Elements and Performance Criteria

Audio equipment may include:
microphone
radio microphones
amplifiers
speakers
mixing desk
effects rack
tape machines
turntables
CD player
sequencer/sampler
computer DAT
mini disc
reel-to-reel
hard disc recorder
DVD
talkback communication headsets
headphones

Minor repairs may include:
replacing or tagging items which do not require specific electronic or electrical skills
making up leads
replacing the range of connectors used in sound
replacing parts of microphones and stands
replacing fuses
replacing faders

Complex repairs will generally require the calling of specialist service technicians or returning equipment and circuit boards to specialists for repair:

Spares and consumables may include:
batteries
springs
pegs/screws
head cleaner
styluses
tapes
splicing materials
diskettes
testing equipment
test tapes
volt meter
recording media
fuses
soldering iron and solder

Appropriate personnel may include:
other technicians
colleagues from other specialist areas
supervisors/managers
production team
external suppliers

Maintenance includes any periodic work undertaken to restore equipment to optimum working condition. Maintenance of equipment may include:
cleaning and dusting equipment
checking continuity of cables
correct storage of equipment
cleaning microphones and replacing inserts
replacing batteries
cleaning heads on recorders/playback units
alignment/adjustment of playback/recording equipment
cleaning recording playback medium
making back-up copies of recordings

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

typical maintenance needs and schedules for a range of audio equipment
cleaning agents, equipment and techniques for the major types of audio equipment
techniques and processes for detecting faults in major types of audio equipment
common faults and associated repair procedures for the range of equipment in use
spare parts and sub-assemblies used in audio equipment repair and maintenance
the effects of bad ventilation on equipment
the meaning and use of electrical measurements, including voltage, current resistance, power insulation and circuit continuity
legal and licensing issues that impact on the repair and maintenance of audio equipment, including the role of the restricted electrical licence and the limitations on the type of work that can be undertaken without a licence
specific occupational health and safety issues in relation to the repair and maintenance of audio equipment
literacy skills sufficient to interpret service documentation and manuals

Linkages to other units
This unit has linkages to a range of other audio units, and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate.

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

CUESOU07A Apply a general knowledge of audio to work activities
CUFSAF01B Follow health, safety and security procedures

Critical aspects of evidence

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

ability to correctly use repair and maintenance techniques on multiple pieces of audio equipment
correct selection and use of tools
application of logical fault detection procedures
correct interpretation of service and technical manuals
knowledge of the technical features of major types of audio equipment
knowledge of occupational health and safety issues which impact on the repair and maintenance of audio equipment

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills within an environment which has a range of operational and industry-current audio equipment on which the candidate can work
completion of fault detection, repair and maintenance tasks within typical workplace time constraints

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

direct observation of the candidate completing maintenance and repair tasks
inspection of equipment repaired or maintained by the candidate
review of maintenance schedules and repair reports prepared by the candidate
written or oral questioning to test knowledge of audio equipment and occupational health and safety issues and regulations
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

This unit requires access to :

a range of industry-current audio equipment as identified in the Range Statement
a venue where maintenance and repairs can be completed
the tools required to complete repair and maintenance tasks

Communicating ideas and information
Checking maintenance schedules (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Explaining nature of fault to a repair technician (1)

Planning and organising activities
Working out priority of maintenance tasks (2)

Working with others and in teams
Discussing the nature of the fault (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating number of components required (1)

Solving problems
Using fault detection procedures (2)

Using technology
Using hand tools (2)