Course Title: Install, align and test sound equipment
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2007
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
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 |
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 |
Element: |
Ensure electrical safety throughout installation |
Performance Criteria: |
Incorporate OHS requirements when setting up and checking electrical equipment |
Element: |
Ensure mechanical safety throughout installation |
Performance Criteria: |
Observe OHS requirements when installing and checking equipment |
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 |
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 |
Element: |
Test sound equipment |
Performance Criteria: |
Check all microphone lines for continuity and patching |
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
- 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
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
Written assessment on knowledge gained over the past 10 weeks
Assessment Matrix
Not applicable
Course Overview: Access Course Overview