Music Technology A level has three main components - audio engineering, arranging/composing and written examination. The audio engineering part involves learning about microphones, recording techniques, mixing desks and audio production and producing finished recorded tracks to a professional standard.

Coursework compositions and arrangements are all computer-based, using software packages such as Cubase, Reason and Sibelius. Some recording of real instruments is also involved.

Written examinations test the technical knowledge that you accumulate while doing coursework. They also assume that you will have a broad knowledge of the main developments in popular music over the last hundred years.

What is Music Tech @ DLD?

Tuition is based around our fully equipped recording studio, which features a 24 channel mixing desk, a comprehensive set of professional microphones, a control room and two live rooms. In-house instruments include an 8-piece drum-kit, bass guitar, electric guitar, two acoustic guitars, acoustic and electric pianos, a vintage sampler and a range of ethnic percussion. The studio control room doubles as a tuition room with eight individual Apple I-Mac workstations where students who may or not be taking Music Technology at A level are encouraged to pursue their own projects outside teaching hours. The studio is available for multi-track recording during the evening if it is not being used for coursework assignments. Our tutors include professional producers, engineers and recording artists.

How is it assessed?

What do I need?

GCSE Music is a great start. More important are a genuine enthusiasm for the subject, good knowledge of all forms of popular music and natural musicality. You should definitely be able to listen to a melody and pick out its notes on a keyboard by ear. Some familiarity with computer-based sequencing packages is useful, though you will be taught all the skills you need from scratch. You don't have to be a musician, nor do you need to sight-read musical notation. Some of our most successful students have not been performers. The Head of Music at DLD teaches all the music theory needed for the course in separate lessons.

Good subject combinations

As well as composition and arrangement, the arts side of Music Technology involves critical analysis, constructing arguments and using research to support arguments. Subjects that develop such skills include English, History of Art, Classical Civilisation and Modern Languages. The science side of the subject will be helped by knowledge of Physics and increasingly, Computer Science. Drama and Media Studies will provide a good insight into the crucial part that sound design plays in the entertainment and information industries. Studying Music at A level will make the listening and analysis work much easier and will enhance your composition skills. However, all composition coursework assignments now include options for pieces based on sound design.

After DLD

A good pass in A Level is usually needed in order to study Music Technology at a higher level. However some departments will offer places based on a portfolio of work. Several colleges have an on-line assessment system with which you create audition tracks, get feedback from tutors and students then progress through successive levels to being offered a place on the course.

Course content varies greatly. Some concentrate on contemporary composition; others are highly scientific, focusing on equipment and software design. An increasing number of courses are appearing that are specifically geared to producing commercial music for adverts, games and movies.

Questions
Can I do the course in one year? NO
Is Easter Revision available? NO