Course Title: Mix live audio
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
Course Code: VART6072C
Course Title: Mix live audio
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4276 - Certificate IV in Sound Production
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Michael Pollard
Phone: 99258135 Email: michael.pollard@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Paul Thomas Phone: 9925 4976
Email: paul.thomas@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 140
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
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to mix audio for live performance. As such it builds on other units dealing with the set-up and operation of basic audio equipment. With a focus on the basic practical approaches required to work in today’s entry level live sound environment, you will be exposed to a range of preparatory process, audio hardware and interconnectivity standards. The unit defines a minimum standard for the mixing of live audio. This unit will set-up essential approaches to you to develop their own skills.
This is the designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course for C4276/C4276A Certificate IV in Sound Production. This course includes a WIL experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUESOU04C Mix live audio |
Element: |
1.Tune and balance audio equipment. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Power up equipment and check to ensure it is in working order. |
Element: |
2. Mix audio sources. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Mix audio to produce the required audio level and tonal balance in accordance with production requirements. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. You will acquire the essential approaches and skills for live sound production and operation of associated 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
• Location/venue exposure
• Practical application of Sound Reinforcement equipme
• Cable maintenance reviews
• Practical workplace simulation
Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Online research and reporting
• Webinars
• Reading of provided notes/excerpts of industry publications
• Blogs
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Class content | ASSESSMENTS DUE | Elements |
| Semester 1 Class 1 Week 9 |
Introduction to and prep for LIVE SOUND LOG (Formative Assessment 6) Will be delivered during Operate Professional Audio Equipment VART6071C in week 9. |
1.7 | |
| Semester 1 Class 2 Week 11 |
Repair & Maintain cabling - intro | 1.1, 1.2, 1.6 | |
| Semester 1 Class C Week 12 |
Construction of TS connector & cable | Formative Assessment 1 | 1.1, 1.2, 1.6 |
| Semester 1 Class 3 Week 13 |
Construction of TRS connector & cable | Formative Assessment 2 | 1.1, 1.2, 1.6 |
| Semester 1 Class 4 Week 14 |
Construction of XLR connector & cable | Formative Assessment 3 | 1.1, 1.2, 1.6 |
| Semester 1 Class 5 Week 15 |
Construction of Y-cable |
Formative Assessment 4
|
1.1, 1.2, 1.6 |
| Semester 1 Class 6 Week 16 |
Feedback & Review | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 | |
| Semester 2 Class 7 Week 1 |
Intro, overview, toolkit, resources – handout – intro to Line-List | Prepare sound mixing console for operation | 1.1, 1.2, |
| Semester 2 Class 8 Week 2 |
Intro to Tuning, review active speaker, mixer & rack processing 1-on-1 Graphic Tuning Prepare sound mixing console for operation |
Students to log onto AVID Webinairs | 1.1, 1.2, 1.5 |
| Semester 2 Class 9 Week 3 |
Intro to FOH w/ Sub & monitor tuning – small team set-up with role swap | Operate console during production | 1.4, 1.5, 1.3, 1.6 |
| Semester 2 Class 10 Week 4 |
Intro to Digital mixers – Presonus Studio Live | Operate console during production | 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 2.1 |
| Semester 2 Class 11 Week 5 |
Formative Assessment 5. Ausmusic DVD with questionnaire Operate console during production |
Questionaire completed in class | 2.1, 2.3 |
| Semester 2 Class 12 Week 6 |
Full simulated FOH & 4x monitors with Rec Split Operate console during production |
Line list #1 -submission due | 2.4, 1.2 |
| Semester 2 Class 13 |
Location workshop (Tote) Summative assessments are conducted between week 7 & week 16, dependent on venue availability. Group summative assessment dates and times will be given in class |
Summative Assessment 7 | 1.1-1.7 2.1-2.9 |
| Semester 2 Class 14 TBA |
Location workshop (Corner) Summative Assessment Complete work operations Voltage Controlled Amplifiers Notes to be read by today Summative assessments are conducted between week 7 & week 16, dependent on venue availability. Group summative assessment dates and times will be given in class |
Formative Assessment 6 Summative Assessment 7 |
1.1-1.7 2.1-2.9 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
•Soldering Iron, solder, goggles and multimeter |
References
As well as texts and materials mentioned above and below, you are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information, including recommendations for suggested texts. |
Other Resources
• You will purchase material for construction of cabling as instructed in semester 1.
• You will be required to provide your own hearing protection (plugs) for classes.
• You may prefer to use your own fully enclosed headphones on venue days to ensure accurate monitoring of recordings and mixes.
• You may prefer to your their own Shure SM58 for tuning exercises.
• Webinars will require access to suitable high speed internet with audio listening ability.
• NB Students will be required to purchase materials for an approx cost of $30. (This costs is subject to change)
Overview of Assessment
Assessment tasks include practical exercises in cable repair & maintenance and microphone-handling , setting up and tuning a speaker system, audio mixing and operating live audio production software and produciton of live sound reinforcement.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered 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. Construction of TS connector & cable - Sem 1
2. Construction of TRS connector & cable -Sem 1
3. Construction of XLR connector & cable - Sem 1
4. Construction of Y-cable. - Sem 1
5. In-Class quiz – you will respond to questions regarding an in-class DVD & discussion. - Sem 2
6. Live Sound production log (both semesters) (This may be holistically assessed with unit EMPL5641C).
Summative Assessment
Semester 2
7. Practical Audio Mixing Skills will be assessed via hands-on practical set-ups in the following key procedures (to be conducted TBA);

a. Handle, Store and Roll Cable – this involves demonstration of your cable rolling skills.

b. Handle, Store and Set Stand - this involves demonstration of your microphone stand handling and setting-up skills.

c. Tune Speakers with Microphone and Equaliser – this involves demonstration of your ability to use your voice and microphone to tune a speaker.

d. Set-up Speaker System and Desk/Rack – this involves exposure to various components and demonstration of your ability to set-up a sound system including mixing audio.
e. Line List – you will complete an example document to reflect planning and set-up for 2 gigs.



The summative assessment process will be made on the weeks indicated as Semester 2, weeks 7* & 8* in weekly outline. Students will be advised of specific details in class.
For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course Blackboard site.
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
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 demonstrates 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