Course Title: Install, align and test sound equipment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2009

Course Code: VART5762C

Course Title: Install, align and test sound equipment

School: 345T Creative Media

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4128 - Certificate IV in Music Industry (Technical Production)

Course Contact : Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4976

Course Contact Email:adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Paul Thomas
paul.thomas@rmit.edu.au    

Nominal Hours: 20

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

Students will learn the skills and knowledge required to install, align and test sound equipment., with particular emphasis on microphones


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSSOU05A Install, align and test sound equipment

Element:

Align sound equipment

Performance Criteria:

Match interfaces between source and destination according to level, impedance, phase and frequency
Route test signals to the correct signal path
Check that the level of test signal is correct for the production requirements
Equalise sound sources taking room acoustics into consideration
Check systems for potential feedback frequency problems and make adjustments as required
Connect effects rack to mixer where appropriate

Element:

Determine sound equipment requirements

Performance Criteria:

Liaise with relevant personnel and interpret and confirm the sound equipment requirements to ensure technical and production requirements are met
Assess the acoustic properties of the installation area to determine the equipment and accessories required to deliver an accepted standard of sound quality
Read and interpret any documentation, including the design specifications, to determine resource requirements
Communicate specialist requirements to the relevant personnel
Identify and implement solutions to any identified technical
problems and communicate any difficulties promptly to relevant personnel as required
Calculate power requirements and identify power locations and patching requirements
Coordinate any required hire or loan arrangements and ensure hire agreements are completed according to enterprise requirements
Verify that the equipment to be installed is appropriate for the job

Element:

Ensure electrical safety throughout installation

Performance Criteria:

Incorporate OHS requirements when setting up and checking electrical equipment
Check that mains or generator supply is sufficient for the maximum load requirements
Ensure that cables used are correctly rated, including three phase cable to dimmers
Lay cabling so that it does not obstruct the free movement of other equipment or endanger personnel
Ensure that maintenance of cabling and connectors meets OHS requirements
Ensure that all required components of sound equipment are connected to the correct voltage supply
Ensure that distribution of electrical loading is within working limits
Ensure that all electrical fittings are tested and tagged in accordance with safety regulations

Element:

Ensure mechanical safety throughout installation

Performance Criteria:

Observe OHS requirements when installing and checking equipment
Check that the position of microphones, mountings and other recording equipment is safe and use safety chains where necessary
Lay cabling to avoid potential mechanical danger and to ensuresafety
Ensure electrical safetythroughout installation
Incorporate OHS requirements when setting up and checking

Element:

Install sound equipment

Performance Criteria:

Mount sound equipment in accordance with production requirements, instructions and safety guidelines, taking weight and size of equipment into account
Set up microphones in accordance with required specifications
Set up power distribution
Safely and neatly secure and label cabling so that it is clear of moving elements

Element:

Prepare for installation of sound equipment

Performance Criteria:

Mount sound equipment in accordance with production requirements, instructions and safety guidelines, taking weight and size of equipment into account
Set up microphones in accordance with required specifications
Set up power distribution
Safely and neatly secure and label cabling so that it is clear of moving elements

Element:

Test sound equipment

Performance Criteria:

Check all microphone lines for continuity and patching
Patch, test and tune sound system to suit facility
Check that all microphones are operational according to industry standards and where necessary fit appropriate microphones to relevant personnel to perform testing
Inform appropriate personnel of any problems that arise throughout the set up, as required
Ensure mechanical safety throughout installation
Observe OHS requirements when installing


Learning Outcomes


    


Details of Learning Activities

Learning for this course is achieved through:

  • Structured classroom delivery
  • Practical demonstration
  • Assessment of practical applications
  • Use of microphones in the studio during ‘Supervise Techincal Operations’ practicals
  • Some classes for this course will involve practical demonstration by the teacher using relevant technologies followed by individual exercises by students to explore the technical and creative issues raised.

Assessment  for this course is undertaken through the following:

  • Class based practical exercises/assessments on microphones and associated
   equipment.

  • Written examination.(multiple choice)


Teaching Schedule

Week 1
               Orientation
Week2
               Overview of microphone types:
                    Dynamic microphones
                    Ribbon & moving coil.
Week 3
                Capacitor (condenser) & electret microphones
                Demonstration: audio and visual of different microphones

Week 4
                PZM, special purpose mics
                 Demonstration: audio and visual of different microphones

Week 5
                Microphone cables, connectors and accessories.
                Microphone care
                Demonstration and practise in correct laying out and rolling of mic cable
Week 6
                Polar patterns, frequency response of mics
                Assessment #1 – correct laying out and rolling of mic cable
Week 7
                Proximity effect, comb filtering, preamps
                Iistening to different placement of mics
Week 8
                Stereo mic. techniques.
                Assessment #2 – Recognition of microphone types

Week 9
                Mic. Setups for different applications
                Practise of mic setups for different applications
Week 10
                Revision
                Assessment #3 – setup of mics for different applications
Week 11
                Multiple choice exam - Assessment #4


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

1.    www.dpamicrophones.com – manufacturer of some of the world’s finest reference microphones. The Microphone University at this site has a huge array of information, both technical and practical regarding microphones (highly recommended)

2.    www.audiotechnica.com  - manufacturers of the RMIT stereo microphone

3.    www.shure.com - Home of the classic SM58 and more

4.    www.neumann.com - Excellent site on the world famous brand of microphones

5.    www.akg-acoustics.com - All products from AKG acoustics

6.    www.senheiser.com - Manufacturers of studio and live favourites such as the MD421 Dynamic

7.    www.beyerdynamic.com - Beyer mics are well respected and used in many studios – the M88 is a popular kick drum mic.

8.    www.earthwks.com - Earthworks make ultra ‘clean’ mics and ultra ‘flat’ mic preamps

9.    www.royerlabs.com - makers of ribbon mics

10.    www.k-bay106.com/mics.htm - specialising in vintage mics.


Other Resources

Not Applicable


Overview of Assessment

Cable rolling – 10%
Recognition of microphone types – 20%
Setting up mic, stand and cable for differing applications – 20%
Multi choice examination – 50%


Assessment Tasks

Assessment #1 - Cable Rolling - Week 6
       Practical demonstration of cable setup,rolling, and storage
Assessment #2 - Recognition of microphone types - Week 8
       Practical demonstration of knowledge regarding the type and applications of microphones currently in use in RMIT studios
Assessment #3 - Setting up of microphones, stand and cable for differing applications - Week 10
       Practical demonstration of knowledge regarding the setup and positioning of microphones for one of the following:

  • vocals
  • snare drum
  • acoustic guitar
Assessment #4 - Multiple choice examination - Week 11
       Written assessment on knowledge gained over the past 10 weeks


Assessment Matrix

Not applicable

Course Overview: Access Course Overview