BTEC First Diploma in Music Technology 1

Welcome to The Course
• We welcome you on to our BTEC First Diploma in Music Technology
programme and hope you have an enjoyable, rewarding and exciting
time here at South Thames College.
• Your course will introduce you to many new skills, people and the
opportunity to try out and learn about new things. The more versatile
you become the better. We will guide and help you to make decisions
about entering Higher Education or professional work. Our
expectations of you are high and we expect you to adopt a
professional attitude whatever your age or experience.
The Music Technology Team
2008-2009
2

What are the aims of my course?
• To provide you with a good level of skills in music technology and
sound production
• To give you a good understanding of the way the music industry
works
• To enable you to develop a portfolio of work which you can show to
potential employers, record companies, publishers, artists, or
further/higher education institutions
3

How is my course structured?
Your course lasts 1 year (36 weeks of study) and consists of 6 units
(areas of study) which are delivered through a series of project
assessments (7 units if enrolled on adult [19+] group). You will be in
college on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but there may be
opportunities for additional access to music studios and Mac suites on
some evenings.
4

Units
• Exploring Computer Systems Used By Musicians – MIDI computer
systems, sequencing software, editing, storage and retrieval of music files
• Exploring The Music Profession – the function of different areas,
professional roles, working patterns and marketing & publicity skills
• Producing A Musical Recording – supplementary equipment, the mixing
console, microphones & producing a multitrack recording and a 2-track mixed
master recording
• Understanding Music – structure, scales, notation, analysis, styles &
connections between styles
• Exploring An Area Of Music – research techniques, planning, reporting and
presentation
• Planning And Creating A Music Product – preparing for a recording
session, set-up procedures, the organisational process & financial records,
produce a multitrack recording, mix-down, editing & produce a mastered
finished product
• Developing As a Musical Performer – Studying and developing healthy
routines, Artist image and style, creating a performance that considers a range
of factors (e.g. venue, audience)
5

Assessment
• Each unit has several grading criteria, all of which must be passed in order
to pass the unit. You must pass on all your units to achieve the full
qualification
• Each grading criterion can be achieved at Pass, Merit or Distinction level.
• You are assessed through a series of assignments (tasks), and visual
assessments overseen and witnessed by your tutors
Example - Exploring The Music Profession
Grading Criteria 3
• Pass - Identify sources of funding for a music project
• Merit - Describe sources of funding for a music project
• Distinction - Explain sources of funding for a music project
6

Things you will need for your course
• You must always bring and wear
your ID at all times when on the
college site.
• A pen (at all times)
• A diary (free from the college)
• A4 writing paper (at all times)
• Ring binder folder with dividers
• A pair of headphones
• A headphone adapter so that your
headphones will fit either a ¼’’ jack
socket or a mini-jack socket (as on a
Walkman)
• Recordable Blank CDs or DVD
• Data stick/ USB key (optional)
• DAT Tapes (optional)
7

How will my progress be checked?
• Based upon your GCSE/ previous qualifications a working grade is
set for you. This is the grade you should get if you work to your
predicted potential. (e.g. P, M, D)
• Throughout the course, your progress, performance and achievement
will be regularly checked and reassessed through progress reviews.
• The progress reviews enable both you and your tutor to look closely
at your personal attainment and develop an Individual Learning Plan
(ILP) to ensure that you can maximise and fulfil your potential on the
course.
8

Induction assessment
• During Induction your working level will be assessed.
• You must pass induction in order to progress onto the full qualification.
• Induction is completed by Week 6 of the course and your tutor will then review
your progress with you.
• You will be graded 1 – 4 on induction assignments, behaviour and attitude,
attendance and punctuality.
1 – Excellent
2 – Good
3 – Satisfactory
4 – Unsatisfactory
9

Attendance Award Scheme
• Each week your attendance will be monitored by
your tutor and course team
• At the end of each term the two students in each
group with the best attendance will be rewarded.
• Rewards may be a gift, vouchers, or an industry
visit.
10

Health & Safety
It is important that whilst you are on your course you behave in such a way
that ensures the safety of yourself and others. Therefore the following rules
apply.
•Do not play music too loud in your headphones as it will damage your
ears.
•Remove your headphones from your ears for at least a 5 minute period at
least once every hour.
•Take a break from sitting in front of the computer screen for at least 10
minutes at least once every hour.
•Do not bring food and drink into classrooms as it may damage equipment
making them dangerous.
…continued
11

