Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to record sound and supervise sound recording operations.
It applies to individuals who work as part of a production team to record sound in a range of environments, including recording studios, live performances, broadcast studios and film/sound archives.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for sound recording operations | 1.1 Interpret production documentation to identify recording requirements, and confirm with relevant people 1.2 Prepare a recording plan as required and brief people accordingly, including work health and safety (WHS) procedures and safe work practices 1.3 Confirm sound equipment and accessories are in working order 1.4 Confirm sound equipment and accessories are set up, connected and aligned according to safety, technical and production requirements 1.5 Confirm selected sound equipment and accessories meet required standards 1.6 Confirm recording media have sufficient capacity for expected duration of sound recording 1.7 Check that other consumables required are available for duration of sound recording 1.8 Anticipate problems that may arise during sound recording and plan accordingly |
2. Place microphones and test recorded line-up | 2.1 Select microphones to suit the sound source and give the desired tonal and dynamic quality to the recording 2.2 Place and move microphones to capture the sound with the desired quality and to reject unwanted sounds 2.3 Confirm microphone placement is safe and unobtrusive, and avoids extraneous and unwanted noise 2.4 Check that microphones and other equipment in the signal path are operating correctly. 2.5 Conduct a check with artists to ensure that the sound will be recorded with sufficient level and signal-to-noise ratio and the desired quality 2.6 Listen critically to the acoustic characteristics of the recording environment, and adjust microphone position as required |
3. Make sound recordings | 3.1 Apply signal processing for optimal sound quality, and make test recordings to ensure no audible defects are present 3.2 Continuously monitor sound recording for quality, audible defects and extraneous background sound 3.3 Confirm recorded sound supports and enhances production requirements 3.4 Complete recording sessions in line with production timelines. |
4. Finalise sound recording operations | 4.1 Label and log sound recording according to production requirements 4.2 Produce master and backup copies of sound recording in required format 4.3 Prepare set-up report according to production requirements 4.4 Confirm sound equipment and accessories are de-rigged, checked and cleaned according to safety and production requirements 4.5 Confirm work environment is cleaned and restored to pre-recording condition 4.6 Provide feedback to production team members as required 4.7 Evaluate own performance against production requirements, and note areas for improvement |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
develop a sound recording plan that clearly specifies all requirements
set up recording equipment, conduct sound checks and make adjustments as required
implement recording plan as part of a collaborative team
produce a final sound recording and related documentation according to production requirements.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
describe the information normally found in production documentation
explain the principles of microphone operation and the techniques used in sound recording
list and describe commonly used sound equipment, accessories and consumables
explain the issues and challenges that typically arise when making sound recordings, and how to address them
outline the work health and safety (WHS) principles relevant to sound recording.
Assessment Conditions
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 equipment and accessories
environments where sound is recorded
relevant production 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.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1 | Uses a range of strategies to extract main instructions |
Writing | 1.2, 4.1, 4.3, 4.7 | Prepares specific information which conveys an understanding of outcomes and alternatives, and uses terminology appropriate to present to relevant personnel |
Oral Communication | 1.2, 2.6, 3.2, 4.6 | Uses industry appropriate language to analyse with others the process and style used to record music Provides clear directions and feedback in a professional and diplomatic manner to other team members when required Derives meaning from a range of audio sources and acoustic characteristics, making necessary adjustments for optimal recordings |
Numeracy | 1.7, 3.1 | Estimates and interprets information based on time and quantities Calculates measurements and adjustments to equipment and settings |
Navigate the world of work | 1.2, 1.5, 3.3, 4.1-4.5 | Follows organisational policies and procedures for production, including safety and housekeeping procedures |
Interact with others | 1.3, 4.6 | Works collaboratively to identify and complete task requirements Uses appropriate communication practices to provide feedback to others |
Get the work done | 1.2-1.8, 2.1-2 6, 3.1-3.4, 4.1-4.4 | Plans and sequences tasks and workload to solve problems and complete objectives Makes decisions directly related to work tasks Applies problem solving processes to identify and rectify technical issues |
Sectors
Media and entertainment production – audio/sound