Assessor Resource

CUFSOU301A
Prepare audio assets

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


The size of an enterprise or project determines who undertakes the role described in this unit. In a large-scale environment, the person responsible for this task would typically be supervised by an audio asset creator or audio engineer and an audio programmer or interactive media author.

In a radio station, the prime focus of the task involves converting radio programs into podcast material or in a form appropriate to streaming or downloading, and this may be a dedicated role under the supervision of a producer.

In a smaller enterprise or project, an audio programmer, interactive author or audio/sound engineer would absorb this task into their role.

In all cases, they are collaborating closely with other team members.

Skills associated with other aspects of audio/sound production at this level are covered in:

CUSSOU201A Assist with sound recordings

CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare audio assets for inclusion in interactive media.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

preparation of a range of audio sequences to be included in interactive media products that meet appropriate technical specifications

proficient use of audio encoding software.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to industry-current audio encoding software

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of audio assets prepared by the candidate on a number of occasions

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge of codecs for various platforms and understanding of file compression.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUFDIG301A Prepare video assets.


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

communication and literacy skills sufficient to interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions

ability to work as a member of a production team, both independently on assignment and under direction

technical skills sufficient to:

use audio software to prepare audio sequences for inclusion in interactive media

manage files using standard naming conventions

apply appropriate metadata tags to describe files

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance when problems arise

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. designers, content creators, information architects, programmers and coders

basic understanding of the relationship between the technical and creative aspects and requirements of interactive media projects

features of a range of delivery platforms

basic understanding of what happens when audio files are compressed for inclusion in interactive media products

appropriate codecs for various platforms and destinations

digital audio source and output formats

equalisation techniques

techniques for saving and preparing digital audio output to optimise file size

OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

OHS principles of safe listening (including safeguards against hearing loss)

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.

Source file formats may include:

WAV

AIFF

AU

MP3

WMA

AAC (Apple lossless)

OGG.

Purposes may include:

audio sequences, e.g.:

SFX (sound effects)

music

foley

atmospherics

dialogue

additional dialogue, e.g. rerecorded and narration

audio sequences incorporated into a:

website

podcast

game

learning object

interactive application

animation.

Destinations may include:

computer-based playback software, e.g. iTunes

downloading server

internet audio players, e.g.:

Quicktime

Windows Media Player

RealPlayer

progressive downloading (buffering) server

streaming server.

Platforms may include:

CD

digital audio players (e.g. iPod, MP3)

DVD

games console

internet

kiosk

mobile phone

PDA (personal digital assistant).

Relevant personnel may include:

audio engineer

clients

producer

programmers and technical support people

supervisor

other specialist creative and administrative personnel as appropriate.

Output file formats include:

AAC (advanced audio coding)

AMR-NB

Apple lossless

MP3

RAM

WMA.

Audio codecs may include:

bit depth

bit sampling rates

mono or stereo

standardised and preset codecs.

Audio encoding software may include:

audio editing tools, e.g.:

Audacity

Adobe Audition

Pro Tools

specialised audio compression tools.

Metadata tags may include:

album

artist

defaults

description

episode

resolution

track

version.

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
Obtain analogue or digital sources of audio 
Identify the source file formats 
Identify the output purpose, destination and platform 
Discuss with relevant personnel the required output file format and audio codecs for specified bandwidths 
Discuss with relevant personnel the appropriate audio encoding software 
Open appropriate audio encoding software and load audio file 
Eliminate or treat defects on sound recordings 
Equalise sound output levels where necessary 
Ensure duration of audio sequences meets that required by the specification, and adjust if necessary 
Determine and apply appropriate audio codecs 
Batch optimise audio files where possible 
Save files in appropriate output file format using standard naming conventions 
Assign metadata tags if required 
Group files logically in folder system using standard naming conventions 
Store in share drive or repository for production team access 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFSOU301A - Prepare audio assets
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

CUFSOU301A - Prepare audio assets

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: