Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology

Purpose

There is a need to address the fact that no South African tertiary institution currently offers a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology. More specifically, the Postgraduate Diploma serves the industries that have rapidly developed in the use of computers and technical equipment in the creation, recording and dissemination of music. These industries, including the field of radio, advertising, media, film and audio recording demand well developed technical and musical skills. This qualification fosters these skills by combining vocational studio-based recording training with a sound theoretical foundation.

Rationale

The rationale for the introduction of this qualification revolves around two issues. Firstly, its academic and vocational qualities serve to prepare prospective learners for the research-oriented Master of Philosophy in Music Technology offered at the Institution. Secondly, it offers an exit point at Postgraduate Diploma level for those learners intending to pursue a career in industries where a premium is placed on practical skills and scholarly insight. It is envisaged for the intake to the qualification to be approximately 5 learners per year. The Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology contributes to the maintenance of academic excellence and practice. It also contributes to building scientific, technological and intellectual capacity.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is in place in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and in the Music Department to facilitate access to candidates who do not meet the requirement of a Bachelor's Degree. RPL in the qualification will follow existing university guidelines. A departmental committee will be constituted within the guidelines of the Faculty to consider all applications, including RPL applications.

Entry Requirements

An academic qualification at NQF Level 7 (Bachelor Degree), specifically including music.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Music Technology is a one year qualification. It consists of only one compulsory module of 120 Credits:

• Music Technology, 120 Credits.

1. Demonstrate mastery of skills required to use technical audio-visual equipment to create and evaluate creative output.
2. Explain mathematical representations of sound waves.
3. Investigate the physiological, psychological, psychophysical and psychoacoustic principles of sound and music perception.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of music technology and audio-technical sound recording practice.
5. Demonstrate research skills through accessing, analysing, organising and critically evaluating existing knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The nature and characteristics of auditory musical stimuli are described.
• The relationship between musical auditory stimuli and musical parameters is analysed and described.
• The relationship between auditory stimuli and larger scale musical parameters is investigated and explained.
• Musical signals demanding refined auditory acuity are analysed and interpreted.
• Sound technology in the recording studio when recording and editing sounds, or when synthesising sounds is applied.
• Outcomes, clear shortcomings and problems associated with musical signals are identified and evaluated.
• Solutions are identified, implemented and evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The relationship between music theory and mathematics which allows for the formalisation of parameters including pitch, timbre and duration is analysed and explained.
• Mathematical properties of musical scales, tuning and temperament are described.
• Mathematical underpinnings of musical room acoustics are explained.
• Mathematical foundation of musical instruments as vibrating systems are explained and analysed.
• Mathematical foundation of analogue and digital representations of musical signals is explained.
• Musical signals in the time and frequency domains are presented and investigated.
• How musical signals are affected through processing, including filtering and the addition of reverberation is explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The core concepts and principles associated with the discipline of musical acoustics are explained.
• The fundamental and introductory concepts, particularly the ways in which these are associated with sound wave propagation and dissipation in rooms and in musical instruments are explained.
• The principles on which musical psychophysics and psychoacoustics are built are analysed.
• The physiology of the human ear is described.
• How auditory stimuli are defined as musical parameters is described.
• How auditory stimuli are perceived and processed by the ear is investigated, described and evaluated.
• Auditory perceptual theories, particularly how they relate to musical parameters, are explained.
• The technical and technological roots of the discipline of electronic music are explained.
• Different aesthetic approaches and schools of thought that have contributed to the development of electronic music are described and explained.
• The diversity associated with current electronic music practices and performers is analysed.
• Proficiency in operating a range of software platforms in order to create and manipulate sound electronically is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The structure and general operation of a modern recording studio is described and applied.
• The ability to operate a recording facility is demonstrated.
• Proficiency in solving problems associated with the signal routing and processing in a recording studio is demonstrated.
• An atmosphere conducive to the efficient recording of artists is created.
• An understanding of the technical and artistic challenges associated with audiovisual recording is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Rhythmic patterns and notation for optimal use in given contexts are analysed.
• The techniques of recording sound, methods of mixing of sound and post production editing applications are analysed.
• A clear understanding of the context (including policy, legislation and global issues), appropriate concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in Music Technology is reflected on and discussed.
• Appropriate application of the relevant concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes of research in Music Technology are reflected.
• Critical analyses and a degree of intellectual independence in written work in the chosen field are displayed.
• Current literature and research are accessed, analysed, organised and evaluated systematically.
• Clear evidence of effective application of the principles of research practice is demonstrated.
• Conclusions and recommendations are justified by the use of appropriate evidence and arguments.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment consists of four assignments dedicated to four focus areas located in the field of Music Technology. A practical component is built into every assignment. Academic research and practical work are therefore combined allowing the learner to develop these skills in tandem.

The departmental current internal and external moderation and examination policy is applied to this qualification.

Experiential learning by default forms an integral component of assignments set in the Qualification. Music Technology as a discipline is perfectly suited to pursue the integration of vocational training and theoretical research. It follows that this form of learning is fostered naturally, during the completion of assignments set in this qualification.