A Level Music Technology

Learn how to use technology successfully in the field of contemporary popular music.

Music Technology is a creative and innovative subject which arms you with the skills needed to arrange, compose, produce and record music. You will gain an understanding of a wide range of popular musical styles, and will learn how to use technology successfully in the field of contemporary popular music.

About the Course

The course is very practical with much of the work being carried out at computer work stations. There are excellent opportunities to learn to operate a wide variety of music hardware and software, all in superb facilities including a teaching room with a fully equipped suite of Apple Mac computers (one student per computer) and two recording studios, one including an acoustically isolated booth. The studios contain Logic Pro X with M-Audio Profire 2626 audio interface, Logic Pro X, Audient iD22 interface/ASP880 pre-amps, outboard effects, balanced tie-lines to an acoustic booth, and a recital room. There is also access to the full range of McDSP professional audio plug-in effects and Native Instruments Komplete. Music Technology students are also encouraged to take part in the technical set-up for Hills Road concerts, including recording and stage management.

Opportunities unique to this course

Music Technology offers the unique opportunity to develop your skills as a producer. You will have access to exceptional equipment and resources and be provided with opportunities to use them. Our Music Tech students often support recordings and live sound at college events and in the wider community.

Recording - you will record, edit and mix a performance of a piece of popular music using audio.

Technology-based composition - you will compose a piece of music using synthesisers, samplers and creative effects to one of three provided briefs.

Listening & Analysing - you will study the production of popular music and learn how production techniques and technology have developed over time.

Producing & Analysing - you will study all elements of audio from a production and analytical perspective. You will study the theory of sound and recording as well the practical methods of producing.

Component 1 20% - Recording non-examined assessment. Non-examined assessment

Component 2 20% - Technology-based composition non-examined assessment. Non-examined assessment

Component 3 25% - Listening and analysing - listening exam analysing production of unfamiliar popular music tracks.

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

There are a variety of career paths for Music Technology students: common routes include studio and live sound engineering, whereas some of our ex-students have gone on to become film score composers and video game sound designers.

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/music-technology