NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Music Technology

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Candidate Learning Log

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Music Technology

501/1234/X

Candidate Name:

Centre Number:

Centre Name:

Signatures

Candidate: Date:

Tutor/Assessor: Date:

Internal Moderator*: Date:

External Moderator*: Date:

* for completion if part, or all, of the evidence has been sampled by the Internal and/or External Moderator

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Contents

Page No.
Section 1: Overview / 1
- / About this qualification / 1
- / What you need to cover / 1
- / Tracking your evidence / 3
- / How your evidence is checked / 3
- / How you get your certificate / 3
- / Opportunities for further education and training / 4
Section 2: Planning and tracking your assessment / 5
- / Completing your learning log / 5
- / Example unit / 6
- / Unit 01 Assist with recording studio operations / 7
- / Unit 02 Use multi-track loop sequencing software / 10
- / Unit 03 DJ Skills / 12
- / Unit 04 MC skills / 15
- / Unit 05 Sound effects in music production / 17
- / Unit 06 Sound and music technology / 18
- / Unit 07 Audio effects processors in music production / 19
- / Unit 08 Live sound mixing skills / 21
- / Unit 09 Multi-track mixing skills / 22
- / Unit 10 Microphones in music production / 23
- / Unit 11 Use audio editing software / 24
- / Unit 12 Public address systems / 25
- / Unit 13 Multi-track audio recording / 27
- / Unit 14 Location recording / 30
- / Unit 15 Employment opportunities in music production / 32
- / Unit 16 Job application skills / 33
- / Unit 17 Job search skills / 34
- / Unit 18 Presenting yourself / 36

Contents

Section 3: Additional information
- / Additional support requirements / 38
- / Appeals or complaints / 39
- / Malpractice / 38
About NCFE / 39
- / Enquiries / 39
- / Equal Opportunities / 39
- / Data Protection / 39

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Section 1 - Overview

About this qualification

Thank you for choosing an NCFE qualification. This learning log is yours to keep and is a place to record your progress.

The NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Music Technology has been accredited by the regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland[1] and is part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Its Qualification Accreditation Number is 501/1234/X.

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This qualification has been supported by Creative and Cultural Skills the Sector Skills Council for Creative Industries. The qualification is part of the Additional Specialist Learning catalogue for the Creative and Media Diploma. For more information on the Diplomas, visit the NCFE website (www.ncfe.org.uk/diplomas) or speak to your Tutor.

What you need to cover

This qualification is made up of a set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria that describe what you need to be able to do, and things you need to know to achieve your qualification.

The qualification consists of 3 mandatory units, 11 optional units and 4 additional units.

Mandatory units

Unit 01 Assist with recording studio operations

Unit 02 Use multi-track loop sequencing software

Unit 03 DJ Skills

Optional units

Unit 04 MC skills

Unit 05 Sound effects in music production

Unit 06 Sound and music technology

Unit 07 Audio effects processors in music production

Unit 08 Live sound mixing skills

Unit 09 Multi-track mixing skills

1The qualifications regulators (‘regulators’) are Ofqual in England, DCELLS in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland.

Section 1 - Overview

Unit 10 Microphones in music production

Unit 11 Use audio editing software

Unit 12 Public address systems

Unit 13 Multi-track audio recording

Unit 14 Location recording

Additional units

Unit 15 Employment opportunities in music production

Unit 16 Job application skills

Unit 17 Job search skills

Unit 18 Presenting yourself

To achieve the NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Music Technology you must achieve one mandatory unit and 6 optional units. You must provide evidence to show that you meet all the learning outcomes and assessment criteria defined in the units.

Section 1 - Overview

Tracking your evidence

During your course your Tutor/Assessor will ask you to carry out work either in the classroom, in your workplace or at home which you’ll keep as evidence of your learning.

The work you produce (evidence) will be assessed by your Tutor/Assessor to make sure you’ve covered everything in sufficient detail. Your evidence could be made up of a combination of:

¨  written work or class notes

¨  products or samples of practical work

¨  case studies

¨  simulated activities or role play

¨  work placement diaries

¨  learning logs

¨  video or audio recordings

¨  other appropriate formats suggested by your Tutor/Assessor

When all of your evidence is gathered together in a file or folder, this becomes your portfolio.

Your centre and Assessor may have systems that they use to plan and monitor your assessment. These may be computer-based (eg using ‘e-portfolio’ software) or paper-based (using forms or checklists). These systems are designed to show how each piece of evidence meets which learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

How your evidence is checked

After your Tutor/Assessor has assessed your work, another member of staff - the Internal Moderator - will review it. An External Moderator from NCFE will visit your centre. The External Moderator’s role is to make sure your work has been assessed to NCFE’s requirements. They’ll do this by checking a sample of candidates’ portfolios – which may include yours. They also may wish to talk to you about the content of the course and the work you’re doing.

How you get your certificate

Once you’ve built up your portfolio of evidence and your Tutor/Assessor and the Internal and External Moderators are satisfied it meets the standards, you’ll be awarded the NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Music Technology.

Section 1 - Overview

Your centre will send a signed certificate claim form to NCFE when they and the External Moderator have signed off your completed portfolio. NCFE will send your certificate to your centre within 10 working days of us getting this form. Your centre will either forward the certificate to your home address, or tell you that it’s available for you to collect it.

Opportunities for further education and training

After successfully completing this qualification, you may like to go on to further study in the same or a similar subject. This might include:

¨  NCFE Level 2 Music Technology qualifications

¨  NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Performance Skills using Music

¨  NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Performance Skills using Music

¨  NCFE Level 1 Award in Podcasting

¨  NCFE Level 2 Award in Podcasting

¨  Creative and Media Diploma

Section 2 - Planning and tracking your assessment

Completing your learning log

This section of the log will help you keep track of the work you’ve done and the work you still need to do to finish your portfolio.

