HNC MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2018

Pearson Higher Nationals in Music (HNC)

Assignment title/reference: T1.1
Unit: 28 Composing Using Technology
Assessor: Matt Power I.V: Andrew Pettitt
th
Date issued: 8 October 2018
th
Formative assessment: 09/11/18 Submission date: 4 December 2018

The
project This project allows you to investigate the tools and techniques used in the creation, manipulation
brief and production of music. The project requires ‘hands-on’ practice and experimentation, allowing
you to develop your skills and build a well-rounded theoretical understanding of computer music
practices. You will use DAWs to process sound and produce music, whilst fully understanding
the tools and protocols required to do so.

Scenario
A music production house is looking to employ new composers and producers and has asked
applicants to provide a portfolio of their work, along with a guide as to how the work is made. The
role will involve training other new staff, and therefore the ideal applicant must have a solid
understanding of a variety of software and a wide range of skills and techniques to use them.
The music itself should be varied in style to demonstrate the flexibility and diverse working
methods applied to computer music composition.

Learning Outcomes

LO 1 Compose a piece of music in a chosen style using an industry standard DAW

LO 2 Apply relevant audio and MIDI sequencing skills appropriate to the chosen style in the completion of a
composition
LO 3 Apply mixing skills to a composition, to create a stereo audio file exhibiting correct gain structure
throughout
LO 4 Review the composition highlighting current industry practice, using tutor and peer feedback to
identify strengths and areas for development

Learner declaration

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully
acknowledged.

Student signature: Date:

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2018

 HNC MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2018

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Compose a piece of music in a chosen style using an industry standard DAW LO1, LO2 and LO3
P1 Compose a piece of music in a chosen style M1 Apply production techniques
D1 Produce a demo-ready pre-
using an industry standard DAW relevant to the style (e.g. use of master, suitable for dissemination
P2 Outline the key characteristics of the DAW contextualised techniques such as to other professionals within the
used in the submission synthesis and sampling) audio industry
P3 Demonstrate the style through the use of M2 Demonstrate general DAW
appropriate instrumentation, arrangement and project management skills
structure
LO2 Apply relevant audio and MIDI sequencing skills appropriate to the chosen
style in the completion of a composition
P4 Apply basic audio arranging skills M3 Apply a range of audio
including position and placement, and setting manipulation skills
start and end points without unwanted audio
artefacts (pops and clicks) and normalize as M4 Apply a range of MIDI
appropriate sequencing techniques

P5 Apply basic MIDI sequencing skills

including step and real-time record,
quantization, and velocity editing
LO3 Apply mixing skills to a composition, to create a stereo audio file exhibiting
correct gain structure throughout
P6 Apply a minimum of four audio effects,
each from a different category: time-based,
dynamic, harmonic, modulation and spatial
P7 Automate volume and pan functions
throughout the arrangement as appropriate
P8 Produce a well-balanced stereo audio file
free of unwanted noise and distortion
M5 Demonstrate the use of both
insert and send effects
M6 Demonstrate the use of
automation on at least two of the
following:
• VST Instrument or effects
• bus and master channel
• global parameters

LO4 Review the composition highlighting current industry practice, using tutor and
peer feedback to identify strengths and areas for development
P9 Review the composition using feedback to M7 Assess the composition
identify strengths and areas for development highlighting current industry
practice, using tutor and peer
feedback to identify strengths and
areas for development
LO4
D2 Evaluate the composition
highlighting current industry
practice, using tutor and peer
feedback to identify strengths and
areas for development.

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2018

 HNC MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2018

The This project allows you to investigate the tools and techniques used in the creation, manipulation
project and production of music. The project requires ‘hands-on’ practice and experimentation, allowing
brief you to develop your skills and build a well-rounded theoretical understanding of computer music
practices. You will use computers to process sound and produce music, whilst fully
understanding the tools and protocols required to do so.
Scenario A music production house is looking to employ new composers and producers and has asked
applicants to provide a portfolio of their work, along with a guide as to how the work is made. The
role will involve training other new staff, and therefore the ideal applicant must have a solid
understanding of a variety of software and a wide range of skills and techniques to use them.
The music itself should be varied in style to demonstrate the flexibility and diverse working
methods applied to computer music composition.

