- CUSSOU201A - Assist with sound recordings
Assessor Resource
CUSSOU201A
Assist with sound recordings
Assessment tool
Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024
Studio assistants, audio stagehands, boom operators and others who assist supervising sound technicians to record sound, apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They could be working in a variety of creative arts industry sectors, including stage productions, music recording studios, television, radio, film, video or online environments.
Under close supervision and guidance, they are responsible for assisting with setting up recording equipment, doing sound checks, monitoring the quality of recorded sound, labelling/logging recordings, and solving routine problems that occur during the recording.
The advanced application of sound recording is covered in:
CUSSOU401A Record sound
CUSSOU406A Record sound on location.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist with sound recordings using a variety of recording equipment in a studio or live environment.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Not applicable
Employability Skills
Not applicable
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 ability to: apply OHS principles of safe listening to day-to-day work activities use a range of industry-current sound equipment and accessories work cooperatively in a production environment. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: access to a range of work environments and productions where sound is recorded access to industry-current sound equipment and accessories use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed. |
Method of assessment | The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit: case studies to assess candidate's ability to apply OHS principles of safe listening to day-to-day work activities evaluation of a range of live, acoustic and/or sequenced recordingsin which candidate assisted asound technician or engineer observation of the candidate assisting with sound recordings written or oral questioning to test knowledge of basic principles and techniques of sound recording. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUFIND201A Develop and apply creative arts industry knowledge CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing CUSMLT201A Develop and apply musical ideas and listening skills CUSSOU202A Mix sound in a broadcasting environment. |
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: log and label recorded material note and report system faults and problems read and understand recording documentation numeracy skills sufficient to calculate duration and capacity of recording media communication skills sufficient to: liaise with sound production/recording personnel understand and follow instructions respond positively to constructive feedback on own performance learning skills sufficient to maintain currency of knowledge of recording equipment upgrades planning and organisational skills sufficient to: prioritise work tasks meet deadlines seek expert assistance when problems arise problem-solving skills sufficient to identify and refer system faults and problems to sound-production personnel teamwork skills sufficient to work effectively with sound-production personnel technology skills sufficient to work with a variety of sound-recording equipment |
Required knowledge |
basic principles and techniques of sound recording, including: audible defects in analogue and digital technologies identification/logging requirements operational principles of microphones, including microphone placement operational/technical limitations of recording mediums recording formats and technical standards signal-to-noise ratio, signal phase and audio level/headroom control 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. | |
Documentation may include: | cue sheets and track sheets dubbing charts equipment instructions OHS requirements organisational standards performers' requirements production schedule and set-up reports shot lists sound and audio reports storyboards technical manuals. |
Consumables may include: | audiotape compact discs (CDs) cue sheets and track sheets digital versatile discs (DVDs) masking tape, marker pens and labels memory cards mini discs (MDs). |
Recording production may include: | commercial print advertisement corporate video feature film and/or video filmed event and/or performance interactive digital media product internet production music recording and/or video promotional trailer radio broadcast short film and/or video television program training film and/or video voice-over. |
Sound equipment and accessories may include: | amplifiers analogue to digital converters cables computer technology and associated software digital and analogue recording devices digital audio players headphones microphones and accessories mixing consoles and desks monitors and speakers signal processors and plug-ins. |
Production requirements may include: | attributions audience budget confidentiality content contractual arrangements copyright deadlines direct quotes duration intellectual property interviews location purpose schedule style. |
Appropriate persons may include: | artists, musicians and performers audio and sound engineers audio and sound technicians dubbing machine operators broadcasters directors, producers and photographers post-production editors and mixers program managers sound designers and editors sound effects personnel video and sound recorders. |
Placement and movement of equipment may involve: | observing safety and technical requirements avoiding extraneous and unwanted noise, e.g. from cables with screen productions: avoiding shadows and reflections ensuring that equipment is not in frame aiming a boom microphone upwards or downwards depending on the shot placing microphones in more than one position to capture the required sound perspective. |
Microphones may include: | boundary (PZM) capacitor/condenser contact digital directional dual-element dynamic headset lapel low and/or high impedance microphone systems noise cancelling shotgun. |
Microphone accessories may include: | boom poles cables clips connectors housing pop filters shock mounts stands windscreens. |
Sound check may include checking: | levels frequency response phase relationships signal-to-noise ratio. |
Characteristics of recorded sound may include: | frequency response phase relationships signal-to-noise ratio level mono/stereo/5.1 surround sound spatial position and image balance tonal quality perspective acoustic dynamic range. |
Signal processing may include: | amplitude (dynamic) signal processing noise processing spectrum signal processing time signal processing. |
Work environment may include: | dubbing theatre on location outside broadcast post-production studio recording studio sound stage. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarify documentation and consumables for recording production with appropriate persons | |||
| Connect sound equipment and accessories according to safety, technical and production requirements | |||
| Refer faults and problems to appropriate persons | |||
| Follow directions about the placement and movement of microphones and microphone accessories | |||
| Assist with sound check to ensure levels and characteristics of recorded sound meet required standards | |||
| Confirm signal-processing requirements with appropriate persons and make test recordings to ensure no audible defects are present | |||
| Listen to sound recording for audible defects and extraneous background sound and communicate problems to appropriate persons | |||
| Log recordings and ensure labelling is accurate, legible, current and within production requirements | |||
| Disconnect sound equipment and accessories according to safety, technical and production requirements | |||
| Communicate appropriately with other team members, performers or customers during the completion of tasks | |||
| Clean work environment after use and restore to pre-recording condition |
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
CUSSOU201A - Assist with sound recordings
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Assessment Record Sheet
CUSSOU201A - Assist with sound recordings
Student name:
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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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