Music Technology A Level

Music Technology A-Level is an exciting course, introducing candidates to the world of Sound Recording, Audio Technology and Production.

Areas of Study

There are three main areas of study which students will learn about over the course of the two year course.

Area of Study 1: Recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes

• the use of recording and mixing techniques to capture, edit and produce a recording;

• The use of sound creation and manipulation techniques to create, edit and structure a technology based composition;

• the capture, arrangement of sounds and mixing and mastering techniques as used on commercially available recordings;

• the use of sound creation and processing techniques to correct and mix a recording.

Area of Study 2: Principles of sound and audio technology

• the knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound and of audio technology in relation to commercially available recordings;

• the knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound and of audio technology in relation to theoretical and practical contexts.

Area of Study 3: The development of recording and production technology

• the knowledge and understanding of the history and development of recording and production technology from current digital technologies back to the mono, analogue recording technologies in the 1950s.

There are 4 main assessed components

Component 1: Recording (coursework: 20% of A Level)

Students will use production tools and techniques to capture, edit, process and mix an audio recording.

Component 2: Technology-based composition (coursework: 20% of A Level)

Students will produce a technology-based composition through creating, editing, manipulating and structuring sounds.

Component 3: Listening and analysing (exam: 25% of A Level)

Students will sit a written exam in which their knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques and principles will be tested.

Component 4: Producing and analysing (exam: 35% of A Level)

Students will apply their knowledge and understanding of editing, mixing and production techniques in a practical exam.

Is A Level Music Technology for me?

If you enjoy Popular Music and want to learn more about the way in which it has developed technologically, most definitely! Some knowledge of notation will be helpful, but if you play confidently by ear, or you can improvise well, then you will enjoy the course. You will be stretched, and you will learn to do things with sound you never thought possible! The successful A Level Music Technologist is enthusiastic, has initiative and imagination, and enjoys a challenge. However, the most important quality is that he or she loves music and wants to learn more about the way in which it is recorded and produced.

A Level Music Technology can be studied with almost any other combination of subjects, and can be used as a route into a range of Music Technology-based university courses.

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Academically, it is expected that students entering Birkdale’s Sixth Form will have achieved a minimum of 5 passes (9 to 5) at GCSE, with at least 4 at grade 6 or higher; we would expect 6 or higher GCSE grades in those subjects being studied to A level. A grade 6 is required to study A Level English and Mathematics, although a grade 7 is preferred in Mathematics. Prospective Further Mathematicians should achieve a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics although a grade 8 is preferred. In addition at Birkdale we look beyond the academic and would wish applicants to become fully involved in the life of the school, offering their skills and abilities in one or more of a number of areas (e.g. drama, sport, music, clubs and societies, etc).