Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUASOU409 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Mix recorded music

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUASOU409 - Mix recorded music
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to mix music that has been recorded live or in a studio. It involves balancing all instrumentals, vocals and recorded/imported sounds, and adding effects. It applies to individuals who work with clients and colleagues to mix down existing multi-track recordings to formats ready for mastering.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

sound mixing software and equipment

work environments where sound is mixed

relevant recording documentation

interaction with others.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for music mix
  • Consult with relevant people to clarify mixing requirements with reference to documentation from recording sessions
  • Allocate sufficient time to complete the mix and organise required facilities and equipment
  • Anticipate problems that may arise during the mixing process, and plan accordingly
       
Element: Mix music elements
  • Confirm that headphones and studio monitors are set at appropriate levels
  • Follow work health and safety (WHS) procedures and use safe work practices when using sound mixing software and equipment
  • Balance instruments and vocals
  • Apply appropriate effects to enhance the music mix
  • Apply understanding of music genre mix styles to enhance the sound of the mix
  • Consider client preferences when determining how the mix should sound
  • Remove unwanted sound from each recorded track in the mix
  • Seek feedback on draft mix from relevant people, and adjust as required
       
Element: Finalise mixing operations
  • Save and deliver final mix in the required format for mastering
  • Complete relevant documentation on the final mix, and confirm adequate information is provided for mastering and other relevant people
  • Confirm work environment is cleaned after use and restored to pre-mixing condition
  • Evaluate own performance, and note areas for improvement
       


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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for music mix

1.1 Consult with relevant people to clarify mixing requirements with reference to documentation from recording sessions

1.2 Allocate sufficient time to complete the mix and organise required facilities and equipment

1.3 Anticipate problems that may arise during the mixing process, and plan accordingly

2. Mix music elements

2.1 Confirm that headphones and studio monitors are set at appropriate levels

2.2 Follow work health and safety (WHS) procedures and use safe work practices when using sound mixing software and equipment

2.3 Balance instruments and vocals

2.4 Apply appropriate effects to enhance the music mix

2.5 Apply understanding of music genre mix styles to enhance the sound of the mix

2.6 Consider client preferences when determining how the mix should sound

2.7 Remove unwanted sound from each recorded track in the mix

2.8 Seek feedback on draft mix from relevant people, and adjust as required

3. Finalise mixing operations

3.1 Save and deliver final mix in the required format for mastering

3.2 Complete relevant documentation on the final mix, and confirm adequate information is provided for mastering and other relevant people

3.3 Confirm work environment is cleaned after use and restored to pre-mixing condition

3.4 Evaluate own performance, and note areas for improvement

Evidence of the ability to:

mix a range of existing multi-track recordings to formats ready for mastering, in collaboration with colleagues and clients

use the features of a range of industry current sound mixing software and equipment in line with industry standards

balance instruments, vocals and recorded/imported sounds

incorporate appropriate effects into the final mix.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe the main techniques and methods of mixing music

outline mixing conventions for different music genres and explain techniques used to balance instruments and vocals

list and describe effects that can be used to enhance a music mix

briefly outline the operational principles for the available sound mixing software and equipment

describe the issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of mixing music, and how to address them

explain work health and safety considerations for mixing sound.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for music mix

1.1 Consult with relevant people to clarify mixing requirements with reference to documentation from recording sessions

1.2 Allocate sufficient time to complete the mix and organise required facilities and equipment

1.3 Anticipate problems that may arise during the mixing process, and plan accordingly

2. Mix music elements

2.1 Confirm that headphones and studio monitors are set at appropriate levels

2.2 Follow work health and safety (WHS) procedures and use safe work practices when using sound mixing software and equipment

2.3 Balance instruments and vocals

2.4 Apply appropriate effects to enhance the music mix

2.5 Apply understanding of music genre mix styles to enhance the sound of the mix

2.6 Consider client preferences when determining how the mix should sound

2.7 Remove unwanted sound from each recorded track in the mix

2.8 Seek feedback on draft mix from relevant people, and adjust as required

3. Finalise mixing operations

3.1 Save and deliver final mix in the required format for mastering

3.2 Complete relevant documentation on the final mix, and confirm adequate information is provided for mastering and other relevant people

3.3 Confirm work environment is cleaned after use and restored to pre-mixing condition

3.4 Evaluate own performance, and note areas for improvement

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
Consult with relevant people to clarify mixing requirements with reference to documentation from recording sessions 
Allocate sufficient time to complete the mix and organise required facilities and equipment 
Anticipate problems that may arise during the mixing process, and plan accordingly 
Confirm that headphones and studio monitors are set at appropriate levels 
Follow work health and safety (WHS) procedures and use safe work practices when using sound mixing software and equipment 
Balance instruments and vocals 
Apply appropriate effects to enhance the music mix 
Apply understanding of music genre mix styles to enhance the sound of the mix 
Consider client preferences when determining how the mix should sound 
Remove unwanted sound from each recorded track in the mix 
Seek feedback on draft mix from relevant people, and adjust as required 
Save and deliver final mix in the required format for mastering 
Complete relevant documentation on the final mix, and confirm adequate information is provided for mastering and other relevant people 
Confirm work environment is cleaned after use and restored to pre-mixing condition 
Evaluate own performance, and note areas for improvement 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUASOU409 - Mix recorded music
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

CUASOU409 - Mix recorded music

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: