Higher
Music Technology

Audio Capture:

Using a DAW (GarageBand)

Recording techniques: microphones, polar patterns and placement

Overdubbing

Using virtual and/or MIDI instruments to create electronic sounds and music

Processing skills:

Editing three or more takes
into a single take

Applying corrective and creative equalisation

Applying dynamics processing: compression, limiter & noise gate

Applying Effects:

Time domain and other effects

Manipulating the controls of virtual and/or MIDI instruments

Mixing and Sequencing:

Mixing techniques: volume, panning, automation, send & insert effects, grouping/bussing

Synchronisation & sequencing in complex scenarios

Mixing down to an audio master

Multitrack

Using pre-recorded stems to practise and develop a variety of technical skills

Video Game Soundtrack

Designing and creating the soundtrack for a chosen excerpt from a video game, including:

Multi-tracked recording(s) of sounds and/or music

and

Multi-tracked, electronically produced sounds and/or music

Written evidence

Sound design plan

Recording, creating & mixing plan

Detailed log with supporting screenshots demonstrating knowledge, understanding and application of technical skills

Detailed evaluation of planning, recording & creating, editing & processing, and final mix

Developing knowledge and understanding of 20th and 21st century styles and genres of music, developments in music technology (including key innovators) and aspects of the music industry, including project-based learning

Developing listening skills in order to identify a wide range of genres and styles and their main attributes, and relevant music concepts 

Using bespoke reference materials with videos & explanations of level-specific music technology and music terms

Completing Google Forms testing knowledge, understanding & aural recognition of technological controls, processes & effects

Becoming familiar with and practising question types used
in the SQA paper