• CUESOU10B - Operate wireless audio equipment

Assessor Resource

CUESOU10B
Operate wireless audio equipment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


People working as sound technicians apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They are working at a senior level since their responsibilities go beyond the basic skills required to attach microphones to individual performers/presenters. They are responsible for using a range of radio microphone technology during a production and for managing spectrum. In this role they require a sound knowledge of the technical and production issues that impact on radio microphone operation.

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, along with the interpersonal skills required to work with performers.

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

CUESOU08B Select and manage microphone and other audio input sources.

This unit also has linkages to a range of other audio units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to specify, fit and operate radio microphones and in-ear wireless monitors for any production within the cultural industries.

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:

knowledge of the regulatory and technical issues that affect the use of wireless audio technology

ability to determine appropriate approaches to the use of wireless audio technology to meet the needs of a particular production.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the appropriate selection and use of equipment for a production where multiple performers need to be fitted with wireless equipment

interaction with others to demonstrate the interpersonal skills required for the fitting 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 a performance using multiple pieces of wireless equipment where the candidate has been responsible for the selection and set-up of equipment

case studies to assess ability to suggest approaches and equipment for different production circumstances

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of technical or performance issues that impact on wireless audio operation

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:

radio microphones, in-ear monitors, transmitters and receivers

a venue where a production requiring wireless audio technology can be held.


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

literacy skills sufficient to interpret production documentation and regulatory requirements

numeracy skills sufficient to work with frequency allocations

Required knowledge

the performance factors which impact on the use of wireless audio technology

different types of wireless audio equipment available, and their use and application in different types of production

role of different antennae

ways in which radio equipment can be fitted to performers

common frequencies used with wireless audio equipment, how these may be reserved or affected by local TV or radio transmitters

protocols for dealing with performers during equipment fitting

regulatory requirements for the use of wavelengths, including the Australian Communications Authority frequency allocations

frequency spacing required for adjacent wireless channels, and how to establish number of practical and available channels at a given location

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.

Relevant personnel may include:

director

front of house engineer

performers

stage manager

stage monitor engineer

systems engineer.

other technical specialists

Technical factors that impact on wireless audio equipment operation may include:

frequencies for operation

need for back up microphones

number of radio microphones being used

options for different antennae

other equipment on stage

presence of moisture or water

volume required

Performance factors that impact on wireless audio equipment operation may include:

level of movement by the performer

number of costume changes

singing requirement

speaking requirement

Fitting techniques may include:

attachment to hair strands

attachment to other clothing

use of tape

Appropriate protocols when dealing with performers may include:

acknowledging privacy issues

assessment of performer allergies or history

checking comfort levels

clarifying positioning or fitting details

requesting permission to commence fitting

Problems with wireless audio equipment may include:

faulty/intermittent signal

need for more secure attachment

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
Liaise with relevant personnel to determine the various production factors that will impact on wireless audio equipment operation 
Assess both technical and performance factors to establish the most appropriate approach to the use of wireless audio equipment in accordance with any regulatory requirements 
Establish all other wireless frequencies in use within range, including security and building services users 
Research and establish wireless instrument and in-ear monitor frequencies to be used by all acts, performers and musicians associated with the performance 
Plot proposed and currently used frequencies onto suitable plot and compare with legal and available frequencies 
Establish actual frequencies to be used, allocated to each person, performer, musician, and/or department 
Where multiple use of the same frequency for different performers or segments is required, prepare a suitable spreadsheet/plot 
Accurately document wireless audio equipment requirements prior to the production to ensure easy interpretation by others 
Ensure availability of equipment and accessories in accordance with production requirements 
Establish suitable location for equipment and technician work area in consultation with relevant personnel 
Run audio lines appropriately from wireless equipment to stage box or patch point and make correct connections in accordance with plot 
Run standby microphone cable/s as required, and have wired and wireless standby equipment on hand 
Establish backup channels with appropriate personnel, and put in place other appropriate contingency management measures 
Make appropriate checks on wireless audio equipment prior to fitting to ensure equipment is correctly labelled, in working order and fully charged with new batteries 
Check that frequency setting on microphones and transmitters is matched and complete appropriate tuning 
Identify the most appropriate position for the equipment based on performance and technical issues 
Fit wireless audio equipment using appropriate attachment techniques to meet performance requirements 
Follow appropriate protocols with performers during the fitting process 
Clearly explain any technical operation issues to performers 
Check and adapt gain structure to fit production requirements 
Correctly set wireless audio equipment so that signal is received by the sound desk 
Politely request performer to use equipment to ensure it is working correctly and crosscheck 
Monitor all wireless systems throughout production, identify any problems and take appropriate action to rectify 
Retrieve wireless equipment from performers at conclusion of their performance 
Clean and arrange or store wireless equipment in readiness for the next user or the next performance 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUESOU10B - Operate wireless audio equipment
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

CUESOU10B - Operate wireless audio equipment

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: