep a consistent diary throughout!

Evaluation This should be thorough and in-depth, linking back to what you have written in your full report. It may include: Did I complete everything I planned to? Is my diary / report fully up to date and detailed? What were the strengths of my production – be specific! What were the weaknesses of my production – be specific! What would I do differently?