Course Title: Create a final sound balance

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: VART6068C

Course Title: Create a final sound balance

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5198 - Diploma of Creative Industries

Course Contact : Program Administration Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254976/ 99254815

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teachers:
John Phillips
Timothy Johnstone
Michael Pollard

Phone: 9925 4913
Email: john.phillips@rmit.edu.au


Nominal Hours: 85

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 performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create a final sound balance for a production. Thorough understanding of a wide range of sound equipment and techniques for mixing and recording sound is required, along with the ability to supervise others, including engineers, sound mixers, sound editors and other studio technicians. The ability to solve problems that arise in the context of creating a final sound balance is essential.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSSOU504A Create a final sound balance

Element:

Assess sound sources for simultaneous balance

Performance Criteria:

1.1
Assess the compatibility of sound sources for
productions
1.2
Discuss creative possibilities for achieving the simultaneous balance with relevant personnel
1.3
Propose options for meeting production requirements to relevant personnel as required
1.4
Collaborate effectively with others during the assessment process

Element:

Direct the final mix

Performance Criteria:

2.1
Explore creative possibilities of sound sources and seek
agreement on best options with relevant personnel
2.2
Take account of relevant information contained in
production documentation when developing options
2.3
In consultation with relevant personnel ensure that the
position and blend of sound sources meet artistic/creative requirements

Element:

Evaluate completed audio master

Performance Criteria:

3.1
Ensure that the relative levels of sound sources conform to loudness parameters
3.2
Ensure that transitions between sound sources are technically accurate and artistically appropriate
3.3
Adapt and adjust balance techniques to meet production requirements
3.4
Confirm that the sound balance and characteristics of sound are artistically and technically appropriate
3.5
Identify and remedy problems promptly as required to minimise disruption to the production process
3.6
Ensure that the level of the composite signal is within technical limits and the desired dynamic range
3.7
Work sensitively and constructively with relevant personnel to achieve best production outcomes
3.8
Apply critical listening throughout production to ensure that sound quality meets production requirements 3.9 Complete all work to meet production requirements and ensure that the work environment is cleaned and ready for the next userApply

Element:

Identify creative and artistic possibilities

Performance Criteria:

4.1
In consultation with relevant personnel identify aspects of the process of creating the final sound balance that worked well and those that could be improved
4.2
Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement
4.3
Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required
4.4
Document evaluation of operations in line with enterprise procedures


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will have the knowledge and skills to effectively complete a final sound mix / bounce in a multi-channel audio production environment for both stereo and surround sound productions.


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

Class delivery (face to face lectures)
Peer teaching & class presentations
Group Discussions

Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

Sound Studio based mixing
Music production project based work
Collaboarative group work
Teacher directed activities


Teaching Schedule

SEMESTER 1:
#1
TAFE WEEK 1
SEM 1 Surround sound in audio production Introduction to the Course Guide, resources, assessments and expectations.
History of film sound

Includes: Lecture & presentation

John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 1

#2
TAFE WEEK 2
SEM 1 Surround sound in audio production Cinema surround sound formats
OMF Importing & Exporting Intro to audio in FCP
Managing Video / audio recording & synchronisation

Includes: Lecture & practical presentation John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 1

#3
TAFE WEEK 3
SEM 1 Surround sound in audio production Domestic surround sound
Mixing in surround

Includes: Lecture
5.1 demonstration

John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 1, 2

#4
27 May
TAFE WEEK 4
SEM 1 Surround sound in audio production Setting up surround sessions in Pro-Tools
OMF Importing & Exporting Revision

Includes: Lecture & presentation

John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002
Element 1, 3

#5
TAFE WEEK 5
SEM 1 Surround sound in audio production Setting up surround sessions in Logic & other platforms

Includes: Lecture & presentation

John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 1, 3

#6
TAFE WEEK 6
SEM 1 Surround sound in audio production Surround mixing, AC3 & DVD authoring
Introduction to Surround in Studio 3

Includes: Lecture & presentation, Studio visit

John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 2, 3, 4

#7
TAFE WEEK 7
SEM 1 Advanced Live Sound Sound reinforcement
Includes: Lecture & presentation
(This class may include carryover content from weeks 1 – 6)

Michael Pollard
Lecture room 94.1.00

2 3

#8
TAFE WEEK 8
SEM 1 Advanced Live Sound Major project preparation

Includes: Lecture & presentation Michael Pollard
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 3, 4

#9
TAFE WEEK 9
SEM 1 Advanced Live Sound Major Project preparation

Includes: Lecture & presentation

Michael Pollard
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 3, 4

#10
TAFE WEEK 10
SEM 1 Advanced Live Sound Major Project preparation

Includes: Lecture & presentation.

Michael Pollard
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 3, 4

#11
TAFE WEEK 11
SEM 1 Advanced Mixing Techniques
Pre- Production

Includes: Lecture & presentation

Tim Johnston
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 1, 2, 3

#12
TAFE WEEK 12
SEM 1 Advanced Mixing Techniques
Pre- Production
Includes: Lecture & practical demonstration

Tim Johnston
Surround Mixing Studio 14.2.29

Element 2, 3, 4

#13
TAFE WEEK 13
SEM 1 Advanced Mixing Techniques
Pre- Production
Includes: Lecture & practical demonstration

Tim Johnston
Surround Mixing Studio 14.2.29

Element 3, 4

#14
TAFE WEEK 14
SEM 1 Advanced Mixing Techniques
Pre- Production

Includes: Lecture & practical demonstration

 Tim Johnston
Surround Mixing Studio 14.2.29

Element 3, 4

#15
TAFE WEEK 15
SEM 1 Advanced Mixing Techniques
Pre- Production

Includes: Lecture & practical demonstration

Tim Johnston
Surround Mixing Studio 14.2.29

Element 3, 4

#16
TAFE WEEK 16
SEM 1 Final Examination Short answer & multiple choice examination

Includes: Pain

John Phillips
Lecture room 94.1.002

Element 1.1

SEMESTER 2:
#17-32

TAFE WEEKS 1-16
SEM 2 Studio Mixing Practical Training & Assessment
Pre- Production
Includes: Work on stereo & surround music mixes
4 hours per week in studio.

Tim Johnston
Paul Thomas
Anthony Norris
Surround Mixing Studio 14.2.29

Element 1, 2, 3, 4


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Blackboard, Media Annotation Tool.
Additional texts will be referred to throughout the unit delivery, all of which will be available in RMIT Carlton library.


Other Resources

Note paper & pen.
Data storage, EG external Firewire (800+400) Hard Drive >=1tb.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course will involve demonstration of practical tasks and testing of underpinning theoretical knowledge.
Assessment will be made through 4 tasks.
Students must achieve a satisfactory result for all 4 assessments to be deemed competent.
Resits will be allowed if possible, for a maximum score of competent


Assessment Tasks

Assessment:


1) Operations Knowledge Test (Semester 1 – Week 16) 25% of total mark
Answer a range of multiple-choice, short and long answer questions related to class notes and discussions. To be considered competent you must achieve a mark of 50%, otherwise a resit will be required. Resit exams may be possible, however will be limited to the competent mark. They will be of the same specific knowledge base, but may consislt of different questions each time.
Resits are also contingent on available staffing and resources, and in some cases specific training package employability skills require timely submission as a key element of competence.

2) Session Set-up (Semester 2 – Week 13) 25% of total mark

Set up and assign session for surround production in Pro-Tools software
You will be required to achieve a 90% result in this test to be considered competent.

3) Stereo music mix (Semester 2 – Week 14) 25% of total mark

Final Sound Balance of supplied music session
You are required to produce a recording which demonstrates the application of your final sound mixing skills using professioonal standard audio software and hardware in a workplace scenario. You will be supplied with a final stereo mix of a commercially released song, and the original multi-channel session. The engineer of the session will discuss stragies used for mix, and then ask you to emulate specific areas, including the overall balance.

4) Surround music mix (Semester 2 – Week 14) 25% of total mark

You are required to produce a recording which demonstrates the application of your final sound mixing skills using professioonal standard audio software and hardware in a workplace scenario. You will be supplied with athe original multi-channel recording of a commercially released song, and be required to make a cohesive final sound balance, presented in 5.1 surround sound.


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