Elements and Performance Criteria

Audio equipment to be operated must include:
amplifiers
speakers
mixing console
equaliser
audio input sources

Audio equipment to be operated may include:
mini disc
DVD
tape machines
turntables
sequencer/sampler
DAT machine

Appropriate personnel may include:
designer
director
stage manager
other technical staff

Documentation may include:
stage plans
audio plots
design, director's and sound specifications
production and venue requirements
production schedule
organisation standards
occupational health and safety requirements
manufacturer specifications
text requirement
performers' requirements

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

features, formats and meaning of audio production documentation and plans, including cue sheets and audio plans
features and operating procedures of audio mixing consoles, amplifiers, speakers and equalisers
knowledge of varied characteristics of sound in a range of environments
use of sound shaping effects
knowledge of types of signal distortions that occur in amplifiers
techniques for amplifying music to suit varying live environment conditions
typical faults and problems that may occur in a live audio environment and ways of addressing these
relevant organisational and legislative occupational health and safety requirements, in particular in relation to working with electricity and safe noise levels
numeracy skills sufficient to complete required calculations for audio operation
literacy skills sufficient to interpret audio production documentation and make modifications to documentation

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 linkages to a range of other audio units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, eg:

CUSSOU05B Install, align and test audio equipment
CUESOU04B Mix live audio

Critical aspects of evidence

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

correct and safe operation of professional audio equipment to meet production requirements
knowledge of relevant audio equipment and operating procedures
effective communication with colleagues during the production

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the operation of audio for more than one live production
involvement of and interaction with a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the process
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 the audio aspects of a production for which the candidate is responsible
direct observation of the candidate operating audio equipment during a production
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment and operating procedures
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 :
a range of audio equipment and material as identified in the Range Statement
venue location for the staging of a production/event

Communicating ideas and information
Reading cue sheets (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Liaising with other production personnel (1)

Planning and organising activities
Organising set-up and shut-down for a performance (2)

Working with others and in teams
Liaising with others during a production (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Using frequency data (1)

Solving problems
Identifying and isolating faulty equipment (2)

Using technology
Operating/adjusting equipment during performance (2)