Assessor Resource

CUESOU04C
Mix live audio

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


People working as sound technicians apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Typically they are responsible for the front-of-house mix which involves creating quality sound for an audience. The skills and knowledge associated with managing the foldback mix for performers on stage are covered in:

CUESOU11B Set up and operate stage monitor systems.

The work often involves long or irregular hours and can be physically demanding. The ability to work cooperatively as part of a production team is essential.

It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following units:

CUESOU07B Apply a general knowledge of audio to work activities

CUESOU10B Operate wireless audio equipment

CUSSOU303A Set up and disassemble audio equipment

CUESOU03C Operate professional audio equipment.

This unit also has linkages to other audio units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:

CUESOU11B Set up and operate stage monitor systems.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to mix audio for live performance. As such it builds on other units dealing with the set-up and operation of audio equipment. Skills in mixing audio are developed over an extended period. This unit defines a minimum standard for the mixing of live audio.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

ability to use the range of console features to mix audio which meets the requirements of a production

knowledge of specific techniques for mixing audio in different environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the mixing of audio for more that one live performance/production

involvement of and interaction with a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the production process

use of industry-current equipment.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

evaluation of the mix at a live event where the candidate is responsible for mixing audio

case studies to assess ability to adapt mix to different production environments

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of mixing techniques and equipment features

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

industry-current audio mixing consoles

venue in which audio can be mixed for a live event.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communicating skills sufficient to liaise with other stage technicians

planning and organising skills tomanage and monitor the mix during performance

numeracy skills sufficient to set gain structure

problems solving skills in the context of identifying and responding to need for adjustments to mix during performance

technology skills tooperate a mixing console

Required knowledge

console types and features, both small and large FOH consoles, analogue and digital, and their mixing capabilities

matrix and main outputs of consoles and their use

typical mixing requirements for different types of performance, e.g. theatre, music concert

techniques for adding sub-mixers and properly patching into system

overview of VCA masters, and use of them

overview of working with automation, and working with snapshot automation and cue delivery

overview of the use SMPTE and/or MIDI to fire cues and automation

dynamic automation factors sufficient to understand processing limitations and interface required for timed (dynamic) automation and crossfades

overview of contemporary audio effectors and DSP effects

overview of signal processing options and their applications, including use of signal processing as a tool for troubleshooting and creative uses for effects and signal processing

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Equipment operated to mix audio must include:

a range of microphones

amplifier

equaliser

loudspeakers

mixing consoles

signal processor (effects units)

Relevant personnel may include:

designer

director

performers

stage manager

other technical staff

Effects may include:

compression

distortion

echo

gates

limiters

pitch band

reverberation

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Power up equipment and check to ensure it is in working order 
Match interfaces between audio and destination in accordance with level, impedance, phase and frequency 
Route signals to correct signal path 
Operate faders to produce an audio level in accordance with production requirements 
Operate audio controls in accordance with acoustic and dynamic requirements 
Promptly identify faults and problems and take appropriate action to rectify or report to relevant personnel 
Complete audio check, implement any required adjustments and document accurately in accordance with organisational requirements 
Mix audio to produce the required audio level and tonal balance in accordance with production requirements 
Monitor signal paths throughout the performance 
Select effects in accordance with production requirements 
Adjust equalisation for required tonal balance 
Adjust relative fader levels in accordance with the musical context 
Balance signal levels appropriately 
Produce transitions between sound signals that are technically accurate and produce the required effect 
Ensure that the level of the composite signal is within technical limits and the desired dynamic range 
Maintain overall audio level in accordance with venue requirements and safe noise levels 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUESOU04C - Mix live audio
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

CUESOU04C - Mix live audio

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: