Year 12 Music Technology Prep

Focus Style Prep for Learning - Rap and Hip Hop

Write a descriptive essay (at least 2 pages, size 12 font) on the evolution of Rap and Hip-Hop. Make sure to include these key points:

- Where and how did Hip Hop start (note the Bronx and block parties)
- What did it originate from (African tribes, spoken-word jazz, poetry corners)
- First major artists (Africa Bambata, Melle Mel, Sugar Hill Gang)
- Significant Producers (Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin)
- Significant Record Labels (Def Jam)

Year 12 Prep for Learning

Please ensure you complete all of this prep to ensure a full understanding of equalisation.

Write a descriptive essay, with the use of images to demonstrate:

1. What are harmonics 

2. What is EQ? 

3. How should you EQ a drum kit (separate EQ for toms, snare, bass, hi-hat, and ambient mics)

4. Describe the different types of EQ you can use

Be sure to use graphics and images to demonstrate your knowledge - this should be at least 2 pages of A4, size 12 font. 

Use this video to assist you with the basics.

5. Complete the Prep Listening Task on Ocean Colour Scene - The Day We Caught The Train

Year 13 Prep 12/11/12

Year 13 Prep for Learning 12th November 2012

In preparation for your recording as part of task 3A:

1. What tracks are you planning on recording?
2. For each track, describe the microphone you are using, positioning, placement and situational factors you need to consider.
3. For each track, listen to the original, and describe in full detail how you plan to process and produce the track after recording. 

Handout of sound from Zoe Harris

Sound Envelope, EQ and Synthesis

Anything you didn't understand regarding the lesson on Sound Envelope, EQ and Synthesis? I will upload the Power Point and handouts here, but please drop me an email if you need further help with it. 

Year 12 and 13 Practice Question

Year 12 and 13 Practice Question

Listen to Ocean Colour Scene - The Day we Caught the Train

1. a) Is the chorus ('Oh, oh, la, la' at 1'34") in a major or minor key? (1)
    b) What is the approximate tempo of this song? Choose one answer.

   43bpm              86bpm             120bpm                240bpm         (1)
    
    c) Name two types of effects processing that have been applied to the      vocal track                                                                                (2)

    d) Identify three challenges in recording guitars                        (3)

    e) Apart from the guitars, name two instruments that can be heard in the recording                                                                                  (2)

    f) Which is the correct rhythmic representation of the following line from the song?                                                                                 (1)

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

     

IMPORTANT MOCK EXAM INFORMATION

Year 13 Music Technology Students

Your mock exam will be on Tuesday 6th November, Period 1 & 2.

Year 12 Music Technology Students

Your mock exam will be on Thursday 8th November, Period 4 & 5

Year 12 Music Students

Your mock exam will be on Tuesday 6th November, Period 4 & 5.

Get revising & good luck!!

IMPORTANT: THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER

AS Music Technology Students,

I am not in on Thursday. Please spend the full 2 hours working on your portfolio - it's incredibly important you use this time you have.

Please also be aware that you have a mock listening exam on Thursday 8th November that you should be revising for.

Your prep will be thorough revision. Please ensure you update your logbooks. Please also make sure you have handed in your money for the Emirates trip. And email me your prep work.  

AS Music Students:

I am not in your lesson on Thursday either. Please complete the past paper I set you last week, and leave it in the Office for me to mark. Your prep will also be revision. Please also go through the score of the Debussy whilst listening to it, all the way through. We will continue with Debussy next lesson.

Year 13 Prep for Learning 22nd October 2012

Your prep for this week:

Please revise all your work on reverb in preparation for a timed essay next lesson (Tuesday 6th November 2012)

Year 12 AS Music Technology Prep 18th October 2012

Listen to Duran Duran's 'Rio'. During the majority of the song, the Roland Jupiter 4 synthesizer is used, to produce a particular sound using a feature on the synthesizer. This is heard all the way through, but most prominently between 1:00 and 1:04, amongst many other places.

1. What is this feature called?
2. Explain the invention of the Roland Jupiter-4, it's uses, how it works, and examples of what pieces it has been used in before.
3. Include at least one image that demonstrated the Roland Jupiter-4.

To be handed in by Thursday 25th October to zhr@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk

Year 13 Prep for Learning 16th October

Describe the development of the electric guitar, and it's main components. At least 2 sides of A4, size 12 font.

Year 12 Music Technology Prep 10th October 2012

Listen to Supergrass: Richard III

What instrument is playing the solo after the Verse? Write me a technical description of this instrument.

Listen to Chumbawumba: Tubthumping

Identify where in the song flange occurs (by seconds), and describe the invention of flange, and how it is created. 

To be emailed to zhr@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk by Thursday 18th October 2012

Experimenting with Music Technology

Go on to this website to look into how to experiment with a range of music technology techniques

http://riverraises.blogspot.co.uk/

Year 13 Prep for Learning 2nd October 2012

Research the development of reverb.

Ensure to include these key points:

- Reverb/Echo Chamber
- Plate Reverb
- Spring Reverb
- Digital Reverb
- Wet/Dry signals
- How to use on Cubase and the terms needed.

Include images and technological details - approximately 2 pages long, highly detailed.

To be emailed to zhr@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk and aa@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk by Tuesday 9th October 2012

Year 12 Homework 27th September 2012

Year 12 Homework - Multi Track Recording

Here is a list of Jazz Band pieces, that will be able to be performed for you to record as your Task 1B.

1. Listen to each track online to get an idea of the one that you want.
2. List the tracks you can hear for each piece (e.g. 1. bass, 2. drums (a)snare, b)hi-hat, c)bass etc.)
3. Identify and draw or illustrate the best microphone placement for each instrument, based upon your own research.

Mission Impossible
I Heard the Bells on Xmas Day
Chatanooga Choo Choo
Alright OK You Win
Steamroller
Watermelon Man
Easy Rider
Email to me by Thursday 4th October on zhr@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk

Year 13 Prep for Learning Three

Year 13 Prep for Learning Week of 24th September 2012

What is equalisation?

Cover these focal points:

• Main key features: cutoff frequency, slope, pass band, stop band, filter, high pass, low pass and band pass, notch filter, fain, sweep mid, parametric EQ, graphic EQ, bell, shelf, high and low (and mid) frequencies
• Use images to demonstrate how EQ works
• Don't go into detail about examples of what works best for certain instruments - we will come on to that next week!

Year 13 Prep for Learning Two

Your Prep for Learning week of 18th September 2012

Create a guide sheet on using compression after recording (using Cubase or another sequencing software)Do not copy and paste, but use your own words and your own understanding.
Define these points as part of your guide sheet:
GainRatioThresholdHard kneeSoft kneeAttackReleaseDynamic Range
Ensure you give examples from a range of different types of music.
As this is likely to be by using Cubase, use printscreens and annotate.
At least 2 A4 sides of paper. 
Emailed to: zhr@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk by Tuesday 18th September

Year 13 Prep for Learning

Your Prep for Learning week of 9th September 2012

Create a guide sheet on using compression during recording (adding compression whilst recording, not after)
Do not copy and paste, but use your own words and your own understanding.

Define these points as part of your guide sheet:

Gain
Ratio
Threshold
Hard knee
Soft knee
Attack
Release
Dynamic Range

Ensure you give examples from a range of different types of music.

As this is likely to be by using a rack to add compression, identify images of different types of compression racks, and annotate.

At least 2 A4 sides of paper. 

Emailed to: zhr@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk by Tuesday 18th September