Edexcel A Level Music Technology
The course is challenging and exciting, designed to give you an in-depth range of knowledge and skills over a breadth of content to prepare you for both further study and work in the music technology industry.
Your work on the course will develop your practical skills but also your ability to critically listen to, analyse and produce music.
Component 1 - Recording
Non-examined assessment: externally assessed
20% of the qualification
Content overview
Production tools and techniques to capture, edit, process and mix an audio recording.
Assessment overview
Component 2 - Technology-based Composition
Non-examined assessment: externally assessed
20% of the qualification
Content overview
Creating, editing, manipulating and structuring sounds to produce a technology-based composition.
Assessment overview
Component 3 - Listening & Analysing
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
25% of the qualification
Content overview
Assessment overview
Component 4 - Producing & Analysing
Written/practical examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
35% of the qualification
Content overview
Assessment overview
The course is challenging and exciting, designed to give you an in-depth range of knowledge and skills over a breadth of content to prepare you for both further study and work in the music technology industry.
Your work on the course will develop your practical skills but also your ability to critically listen to, analyse and produce music.
Component 1 - Recording
Non-examined assessment: externally assessed
20% of the qualification
Content overview
Production tools and techniques to capture, edit, process and mix an audio recording.
Assessment overview
- One recording, chosen from a list of 10 songs provided by Pearson, consisting of a minimum of five compulsory instruments and two additional instruments, released on our website on 1st June in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded.
- Keyboard tracks may be sequenced.
- Total time must be between 3 minutes and 3½ minutes.
- Logbook and authentication form must be supplied.
Component 2 - Technology-based Composition
Non-examined assessment: externally assessed
20% of the qualification
Content overview
Creating, editing, manipulating and structuring sounds to produce a technology-based composition.
Assessment overview
- One technology-based composition chosen from three briefs set by Pearson released on our website on 1st September in the calendar year preceding the year in which the qualification is to be awarded.
- Synthesis and sampling/audio manipulation and creative effects use must be included.
- Total time must be 3 minutes.
- Logbook and authentication form must be supplied.
Component 3 - Listening & Analysing
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
25% of the qualification
Content overview
- Knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques and principles, in the context of a series of unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by Pearson.
- Application of knowledge related to all three areas of study:
- recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes
- principles of sound and audio technology
- the development of recording and production technology.
Assessment overview
- This paper comprises two sections: A and B and all questions are compulsory.
- Unfamiliar commercial recordings to accompany questions on the paper will be provided to each student.
- Section A: Listening and analysing (40 marks) – four questions, each based on unfamiliar commercial recordings supplied by Pearson (10 marks each).
- Section B: Extended written responses (35 marks) – two essay questions. One comparison question, which uses two unfamiliar commercial recordings (15 marks). The second essay uses the final unfamiliar commercial recording provided by Pearson (20 marks).
Component 4 - Producing & Analysing
Written/practical examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
35% of the qualification
Content overview
- Knowledge and understanding of editing, mixing and production techniques, to be applied to unfamiliar materials provided by Pearson in the examination.
- Application of knowledge related to two of the areas of study: o recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes o principles of sound and audio technology.
Assessment overview
- This paper comprises two sections: A and B and all questions are compulsory.
- Each student will be provided with a set of audio/MIDI materials for the practical element of the examination, to include: o audio files relating to three instrumental/vocal parts. o a single MIDI file from which a fourth instrumental part will be created or synthesised.
- Students will correct and then combine the audio and MIDI materials to form a completed mix, which may include creating new tracks or parts from the materials provided.
- Section A: Producing and analysing (85 marks) – five questions related to the audio and MIDI materials provided that include both written responses and practical tasks.
- Section B: Extended written response (20 marks) – one essay focusing on a specific mixing scenario, signal path, effect or music technology hardware unit.