BRIEF The year KS3 band have recorded a version of Dock of the bay in the Woodlands recording studio. They were limited on time and had limited takes. The recording studio technician is away and has requested that you mix the track for him when he gets back in 6 weeks.

The learner will:  1 Be able to use audio effects processing during a multi-track audio mix The learner can:  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

 1.1 Connect effects processors using inserts, sends/returns  Pass - Candidates connect effects processors using inserts, sends/returns  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in connecting effects processors  Distinction - Candidates show perception and insight in connecting effects processors, explaining the function of a range of effects paths and their relevance to the mix

 Research – Find a description for the following effects processors 1. Software effects processor 2. Hardware effects processor 3. Digital effects processor 4. Multi-effects processor  Practical – Walk around the music department a find these 4 different types of processor. Where did you find them?  Create – Slides in your presentation to show your understanding of effects processors

 Software effects processors - On the digital side you can find effects in most music recording software packages. DAWs such as Ableton, Logic, Cubase and ProTools all come with audio effects built-in. Other software packages like Reason, Maschine, Traktor, Audacity, Peak, and Soundforge also come with audio effects.  Hardware effects processors – Rackmount units a larger version of a stompbox, usually with more effects available.

 Guitar pedal - Stompboxes, or effects pedals, are designed to be positioned on the floor or within a pedalboard and operated with the user's feet.pedalboard  Multi-effects processor - (also called a "multi-FX" device) is a single electronics effects pedal or rack mount device that contains many different electronic effects. Multi-FX devices allow users to "preset" combinations of different effects, allowing musicians quick on-stage access to different effects combinations What level would you give this piece of work?

 Research – how does an audio signal pass from a Mixing desk to a computer via an effects processor  Practical – Think of a selection of questions to ask the studio technician. View a demonstration of this device being connected and discuss.  Create - A diagram to show your understanding of this procedure

Computer Mixing Desk Effects processor USB Cable Send to input Jack lead Output to return Jack lead

 Research – how does an audio signal pass from a guitar to amp through an effects pedal  Practical – Set up an effects pedal. You will need 1. Guitar 2. Amp 3. Jack leads x2 4. Effects Pedal  Create - A diagram to show your understanding of this procedure

Guitar amp Guitar pedal Guitar Jack lead – Guitar to input Jack lead – Output to amp

 Complete the table to show knowledge of the following three terms. TypeDescription Advantages and Disadvantages Pre-fade Post-fade Auxiliary sends/returns

 1.2 Describe the basic functions of commonly used effects processors  Pass - Candidates describe the basic functions of commonly used effects processors  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding of the basic functions used in effects processors  Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in their understanding of a range of functions of effects processors

 Research – Find a definition of the following 4 functions 1. EQ 2. Panning 3. Mixing 4. Compressor 5. Noise gate  Practical – Listen to the following clips of music and use your knowledge to select the correct function relating to each sound

FunctionDescriptionWhat's the use of the function When would you use this EQ – equaliser Balance – Panning / Mixing Compressor Noise Gate  EQ: eg bass, middle, treble, shelving, swept mid  Balance: use of channel pan and fader controls when mixing to stereo; use of delay and reverb to add space and depth Create - Complete this table to show what level of understand you have of these 4 functions.

 1.3 Select an appropriate effect for a sound source  Pass - Candidates select an appropriate effect for a sound source  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in the selection of appropriate effects for a sound source  Distinction - Candidates demonstrate critical judgement in their selection of an appropriate effect showing perception and insight

 Research – Use this website ( to help understand aurally the differences between the effects. Choose two effects that you like and explain how they sound.  Practical – Import a clean guitar audio file into Cubase and apply these effects to 4 different tracks 1. Distortion 2. Reverb 3. Delay 4. Chorus  Create – Slides in your presentation to show your understanding of those 4 common effects

 1.4 Justify the choice of selected effects on technical and/or artistic grounds  Pass - Candidates justify the choice of selected effects on technical and/or artistic grounds  Merit - Candidates demonstrate technical understanding in their selection of effects and their artistic merits  Distinction - Candidates show originality and creativity in their choice of selected effects informed by critical judgement

 Additional information: Justification can be technical (reducing noise, masking errors, positioning in mix etc) or artistic (adding depth, imitating an environment etc), or a combination of both. EffectsTechnical justificationArtistic justification Distortion Reverb Delay Chorus Create- Complete this table to show what level of understand you have of the differences between technical and artistic justifications  Research – Define the terms technical and artistic and write a paragraph explaining the differences between them.

