Course Title: Install, align and test sound equipment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: VART5724C

Course Title: Install, align and test sound equipment

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4230 - Certificate IV in Audiovisual Technology

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Steven Ward

Phone: (03)99254206

email: steven.ward@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 35

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

No pre-requisites or co-requistes are required.

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide you with skills and knowledge necessary install and align sound equipment with relation to acoustics, power and connectivity.

After satisfactory completion of this course you will be able to:
• Identify the basic components of an amplified sound system
• Understand the basic requirements of gain structure, dynamics and equalisation
• Understand the basic concepts of acoustics and the acoustic effects of a sound system
• Coordinate the needs of a client in providing an appropriate sound system
• Connect multiple sound sources into an amplified sound system
• Test and align the various components of a sound system

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUSSOU05A Install, align and test sound equipment
Element:	1.    Determine audio equipment requirements
Performance Criteria:	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:	2.    Prepare for installation of audio equipment
Performance Criteria:	Performance Criteria: Prepare and assemble sound recording and other equipment and accessories Prepare and roll extension leads, looms and cables to meet design specifications, organisational standards and legal requirements Transport sound equipment safely and efficiently according to the production schedule Use safe lifting and handling techniques to lift and carry sound equipment to required position
Element:	3.    Install audio equipment
Performance Criteria:	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:	4.    Align audio equipment
Performance Criteria:	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:	5.    Test audio equipment
Performance Criteria:	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
Element:	6.    Ensure mechanical safety throughout installation
Performance Criteria:	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 ensure safety
Element:	7.    Ensure electrical safety throughout Installation
Performance Criteria:	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

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to make informed decisions regarding the setup, alignment and testing of an amplified audio system

Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will consist of
• demonstrations
• workshops
• practical exercises
• reading set texts
• online exercises
• self directed activities

You will be responsible for your learning and will be expected to engage in independent research, reading and study.

Teaching Schedule

	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.
Class #	Planned Class Activities	Elements
1	Course overview and introduction Introduction to sound waves and transmission Introduction to Acoustics Human Hearing and Loudness	1,6,7
2	Microphones and DI’s Leads and Connectors Cable rolling exercise Basic Electronics and Pre Amps	2,3,6,7
3	Introduction to the Mixing Console Microphone Pre Amps Signal Flow and Block Diagrams Auxiliary Sends	3,4,6,7
4	Frequency Filters and Graphic EQ Controlling Feedback Power Amplifiers FOH and Monitor speakers	3,4,6,7
5	Electrical Safety and Power calculations OH&S for Sound in AV Australian Standards SEPP N2 and Music Noise	3,4,5,6,7
6	Practical Assessment: Signal Flow and System Alignment	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
7	Practical Assessment: Signal Flow and System Alignment	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
8	Practical Assessment: Signal Flow and System Alignment	1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.

Other Resources

Refer First Year Book and Materials List

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course will involve demonstration of practical tasks and testing of underpinning theory knowledge.

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 assessments and grading criteria, please refer to the course Blackboard site.

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and a grade for the summative assessment.

You will be assessed using the following methods:

Formative Assessment
1.    A series of five online weekly Web Tests that review the material demonstrated in each class. (Classes 1-5)
 

2.   Five weekly self directed tasks relaeted to the topic and material demonstrated in each class, (Classes 1-5)


Summative Assessment
1. Setup, alignment and test of a sound system, to be conducted in Classes 6-8

This is an assessment of the learner’s ability to apply a variety of skills and knowledge relating to the installation, alignment and testing of a sound system

For further details on the assessments and information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.

Grades used in this course 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

Attendance
The major learning experience involves class based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.

Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Copyright
All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.

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:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online

Student Progress Committee
This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)

Student Feedback
Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview