Year 12 Summer Task

There are several tasks to be completed over the summer break. Any saved work should be saved to a new memory stick that you can bring with you to the first lesson in September.

Any questions should be e-mailed to pcraig@stanborough.herts.sch.uk

Can you all please e-mail me from your school e-mail so I can create a Microsoft teams group for us.

Summer Work Vocab

Complete the vocabulary list with a simple explanation for each of the key terms that you will need during the course. You will find definitions for these terms on the internet.

Please print a copy of your definitions and bring it with you to the first lesson.

3a. Bedroom Studio

You are setting up a studio in your bedroom. You have a computer with recording software, but you need to work out what else you want. you have £1500 budget.

You NEED

- An interface

- At least 1 good quality microphone

- Headphones or speakers

- What would you spend any leftover money on?

3b. Commercial Studio

You are purchasing microphones and outboard for a new studio. You have £3000 to spend. Stands and cables have already been purchased.

You will be recording:

A Drum Kit Guitar Amp Bass Amp Backing Vocals x2 Lead Vocalist.

What would you buy? Why those particular choices?

It may help to read this article. Use Studiospares, Andertons and any other online shop to help with current pricing.

Research a “classic” album. You will give a presentation in the first lessons about the album you have chosen. Below are some examples. You will need to tell us about:

- the band/artist that recorded it - what genre they are, instruments involved, why they are interesting

- the studio that they recorded the album in

- who produced/engineered/mixed/mastered the album. Why are these people interesting?

- How this album impacted the wider music industry on the whole.

Examples - ‘Whats the Story (Morning Glory)’ - Oasis, ‘Dookie’ - Green Day, ’Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band’ - The Beatles, ‘The Rise and Fall’ - Madness, ‘Whats going on’ - Marvin Gaye, ‘Whats Love got to do with it’ - Tina Turner

The following is not a pre-requisite for joining the course, but is well worth doing to prepare for September.

The Last Train

Create a piece of Music called “The Last Train”. This could be a piece of electronic music, or an original song.

You must use at least 3 of the samples included in this Sample Set (there are a lot here, my advice would be pick 10 at random and then use some of them)

Ear Training With EQ

Using your headphones, play this game. Good for starting to hear specific frequency areas.

Synthesizer Fundamentals

Ableton have created a great resource for understanding synths, and it's free for the time being. Have a look here.

History of Recording - The Studio as an Instrument

A much longer series of articles that are interesting, and worthwhile reading. This will be covered over the course, but why not get a head-start? It can be found here.