NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Studies: Music Technology 600/6904/1
Learner Name: ……………………………………………………….Learner Number: ……………………………………………………….
Centre Name: ……………………………………………………….
Unit number and title / Internal Moderator (signature and date) / External Moderator (signature and date)
Unit 01 Set up and operate a digital audio workstation
Unit 02 Create music using a digital audio workstation / Externally assessed / Externally assessed
Unit 03 Recording multi-track audio
Unit 04 Mixing multi-track audio
Unit 05 Developing DJ skills
Unit 06 Producing dance music
Unit 07 Working with digital audio
Unit 08 Sound design
Unit 09 Microphone techniques in music production
Unit 10 Location sound recording
Unit 11 Live sound
*For completion if part, or all of the evidence has been sampled by the Internal and/or External Moderator
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During your course your Teacher/Assessor will ask you to carry out work either in the classroom or at home, which you’ll keep as evidence of your learning.
The work you produce (evidence) will be assessed by your Teacher/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
¨ learning logs
¨ video or audio recordings
¨ other appropriate formats suggested by your Teacher/Assessor.
When all your evidence is gathered together in a file or folder this becomes your portfolio.
Your centre and Teacher/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 the learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
External assessment
In addition to your portfolio which includes the internally assessed units, you will also need to pass the externally assessed unit. The external assessment assesses the knowledge, skills and understanding in Unit 02 of this qualification. Your Teacher/Assessor will be able to provide more information about the external assessment.
Unit number and title / Mandatory/optional / AssessmentUnit 01 Set up and operate a digital audio workstation / Mandatory / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 02 Create music using a digital audio workstation / Mandatory / Externally assessed assignment
Unit 03 Recording multi-track audio / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 04 Mixing multi-track audio / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 05 Developing DJ skills / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 06 Producing dance music / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 07 Working with digital audio / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 08 Sound design / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 09 Microphone techniques in music production / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 10 Location sound recording / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
Unit 11 Live sound / Optional / Internally assessed portfolio of evidence
To be awarded the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Studies: Music Technology, you are required to successfully achieve 2 mandatory units and 2 optional units. This tracker contains all the internally assessed units.
The tracker will help you to record the work you’ve done and the work you still need to do to finish your portfolio. You need to complete this tracker for each mandatory unit and also the 2 optional units you’ve chosen to complete. In the evidence section, you should include the type of work you have produced (ie illustration, table, written work) and the portfolio page number.
It will also help your Teacher/Assessor, Internal and External Moderators find their way around your portfolio so they can check it. Your Teacher/Assessor will make sure you’re completing your tracker correctly.
You and your Teacher/Assessor and/or an independent witness must sign and date the individual pieces of work in your portfolio. Once you’ve completed each unit, you must sign to say that the work is your own, or that you have referenced it if it is someone else’s work. Your Teacher/Assessor will then grade and sign the declaration, to show that they’re satisfied you’ve completed it correctly.
The learner will:
1 Be able to set up a digital audio workstation
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)1.1 Select and launch appropriate sequencing software
1.2 Connect peripheral MIDI hardware to a computer using appropriate interfaces / N/A / N/A
1.3 Connect audio sources to a computer using appropriate interfaces / N/A / N/A
1.4 Configure software preferences to correctly route MIDI inputs and outputs / N/A
1.5 Configure software preferences to correctly route audio inputs and outputs / N/A
The learner will:
2 Be able to operate a digital audio workstation
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)2.1 Create new sequencing projects
2.2 Add and delete sequencer tracks
2.3 Describe the key differences between audio, software instrument and MIDI tracks / N/A
2.4 Load pre-recorded audio onto audio tracks / N/A / N/A
2.5 Record new audio onto audio tracks from external sources
2.6 Select instruments/voices for software instrument and MIDI tracks
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)
2.7 Record MIDI information to software instrument and MIDI tracks using a MIDI controller / N/A / N/A
I confirm this is all my own work.
Candidate signature: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor comments: (please continue overleaf if necessary)I confirm I have graded this work against the grading descriptors for the qualification.
Overall unit grade: ……………………………………………. Date submitted on the Portal: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor Name: …………………………………. Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………….
The learner will:
1 Know how to prepare for recording operations
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)1.1 Describe the layout of a mixing desk / N/A
1.2 Describe the signal flow path through an audio mixer from input to multi-track recorder and back to the mixer’s output / N/A
1.3 Describe the stages involved in recording and overdubbing multi-track sound
1.4 Prepare a mixing desk for use
1.5 Prepare a multi-track recorder for use
1.6 Prepare recording media
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)
1.7 Set up monitoring
1.8 Set up and connect microphones
1.9 Label and log recording media using agreed conventions / N/A
1.10 Identify and correct simple faults in the recording system
1.11 Observe appropriate health and safety procedures at all times during multi-track recording activity / N/A / N/A
The learner will:
2 Be able to use a multi-track audio mixer and recorder
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)2.1 Use mixing desk channels and groups to route audio signals to and from a multi-track audio recorder
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)
2.2 Set and adjust recording levels to optimise gain without introducing distortion
2.3 Use EQ to enhance the sound quality of audio sources
2.4 Route audio signals to multi-track audio recorder / N/A
2.5 Record multiple audio sources sequentially to separate tracks of the multi-track audio recorder
2.6 Assess the sound quality of recordings against production requirements
I confirm this is all my own work.
