Course Title: Operate professional audio equipment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: VART6071C

Course Title: Operate professional audio equipment

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4276 - Certificate IV in Sound Production

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4976

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Michael Pollard
Phone: 9925 4325
Email: michael.pollard@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 100

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 to operate a audio mixing equipment, including, major outboard sound processing equipment, software and develop basic skills to monitor sound quality and develop creative and technical judgements.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUESOU03C Operate professional audio equipment

Element:

Complete post-performance procedures

Performance Criteria:



1.1Liaise with relevant personnel and accurately interpret documentation to determine audio requirements
1.2Position and prepare equipment in accordance with requirements
1.3Plot and run through cues on direction from relevant colleagues and in accordance with equipment, sequencing, timing and speed requirements
1.4Implement appropriate changes to audio operation and document in accordance with organisational procedures
1.5Communicate appropriate technical information to performers/presenters

Element:

Operate audio equipment

Performance Criteria:


2.1Power up equipment at the appropriate time and check to ensure correct functioning
2.2Complete audio check and implement and document any adjustments in accordance with organisational procedures
2.3Promptly identify, rectify and/or refer any equipment faults/problems to the relevant personnelas required

Element:

Participate in technical or creative run-through

Performance Criteria:



3.1Execute all audio cues in accordance with the running sheet, directions from colleagues and performance requirements
3.2Promptly identify the need for change during the performance and modify cues as required to cater for unexpected events and to minimise negative impact on the performance
3.3Operate console to produce the required technical level and tonal balances
3.4Adjust equalisation for required tonal balance
3.5Balance signal levels appropriately
3.6Maintain overall audio level within the requirements of the venue
3.7Play back audio effects at the required level through the appropriate speakers
3.8Monitor equipment for correct operation throughout the performance and identify and action any problems appropriately

Element:

Prepare for audio operation

Performance Criteria:

4. 1 Safely power down equipment at the appropriate time in accordance with manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures
4.2 Identify and complete necessary equipment adjustments, including maintenance and re-setting where appropriate in preparation for the next performance
4.3 Make accurate changes to documentation and process in accordance with organisational procedures

Learning Outcomes


You learn the theoretical and practical operation of audio production 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

Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Online research and reporting
• Reading of provided notes/excerpts of industry publications


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.

Week Class content Other Elements
Week1 Intro, overview, toolkit, resources   Prepare sound mixing console for operation
Week2 Mixer design   Prepare sound mixing console for operation
Week3 TOFT mixer   Operate console during production
Week4 TOFT mixer   Operate console during production
Week5 Signal Flow   Operate console during production
Week6 Signal Flow   Operate console during production
Week7 Patch bays   Complete work operations
Week8 Analogue Tape/machines   Complete work operations
Week9 EQ   Monitor technical quality during production
Week10 EQ   Monitor technical quality during production
Week11 Dynamic Processing   Monitor technical quality during production
Week12 Dynamic Processing   Monitor technical quality during production
Week13 FX   Monitor technical quality during production
Week14 FX   Monitor technical quality during production
Week15 Prac Workshop   Complete work operations
Week16 Assessment    

SEM 2 Week  1-10

 Practical assessment is held in studio sessions in Semester 2 – Studio 1    Monitor technical quality during production


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

You will be supplied course notes that will form the basis of the written assessment and act as a central information point.


References

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


Other Resources

Web, in-class videos.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks include in-studio practical session completion and written assessment.


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 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. Semester 1 practical session in studio 1
- Written plan for session
- Direct artist within session
- Monitor required levels and adjust for tone
- Set-up and operate key equipment (Mics, Desk, Pro Tools)
- Due Semester 1, week 15

2. Semester 2 practical sessions in studio 1
- Written plan for session
- Power up required equipment
- Communicate with artist and offer direction
- Respond to needs and changes in session
- Operate key outboard processing equipment and Pre amps
- Due Semester 2, week 15

3. Radio Advert
- submit broadcast standard advertisement
- record voice-over and mix with suitable sound fx and music
- add complimentary processing including compression & EQ
- submit on CD-R as Production Master with detailed labelling
- Due Semester 1, week 16

Summative Assessment

4. Written examination held Semester 1, week 15.
- you will be assessed on key theoretical knowledge

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 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