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Evidence Guide: CUSSOU401A - Record sound

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

CUSSOU401A - Record sound

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Prepare for sound recording

  1. Clarify recording requirements with reference to productiondocumentation and in consultation with relevant personnel
  2. Prepare a team work plan as required and brief personnel accordingly
  3. Check that sound equipment and accessories are in working order for recording sessions
  4. Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are set up, connected and aligned according to safety, technical and production requirements
  5. Ensure that the selection of sound equipment and accessories meets required standards
  6. Ensure that recording devices have sufficient capacity for expected duration of recordings
  7. Anticipate problems that may arise during the recording process and plan accordingly
  8. Ensure adequate supply of consumables is available for duration of sound recordings
Clarify recording requirements with reference to productiondocumentation and in consultation with relevant personnel

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare a team work plan as required and brief personnel accordingly

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check that sound equipment and accessories are in working order for recording sessions

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are set up, connected and aligned according to safety, technical and production requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that the selection of sound equipment and accessories meets required standards

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that recording devices have sufficient capacity for expected duration of recordings

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anticipate problems that may arise during the recording process and plan accordingly

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure adequate supply of consumables is available for duration of sound recordings

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place microphones and test record line-up

  1. Select, power and position microphones and microphone accessories according to safety, technical and production requirements
  2. Apply principles of microphone operation when placing and moving microphones
  3. Ensure placement of microphones and microphone accessories is safe, unobtrusive and avoids extraneous and unwanted noise
  4. Conduct a sound check to ensure quality of recording will meet required standards
  5. Test signal flow of connected sound equipment and accessories
Select, power and position microphones and microphone accessories according to safety, technical and production requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply principles of microphone operation when placing and moving microphones

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure placement of microphones and microphone accessories is safe, unobtrusive and avoids extraneous and unwanted noise

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct a sound check to ensure quality of recording will meet required standards

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test signal flow of connected sound equipment and accessories

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make sound recordings

  1. Ensure run-up time is sufficient to allow stable sound recording
  2. Apply appropriate signal processing for optimal sound quality and make test recordings to ensure no audible defects are present
  3. Continuously monitor sound recording for quality, audible defects and extraneous background sound
  4. Critically listen to recording and provide feedback on appropriate recording techniques to record line-up
  5. Ensure recorded sound supports and enhances production requirements
  6. Complete recording sessions in line with production timelines
Ensure run-up time is sufficient to allow stable sound recording

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply appropriate signal processing for optimal sound quality and make test recordings to ensure no audible defects are present

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuously monitor sound recording for quality, audible defects and extraneous background sound

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critically listen to recording and provide feedback on appropriate recording techniques to record line-up

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure recorded sound supports and enhances production requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complete recording sessions in line with production timelines

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalise sound-recording operations

  1. Ensure that recordings are saved in the appropriate format and logged/filed in line with organisational procedures
  2. Make safety copies or backups as required
  3. Prepare accurate production set-up reports
  4. Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are de-rigged, checked and cleaned appropriately
  5. Ensure that work environments are cleaned after use and restored to their pre-recording condition
  6. Provide feedback to other team members as required
  7. Evaluate own performance against technical and creative criteria and note areas for improvement
Ensure that recordings are saved in the appropriate format and logged/filed in line with organisational procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make safety copies or backups as required

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare accurate production set-up reports

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are de-rigged, checked and cleaned appropriately

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that work environments are cleaned after use and restored to their pre-recording condition

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provide feedback to other team members as required

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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:

make sound recordings that meet production requirements and demonstrate a thorough understanding of:

prerecording checks

microphone positioning

testing record line-ups

OHS principles in relation to safe sound levels

use a range of industry-current sound equipment and accessories

work collaboratively with team members.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of work environments and productions where sound is recorded

access to industry-current sound equipment and accessories, including recording devices, microphones, signal processors and consumables

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 to assess candidate's ability to apply OHS principles of safe listening to day-to-day work activities

evaluation of a range of live, acoustic and/or sequenced recordingsmade by candidate

observation of candidate making sound recordings

written or oral questioning to test knowledge of principles of psychophysics and psychoacoustics.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUSSOU405A Mix recorded music

CUSSOU406A Record sound on location

CUSSOU407A Coordinate location sound recording.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills

research skills sufficient to locate and use relevant sources of information

literacy skills sufficient to:

prepare production set-up reports

read and interpret recording documentation

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

communication skills sufficient to:

liaise with sound-production and recording personnel, including in a supervisory capacity

provide feedback to recording personnel on appropriate recording techniques

clearly explain and offer suitable alternatives to record line-up when recording difficulties cannot be resolved within operational constraints

initiative and enterprise skills in the context of critically analysing sound recordings

learning skills sufficient to maintain currency of knowledgeof recording equipment upgrades

planning and organisational skills sufficient to prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines

