Music Technology A Level

The following activities are designed to provide you with some grounding for the course; the books and resources are recommended for purchase if possible.

If you have access to a digital audio workstation such as Logic Pro or Garage Band or FL Studio/Cubase/Reason/Pro Tools etc then you will be able to complete the composition task below. If not, try to record this on your instrument/voice or loops etc on your phone.

Listening

• Listen to the recommended tracks (below) so you have a stylistic overview of tracks from the 1920s to the current era. As you listen to these tracks choose two tracks (one from each section – A & B below) and:
  • Start to consider how these have been produced in terms of recording and mixing and write a short analysis of how you think they have achieved this. You can accomplish this by listening out for all the parts (vocals & instruments), listening for effects, as well as the relative balance & panning (L/R) between tracks as well as the overall loudness.
• Books you can use for this activity:
  • A Level Music Technology Study Guide, Tim Hallas, Rhinegold Education
  • The History of Music Production, R J Burgess, Oxford University Press

Section A

• Robert Johnson – Crossroad
• The Tornados – Telstar
• Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
• Beatles – A Day In The Life
• Can – Vitamin C

Section B

• Daft Punk – Around the World
• Motorhead – Ace of Spades
• Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
• Weeknd – Blinding Lights
• Killers – Mr Brightside

Composition/Producing

• Create a one minute (can be more) track that either: (choose one)
  • (a) is used as part of a soundtrack for a short animation/film/video etc or extract thereof which may include music (you can choose an animation/gameplay extract etc or any suitable visual media), sound effects, textures, samples, ambient sounds etc.
  • (b) write a short one minute song about the current situation in terms of restricted movement/isolation at home. You can use any instruments as well as lyrics, synths, drums etc.
  • (c) or create an experimental piece of Music about a theme of your choice eg. the news/social interaction/the internet. Try to use some original sounds you may have recorded or created in a key you may not have used before.
• Books you can use for this activity:
  • Logic Pro X: Audio & Music Production, Mark Cousins & Russ Hepworth-Sawyer – complete functional guide
• Other resources you can use for this activity:
  • Read Sound on Sound Magazine online or hard copies as they have great articles on music production.