TASKS EVIDENCE
Compose a piece of music in a chosen style, demonstrating technical, aesthetic and Submission is in
contextual awareness, and implement the techniques learnt over the course of study, the form of a
to meet the following requirements: composed piece of
music (minimum
duration 3 minutes)
(i) Style: The piece should be written in a style chosen by the student.
in a chosen style.
The submission
(ii) Length: The piece should be greater than 3 minutes long, and contextually linked to
should include the
stylistic considerations. For works greater than 10 minutes, please consult your
session file
Assessor.
containing all
required assets for
(iii) Instrumentation: The piece must contain at least four instrumental layers, which
successful
should be appropriate for the chosen style. For example, if you are writing RnB you
playback (audio
might use drums, bass, electric piano and acoustic guitar. You can add more layers if
files, plugins, fade
you want, and this may lead to a higher grade if they are incorporated well and add to
files, bounces, etc.)
the final work.
as well as a pre-
master
(iv) Structure: The piece must have a clear structure (AAA/ABA/Verse-Chorus). Think
(24Bit/48Khz) and
about how you can use contrasts to create different sections (e.g. through changes in
post-master
production process, instrumentation, texture and timbre, rhythm, melody and harmony).
(16Bit/44.1Khz)
stereo bounce of
(v) DAW: An industry standard DAW platform should be used, capable of successfully
the final piece in
completing all assessed tasks. Where a choice is possible, there should be some
WAV or AIFF
rationale for the decision beyond the student's familiarity.
format. There is no
maximum
(vi) MIDI: MIDI recording and sequencing skills should be implemented, to include step
composition length.
and real-time record, region edit and arrange, quantization, and velocity editing.
Greater use of MIDI functionality such as arpeggiation and transformation is required
for higher grades, however should be applied in such a way as to add to the final work.

(vii) Audio: Audio editing and arranging skills should be implemented, to include
position and placement, setting start and end points, trim, fade, crossfade, arrange and
normalization as appropriate. More advanced audio manipulations are needed for
higher grades, such as pitch and time operations.

(viii) Synthesis & sampling: Although synthesis and sampling are not directly
assessed in this unit, they are recommended in the module content. As such, the use
of contextual practices and techniques should be evident within the piece.

(ix) Mix: The final mix should exhibit correct gain structure throughout and techniques

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2018

 HNC MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2018

learnt over the course of study should be implemented, to include balance and stereo
position; signal routing using channel, auxiliary, group and master buss signals; both
insert and send effects (chosen from categories, to include time-based, dynamic,
harmonic, modulation and spatial); the use of automation to control channel
parameters (volume and pan), instrument parameters, as well as mixer and global
parameters.

The mix approach should be contextually linked to the chosen style and reflect an
awareness of technical and aesthetic considerations.

A pre-master bounce should be provided, adhering to an industry standard deliverable.

(x) Master: Although mastering is not directly assessed in this unit at this level, it is
included within the recommended content. Basic EQ and compression/limiting should
be applied to the final pre-master, and a post-master bounce provided, adhering to an
industry standard deliverable.

Produce web content that explains in detail how you produced your composition, the The web content
compositional process and the key technologies used. Make reference to pre-existing can be a range of
recordings and consider where you were influenced when you chose to use production multi-media but
and engineering techniques from current industry practices. must include direct
reference to the
Use screenshots of the DAW and music notation to demonstrate the anatomy of the completed
finished composition. Use peer and tutor feedback to identify strengths for composition. Any
development. examples of pre-
existing recordings
must be credited.
The web content
can be password
encrypted.

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2018

 HNC MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2018

ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY AND FEEDBACK

BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) – MUSIC

Assignment title/reference: T1.2 MIDI Music
Unit: 28 Composing Using Technology
Assessor: Matt Power I.V:
Learner: Date
Submitted:

Criteria The evidence shows you are able to: Achieved (tick)
P1 Compose a piece of music in a chosen style using an industry standard DAW
P2 Outline the key characteristics of the DAW used in the submission
P3 Demonstrate the style through the use of appropriate instrumentation,
arrangement and structure
P4 Apply basic audio arranging skills including position and placement, and
setting start and end points without unwanted audio artifacts (pops and clicks)
and normalize as appropriate
P5 Apply basic MIDI sequencing skills including step and real-time record,
quantization, and velocity editing
P6 Apply a minimum of four audio effects, each from a different category: time-
based, dynamic, harmonic, modulation and spatial
P7 Automate volume and pan functions throughout the arrangement as
appropriate

P8 Produce a well-balanced stereo audio file free of unwanted noise and

distortion

P9 Review the composition using feedback to identify strengths and areas for
development
M1 Apply production techniques relevant to the style (e.g. use of contextualised
techniques such as synthesis and sampling)
M2 Demonstrate general DAW project management skills

M3 Apply a range of audio manipulation skills

M4 Apply a range of MIDI sequencing techniques

M5 Demonstrate the use of both insert and send effects

M6 Demonstrate the use of automation on at least two of the following:

• VST Instrument or effects
• Bus and master channel global parameters
M7 Assess the composition highlighting current industry practice, using tutor and
peer feedback to identify strengths and areas for development
D1 Produce a demo-ready pre-master, suitable for dissemination to other
professionals within the audio industry
D2 Evaluate the composition highlighting current industry practice, using tutor
and peer feedback to identify strengths and areas for development.

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2018

 HNC MISKIN MUSIC - ASSIGNMENT BRIEF 2018

Formative Feedback: Assessor to Student

Action Plan

Summative feedback

Feedback: Student to Assessor

Assessor Signature Date

Student Signature Date

Qualification: BTEC HNC in MUSIC 2018