Course Title: Mix live audio
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2011
Course Code: VART6072C
Course Title: Mix live audio
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4276 - Certificate IV in Sound Production
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Paul Thomas
Phone: 9925 4325
Email: paul.thomas@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Michael Pollard
Phone: 9925 4325
Email: michael.pollard@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 140
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 skills and knowledge required to mix audio for live performance. As such it builds on other units dealing with the set-up and operation of basic audio equipment. With a focus on the basic practical approaches required to work in today’s entry level live sound environment, you will be exposed to a range of preparatory process, audio hardware and interconnectivity standards. The unit defines a minimum standard for the mixing of live audio. This unit will set-up essential approaches to you to develop their own skills.
This is the designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course for C4276/C4276A Certificate IV in Sound Production. This course includes a WIL experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUESOU04C Mix live audio |
Element: |
1.Tune and balance audio equipment. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Power up equipment and check to ensure it is in working order. |
Element: |
2. Mix audio sources. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Mix audio to produce the required audio level and tonal balance in accordance with production requirements. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. You will acquire the essential approaches and skills for live sound production and operation of associated 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
• Location/venue exposure
Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Online research and reporting
• Webinars
• Reading of provided notes/excerpts of industry publications
• Blogs
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 |
| Week 1 | Repair & Maintain cabling - intro | NB: Separate classes with Paul Thomas | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 |
| Week 2 | Construction of TS connector & cable | NB: Separate classes with Paul Thomas | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 |
| Week 3 | Construction of TRS connector & cable | NB: Separate classes with Paul Thomas | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 |
| Week 4 | Construction of XLR connector & cable | NB: Separate classes with Paul Thomas | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 |
| Week 5 | Construction of Y-cable | NB: Separate classes with Paul Thomas | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 |
| Week 6 | Feedback & Review | NB: Separate classes with Paul Thomas | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 |
| Week 7 | Intro, overview, toolkit, resources – handout – intro to Line-List | Prepare sound mixing console for operation | |
| Week 8 | Intro to Tuning, review active speaker, mixer & rack processing 1-on-1 Graphic Tuning |
Students to log onto AVID Webinairs | Prepare sound mixing console for operation |
| Week 9 | Intro to FOH w/ Sub & monitor tuning – small team set-up with role swap | Operate console during production | |
| Week 10 | Intro to Digital mixers – Presonus Studio Live | Operate console during production | |
| Week 11 | Ausmusic DVD with questionaire | Questionaire completed in class | Operate console during production |
| Week 12 | Full simulated FOH & 4x monitors with Rec Split | Line list #1 -submission due | Operate console during production |
| Week 13 | Location workshop (Tote) | Complete work operations | |
| Week 14 | Location workshop (Corner) | VCA Notes to be read by today | Complete work operations |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
•Soldering Iron, solder, goggles and multimeter |
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
• You will purchase material for construction of cabling as instructed in week 1 with Paul Thomas.
• You will be required to provide your own hearing protection (plugs) for classes.
• You may prefer to use your own fully enclosed headphones on venue days to ensure accurate monitoring of recordings and mixes.
• You may prefer to your their own Shure SM58 for tuning exercises.
• Webinars will require access to suitable high speed internet with audio listening ability.
• NB Students will be required to purchase materials for an approx cost of $30. (This costs is subject to change)
Overview of Assessment
Assessment tasks include practical exercises in cable repair & maintenance and microphone-handling , setting up and tuning a speaker system, audio mixing and operating live audio production software and produciton of live sound reinforcement.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative.
Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered an 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.
Formative Assessment
1. Construction of TS connector & cable. Due Week 2
2. Construction of TRS connector & cable. Due Week 3
3. Construction of XLR connector & cable. Due Week 4
4. Construction of Y-cable. Due week 5
5. In-Class quiz – you will respond to questions regarding an in-class DVD & discussion. Due week 11
6. Line List – you will complete an example document to reflect planning and set-up for 2 gigs. Due week 12
Summative Assessment
Practical Audio Mixing Skills will be assessed via hands-on practical set-ups in the following key procedures (to be conducted TBA);
a. Handle, Store and Roll Cable – this involves demonstration of your cable rolling skills.
b. Handle, Store and Set Stand - this involves demonstration of your microphone stand handling and setting-up skills.
c. Tune Speakers with Microphone and Equaliser – this involves demonstration of your ability to use your voice and microphone to tune a speaker.
d. Set-up Speaker System and Desk/Rack – this involves exposure to various components and demonstration of your ability to set-up a sound system including mixing audio.
The details of 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