Higher SOUND ENGINEERING and PRODUCTION

SUMMARY

This unit seeks to allow candidates to use multi-track equipment to record and mix musical performances from a variety of sources to the appropriate standard, demonstrating strong conceptual understanding of the techniques involved and musical judgement.

Please note that this is a freestanding unit and not a complete course. In order to gain a Higher course award candidates would need to be successful in completing this unit along with the Performing, Inventing and Listening unit.

OUTCOMES

1.      Demonstrate secure understanding of concepts and techniques involved in recording on multi-track equipment.

2.      Demonstrate discriminatory awareness and musicality involved in mixing on multi-track equipment.

RECOMMENDED ENTRY

This is at the discretion of the school/college, candidates will normally benefit from having attained one of the following

·         A unit at Intermediate 2 in Music: Sound Engineering and Production

·         A Standard Grade Music award at Credit level

·         Experience of recording

·         Experience of performing

CREDIT VALUE

1 credit at Higher.

UNIT              Music: Sound Engineering and Production (Higher)

Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the unit specification.  All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

OUTCOME 1

Demonstrate secure understanding of concepts and techniques involved in recording on multi-track equipment.

Performance criteria

a)      Management of recording sessions is constructive and creative.

b)                  Deployment of recording techniques is accurate and creative.

c)                  Understanding of concepts and techniques involved in recording is sound.

d)                 Comparison and evaluation of recordings and performances is effective.

Note on range for the outcome

Management of recording sessions: setting up; connecting equipment; organising performers; storing and labelling recordings.

Recording techniques: microphone selection and positioning; gain; level; slating takes; equalisation; effects send and returns; uses of effects and processors; selection of effects; overdubbibg; bouncing down; punching-in and out; headphone and loudspeaker monitoring.

Evidence requirements

Performance evidence of candidate’s ability to organise, set up, engineer and produce a recording of two contrasting pieces performed by an ensemble in a least five parts and of 6-10 minutes’ duration.  In each piece, at least one bounce down should be performed.  Evidence is required in the form of a session log, detailing progress of the recording, including comments on each take.  Evidence from a test paper is required to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and techniques stated in PC(b) and (d).

OUTCOME 2

Demonstrate discriminatory awareness and musicality involved in mixing on multi-track equipment.

Performance criteria

a)                  Deployment of mixing techniques is accurate and creative.

b)                  Comparison of mixes or takes is objective and constructive.

c)                  Understanding of concepts and techniques involved in mixing is sound.

Note on range for the outcome

Mixing techniques: gain, level, panning, equalisation, effects send and returns; uses of effects and processors; control of faders and mutes (where appropriate); defining start and end points.

Evidence requirements

Recorded evidence of final mix; evidence, in the form of a session log, detailing the progress of the session, with comments on each take.  Evidence from a test paper is required to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and techniques stated in PC (a) and (b).