Miskin Theatre Assignment

Assignment Cover Sheet

Course Title:

BTEC Extended Diploma in Music Technology Level 3

Brief IVd By: David MacKinnon

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Title:

T4.2 Better Mixes

Units:

Unit 2 Audio Engineering (Criteria 1,3)

Unit 31 Planning & Delivering A Music Product (Criteria 2,3)

Timing within Course:

Yr 2, Term 1, 2015

PASSED: 01/09/2015

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Date Set:
Submission Deadline:

13/10/15
23/10/15

Special Considerations:

Independent study and research is essential.

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Resources:

Access to Internet, Access to word processor, Access To Midi Studio. Your Tumblr blog will form essential
evidence, including blogged entries, audio, video, comments and evaluations.

Tutors:

Andrew Pettitt

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Relevant Departmental Notes: Assessment throughout this course is essentially formative, therefore company members can re-visit or
elect criteria as stated within this brief and from past and future briefs to arrive at their final assessment
grades.
English and Maths:

This project will include functional skills in English and Maths. Please bear in mind your industry requires
eloquent use of English and accurate use of figures, to which end, the continuing development of these
skills are firmly embedded inside all your work.

Miskin Theatre Assignment

2nd Year Extended Diploma in Music Technology

The Brief

This project requires you to apply good digital audio practice to 3 recordings of your choice (including 2 live recordings). You will post
finished mixes, video, screen-grabs, and written content (min 1500 words) explaining the meaning of the following terms and how they
apply to your recordings and finished mix.
(i)

Static Mix

Miskin Theatre Assignment

(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)

Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

DBFS
Dynamic Range
Headroom
EQ / Frequency Spectrum
Digital Distortion (as opposed to analogue)
Compression Threshold

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(ix)
(x)
(xi)

Compression Output / Make Up Gain

Compression Ratio
Compression Attack / Release

Also explain the challenges you faced in the mixing process for each track and how these were overcome. Are you happy with your mixes?
If not, how could they be improved?

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Task:
1 - Provide three mp3s/videos of a minimum of 2 mins 30s (Unit 31; Criteria 2,3) - POST TO YOUR Wix Portfolio Page
2 Provide a written report, video evidence and screengrabs explaining digital audio principals (Unit 2 Criteria 1,3) POST TO PRIVATE WORKSPACE
TAGS; #bettermixes #unit2 #unit31
Grading Criteria: Pass, merit and distinction are attainable. Evidence MP3s, Written Report, Video Evidence
Note on copyright and plagiarism: This process will require independent research. Copying from the internet and additional sources is not appropriate
and violates copyright and will be classed as plagiarism unless fully annotated and credited. You must make your work your own. We need to see that

Miskin Theatre Assignment

you have an understanding of the areas that you have researched. Copying work directly from ANY source will not be tolerated. If you quote ANY
existing material you must put it in quotation marks and in brackets, attribute the source / author. For example: Copying is cheating (Andy Pettitt
2014)

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Miskin Theatre Grading Criteria Sheet (Please see your brief)

Qualification: National Diploma In Music Technology

Name:

Project: Better Mixes

Unit Title: 2 Audio Engineering Principles

Criteria 1, 3

Initials: AP

I.V: DM

Date:

Miskin Theatre Assignment

To achieve a pass grade

the evidence must show
the learner is able to:

To achieve a merit
grade the evidence
must show the learner
is able to:

To achieve a distinction
grade the evidence must
show the learner is able to:

P1 define the principles of digital

audio

M1 explain the principles of

digital audio

D1 assess the principles of digital

audio relating to specific digital
audio equipment

MP3, Video, Written

Report

P3 illustrate methods for

processing audio

M3 explain methods for

processing audio

D3 assess methods for processing

audio

MP3, Video, Written

Report

Evidence

Grade

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Miskin Theatre Assignment

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Agreed as fair and accurate:

Music Technician:

Tutor:

Date:

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Miskin Theatre Grading Criteria Sheet (Please see your brief)

Miskin Theatre Assignment

To achieve a pass grade

the evidence must show
the learner is able to:

To achieve a merit
grade the evidence
must show the learner
is able to:
Qualification:
National
Musicand/or
Technology
P1 Record and/or
produceDiploma
multi- M1InRecord
produce
track material
Project:
Bettercompetently
Mixes using
given resources and personnel

Criteria 2, 3
P2 Produce stereo mixes of the
multi-track recordings
competently using given
resources

multi- track material

competently selecting
resourcesAP
and personnel
Initials:
M2 Produce stereo mixes of
the multi-track recordings
competently selecting
resources

To achieve a distinction
grade the evidence must
show the learner is able to:

Evidence

Name:and/or produce multiD1 Record

MP3, Video, Written
trackUnit
material
competently
selecting
Report
Title: 31 Planning & Delivering
A Music
and justifying resources and
personnel
I.V: DM
Date:
D2 Produce stereo mixes of the
multi-track recordings competently
selecting and justifying resources

MP3, Video, Written

Report

Grade
Product

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Miskin Theatre Assignment

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Agreed as fair and accurate:

Music Technician:

Tutor:

Date:

Miskin Theatre Assignment