It will also help your Tutor/Assessor, Internal and External Moderators find their way around your portfolio so they can assess it or check it. Your Tutor/Assessor will make sure you’re completing your log correctly.

Overleaf is a sample page similar to those you’ll find in the rest of this log. Use the columns to write down what evidence you’ve put in your portfolio and to show your Tutor/Assessor and the Internal and External Moderators where it’s located.

You and your Tutor/Assessor and/or an independent witness must sign and date the individual pieces of work in your portfolio. Once you’ve completed your portfolio, your Tutor/Assessor will sign the front of the log, to show that they’re satisfied you’ve completed it correctly.

Section 2 - Planning and tracking your assessment – Example unit – Customer Care

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Understand customer care
You can:
1.1 Demonstrate effective
‘customer care’ / Observation on placement / 3 / 21, 24
1.2 Identify the benefits of
good customer care / Report / 2 / 7
1.3 Describe the effects of
poor customer care / Project / 8-11 / 6

Range:

Unit 01 Assist with recording studio operations

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Know the role of common items of recording studio equipment
You can:
1.1 Identify common recording studio devices
1.2 Outline the function of typical signal processors
1.3 Give examples of the connections used on domestic, semi-professional and professional recording studio equipment
1.4 Identify fault finding techniques on audio cables and connections

Unit 01 Assist with recording studio operations

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Be able to assist with a recording studio production session
You can:
2.1 Identify production requirements from a brief
2.2 Assist with the selection of appropriate equipment and accessories in response to production requirements
2.3 Assist with the creation of sound using various sound sources in the studio
2.4 Outline the key differences between different methods of recording sound
2.5 Prepare a microphone, mixer and recording device for a recording from a sound source
2.6 Assist with a recording session
2.7 Assist in assessing whether or not recordings met production requirements

Unit 01 Assist with recording studio operations

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Be able to assist with a recording studio production session
You can:
2.8 Work safely in a recording studio

Unit 02 Use multi-track loop sequencing software

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Know some of the key principles behind loop sequencing
You can:
1.1 Give examples of commonly used loop sequencing software packages with their key features
1.2 Give examples of the limitations of loop sequencing when compared to full audio/MIDI sequencing
1.3 Outline the key differences between audio and ‘virtual instrument’ (MIDI) tracks
1.4 Outline the methods used by loop sequencing software to match the loop tempos of audio samples

Unit 02 Use multi-track loop sequencing software

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Be able to produce music using loop sequencing
You can:
2.1 Locate and audition audio/MIDI loops for use in a sequence
2.2 Use editing operations on audio parts
2.3 Use editing operations on ‘virtual instrument’ (MIDI) parts
2.4 Add, arrange, loop and crop parts to create an effective multi track piece of music

Unit 03 DJ Skills

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Know the equipment used in DJ performance
You can:
1.1 Identify the sound sources required for a DJ rig
1.2 Outline the mixing technology required for a DJ rig
1.3 Identify the monitoring items required for a DJ rig
1.4 Outline the technical features of the equipment in a DJ rig

Unit 03 DJ Skills

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Be able to configure DJ performance equipment
You can:
2.1 Position items safely and ergonomically using appropriate furniture
2.2 Interconnect the items of equipment in a DJ rig using appropriate cables
2.3 Connect equipment to power sources safely
2.4 Disassemble the DJ rig after use

Unit 03 DJ Skills

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Be able to perform DJ mixing techniques
You can:
3.1 Monitor multiple audio sources
3.2 Start and stop multiple audio sources
3.3 Control the tempo/bpm of multiple audio sources
3.4 Match volume levels and EQ of multiple audio sources
3.5 Mix between multiple beat matched audio sources
3.6 Layer multiple audio sources

Unit 04 MC Skills

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Know how to recognise different styles of MCing
You can:
1.1 Outline the main characteristics of different MC styles
1.2 Identify the lyrical content of different MC styles
1.3 Identify the vocal delivery of different MC styles
You will: Understand dance music styles
You can:
2.1 Outline the main characteristics of different dance music styles that make use of MCing
2.2 State the origins and development of the MC

Unit 04 MC Skills

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Be able to use microphone techniques
You can:
3.1 Outline the basic properties of a microphone
3.2 Identify the main factors that can affect microphone technique
3.3 Perform material in front of an audience using appropriate microphone techniques
You will: Be able to use lyrics when MCing
You can:
4.1 Develop a repertoire of original lyrics
4.2 Demonstrate an awareness of improvisation skills
4.3 Demonstrate appropriate lyrical delivery when performing material

Unit 05 Sound effects in music production

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Know about the role and nature of sound effects in audio production activity
You can:
1.1 Give an example of an audio product that feature sound effects
1.2 Investigate different sound effects and the methods used to create them
1.3 Make simple acoustic sound effects using readily available resources
1.4 Identify possible sources of potential sound effects for a specified audio production

Unit 06 Sound and music technology

What you’ve done to show this / Portfolio page number / Additional links to evidence / IM/EM signature if sampled
You will: Know about the characteristics of sound
You can:
1.1 Give definitions of the terms: pitch, amplitude and timbre in the context of sound
You will: Know about the effect of noise and equipment type on the sound recording process
You can:
2.1 Outline the effect of noise on a recording
2.2 Outline the effect of using different speakers and amplifiers in the recording process
2.3 Outline the effect of using different recording devices

Unit 07 Audio effects processors in music production