Elements and Performance Criteria

Audio equipment may include:
microphones
amplifiers
speakers
limiters
compressors
mixing console/desk
mixers
effects rack
tape machines
turntables
CD player/burner
sequencer/sampler
computers and computer software
DAT machine
reel-to-reel hard disc recorder
mini disc
DVD
musical instruments
communication systems (talkback, stagesound, paging)

Appropriate personnel may include:
sound recordists
producers
directors
artists
designers
program managers
stage managers
performers
broadcasters
technical managers
supervisors
other technical staff
other specialist staff

Equipment may need to be installed into the following areas:
stage
venues
auditorium
hotels
clubs
front of house

Audio cues may be required for:
audience PA
effects
foldback to stage

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

operational features of a wide range of audio equipment, including communication systems
audio reinforcement requirements for different contexts
characteristics and applications of different types of microphone capsules
understanding of correct equalisation techniques
broad understanding of acoustics
ways to draw a block diagram of equipment and system setups
techniques for running and patching cables neatly and safely
occupational health and safety requirements, particularly safe manual handling techniques and working safely with electricity and hazardous substances
effective communication in relation to working as part of a production team
relevant Australian standards
literacy skills sufficient to read and interpret sound documentation and plans
numeracy skills sufficient to calculate equipment numbers, measurements and power requirements

Linkages to other units

It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following unit:

CUESOU07A Apply a general knowledge of audio to work activities

This unit also has strong linkages to the following units, and combined training delivery and/or assessment is recommended:

CUFSAF01B Follow health, safety and security procedures
CUECOR02B Work with others

Critical aspects of evidence

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

ability to read and interpret audio plans and install equipment in accordance with the audio plan
knowledge and awareness of occupational health and safety policies, procedures and legislation

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills to install, align and test audio equipment for more than one production
involvement of and interaction with a production team
use of industry-current equipment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

evaluation of audio quality at a performance where the candidate has been responsible for set-up
evaluation of a set-up completed by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment and safety issues
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (eg people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Resource requirements

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

range of industry-current equipment as listed in the Range Statement.
venue/location for the staging of a production

Communicating ideas and information
Providing technical information and advice to other technicians (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Assessing production requirements (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising set-up priorities and order of work (2)

Working with others and in teams
Discussing overall set-up requirements (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating power requirements (1)

Solving problems
Responding to equipment failure (2)

Using technology
Connecting and testing audio equipment to complete a signal chain (2)