← Music Technology syllabus

ScotlandMusic Technology

Technology concepts

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What does the main audio equipment do and how does the signal path connect it?

Audio equipment and signal path: the mixing desk, audio interface, PA system, monitors, amplifier and DI box, and how the signal flows from source through to recording and playback.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on the main audio equipment - the mixing desk, audio interface, PA system, monitors, amplifier and DI box - and how the signal path connects them from sound source through to recording and playback.
11 min answer →

What do the common audio effects and processors do and what are their key controls?

Audio effects and processors: reverb, delay (echo), chorus, flanger, distortion, equalisation (EQ) and compression, what each does to the sound and their key controls.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on the common audio effects and processors: reverb, delay (echo), chorus, flanger, distortion, equalisation and compression, explaining what each does to the sound and the key controls a candidate must recognise.
12 min answer →

How do microphone type, polar pattern and placement affect a recording?

Microphones: dynamic and condenser types, polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-of-eight) and how microphone choice and placement affect the captured sound.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on microphones: the difference between dynamic and condenser types, the cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-of-eight polar patterns, and how microphone choice and placement affect the sound captured in a recording.
11 min answer →

What do the key technological terms in audio mean and why do they matter?

Technological terms and audio concepts: gain, clipping, sampling rate, bit depth, latency, mono and stereo, panning, sibilance, plosives and dynamic range.
An SQA National 5 Music Technology answer on the key technological terms: gain, clipping, sampling rate, bit depth, latency, mono and stereo, panning, sibilance, plosives and dynamic range, with what each means and why it matters in recording and mixing.
11 min answer →