Sound mixers and recording engineers apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. They take the multi-track recording of a performance and mix it down to a format ready for mastering.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare for music mix

1. In consultation with relevant personnel, clarify mixing requirements with reference to documentation from recording sessions

2. Allocate sufficient time to complete the mix and line up facilities and equipment accordingly

3. Anticipate problems that may arise during the mixing process and plan accordingly

Mix music elements

4. Ensure that headphones and studio monitors are set at appropriate levels

5. Use a variety of techniques to balance instruments and vocals

6. Use effects to enhance and give depth to the music mix

7. Apply knowledge of music genre mix styles to enhance the sound of the mix

8. Take account of client's tastes and preferences with regard to how the mix should sound

9. Clean up each track in the mix to remove unwanted sound

10. Seek feedback on work in progress from relevant personnel and incorporate modifications

Finalise mixing operations

11. Deliver final mix in the required format for mastering

12. Complete documentation relating to final mix ensuring adequate information is provided for mastering and other relevant personnel

13. Ensure that facilities and equipment are left clean and tidy

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

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills sufficient to:

discuss and explain aspects of the mixing process to clients

respond appropriately to feedback from clients and colleagues

highly-developed musical aural skills

initiative and enterprise skills in the context of:

finding creative solutions to music mixing challenges

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

literacy skills sufficient to interpret documentation from recording sessions

planning and organisational skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

problem-solving skills sufficient to:

promptly and effectively rectify problems with sound mixing equipment

find ways of compensating for any deficiency in one's own hearing

technology skills sufficient to work with a variety of sound mixing equipment

Required knowledge

principles and techniques of mixing music

understanding of mixing conventions for different music genres

understanding of sound signal paths

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 characteristics, including:

frequency

pitch

amplitude

loudness

velocity

wavelength

acoustical phase

timbre

sound envelope

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of mixing music

OHS principles of safe listening, including 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:

use all features of current music industry mixing equipment

balance instruments and vocals

incorporate a range of effects into the final mix

work cooperatively with clients and colleagues

meet deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of work environments and productions where music is mixed

access to current industry-standard 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:

observation of candidate mixing music

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

authenticated recordings of music mixed by the candidate

case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing issues and challenges that arise in the context of mixing music.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUSIND501A Apply music knowledge and artistic judgement

CUSMLT501A Refine aural-perception skills

CUSSOU401A Record sound.

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

clients

audio and sound engineers

directors

producers

conductors.

Mixing requirements may relate to:

format for mastering:

audio file

digital audiotape (DAT)

2-track analogue tape

versions:

vocal up

vocal only

instrument only

stems

deadlines

production schedule

music style

target audience.

Facilities and equipment may include:

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

Pro Tools

Logic

Cubase

Ableton Live

Reason

Nuendo

Garage Band

Digital Performer

Soundscape

Sonic Studio

commercial recording studio

home studio

analogue studio equipment:

mixing console

signal processors, including equalisers and compressors

digital studio equipment:

mixing console

multi-track recorder.

Techniques may include:

starting the mix by manipulating only fader levels and pan positions

soloing individual instruments

starting with a basic setup of all instruments and vocals and refining them in relation to each other

determining the element or elements that work best and building the mix around them

reducing frequencies on some instruments to give the sound of others more prominence

using automation to control various parameters of equipment in real time within the mix

modifying recorded input signal through the use of:

faders

pan pots

equalisers

compressors

gates

various plug-ins or signal processors.

Effects may include:

reverb

delay

echo

reverse echo

pitch shift

pitch correction

time stretching

robotic voice effects

flanger

phaser.

Elements of mix styles may include:

drum and bass levels

level of lead vocals

level of vocals in relation to instruments

relative volumes of instruments for foregrounding and backgrounding

relative levels of added effects.

Cleaning up tracks may include:

eliminating amp hiss

eliminating crosstalk/spill

using mutes and gates

deleting/erasing sections for arrangement purposes

eliminating circuit noise.

Format may be:

mono

stereo

surround sound.

Documentation may include:

pre-mix scripts

mixing sheets

track sheets

cue sheets

dubbing sheets

queries

notes

manuals.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - audio/sound

This unit contains employability skills.