Candidate signature: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor comments: (please continue overleaf if necessary)I confirm I have graded this work against the grading descriptors for the qualification.
Overall unit grade: ……………………………………………. Date submitted on the Portal: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor Name: …………………………………. Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………….
The learner will:
1 Be able to use audio effects processing during a multi-track audio mix
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)1.1 Connect effects processors using inserts, sends/returns
1.2 Describe the basic functions of commonly used effects processors
1.3 Select an appropriate effect for a sound source
1.4 Justify the choice of selected effects on technical and/or artistic grounds
The learner will:
2. Be able to mix multi track audio
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)2.1 Play back and monitor recorded tracks
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)
2.2 Assess the quality of individual sounds
2.3 Add EQ to enhance audio quality
2.4 Apply effects processing to individual sounds as part of the recording/mixing process
2.5 Balance sound sources
2.6 Record/save final mix / N/A / N/A
2.7 Observe appropriate health and safety procedures during mix down / N/A / N/A
I confirm this is all my own work.
Candidate signature: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor comments: (please continue overleaf if necessary)I confirm I have graded this work against the grading descriptors for the qualification.
Overall unit grade: ……………………………………………. Date submitted on the Portal: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor Name: …………………………………. Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………….
The learner will:
1 Know how to design a DJ rig
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)1.1 Describe the equipment required for a DJ rig / N/A
1.2 Describe the main features of DJ mixing technology / N/A
1.3 Describe the main technical features of the equipment in a DJ rig / N/A
1.4 Design a DJ rig suitable for a performance, including all connections and power requirements
The learner will:
2 Be able to perform a DJ set to an audience
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)2.1 Select audio material appropriate for a DJ performance in front of an audience
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)
2.2 Plan a DJ set to meet a specified running time
2.3 Set up a DJ rig that meets the needs of a performance
2.4 Perform a DJ set that makes use of mixing skills
2.5 Demonstrate real-time scratching and beat matching during the DJ set
2.6 Apply audio effects to aspects of the DJ set
2.7 Observe appropriate health and safety procedures during your DJ set / N/A / N/A
I confirm this is all my own work.
Candidate signature: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor comments: (please continue overleaf if necessary)I confirm I have graded this work against the grading descriptors for the qualification.
Overall unit grade: ……………………………………………. Date submitted on the Portal: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor Name: …………………………………. Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………….
The learner will:
1 Understand key features of dance music styles and structures
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)1.1 Identify the main dance music styles / N/A / N/A
1.2 Identify musical and cultural developments that have influenced the main dance music styles / N/A / N/A
1.3 Describe the main rhythmic features common to dance music styles
1.4 Describe the main structural features common to dance music styles
1.5 Describe the sounds and instrumentation common to dance music styles
The learner will:
2 Be able to produce dance music using software sequencing techniques
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)2.1 Select and create musical elements appropriate for the production of dance music
2.2 Organise musical elements into an effective arrangement to create dance music
2.3 Apply EQ and effects processing to a dance music arrangement
2.4 Transfer a completed mixed dance music arrangement to a storage medium / N/A / N/A
2.5 Justify the composition as dance music
I confirm this is all my own work.
Candidate signature: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor comments: (please continue overleaf if necessary)I confirm I have graded this work against the grading descriptors for the qualification.
Overall unit grade: ……………………………………………. Date submitted on the Portal: …………………………………………….
Teacher/Assessor Name: …………………………………. Signature: …………………………. Date: ………………………….
The learner will:
1 Be able to perform editing operations on mono and stereo audio files using software
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)1.1 Use editing software filing functions to open and save audio files / N/A / N/A
1.2 Perform creative/corrective editing operations to meet a given brief
1.3 Store and transfer audio files using appropriate file formats / N/A / N/A
The learner will:
2 Understand audio waveforms and editing operations
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type)2.1 Describe what is being shown in the audio waveform display of appropriate editing software
The learner can / NYA / P / M / D / Evidence (inc portfolio page number and type of work)
2.2 Describe the key functions of a selected audio editing application
2.3 Describe the result of normalising an audio file / N/A
2.4 Describe the effect of different sample rates/bit depth/rates on final audio quality
2.5 Identify a range of different audio formats
2.6 Give examples of the way different audio formats are used / N/A / N/A