The learner will:  2 Be able to mix multi-track audio The learner can:  2.1 Play back and monitor recorded tracks  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  2.7 Observe appropriate health and safety procedures during mixdown

 Additional information: Candidates must perform at least one independent mix leading to an acceptable musical outcome. Candidates could be observed carrying out mixes, and the record of observation used as evidence. Written reports making use of annotated photos and/or video recordings/logs/diaries may be acceptable.

 2.2 Assess the quality of individual sounds  Pass - Candidates assess the quality of individual sounds  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in assessing the quality of individual sounds  Distinction - Candidates demonstrate insight and perception which informs their judgement of the quality of individual sounds

TracksReason for choice Bass DrumTiming SnareRecording quality too quiet OH LMusician error OH RSignal strength BassSound of instrument Guitar Piano Female vox Male vox On sound cloud there are two recordings for the piano, guitar, female and male vocals. You must select one of each and give reasons for you choice (signal strength, musician errors etc.)

 2.1 Play back and monitor recorded tracks  Pass - Candidates play back and monitor recorded tracks  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding in their playback and monitoring of recorded tracks  Distinction - Candidates show insight and perception in their playback and monitoring of recorded tracks demonstrating critical judgement

 Import your audio tracks  Press F3 to get your mixer, adjust the volume of all tracks so each instrument can be heard  This is your transport panel where you are able to play and stop the project.

 2.3 Add EQ to enhance audio quality  Pass - Candidates add EQ to enhance audio equality  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding which informs the use of EQ to enhance audio quality  Distinction - Candidates demonstrate fluency and originality which informs their judgement in their use of EQ in enhancing audio quality

 To adjust the EQ of a track you must click on the equalizer tab on the left side. You are then able to draw in the wave format to suite the track use EQ 2 and 3 This site will help to give you a rough idea for each instrument and the reason for adapting the EQ how-to/content/home- recording-eq-frequency- guidelines.html

 2.4 Apply effects processing to individual sounds as part of the recording/mixing process  Pass - Candidates apply effects processing to individual sounds as part of the recording/mixing process  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding which informs their application of effects processing  Distinction - Candidates demonstrate fluency and originality which informs their judgement in their application of effects processing

To add an effect you need to click the insert tab. Click in a box and you will be given a selection of effects. If you click on the black tab of the chosen effect you will be given a list of pre-set settings use this as a starting point, adapt this afterwards

 Vocals – reverb, pitch correction, compressor  Drums – reverb, compressor  Guitar – reverb, modulation, delay  Bass – compressor, reverb  Piano – reverb modulation  Noise gate

 2.5 Balance sound sources  Pass - Candidates balance sound sources  Merit - Candidates demonstrate critical understanding which informs their application of balancing sound sources  Distinction - Candidates demonstrate fluency and originality which informs their judgement in their application of balancing sound sources

 Balance: use of channel pan and fader controls when mixing to stereo.  To pan your tracks open the mixer (F3) and at the top of each track will be where you can adjust the pan. Use this diagram as a guide. Imagine a live set up

 2.6 Record/save final mix  Pass - Candidates record and save the final mix  Merit - No Merit for this AC  Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

To save your project click file, then save as Select your drive and the music technology folder. Click save.

 2.7 Observe appropriate health and safety procedures during mixdown  Pass - Candidates observe appropriate health and safety procedures during mixdown  Merit - No Merit for this AC  Distinction - No Distinction for this AC

 Create a poster to identify all possible risks when working in a recording studio.

UnitLog of information