Course Title: Operate professional audio equipment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: VART6071C

Course Title: Operate professional audio equipment

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4276 - Certificate IV in Sound Production

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4976

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Michael Pollard
Phone: 9925 4325
Email: michael.pollard@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 100

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 to operate a audio mixing equipment, including, major outboard sound processing equipment, software and develop basic skills to monitor sound quality and develop creative and technical judgements.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUESOU03C Operate professional audio equipment

Element:

Complete post-performance procedures

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Liaise with relevant personnel and accurately interpret documentation to determine audio requirements
1.2 Position and prepare equipment in accordance with requirements
1.3 Plot and run through cues on direction from relevant colleagues and in accordance with equipment, sequencing, timing and speed requirements
1.4 Implement appropriate changes to audio operation and document in accordance with organisational procedures
1.5 Communicate appropriate technical information to performers/presenters

Element:

Operate audio equipment

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Power up equipment at the appropriate time and check to ensure correct functioning
2.2 Complete audio check and implement and document any adjustments in accordance with organisational procedures
2.3 Promptly identify, rectify and/or refer any equipment faults/problems to the relevant personnelas required

Element:

Participate in technical or creative run-through

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Execute all audio cues in accordance with the running sheet, directions from colleagues and performance requirements
3.2 Promptly identify the need for change during the performance and modify cues as required to cater for unexpected events and to minimise negative impact on the performance
3.3 Operate console to produce the required technical level and tonal balances
3.4 Adjust equalisation for required tonal balance
3.5 Balance signal levels appropriately
3.6 Maintain overall audio level within the requirements of the venue
3.7 Play back audio effects at the required level through the appropriate speakers
3.8 Monitor equipment for correct operation throughout the performance and identify and action any problems appropriately

Element:

Prepare for audio operation

Performance Criteria:

4. 1 Safely power down equipment at the appropriate time in accordance with manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures
4.2 Identify and complete necessary equipment adjustments, including maintenance and re-setting where appropriate in preparation for the next performance
4.3 Make accurate changes to documentation and process in accordance with organisational procedures

Learning Outcomes


You learn the theoretical and practical operation of audio production equipment


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Class lectures
• Group activities
• Hands-on activities in small groups

Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Online research and reporting
• Reading of provided notes/excerpts of industry publications


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
 

Week Class content Assessment Due dates Elements
Week1 Intro, overview, toolkit, resources   Element 4
Week2 Console Designs   Element 2
Week3 Console Features
 		   Element 2
Week4 Console Features
 		   Element 2
Week5 Console Signal Flow   Element 2 and 4
Week6 Console Signal Flow  Signal Flow Assessment Element 2 and 4
Week7 Audio Patch bays   Element 2
Week8 Analogue Tape/Machines Overview
 		   Element 2,3  and 4
Week9 EQ   Element 2
Week10 EQ  - Indivual Prac Assessments - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates    Element 2
Week11 Dynamic Processing - Indivual Prac Assessments - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates   Element 2 and 3
Week12 Dynamic Processing - Indivual Prac Assessments - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates   Element 2 and 3
Week13 FX Processing - Indivual Prac Assessments - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates   Element 2 and 3
Week14 FX Processing - Indivual Prac Assessments - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates   Element 2 and 3
Week15 Summary Class - Indivual Prac Assessments - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates
 		   Element 1,2,3 and 4
Week16 Assessment - Written Test key theoretical concepts

Summative Task - In class test

Formative task due - Radio Advert

  

SEM 2 Week  1-10

 Further assessment is held in studio sessions in Semester 2 – Studio 1 - refer to studio booking schedule for confirmation of individuals times/ dates

 Prac assessments.

Preproduction planning assessment as per studio booking schedule

  Element 1, 2 and 4


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

You will be supplied course notes that will form the basis of the written assessment and act as a central information point.


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. Students are expected to make full use of the University library facilities.


Other Resources

Webinars, Web, in-class videos, in studio examples.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks include in-studio practical session completion and written assessment.


Assessment Tasks

 Assessment tasks in this course are either Formative or Summative.
Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks.
 

Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.

For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course Blackboard site.


To demonstrate competency in this course, you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. 
 

Formative Assessment
1. Semester 1 - SIgnal Flow

Complete in-class assessment of In-Line Console Signal Flow

2. Semester 1 practical session in studio 1
- Written plan for session (as per Pro Forma Session Plan)
- Direct artist within session
- Monitor required levels and adjust for tone
- Set-up and operate key equipment (Mics, Desk, Pro Tools)
- Due Semester 1, week 15

3. Radio Advert
- submit broadcast standard advertisement
- record voice-over and mix with suitable sound fx and music
- add complimentary processing including compression & EQ
- submit on CD-R as Production Master with detailed labelling
- Due Semester 1, week 16

Summative Assessment

4a. Written test held Semester 1, week 15.
- you will be assessed on key theoretical knowledge
4b. Written completion of Studio Session Plan (as per Pro Forma Session Plan) - to be checked in initial tracking session with Studio Supervisor.

4c. Semester 2 practical sessions in studio 1
- Follow written session plan (as per Pro Forma Session Plan)
- Power up required equipment
- Communicate with artist and offer direction
- Respond to needs and changes in session
- Operate key outboard processing equipment and Pre amps
- Due Semester 2, week 15

The details on these assessments and the grading criteria for this competency can be found on the course blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

CHD     Competent with High Distinction
CDI       Competent with Distinction
CC        Competent with Credit
CAG     Competency Achieved-Graded
NYC      Not Yet Competent
DNS      Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrated alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are
available through the course contact in Program administration

Other Information

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece
of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;

Course Overview: Access Course Overview