CUSSOU403A
Perform advanced sound editing

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform advanced sound editing. This involves assessing the quality of original recorded sound against production requirements, determining the scope of the sound-editing project, preparing source materials for sound editing, editing sound in line with production requirements, and applying sound effects to enhance the final product.

Application

This unit applies to sound editors who edit music and sound effects for film, television, interactive media and music productions as well as to technicians who work in film and sound archives.

This work is undertaken with minimal supervision and guidance. Sound editors at this level could also be responsible for supervising others.

This units builds on the skills covered in the imported unit:

CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing.


Prerequisites

Not applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for sound editing

1.1 Participate in pre-production meetings with relevant personnel to discuss production requirements and procedures

1.2 Check that necessary copyright releases have been organised

1.3 Consider the impact of different release sound formats when planning editing work

1.4 Check sound equipment to ensure it is operational and appropriate for the task

1.5 Prepare a team work plan as required and brief relevant personnel accordingly

1.6 Obtain original sound sources and assess their quality against production requirements

1.7 Check any documentation in the receipt and preparation of original recordings and copies for productions

1.8 Advise where sound sources do not meet quality and production requirements and propose options to resolve issues as required

1.9 Anticipate problems that may arise during the editing process and plan accordingly

2. Edit complex sound sequences

2.1 Check the format of all sound sources, ensuring it is compatible with editing software, equipment and media output

2.2 Critically listen to sound sources to determine the extent and range of required edits

2.3 Manipulate editing software and equipment to produce required outcomes and to resolve identified problems

2.4 Work sensitively and constructively with relevant personnel to achieve best production outcomes

3. Create overall sound context

3.1 Determine the purpose for which sound is being used in productions

3.2 Identify, select and/or produce appropriate sound effects or elements

3.3 Apply knowledge and understanding of sonic lexicon to enhance final creative outcomes

3.4 Note sound effects and elements on spotting sheets

3.5 Incorporate sound effects and elements to meet creative requirements

4. Finalise editing operations

4.1 Participate in spotting sessions with relevant personnel and make adjustments to mix as required

4.2 Ensure that final files are in the correct format

4.3 Manage the quality check of the final sound mix in line with enterprise procedures and production requirements

4.4 Archive edited audio files and complete associated documentation according to enterprise procedures

4.5 Ensure that work environment is left clean and ready for the next user

4.6 In collaboration with support personnel, organise and maintain sound effects libraries for future productions

4.7 Provide feedback to other team members as required

4.8 Evaluate own performance against technical and creative criteria and note areas for improvement

Required Skills

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills sufficient to:

work collaboratively with project team personnel and sound-production personnel

provide feedback to project personnel on appropriate editing techniques

provide critical feedback on problems with technical quality of masters and condition of equipment

literacy skills sufficient to:

log and label recorded material

accurately note sound effects on spotting sheets

read and interpret an edit decision list (EDL)

numeracy skills sufficient to calculate duration and capacity of media at various speed/sample rates

initiative and enterprise skills in the context of:

finding creative solutions to sound-editing challenges

applying critical-listening skills to analyse sound recordings and finding solutions to creative and/or technical problems

learning skills sufficient to maintain currency of knowledgeof editing software and equipment upgrades

planning and organisational skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

locate sound effects

problem-solving skills sufficient to promptly and effectively rectify sound defects, system failures and mechanical breakdowns

technology skills sufficient to:

use a variety of sound-editing equipment and software on both PC and MAC operating systems

manage file systems

make regular backups

Required knowledge

principles of sonic storytelling, e.g. using sound (or silence) to:

focus attention

intensify action

set pace

set mood

evoke feelings

well-developed understanding of psychoacoustic principles, including:

spatial hearing

direct sound

early sound

reverberant sound

studio and control room design

ergonomics

well-developed understanding of audio principles, including:

frequency

pitch

amplitude

loudness

velocity

wavelength

acoustical phase

timbre

sound envelope

intellectual property implications in relation to sound design

picture and sound synchronisation, including:

time codes

frame rates

sample rates

clock leader 2 pips

principles and techniques of sound editing, including:

manipulating sound to achieve technical and creative outcomes

using effects to achieve a range of functional sound requirements

eliminating audible defects

compatibility of different digital standards

identification/logging requirements

file formats, technical standards and compression

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of performing complex sound edits