…Health & Safety Continued
• Be careful when running cables making sure they are out of the way
(where possible) where people may trip over them.
• When working in the recording studios, be careful to check the
volume control is right down when powering up.
• Do not use excessive volume levels when working in the recording
studios.
12

Who are my tutors?
• Course Leaders
Uchan Uthuba-Hatari / Malcolm Litson
• Personal Tutor
Uchan Uthuba-Hatari / Malcolm Litson
• Subject Tutors
Uchan Uthuba-Hatari, Jim Di Salvo, Malcolm Litson, Darren
Edwards, Doug McAvoy, Craig James, Richard Simpson
• Functional Skills Tutors
Atoosa Khorram, Doreen Coke
13

How can I contact my tutors?
• If you are trying to contact a member of staff, leave a message with
our administration assistant, on 020 8918 7012, and they will arrange
an appointment for you to see them or get your tutor to contact you.
• You can email staff concerning course work. The address will be the
name of your tutor (with a full stop punctuation between first and
surname) followed by @south-thames.ac.uk
e.g. uchan.uthuba-hatari@south-thames.ac.uk
You can call Uchan or Malcolm on: 0208 918 7131
• If you would like to send a letter, the address is:
South Thames College
Wandsworth High Street
Wandsworth
SW18 2PP
14

Music Technology Contract
Further to the South Thames College code of conduct.
• I will inform the college whenever I am unable to attend by calling and leaving a
message. The number to call at all times is 020 8918 7024.
• I will attend all lessons and arrive on time in order to maximise my potential
learning and minimise the disruption to others.
• If I am late, for any session a formal warning will be issued. If there is a genuine
reason for lateness, which can be evidenced in writing within 1 week, the formal
warning will be withdrawn.
• I will not make appointments with doctors/dentists etc in College time.
• I will switch off my mobile phone when I am in the music technology area.
• I will not bring any food, drink or chewing gum into the studios or classrooms
• I will not cover my head with a hood whilst on College premises
• When working with audio on a workstation I will use headphones at all times
• I will provide my own headphones, storage media and stationery for the duration of
my course.
• I will respect members of staff and follow their instructions.
• I will respect the views and tastes of all other students.
• I will comply with the South Thames College policies (summaries of which are
contained in the student handbook)
15

Student Contract
I have read, understand and accept the rules and ethos outlined in The Course
Handbook.
Printed Name:
Signed:
Course:
Date:
If you are under 18 your parent/guardian must read and sign The course
Handbook
Parent/Guardian:
16

Student Discipline
• There are two disciplinary procedures within the college - Academic and
Misconduct.
ACADEMIC
• Behaviour which is likely to lead to you being unable to produce either the
quantity, or quality, of work to successfully complete the course e.g.
– Frequent lateness and poor attendance
– Not finishing work and failure to attend assessments, tutorials, etc.
MISCONDUCT Level 1
• This behaviour can lead to exclusion from the college e.g.
– Disruptive behaviour or abusive language
MISCONDUCT Level 2
• This will lead to an immediate suspension, followed by a disciplinary
tribunal and the possibility of permanent exclusion from the college. E.g.
– Sexual or racial harassment
– Assault or threatening behaviour
– Drunk & disorderly within college premises
– Possession or selling of illegal drugs
17

Plagiarism
You are expected to complete work which
demonstrates your ability to summarise
information from relevant sources.
‘Plagiarism will not be accepted and will
result in rejection of the affected work’.
18

Useful reading
• Modern Recording Techniques (fifth edition)
• Get Creative with Emagic Logic
• 88 Song writing Wrongs and How To Right
Them
• The Composers Guide To Music Publishing
• Everything You Need to Know About the
Music Business
• Last Night a DJ Saved My Life
• AB Guide to Music Theory
• Confessions of A Record Producer
• Good Vibrations
• A wide range of relevant videos and CDs are
also available
19

Student Progression
Many of our students progress on to higher level courses.
Here are a few examples:
BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology
BTEC National Certificate in Music Technology
BTEC National Award in Music Production
20

T a k e t h e h a n d o u t a n d f ill in
th e
f ir s t r o w w it h a t le a s t 3
p o in t s
G e t in t o p a ir s f r o m g r o u p
a a n d g ro u p b
As k th e o th e r p e rs o n th e
Q u e s t io n s b e lo w a n d
F ill in y o u r t a b le
12. w h a t t h e y d id ( r e la t e d t o
m u s ic ) o v e r th e s u m m e r
b re a k
13. W h a t t h e y p la n t o d o
( r e la t e d t o m u s ic ) t h is
ye a r
21