Qualifications and standards

Music Technology - annotated exemplars level 2 US27657

Demonstrate knowledge of the development of music technology equipment and techniques

The following exemplars are student evidence which complete the requirement for the single outcome of the standard: 1.1, where students are required to research and describe the development of music technology equipment and technology.

Achieved

Commentary	Student response
The spoken student presentation in this visual exemplar meets Achievement criteria as it covers three examples of equipment used for sequencing or sampling, three of which are analogue. Further, the presentation covers different time periods between the 1880’s and 1980’s. The phonograph, multi-track tape recorder and DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) are covered in this exemplar. The student identifies: The main features of the equipment The techniques applied using the equipment The factors that influenced the design The functions of the equipment The application of technique The student presentation covers all requirements of the Standard, however keeping the exemplar at Achievement level is the lack of ‘detailed knowledge’ (Merit criteria) shown. When questioned by assessor, the student displays only basic technological terminology and shows a degree of confusion at times (e.g. when asked about the benefits of DAW over multi-track recording, the assessor has to draw out the ‘editing’ feature aspect). Generally, the evidence shown in this presentation meets the minimum requirements for the Standard.	view video (open in a new window or tab)

Commentary

Student response

The spoken student presentation in this visual exemplar meets Achievement criteria as it covers three examples of equipment used for sequencing or sampling, three of which are analogue. Further, the presentation covers different time periods between the 1880’s and 1980’s.

The phonograph, multi-track tape recorder and DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) are covered in this exemplar.

The student identifies:

The main features of the equipment
The techniques applied using the equipment
The factors that influenced the design
The functions of the equipment
The application of technique

The student presentation covers all requirements of the Standard, however keeping the exemplar at Achievement level is the lack of ‘detailed knowledge’ (Merit criteria) shown. When questioned by assessor, the student displays only basic technological terminology and shows a degree of confusion at times (e.g. when asked about the benefits of DAW over multi-track recording, the assessor has to draw out the ‘editing’ feature aspect).

Generally, the evidence shown in this presentation meets the minimum requirements for the Standard.

view video (open in a new window or tab)

Merit

Commentary	Student response
The spoken student presentation in this exemplar meets Merit criteria as it displays ‘detailed knowledge’ of three examples of equipment used for sequencing or sampling, one of which is analogue (guitar amp). Different time periods are covered, including a reference to the historical beginnings of the microphone and the mixing console. Mixing consoles, guitar amps and microphones are covered in this exemplar. The student identifies for each of the three types of technologies covered: A brief history of the equipment The main features of the equipment The techniques applied using the equipment The factors that influenced the design The functions of the equipment The application of technique The presentation covers the above aspects in detail, for example when discussing microphones, the student looks at ‘polar patterns’ to show the range and features of different microphones. This student uses technical terminology with accuracy, together with showing a degree of confidence in talking across his chosen equipment. The area which could be expanded on to move the exemplar into Excellence criteria would be further discussion on the factors that influenced the design and function(s) of the equipment. Presently this area is not as detailed as the others. Further discussion around pluses and minuses of major aspects of the equipment would also aid student in gaining Excellence. For example, there could be a discussion of analogue vs. digital mixing consoles.	view video (open in a new window or tab)

Commentary

Student response

The spoken student presentation in this exemplar meets Merit criteria as it displays ‘detailed knowledge’ of three examples of equipment used for sequencing or sampling, one of which is analogue (guitar amp). Different time periods are covered, including a reference to the historical beginnings of the microphone and the mixing console.

Mixing consoles, guitar amps and microphones are covered in this exemplar.

The student identifies for each of the three types of technologies covered:

A brief history of the equipment
The main features of the equipment
The techniques applied using the equipment
The factors that influenced the design
The functions of the equipment
The application of technique

The presentation covers the above aspects in detail, for example when discussing microphones, the student looks at ‘polar patterns’ to show the range and features of different microphones. This student uses technical terminology with accuracy, together with showing a degree of confidence in talking across his chosen equipment.

The area which could be expanded on to move the exemplar into Excellence criteria would be further discussion on the factors that influenced the design and function(s) of the equipment. Presently this area is not as detailed as the others. Further discussion around pluses and minuses of major aspects of the equipment would also aid student in gaining Excellence. For example, there could be a discussion of analogue vs. digital mixing consoles.

view video (open in a new window or tab)

Excellence

Commentary	Student response
This exemplar is in written format. It meets Excellence criteria as it displays ‘in-depth knowledge’ of three examples of equipment used for sequencing or sampling, one of which is analogue (phonograph). Different time periods are covered through a time-line shown at the beginning of the assignment (1857-1979) and further expanded on in the body of the assignment. Recording media, microphones and equalisation are covered in this exemplar. For each of the technologies above, the student gives an historical overview of the invention of the technology; its development, together with its main features and techniques. Excellent links are made between the development of the design; the functions of the equipment and application of techniques. The written evidence provided in this exemplar is in-depth as it displays thorough and accurate knowledge of the individual pieces of equipment and associated techniques. This is a comprehensive piece of research which consistently uses accurate technical terminology.	written (PDF, 784KB)

Commentary

Student response

This exemplar is in written format. It meets Excellence criteria as it displays ‘in-depth knowledge’ of three examples of equipment used for sequencing or sampling, one of which is analogue (phonograph). Different time periods are covered through a time-line shown at the beginning of the assignment (1857-1979) and further expanded on in the body of the assignment.

Recording media, microphones and equalisation are covered in this exemplar.

For each of the technologies above, the student gives an historical overview of the invention of the technology; its development, together with its main features and techniques.

Excellent links are made between the development of the design; the functions of the equipment and application of techniques.

The written evidence provided in this exemplar is in-depth as it displays thorough and accurate knowledge of the individual pieces of equipment and associated techniques. This is a comprehensive piece of research which consistently uses accurate technical terminology.

written (PDF, 784KB)