OHS principles of:

safe listening, including safeguards against hearing loss

using a computer and keyboard for periods of time

Evidence Required

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:

use all features of a range of current industry sound-editing software and equipment

make critical editing decisions that enhance the quality and impact of the final sound

incorporate a range of sound effects into the final mix

work cooperatively in a team environment

meet deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

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

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:

observation of candidate undertaking complex sound edits, including the incorporation of sound effects

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

authenticated recordings of material edited by the candidate

case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing issues and challenges that arise in the context of complex sound editing.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUSSOU404A Edit dialogues.


Range Statement

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:

performer

composer

sound supervisor

supervising sound editor

preservation supervisor

archivist

effects editor

effects mixer

sound mixer

recordist

re-recording mixer

audio assistant

audio and sound engineer

director

producer

post-production picture editor

post-production manager

program manager

sound designer.

Production requirements and procedures may include:

creative

technical

file formats

agreement on file naming structures

work flow after capture

prerelease screenings to check quality of sound mix

technical checks

spotting sessions

attributions

audience

budget

confidentiality

content

contractual arrangements

copyright

deadlines

direct quotes

duration

intellectual property

interviews

location

purpose

schedule

style.

Release sound formats may include:

IMAX multichannel system

5.1 surround sound:

cinema

television

4-track Dolby stereo

2-track stereo

internet

games

radio.

Equipment may include:

digital audio workstation (DAW) with software, such as:

Pro Tools

Nuendo

Pyramix

Fairlight

Sound Forge

Adobe Audition

Final Cut Pro

Avid

EDL software

mixing consoles

outboard gear, such as:

re-verb unit

sub-base harmoniser

de-esser

compressor.

Sound sources may include:

dialogues and voice-overs

special effects

music

walla

ambient sound

atmospheric sound

foley.

Documentation may include:

pre-mix scripts

mixing sheets

track sheets

de-noising documents

cue sheets

dubbing sheets

queries

notes

manuals.

Production may include:

commercial

print advertisement

corporate video

feature film and/or video

filmed event and/or performance

interactive media product

internet production

electronic game production

music recording and/or video

promotional trailer

radio broadcast

short film and/or video

television program

training film and/or video

oral histories

voice-over.

Format may include:

audio/sound, such as:

DAT

AIF (AIFF)

WAV

broadcast WAV format (BWF)

WMA

MIDI

OGG

advanced audio coding (AAC)

Apple Lossless

magnetic tape

Real Audio

QuickTime

MP3

computerised data.

Media may include:

radio

video

CD

DVD

DAT

computer hard drive

internet

mobile device

film.

Manipulating editing software may include:

adjusting and normalising audio levels

inserting:

transitions

sound effects

music

voice-overs

overlays

manipulating audio clips, such as:

cutting

pasting

copying

moving

splitting.

Purpose may include:

breaking the screen plane

defining space

focusing attention

establishing locale

creating environment

emphasising action

intensifying action

depicting identity

setting pace

providing counterpoint

creating humour

symbolising meaning

creating metaphor

unifying transition

creating silence.

Producing sound effects may involve:

creating and synchronising effects in a post-production studio

recording during shooting

collecting in the field

generating effects electronically.

Sonic lexicon may refer to genres, such as:

silent film

natural history

drama productions

animation

comedy

horror.

Work environment may include:

dubbing theatre

on location, including interior and exterior

outside broadcast

post-production studio

recording studio

sound stage

cultural institution

archive.


Sectors

Media and entertainment production - audio/sound


Employability Skills

Not applicable


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.