Course Title: Record sound

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: VART6073C

Course Title: Record sound

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4276 - Certificate IV in Sound Production

Course Contact : program Administration

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Tim Johnston
Phone: 03 9925 4325
Email: timothy.johnston@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

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 record sound, including the supervision of sound-recording operations.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUSSOU401A Record sound
Element:	1Prepare for sound recording
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Clarify recording requirements with reference to production documentation and in consultation with relevant personnel 1.2 Prepare a team work plan as required and brief personnel accordingly 1.3 Check that sound equipment and accessories are in working order for recording sessions 1.4 Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are set up, connected and aligned according to safety, technical and production requirements 1.5 Ensure that the selection of sound equipment and accessories meets required standards 1.6 Ensure that recording devices have sufficient capacity for expected duration of recordings 1.7 Anticipate problems that may arise during the recording process and plan accordingly 1.8 Ensure adequate supply of consumables is available for duration of sound recordings
Element:	2Place microphones and test record line-up
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Select, power and position microphones and microphone accessories according to safety, technical and production requirements 2.2 Apply principles of microphone operation when placing and moving microphones 2.3 Ensure placement of microphones and microphone accessories is safe, unobtrusive and avoids extraneous and unwanted noise 2.4 Conduct a sound check to ensure quality of recording will meet required standards 2.5 Test signal flow of connected sound equipment and accessories
Element:	3Make sound recordings
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Ensure run-up time is sufficient to allow stable sound recording 3.2 Apply appropriate signal processing for optimal sound quality and make test recordings to ensure no audible defects are present 3.3 Continuously monitor sound recording for quality, audible defects and extraneous background sound 3.4 Critically listen to recording and provide feedback on appropriate recording techniques to record line-up 3.5 Ensure recorded sound supports and enhances production requirements 3.6 Complete recording sessions in line with production timelines
Element:	4Finalise sound-recording operations
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Ensure that recordings are saved in the appropriate format and logged/filed in line with organisational procedures 4.2 Make safety copies or backups as required 4.3 Prepare accurate production set-up reports 4.4 Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are de-rigged, checked and cleaned appropriately 4.5 Ensure that work environments are cleaned after use and restored to their pre-recording condition 4.6 Provide feedback to other team members as required 4.7 Evaluate own performance against technical and creative criteria and note areas for improvement

Learning Outcomes

Achieve the skills and knowledge required to record sound, including the supervision of sound-recording operations.

Details of Learning Activities

In class activities may include:
• lectures
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• online research
• independent project based work
• sound studio based team project work

Out of class activities may include:
• online research
• independent project based work

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.

Semester 1

Week	Class content	Elements
Week 1	Physics of Sound Course overview What is sound, sound wave propagation, Wavelength, Frequency, Phase, Envelope, Velocity. 1,2	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
Week 2	The ear Pinna, auditory canal, tympanic membrane, Basilar membrane. Reflection & diffraction of sound	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 3	Decibels & SPL Application of basic formulae Amplitude, Sound Levels, and Decibels Inverse Square Law Sound Intensity, SPL	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 4	Decibels & Hearing Threshold of Hearing Threshold of Feeling Threshold of Pain Equal Loudness contours.	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 5	Reverberation Early reflections & Echoes Pre delay & RT60 Intelligibility of rooms & idealised reverb times. Sabine’s formula	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 6	Acoustics Theory Standing Waves/ Eigentones/ Room modes Room mode calculations. Axial, tangential, oblique	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 7	Acoustics Theory Introduction to Building Acoustics Membrane Absorbers, Porous Absorbers, Diffusers.	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 8	Design & Building Acoustics Noise criteria and Transmission Loss. Room Acoustics and design requirements.	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Week 9	Practical session for Assignment & Revision	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
Week 10	Written Test	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8

Weeks 11-15* (or thereabouts depending on facilities availability)	Practical Assignment – Recording in studio (5 x 4 hour sessions)	Element 1 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 Element 2 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 Element 3 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 Element 4 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

"Modern Recording Techniques" (7th Edition), Huber and Runstein, Focal Press. 0240810694

"Modern Recording Techniques" (7th Edition), Huber and Runstein, Focal Press. 0240810694

References

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

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

Other Resources

* External firewire/USB hard drive

* 1 pair of high quality closed headphones

Overview of Assessment

Course assessment tasks will include class based practical exercises and project work undertaken in the computer lab for submission.

Assessment Tasks

You must submit all pieces of assessment for your competency to be assessed in this course..

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 Assessments:

A. Application of appropriate formulae/calculations – Week 1-10

Summative Assessments:

1. RECORDING STUDIO PORTFOLIO
- Submit portfolio with presentation and labeling to industry standard – Week 20

Complete major recording project with work group. The work group will record, mix and complete a music studio recording utilising recording studio.

Including:

* Select and place microphones based on principles of microphone operation
* Implement appropriate dynamic processing
* Monitor and control stereo image and depth
* Apply appropriate use of effects processing
* Deliver appropriate output level of pre master final mix

2. Written multiple choice and short answer theory paper - Week 10

3. Research, analyse, calculate and submit findings on acoustic properties of a recording environment  - Week 14

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 of this unit is integrated with the assessments for the following units:

VART 6071C Operate Professional Audio Equipment

BUSM6224C Manage Production Requirements

Note:Late submissions will only be able to be able to be assessed at a maximum result of CAG (competent / pass). and will not be eligible for a higher grade. Late submissions will require application for Special Consideration before due date:

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

Note that Special Consideration process is not moderated by program staff, so approval is not guaranteed

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

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Attendance
The major learning experience involves theory and practical training and assessment sessions, including individual and group practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to achieve competency in this unit.

Feedback - You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

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. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview

Course Title: Record sound

Part B: Course Detail

Index

Explore

Admin essentials

Learning support

Services and facilities

Work and study opportunities

Library

Explore

My employment

Services and tools

Teaching and student resources

Research support

Intranets