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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Creative Music Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91873  Higher Certificate in Creative Music Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Emendy (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Music 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
111244  Higher Certificate in Creative Music Technology  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  120  Will occur as soon as [NEW] is registered 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is designed to equip the learner with the necessary practical, theoretical, reflexive and creative skills required to enter the professional music technology field at an intermediate level. It also enables the learner to develop the conceptual, problem solving and social skills applicable in any industry.

Rationale:
In response to the rapid growth of the audio industry, be it recording studios, online record labels, television, music theatres, movie theatres, iPods, YouTube or iTunes, reality shows such as 'Idols', the need for intermediate skilled support personnel provides grounds for a qualification at NQF Level 5. The technology involved in the creation of cutting edge music (digital and analogue) is constantly evolving and the entry point into the market demands a higher level of technical competence as well as great deal of flexibility. The Higher Certificate in Creative Music Technology provides a platform for the development of technical skills and the development of adaptive creativity in music necessary to enter into the audio field at an intermediate level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners applying to enter this qualification have:
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Communication Skills equivalent to NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    This qualification may be achieved in part through the Recognition of relevant Prior Learning and through prior experience as a practitioner in the area of audio technology or sound engineering.

    Learners can receive partial credit towards the qualification, through the Recognition of Prior Learning. This facilitates learner mobility and efficient progression through the qualification.

    Recognition of Prior Learning can also be used to admit learners who do not meet the full entry requirements of the qualification.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The applicant should be in possession of a relevant qualification at NQF Level 4 that grants access to Higher Certificate studies, such as:
  • National Senior Certificate.
  • National Certificate (Vocational). 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of 7 compulsory modules, all at NQF Level 5, to a minimum of 130 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Studio Sound Engineering, 35 Credits.
  • Music Production Technique, 25 Credits.
  • Contemporary Music Theory, 15 Credits.
  • Music Software Cubase, 15 Credits.
  • Music Software Pro Tools, 15 Credits.
  • Music Software Reason, 15 Credits.
  • Ear Training, 10 Credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to record, mix and master audio productions.
    2. Produce original musical material and put this in sequence.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to understand, read and write music at a basic level.
    4. Utilise multiple DAW platforms (Cubase, Pro Tools and Reason).
    5. Distinguish between musical, rhythmical and dynamic audio through processes and effects by means of practicing and developing the human ear.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are met in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the physical nature of sound.
  • Identify, manufacture and repair a variety of audio cables and connectors.
  • Demonstrate practical knowledge and expertise in setting up and connecting all the equipment in a recording studio.
  • Explain digital audio in relation to recording technologies.
  • Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of MIDI.
  • Distinguish between the different types of microphones in terms of their construction and possible application.
  • Practically implement miking strategies.
  • Demonstrate a practical and theoretical grasp of equalisation as it relates to professional audio production.
  • Describe dynamic processing and explain its related parameters as well as practical competence in the application thereof.
  • Demonstrate competence in the understanding and application of reverberation and delay effects.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to mix multitrack audio material.
  • Apply modern mastering techniques.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Programme basslines in different genres.
  • Demonstrate competence in the sequencing of pads and strings to provide harmonic support in the compositional process.
  • Illustrate competence in the composition of catchy lead melody lines.
  • Demonstrate competence in the analysis and construction of song based musical material.
  • Use digital signal processing to creatively enhance the compositional process.
  • Produce backtracks from MIDI files.
  • Produce remixes of musical works.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of rhythm, harmony and melody.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of note durations.
  • Interpret different time signatures.
  • Identify and write musical notes in standard notation making use of treble and bass clefs.
  • Identify and utilise major and minor scales in musical composition.
  • Construct and identify triads.
  • Compose chord progressions suited to specific applications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Navigate and utilise the various windows available in DAW platforms.
  • Create and Route VST connections between the software and associated hardware.
  • Record an audio and MIDI and demonstrate execution of basic MIDI and audio editing tasks.
  • Edit MIDI and quantise MIDI and audio data.
  • Implement elastic audio for audio manipulation.
  • Utilise and customise the drum modules in Reason to produce rhythmical musical material.
  • Implement and customise samplers in Reason.
  • Use Reason as a sound source in rewire within host applications.
  • Customise and utilise the virtual mixer.
  • Use automation to produce time based parameter variation.
  • Utilise offline audio processing.
  • Route and utilise real-time audio processing and effects.
  • Perform a comprehensive audio mix using different DAW platforms.
  • Generate a stereo audio master.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify and explain pulse, meter, rhythmic elements and styles.
  • Distinguish between intervals and scales by ear.
  • Identify musical chords, pitch and melody by ear.
  • Identify chord progressions and cadences by ear.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The outcomes of this qualification are assessed by means of:
  • Weekly online formative exercises designed to reinforce and verify acquisition of theoretical knowledge.
  • Continuous practical assessment in studio, on site or in the classroom, where each learner is required to demonstrate individual competence against a set of criteria.
  • Individual assignments where learners need to demonstrate independent competence in the completion of tasks relevant to the desired outcomes of the course.
  • Written summative assessment.
  • Portfolio of evidence consisting of evidence accumulated in each module. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with the following qualifications:

    The Adam Smith College, Fife, Scotland, offers the National Certificate in Sound Production at Level 6 on the SQF.

    Sound Production provides entrance to a career combining creative and technology skills. Sound is a very important production component in Music, Film, Television, Radio and the Computer, Media and Games industries. It requires a broad range of skills, a balance of creativity and technical ability with personal and professional skills. Through this qualification, learners are provided with the opportunities to acquire industry recognised skills and knowledge using superbly equipped recording studios and edit suites. The Centre for Creative Industries is an AVID Pro Tools Pro School. It does not require that entrants are musicians.

    Modules:
  • Sound Engineering and Production.
  • Digital Media-Audio Editing.
  • Understanding the Signal Path.
  • MIDI Sequencing.
  • Creative Use of Sound.
  • Creative Project.
  • Introduction to the Music Industry.

    The Alchemea College of Audio Engineering, London, England, offers the Diploma in Digital Audio Workstations. Learners focus on all key aspects of audio engineering including recording techniques, editing and processing techniques, mixing techniques and programming and also receive an introduction to post-production (sound for moving picture). As well as gaining a solid understanding of all underlying audio theory - from basic maths and physics to advanced digital audio concepts - learners will also be introduced to audio mastering and live sound production.

    The Manchester School of Media, Manchester, England, offers the Higher Certificate in Audio Technology.

    The Pulse Recording College in Dublin, Ireland, offers the Certificate in Music Technology and Sound Engineering.

    Conclusion:
    All the international qualifications quoted above offer qualifications with modules that are very similar to those of the Higher Certificate in Creative Music Technology. With the rapid expansion of this technology, learners in this qualification will rank equally with their international counterparts. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Advanced Certificate or Diploma at NQF Level 6.

    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • All continuous class assessments, examinations and other forms of assessment are moderated by a random selection of learners' profiles and inspection of pass and failure rates.
  • Registered moderators conduct formative assessment per trimester throughout the course of learning.
  • External moderation takes place at the conclusion of the programme. External moderators are chosen according to their academic and industrial experience and knowledge. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All assessors must be experts in the subject being taught and must be accredited by the relevant Board of the institution. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Emendy (Pty) Ltd 
    2. L Emendy Sound & Music Technologies (College) cc 



    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.