← Music Technology syllabus

EnglandMusic Technology

Mixing and production

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does automation make a mix change over time, and how is the finished mix prepared and exported?

Automation of mix parameters over time (volume, pan, effects, EQ and filter sweeps), writing and editing automation, riding levels, the final mixdown and bounce, monitoring and reference checking, and an overview of the mastering stage.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 automation content, covering automation of volume, pan and effects over time, writing and editing automation, riding levels, the final mixdown and bounce, reference checking and the mastering stage.
11 min answer →

How does a compressor control dynamic range, and what does each parameter do?

Dynamics processing: the compressor and its parameters (threshold, ratio, attack, release, knee, makeup gain), gain reduction, limiting, the noise gate and expander, and creative uses such as controlling peaks, adding punch and parallel compression.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 dynamics content, covering the compressor and its parameters (threshold, ratio, attack, release, knee, makeup gain), gain reduction, limiting, gating, and creative compression.
13 min answer →

How does equalisation shape the tone of a sound and help instruments sit together in a mix?

Equalisation: the frequency bands, high-pass and low-pass filters, shelving and parametric EQ, cut and boost, the Q (bandwidth) control, and using subtractive EQ to create space and corrective and creative EQ in a mix.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 EQ content, covering the frequency bands, high-pass and low-pass filters, shelving and parametric EQ, cut and boost, the Q control, and subtractive, corrective and creative equalisation in a mix.
13 min answer →

How do you combine many recorded tracks into a clear, balanced mix where every part can be heard?

The mixing process: setting levels and the static balance, frequency balance and avoiding masking, the three dimensions of a mix (level, frequency, stereo), creating depth, bus routing and submixing, and the goal of a clear, balanced mixdown.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 mixing content, covering setting levels and the static balance, frequency balance and masking, the three dimensions of a mix, creating depth, bus routing and the mixdown.
12 min answer →

How does panning place sounds across the stereo field, and how is a stereo image built and kept mono-compatible?

Panning and the stereo field: the pan control and stereo placement, mono and stereo, building width and separation, the pan law, phase and mono compatibility, and conventions for placing instruments in the stereo image.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 panning content, covering the pan control and stereo placement, mono versus stereo, width and separation, the pan law, phase and mono compatibility, and placement conventions.
11 min answer →

How do reverb, delay and modulation effects add space, depth and movement to a sound?

Time-based effects (reverb and its parameters, delay and its types) and modulation effects (chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo and vibrato), plus distortion, how each is generated, and the use of send and insert effects with the wet/dry balance.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9MT0 effects content, covering reverb and delay, modulation effects (chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, vibrato), distortion, send versus insert effects and the wet/dry balance.
13 min answer →