Miskin Theatre Assignment

Assignment Cover Sheet

Course Title:

BTEC Extended Diploma in Music Technology Level 3

Brief IVd By: David MacKinnon

Title:

T4.2 Better Mixes

PASSED: 01/09/2015

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

Date Set:
Submission Deadline:

13/10/15
23/10/15

Special Considerations:

Independent study and research is essential.

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

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:

Btec Extended Diploma 2nd yr

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)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
(xi)

Static Mix
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
DBFS
Dynamic Range
Headroom
EQ / Frequency Spectrum
Digital Distortion (as opposed to analogue)
Compression Threshold
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?
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
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)

Btec Extended Diploma 2nd yr

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:

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

Btec Extended Diploma 2nd yr

Evidence

Grade

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Tutors Comments:

Agreed as fair and accurate:

Btec Extended Diploma 2nd yr

Music Technician:

Tutor:

Date:

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Miskin Theatre Grading Criteria Sheet (Please see your brief)

Qualification: National Diploma In Music Technology

Name:

Project: Better Mixes

Unit Title: 31 Planning & Delivering A Music Product

Criteria 2, 3

Initials: AP

I.V: DM

Date:

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 Record and/or produce multitrack material competently using

given resources and personnel

M1 Record and/or produce

multi- track material
competently selecting
resources and personnel

D1 Record and/or produce multitrack material competently selecting

and justifying resources and
personnel

MP3, Video, Written

Report

P2 Produce stereo mixes of the

multi-track recordings
competently using given
resources

M2 Produce stereo mixes of

the multi-track recordings
competently selecting
resources

D2 Produce stereo mixes of the

multi-track recordings competently
selecting and justifying resources

MP3, Video, Written

Report

Btec Extended Diploma 2nd yr

Evidence

Grade

Miskin Theatre Assignment

Tutors Comments:

Agreed as fair and accurate:

Btec Extended Diploma 2nd yr

Music Technician:

Tutor:

Date: