UK · Subject guide
Music Technology
A-Level Music Technology (Pearson Edexcel 9MT0) — the sole provider; recording, technology-based composition, and the principles and history of recording technology.
01 · Overview
Music Technology
A-Level Music Technology (Pearson Edexcel 9MT0) — the sole provider; recording, technology-based composition, and the principles and history of recording technology.
- Subject guide
- A-Levels
- Topics mapped
- 16
02 · Complete topic map
Complete topic map
Every topic recorded for this subject in the curriculum is reproduced below in its full hierarchy. The descriptions reflect the mapped scope without implying additional exam rules.
- 01
Principles of sound and acoustics
Amplitude, frequency and the audible range, room acoustics, reverberation and RT60, and psycho-acoustics.
- 02
Audio technology, signals and numeracy
The signal path, connectors, balanced connections, impedance and metering, with the relevant numeracy (dB, Hz, ms, bpm).
- 03
DAW software and studio hardware
DAW functions and studio hardware: microphones, interfaces, pre-amps, DI boxes, desks, outboard effects and controllers.
- 04
Microphones and capture of sound
Microphone types, polar patterns, frequency and transient response, the proximity effect and gain structure.
- 05
Microphone placement techniques
Single and multiple miking, multi-mic setups, coincident and spaced stereo, and phase and spill.
- 06
Audio editing
Truncating, removing clicks, hiss, hum and plosives, fades and cross-fades, normalising, and why discontinuities occur.
- 07
Pitch and rhythm correction and manipulation
Corrective tuning and audio quantise, and creative pitch and time manipulation.
- 08
Synthesis
Waveforms, LFO, filters and ADSR, cut-off and resonance, mono and poly modes, portamento and the arpeggiator.
- 09
Sampling
Editing and looping samples, pitch-mapping, key and velocity zones, and sample rate and bit depth.
- 10
MIDI and sequencing
Real-time and step input, MIDI data, quantise, and piano-roll and list editing.
- 11
Dynamic processing
Compression, gating, limiting, expansion and de-essing, with threshold, ratio, attack, release and side-chain.
- 12
EQ and frequency shaping
Shelf, band, pass, parametric and graphic EQ, with gain, frequency, Q and slope.
- 13
Effects and processors
Reverb, delay and ADT, flange, chorus and phaser, distortion and amp modelling, and vocoder, with sends and inserts.
- 14
Mixing, stereo, balance and mastering
Pan and panning law, mid-side and widening, balance, and mastering for volume and tonal balance.
- 15
Recording and technology-based composition
Multitrack recording of a listed song and a technology-based composition from a brief (non-exam assessment).
- 16
The development of recording technology
From digital back to 1930s mono: analogue versus digital, tape, formats, valves and electric instruments.
03 · Where this subject applies
Where this subject applies
These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.
Pathways and specifications
AS-Level
Advanced Subsidiary — the first year of A-Level study (standalone or first half of the full A-Level).
A-Level (A2)
The full Advanced Level — AS content plus the second-year A2 content.
Nations and regions
All registered regions
04 · Official sources
Official sources
The public sources below are referenced directly by this subject or by one of its topics.
This editorial selection points to the relevant official bodies. Always confirm current requirements, dates and amendments with your school or college and the appropriate awarding organisation.
2
Public references
UK · EuraStudy Guides
Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.
Open the curriculum guide to see every subject and topic, or continue to EuraStudy Summa to begin working with the material.