Course Title: Manage production of sound recordings

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: PERF5074C

Course Title: Manage production of sound recordings

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6104 - Advanced Diploma of 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

Teacher: Anthony Norris
Phone: (03) 9925 4268
Email: anthony.norris@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

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

In this course you will learn specific skills related to live recording of improvised music in small to mid-sized venues. You will also liaison with artist(s) and conduct pre-production planning as well as the mixing of live recordings (in stereo).


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSSOU602A Manage production of sound recordings

Element:

1 Clarify Sound-recording brief

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Participate in production meetings with relevant personnel to confirm the vision, sound concepts, production values and expected outcomes for recording projects

1.2 Confirm production requirements

1.3 Finalise and confirm repertoire, artists and operational details for recording projects in consultation with relevant personnel

Element:

2 Organise resources

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify and confirm production staff requirements and recruit personnel needed for recording projects

2.2 Ensure artists are secured, confirmed and contracted as required

2.3 Identify and secure appropriate venues and resources for rehearsal and recording sessions

2.4 Ensure that contracts required for staff and venues are finalised

Element:

3 Prepare for production of sound recordings

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Ensure that arrangements are in place for ongoing communication with relevant personnel so that artistic vision can be achieved and resources are available when required

3.2 Ensure that accurate rehearsal and recording session schedules are drawn up and distributed to relevant personnel

3.3 Ensure that a project schedule for production meetings is finalised and distributed to each technical team member

3.4 Anticipate issues that may arise during the production of sound recordings and plan accordingly

3.5 Ensure that the technical team is fully briefed on operations, production values and contingency plans

3.6 Comply with relevant OHS, copyright and other legal requirements

Element:

4 Manage recording sessions

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Ensure that communication in sessions and production meetings is comprehensive and constructive and that documentation is completed correctly

4.2 Ensure that all production resources and requirements are in place for recording sessions and other associated activities

4.3 Communicate systematically with the producer/director to verify and maintain the required production quality

4.4 Communicate with and direct production staff constructively and consistently through prerecording, recording and post-production to achieve agreed production values

4.5 Comply with agreed quality, time and budget constraints at all stages of the production

Element:

5 Maintain effective communication with production staff & artists

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Ensure that agendas for production meetings are planned and circulated to all relevant parties in advance and that discussion of concerns is encouraged to establish and achieve planned artistic outcomes

5.2 Ensure that individual perspectives are considered and conflicting requirements are recognised and constructively negotiated

5.3 In collaboration with relevant personnel, ensure that the quality of musical and technical preparation is maintained throughout the production and take action as required

Element:

6 Manage post-production

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Ensure that all components of post-production mix meet agreed production values

6.2 Facilitate continuing input from artists and director/producer into the post-production process and take remedial action as required

6.3 Ensure that the physical components of post-production are delivered correctly and in the required formats

Element:

7 Evaluate production of sound recordings

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Discuss and obtain agreement from relevant personnel about evaluation techniques

7.2 Focus evaluations on the way the process of managing sound recordings was handled and document results

7.3 Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement

7.4 Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required

7.5 Document evaluation of operations in line with enterprise procedures

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit you will have achieved the skills and knowledge required to: plan and carry out live recordings with small ensembles and mix them in stereo; produce a Red Book Master CD-DA and have observed the mastering process by a professional mastering engineer.


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Set-up for a live recording
• Operation skills
• Mixing Techniques (including on-line content)
• Approaches to the mastering process

Out of class activities include, but are not limited to:
• Artist research & liaison (incl. on-line content)
• Research of equipment features & suitability (On-line Content)


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.

Note - "Bennetts Lane" venue may be substituted with another similar venue.

 Week Class content Other Elements Covered
 Week 1 Course Overview. Work Group allocations.
Artist & Record date allocations.
Prep. Of Artist Research & Liaison.		  Introduction Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

Element 3
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3
 Week 2 In class set-up of Live recording system.
Overview of Microphone Kit, suggested application & placements.		  LIVE Set-up Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 3  Final summary of Artists & Record dates, Mastering & Mix sessions.  Artist & Program Summary Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3
 Week 4  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am   RECORD 1 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 5  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am  RECORD 2 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 6  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am RECORD 3
MIX 1		 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 7  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am RECORD 4
MIX 2
MASTER 1		 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 8  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am RECORD 5
MIX 3
MASTER 2		 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 9  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am RECORD 6
MIX 4
MASTER 3		 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 10  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am RECORD 7
MIX 5
MASTER 4		 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 11  LIVE RECORDING @ Bennett’s Lane, City. 7:00pm ~ 12:30am RECORD 8
MIX 6
MASTER 5		 Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5
 Week 12 MIXING & MASTERING of previous recordings MIX 7
MASTER 6		 Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 6
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
 Week 13 MIXING & MASTERING of previous recordings MIX 8
MASTER 7		 Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 6
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
 Week 14 MIXING & MASTERING of previous recordings MASTER 8 Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 6
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
 Week 15 MIXING & MASTERING of previous recordings EXTRA SESSION ALLOCATION Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 6
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
 Week 16  Final Listening sessions and course summary: Studio TBC  Final Class Element 1
1.1. 1.2, 1.3

Element 2
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4

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

Element 5
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.3

Element 6
6.1, 6.2, 6.3

Element 7
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

•Recommended texts listed during orientation, all of which are housed in RMIT the libraries of the city campus.
•On-Line resources as recommended by teacher & other staff.


References

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


Other Resources

It is expected that you provide the following:
• Your own Studio quality Headphones & External Storage device (recommend FW800 or FW400).
• 2 Blank CD-R’s for live recording stereo archive.
• Own transport for late night recordings, generally finished by 1:00am.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks include research and liaise with artist(s) prior to recording, taking part in the live recording at a nominated venue, mixing the recording in stereo to industry standards, attend a mastering session of the mixed audio.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessment and where indicated, you will receive a grade. Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.

Assessment Task:Completed mastered recording of a live performance
You will complete a live recording of a music group performance at a specified commercial venue in a small group.
You will then mix and master the recordings in a recording studio.
In order to facilitiate this recording you will need to liase with artist and venue to establish and implement recording requirements.

Assessment Criteria:
1. Liase with artist(s) and co-ordinate recording requirements. (Incl. line-up of ensemble & production requirements).
2. Attend, transport & set-up LIVE recording system at venue.
3. Complete live recording of Jazz performance.
4. Undertake stereo mix of recorded performance, applying selection criteria received from artist(s)
5. Complete Mastering session for Stereo mix(assessments undertaken in small groups - assessment times will be undertaken between weeks 3 - 15 as advised) 

Due week 16 of semester 2
Graded Assessment

Complete live recording, mix and master, including management of artist liaison & equipment co-ordination
(See assessment criteria above for details)

Grading criteria for this assessment 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
CA    Competent Achieved
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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students

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

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

Feedback:
You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include 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.
 

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