AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK There are two stages to completing the logbook: 1.

Download the file called AS Logbook template then complete questions1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10 as a word processed document.2. Complete questions 4, 5 & 6 on the printed log book templates. If youdont have one they are available as a link via the blog. Once you have completed this draft copy, submit this to the music tech. department. Wewill review and mark your logbooks and return them to you with any suggestedalterations. You will then have to write them up in full during a class lesson after Easter.This document contains detailed guidance on how to complete each question in thelogbook. Please make sure you have a copy of this to hand when you are completing youdraft copy. Notes from the 2009 & 2010 examiners report on completion of Log books: Many examiners commented on the disappointing standard of response to questions 9and 10. This part of the portfolio carries 20 marks half those allocated to theother tasks and it is therefore to be expected that care and attention is given toit, the more so since it does not have to be completed under exam conditionsand notes may be referred to whilst writing up the questions .Moreover, the necessity to meet criteria for QWC (Quality of Written Communication)resulted in a loss of marks when answers were disorganised and full of elementary spelling errors. Many candidates achieved less than half marks. Whilst the first part of the log is not marked it is worth remembering that the examinermay not be able to credit a particular feature of the work if the logbook documentation ismissing or inaccurate. An example of this is given above, where details of editedtimbres in the sequence need to be clear if they are to receive marks. Most answers suffered from a lack of detail. There is no requirement to write longpassages of critical prose (bullet points are acceptable) but references need to besupported by clear examples and locations. For example, a response such as the onebelow is simply not specific enough for a high mark: The songs [sic] texture varies a lot in the song starting off thin then getting thicker building up to a bigger emphasis on the bridge and chorus On the other hand this is far more illuminating and shows evidence of thought andplanning: The original Light my Fire had 2-3 minute guitar and organ solos but this structurewas suited to the time the song was composed and doesnt suit an 80s rock song so I changed the structure to Intro, V1, Chorus, V2, Chorus, Guitar solo, Chorus, Outro. AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK Common errors are repetition of material and failure to provide detailed and accuratereferences to the candidates own arrangement. Whilst a statement like I was influencedby..... will attract some credit, more marks will be earned if the candidate goes on toexplain how they were influenced and to give an example. QUESTION 1 & 2 Questions 1 & 2 focuses on Task 1a. When answering question 2, please make sure thatyou list ALL the instruments (including drum sounds and any sample used).This question gives you the opportunity to explain to the examiner the detailed work youhave put into editing and shaping the timbres (software instruments) in Logic. So hereyou can talk about how you have used the various software synths, (i.e. ES1, ES2 etc) tosculpt sounds that accurately imitate the timbres used in the original recording.The answers to question 2 come from one of last years submissions, this should give yousome idea of the level of detail required. Please note the answer below is NOT THECOMPLETE answer but an excerpt, outlining timbres of just some of the parts: Electric Guitar I found it difficult to recreate the guitar sound in theoriginal track with any one sample library, so I used a combination of theHeavy Metal Guitar and Crunchy Muted Guitar in EXS24, and then used Flanger, Guitar Amp Pro and Stereo Delay effect plugins to complete it.

Vocals

QUESTIONS 3, 4, 5 & 6 THESE all refer to Task 1B. You have already had a printed copy of this part of thelog book. Question 4. You MUST USE PHOTOGRAPHS for this question. If you did not take any while recording, take some NOW to show the examiner how you set up mic placementsfor all the instruments recorded in your task. This does not need to include anythingD.I.d. Question 5. List all instruments recorded, including D.I. capture. Add more sheets if necessary. Question 6. This deals only with MIXDOWN, i.e. the settings you used in Protools when you created your mix. AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK EQ include something about Hi, Mid and Low frequencies, use the termsboost or cut FX list any processing used reverb, delay, chorus, distortion etc. but NOTcompression or gating, that comes next DYNAMIC PROCESSING this is all about noise gating and compression.When describing gating, juts mention if you used it on the given track or not.When describing the amount of compression used include the ratio and threshold settings. PANNING indicate the position of the track in the stereo field, i.e. LEVEL indicate the level in Db i.e. -2.7Db QUESTION 7 Computer and processor: Apple iMac 5.2 - 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Main Digital Audio Workstation software: Logic Express 9 Additional software: Logic native software instruments Audio/MIDI interface:

M-audio Fast track pro Keyboard: M-Audio keystation 49e QUESTION 8 Here you must list ALL the instruments used in your arrangement andclearly include any editing of software instrument parameters and any effects processing used reverb/delay/guitar amp pro, etc.Make sure you include and use of loops/samples and any processing thatyou applied to these too. -

AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK QUESTION 9 Question 9 draws attention to the optional criteria in the mark scheme. This gives youan excellent opportunity to point out specic areas you wish to bring to the examinersnotice. Focus on development of the areas listed rather than just describingthe piece in words to accompany the audio . This applies to how you havedeveloped your piece from its initial working drafts to the nal version and also to how you have musically developed the thematic material. Note that this is worth 10 marks, so must make at least 10 clearly justifiedpoints to be awarded full marks.Melody: Have you developed the melody? If so how? Have you added notes, changed the melodic rhythm, added any harmony parts? Have you used any countermelody ? Have you chosen a particularly interesting instrumental voice for the melody? Harmony:

How have you reharmonised the stimulus? Is your arrangement in a new key, if so why? How is the harmony expressed , is it using block chords, broken chords or arpeggios? Is the harmony expressed by one instrument or more than one instrument? What type of chords have you used? Power chords, sus chords, triads,extended chords (7 th ,9 th , 11 th , 13 th etc.) Bass line does the bass line state the harmony? How does the bass reflectwhat is happening harmonically? How does the bass work rhythmically? Rhythm: How have you created the rhythm track? Does the rhythm track uses drum kitsounds or drum machine/sampled elements? Have you integrated any sampled drum loops? Have you used any percussion? Are there any drum fills? How have you created contrast in your rhythm track? Does it vary from verse tochorus, intro etc. Have you used percussive layers ? Texture & Instrumentation: Texture:

Terms to include when discussing texture include: thick, rich, thin,open, spacious, multilayered, sparse, dense. Texture: How is there contrast in the texture? i.e from verse to chorus, or fromintro to verse etc. AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK Instrumentation: Have you chosen any particularly interestinginstrumentation that is different from the stimulus but that reflects your chosenstyle? Instrumentation: You can comment on performance techniques that you haveused, i.e. strings pizzicato, arco (bowed), staccato. Guitar strumming, fingerpicking, broken chords, power chords, lead sololines Instrumentation: Use of processing and FX , how has this been used. Form & Structure: Have you used a different structure from the original stimulus, if so outline indetail, explain why you made those choices. QUESTION 10 Question 10 requires you to focus on the ngerprints of your chosen style. To gain thehighest available marks for this question, you must link the stylistic ngerprintsto examples in your arrangement using high levels of detail to justify. Additional pages may be used if required. Please ensure that you have at least 10 clearly identified points that link thestylistic aspects of your chosen style for the arrangement with demonstrableaspects of your arrangement. Stylistic Fingerprints of:SYNTH POP Extensive use of synthesizers often layered with a mixture of synthpads and contrasting staccato parts. Use of synth techniques: Arpeggiator Use of synth chordal pads Use of repeated rhythmic block chord figures which follow the chordsequence Simple chord sequences often diatonic

 Use of snyth countermelodies Use of brassy rhythmic synth figures mimicking call & responsehorn lines Use of climactic orchestral synthesized string parts Some use of synthesizers to emulate orchestral textures Minimal use of live instrumentation Some use of guitars Use of drum machines and sampled drum beats 4/4 most common time signature typically uptempo dance tempos Four on the floor house influenced grooves are common Drum grooves tend to be simple repeated one bar grooves,punctuated with basic synth tom fills Some use of shuffled/swing grooves AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK Bass patterns often follow root note exclusively often coupled withoctaves Some use of spoken word phrases Extensive effects processing delays, reverb, vocoder, etc Use of vocal processing delay/reverb/vocoder Use of big compressed pop production sound Stylistic Fingerprints of:REGGAE Almost exclusive use of 4/4 time signature Slow to medium tempo

Common use of swing/shuffle feel Kick drum often falling on beats 2 and 4 with a snare/rimclick Syncopated rimclick/snare patterns with much variety Some use of 16 th note and triplet feel Hi-hat patterns. Some complexand widely varied Use of timbale style drum fills often as intro Some use of latin percussion instruments in layers: congas, bongos,maracas, triangle, clave, timbale, etc Drums and bass very prominent in mix balance Bass often outlining triads from the chosen chord sequence Common use of repeated bass rhythms often doubled on guitar Common use of repeated ostinato bass grooves often also doubledon guitar Use of simple chord sequences Common use of two chord sequences Off beat skank guitar chords often also on keyboard Instrumentation often includes keyboard Hammond organ Use of horn sections often with call and response parts Extensive use of backing vocals typically call and response Use of vocal embellishment soul music influence On the following two pages there are the criteria from the mark scheme forcompletion of the logbook AS Music Technology Unit 1 - LOGBOOK QUESTION 9 MARK SCHEME