Courses / Music Technology
Music Technology
The music and media industries are highly successful within the UK but in a constant period of evolution, this course will provide you will the skills and knowledge to adapt and thrive. Music Technology will suit students who are interested in producing, arranging or engineering their own music as well as those wishing to progress into the media industries. As well as offering a musical context the course grounds itself within the highly advantageous area of technology. The course offers students an opportunity to use industry standard equipment in a well spec’d recording studio.
If you choose this course you would benefit from:
- Experienced teachers and practitioners who specialise in technology based music and have experience in industry
- A well established and successful course
- Trips to a variety of industry options
- Access to a well stocked recording studio and modern digital audio workstations
In the first year you will study:
- Microphone Techniques
- Fundamental Mix Techniques
- Sampling and Synthesis
- MIDI Programming and Automation
- Digital Composition
- Analogue Technology and Vocal Production
- Analogue Synthesis and Electric Instruments
- Comparing Analogue and Digital Effects
In the second year you will study:
- Advanced Microphone Techniques (including multi mic setups)
- Advanced Mix Skills
- Audio Editing and Manipulation
- Advanced Midi Manipulation/ Reading
- Advanced Synthesis Techniques (FM, Additive, Granular, Wavetable)
- Impacts of Analogue and Digital Technologies
- Identifying Effects and Technologies
- Studio Interconnection
What will I be taught?
This course is taught around a flipped learning approach, students make use of materials on the college Moodle site to research topics before they are delivered in class. This prior research is then assessed in class and activities follow which allow learners to explore the content in more detail and apply them to real business situations. In addition, you will apply all theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios and will therefore use digital audio workstations and the recording studio extensively. Assessment and feedback will make use of video as well as more traditional forms
Classroom activities will include:
- Composition tasks
- Practical demonstration and tasks
- Interactive online quizzes
- Group work and forums
- Student Led Sessions
Based on research into how students learn best, each subject will set independent work to allow you to recap what you have done in the past, consolidate understanding for what you are studying in the present and develop the skills and experiences which will help you for the future. You can read more about the college’s approach to independent study here
The Past
Click here for the suggested ongoing revision activities in this subject which research has shown are most likely to boost your achievement
The Present
Each subject will set weekly homework tasks to help you consolidate your understanding and prepare for your next lesson. This work is typically set through Microsoft Teams, so you will have an electronic log of all your work, notes and feedback.
The Future
A key part of your independent work in this subject will be to prepare for a range of potential jobs and higher education courses when you leave us. To get started, look below at the top higher education courses and jobs which previous students of this course have gone on to do.
As part of a wider programme this course provides an excellent basis for progression to many careers or university courses.
Former students of this college have gone on to study Music Composition, Production and Performance as well as Electronics and Music Technology. Former students have found success as national touring artists playing festivals such as the Isle of Wight Festival and Reading and Leeds. Students have also found success within the videogame industry creating audio for titles such as Forza Horizon 3 and Rock Band.
Min 5 x GCSE grades 4-9 (incl. English Language)
Additional Requirements
5 in Maths
Audition required (An ability to play an instrument is essential)
Not essential but it will help your success…
Technical skills specifically related to music technology are highly preferred.
Pairs well with Electronics and any Arts based subjects.
Teaching contact time is 4 hours and 20 minutes per subject. Other workshops will be available throughout the year including over some holiday periods. Students are expected to complete up to 4 hours of independent study to complete assignments, homework, extra reading and independent research.
40% Coursework
- Recording (20%)
- Technology Based Composition (20%)
60% Exam
- Listening and Analysing (25%)
- Producing and Analysing (35%)