ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for sound reinforcement operations

1.1 In consultation with relevant personnel confirm front-of-house sound reinforcement requirements, referring to production documentation as required

1.2 Check that equipment has been correctly installed and tested

1.3 Prepare for playback of prerecorded material as required

1.4 Ensure that equipment anticipates the need for standby facilities

1.5 Adjust the sound system to take account of venue acoustics and do final sound check

2. Monitor sound reinforcement operations

2.1 Ensure that sound quality and balance meet artistic and technical requirements

2.2 Monitor sound levels to ensure they do not exceed safe noise levels

2.3 Promptly identify and rectify malfunctions with minimum disruption to sound quality

2.4 Communicate appropriately with relevant personnel throughout the production

3. Complete work operations

3.1 Complete required documentation in line with enterprise procedures

3.2 Assist with the disassembly of audio equipment as required

3.3 Seek feedback from relevant personnel on own work performance and note areas for improvement

Required skills

communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

interpret and clarify written and verbal instructions

make verbal fault reports to appropriate personnel

interpret block diagrams of equipment and system set-ups

read and interpret sound documentation

read manufacturing specifications and installation manuals

work effectively in a team environment

critical-listening and aural-discrimination skills when operating sound reinforcement systems in a range of venues

initiative and enterprise skills in the context of dealing effectively with equipment malfunction in a live performance environment

technical skills sufficient to:

operate sound reinforcement systems

test sound equipment in line with industry standards

planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance when problems arise

problem-solving skills sufficient to identify typical faults that may occur in sound reinforcement systems

Required knowledge

basicaudio principles and practices, including:

range of microphones and contexts in which they are used

microphone characteristics, e.g. frequency response, sensitivity and polar patterns

effect of microphone placement on quality of sound

characteristics of sound in a range of environments

signal-to-noise ratio, signal phase and audio level/headroom control

audible defects in analogue and digital technologies

features of mixers, amplifiers, speakers and effects racks

basic principles of acoustics, including:

frequency

pitch

amplitude

loudness

velocity

wavelength

delay

sound absorption

timbre

sound envelope

basic understanding of psychoacoustic principles, including:

spatial hearing

direct sound

early sound

reverberant sound

room design

techniques for aligning and testing audio equipment, including:

understanding electrical power (voltage, distribution, phasing, load and circuit breaking)

knowledge of a range of sound equipment and associated operating principles (level, impedance, phase and frequency)

testing and tagging electrical fittings in accordance with safety regulations

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of providing sound reinforcement

OHS requirements, including:

licensing requirements for persons performing high risk work

safe manual-handling techniques

working safely with electricity and hazardous substances

principles of safe listening, such as safeguards against hearing loss

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:

provide a live sound mix for performances on at least three occasions that demonstrates an understanding of room acoustics and the principles of sound reinforcement

test equipment in line with production requirements

work cooperatively in a team environment

apply OHS procedures, particularly in relation to safe noise levels.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of industry-current equipment as listed in the range statement

access to venues in which to install audio equipment

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 and questioning to assess candidate's understanding of OHS requirements

observation and/or video recordings of the candidate testing and operating sound reinforcement systems

written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUESOU04C Mix live audio

CUESOU11B Set up and operate stage monitor systems

CUSOHS301A Follow occupational health and safety procedures

CUSSOU303A Set up and disassemble audio equipment.

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:

artists, musicians and performers

sound engineers and technicians

broadcasters

clients

directors

producers

program managers

venue managers

stage managers

sound designers

video and sound recorders.

Productions may include:

live music or theatre performance

commercial

print advertisement

corporate video

feature film and/or video

filmed event and/or performance

interactive media product

internet production

electronic game production

radio broadcast

television program.

Documentation may include:

house plans

sound plans

line diagrams

installation schedules

artistic requirements

scripts

musical scores

dubbing sheets

technical/equipment manuals

enterprise operating procedures and standards

stage plans

sound plots

design, director's and sound specifications

production and venue requirements

production schedules

OHS requirements and instructions

manufacturer specifications

performers' requirements

fault report sheets.

Checking may involve ensuring that:

amplification equipment has been connected in the correct order

loudspeakers are positioned to:

produce optimum quality

avoid feedback and other extraneous noise

cables are:

routed and secured safely

visually unobtrusive

leads and associated electricals are patched into the correct input and output sockets

adequate resources are available in the event of equipment breakdown.

Equipment may include:

multi-range speaker systems

amplifiers

playback equipment

cables

headphones

microphones and accessories

mixing consoles and desks

monitors and speakers

signal processors and plug-ins

effects rack

turntables.

Preparation for playback of prerecorded material may involve:

ensuring that playback machines are correctly referenced and synchronisation protocols are compatible

ensuring that technical and artistic requirements are met

checking sound levels with relevant personnel

ensuring that loudspeakers are close enough to relevant personnel to avoid coloration and time delay.