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

technology skills sufficient to work with a variety of sound-recording equipment

Required knowledge

principles of psychophysics, such as:

frequency

pitch

amplitude

loudness

velocity

wavelength

acoustical phase

timbre

sound envelope

principles of psychoacoustics, such as:

spatial hearing

direct sound

early sound

reverberant sound

studio and control room design

ergonomics

operational knowledge of sound-recording equipment

principles and techniques of sound recording, including:

audible defects in analogue and digital technologies

compatibility of different digital standards

identification/logging requirements

operational principles of microphones, including microphone placement

operational/technical limitations of recording media

recording formats and technical standards

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

logarithmic units and the use of different metering systems

timecode levels and standards in analogue and digital applications

principles of synchronisation and referencesystems

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of recording sound

OHS principles of safe listening, including safeguards against hearing loss

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.

Productions may include:

music recording

interactive media product, such as:

CD

DVD

podcast

internet production, e.g. website audio

radio broadcast

voice-over.

Documentation may include:

production schedules

set-up reports

cue sheets

track sheets

dubbing charts

equipment instructions

OHS requirements

organisational standards

performers' requirements

sound and audio reports

technical manuals.

Relevant personnel may include:

artists, musicians and performers

audio and sound engineers

audio and sound technicians/mixers

broadcasters

technical producers

broadcast technicians and engineers

directors

producers

conductors

program managers

curators

post-production managers

supervisors

sound designers.

Sound equipment and accessories may include:

amplifiers

analogue to digital converters

cables

compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD) players and burners

computer technology and associated software

digital and analogue recording devices:

hard disk recorder, e.g. digital audio workstation (DAW)

digital audiotape recorder, e.g. S-DAT and R-DAT

digital videotape recorder (DVTR)

mini disc recorder (MD)

modular digital multi-track recorder (MDM)

open-reel analogue audiotape recorder

digital audio players, such as:

iPod

MP3

headphones

microphones and accessories

mixing consoles and desks

monitors and speakers

signal processors and plug-ins.

Production requirements may include:

attributions

audience

budget

confidentiality

content

contractual arrangements

copyright

deadlines

direct quotes

duration

intellectual property

interviews

location

purpose

schedule

style.

Consumables may include:

audiotape, e.g. digital and open-reel analogue

compact discs, e.g. CD-R and CD-RW

cue sheets and track sheets

digital versatile discs, e.g. DVD-/+R and DVD-/+RW

masking tape, marker pens and labels

mini discs (MDs)

memory cards, e.g. flash memory cards.

Microphones may include:

boundary (PZM)

capacitor/condenser, such as:

electret

lavalier

mini microphone

transistor

tube

contact

digital

directional, such as:

single entry port

multiple entry port

multi/poly-directional

dual-element

dynamic, such as:

moving coil

ribbon

headset

low and/or high impedance

microphone systems, such as:

adaptive array

binaural

high definition

parabolic

surround sound

wireless

cordless

FM

radio transmitter

noise cancelling

shotgun.

Microphone accessories may include:

boom poles, including:

aluminium

carbon fibre

fisher

hand-held

perambulator

remote panner

tripod

cables, including:

balanced

unbalanced

clips

connectors, including:

female

male

XLR

housing

pop filters

shock mounts

stands, including:

desk

floor

gooseneck

windscreens.

Principles of microphone operation may include:

balanced and unbalanced audio transmission

diaphragm diameter and frequency response

diaphragm mass and transient response

differential input and single-ended input

directional characteristics, including:

omnidirectional (non-directional)

unidirectional, e.g. sub-cardioid, wide angle cardioid, cardioid, super-cardioid, hyper-cardioid and ultra-cardioid

bi-directional

ground loops and ground lift

magnetic induction

matching high/low impedance (passive/active DI interface)

phase cancellation and acoustic comb filtering

pickup pattern (polar response pattern)

polarity

sound response, such as:

frequency response

hum

maximum sound pressure level

overload limit

proximity effect

self-noise

sensitivity

signal-to-noise ratio

transduction

variable capacitance.

Signal processing may include:

amplitude (dynamic) signal processing:

compressors, e.g. broadband, split-band, de-esser

limiters

expanders

noise gates

pitch shifters

noise processing, such as:

Dolby

dbx

DSP

spectrum signal processing:

equalisers, e.g. fixed frequency, graphic, parametric and paragraphic

filters, e.g. high/low pass, band pass and notch

psychoacoustic processors

time signal processing:

reverberation, e.g. digital, plate and acoustic chamber

delay, e.g. doubling, chorus, slap back and prereverb

flanging, e.g. positive and negative

phasing

morphing.

Appropriate recording techniques may include:

articulation and voicing

breathing

microphone use

pitch

playing, singing and performing style

timing

tone

tuning

volume.

Production set-up report may include:

console settings

effects settings

microphone choices

patch bay wiring

processor settings

track sheets.

Work environment may include:

dubbing theatre

outside broadcast

recording studio

sound stage.