Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:45 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:45 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Develop and implement sound plans
Develop and implement sound plans
Unit of competency
National Code
CUSSOU402A
CUSSOU402A
State Code
D2964
D2964
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/05/2014
Field of Education
080315 - Project Management
Original Release Date
16/05/2014
Nominal Hours
34
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and implement sound plans for productions. This involves researching the most appropriate sound systems to use, identifying everything needed to meet creative and technical requirements, and supervising the implementation of sound plans.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish brief for sound system
- 1.1 Liaise with the relevant personnel to determine the project requirements
- 1.2 Undertake research to determine the best options for meeting production requirements
- 1.3 Consider available budget and other resources when determining the scope of the production
- 1.4 Source additional expertise as required
2. Produce sound plan
- 2.1 Develop a draft sound plan to meet production requirements
- 2.2 Ensure that microphone plots, sound sources, block diagrams and layout are drawn and notated as required
- 2.3 Anticipate problems that might arise and plan accordingly
- 2.4 Seek feedback on draft sound plan from relevant personnel and amend plan
3. Implement sound plan
- 3.1 Ensure that all parties meet their obligations, adhere to quality standards and work within project requirements
- 3.2 Ensure that relevant personnel are involved in negotiating and agreeing on changes to the sound plan
- 3.3 Ensure that sound system is tuned to achieve desired result
- 3.4 Ensure that equipment technical problems are addressed in ways that cause least disruption to productions
- 3.5 Ensure that all work is undertaken with due regard to OHS requirements
- 3.6 Prepare and update documentation as required
4. Evaluate operations
- 4.1 In consultation with relevant personnel identify aspects of the production that worked well and those that could be improved
- 4.2 Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement
- 4.3 Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required
- 4.4 Document evaluation of operations in line with enterprise procedures
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant personnel may include:
artists, musicians and performers
audio personnel:
sound engineers
sound technicians
sound editors
sound designers
sound effects personnel
post-production editors
foldback mixers
front-of-house mixers
recordists
re-recording mixers
audio stagehands
broadcasters
broadcast engineers
directors
producers
photographers
program managers
stage managers
floor managers
film/video crew.
Production requirements may include:
attributions
audience
budget
confidentiality
content
contractual arrangements
copyright
deadlines
direct quotes
duration
intellectual property
interviews
location
purpose
schedule
style.
Productions may include:
live performance or event
commercial
print advertisement
corporate video
feature film and/or video
filmed event and/or performance
interactive media product
internet production
electronic game production
music recording and/or video
promotional trailer
radio broadcast
short film and/or video
television program
training film and/or video
voice-over.
Elements of a sound plan may include:
list of equipment required
features of the sound system
personnel required
block diagrams to indicate positioning of equipment for optimum effect
pre-production testing arrangements
venue considerations
budget
performers' requirements
interaction with other production elements, e.g. lighting
sound sources.
Sound sources may include:
dialogues and voice-overs
additional dialogue recording (ADR)
effects (FX)
music produced acoustically or electronically
foley
atmosphere
sounds from the natural environment.
Equipment may include:
amplifiers
limiters
compressors
effects rack
turntables
analogue to digital converters
cables
compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD) players and burners
computer technology and associated software
recording devices:
hard disk recorder, e.g. digital audio workstation (DAW)
digital audiotape recorder, e.g. S-DAT and R-DAT
digital videotape recorder (DVTR)
mini disc recorder (MD)
modular digital multi-track recorder (MDM)
digital audio players, such as:
iPod
MP3
headphones
microphones and accessories
mixing consoles and desks
monitors and speakers
signal processors and plug-ins
sequencers and samplers
musical instruments.
Documentation may include:
microphone plots
sound sources
block diagrams
layout
cue sheets
track sheets
dubbing charts
equipment instructions
OHS requirements
organisational standards
performers' requirements
production schedules and set-up reports
shot lists
sound and audio reports
storyboards
technical manuals.
Relevant personnel may include:
artists, musicians and performers
audio personnel:
sound engineers
sound technicians
sound editors
sound designers
sound effects personnel
post-production editors
foldback mixers
front-of-house mixers
recordists
re-recording mixers
audio stagehands
broadcasters
broadcast engineers
directors
producers
photographers
program managers
stage managers
floor managers
film/video crew.
Production requirements may include:
attributions
audience
budget
confidentiality
content
contractual arrangements
copyright
deadlines
direct quotes
duration
intellectual property
interviews
location
purpose
schedule
style.
Productions may include:
live performance or event
commercial
print advertisement
corporate video
feature film and/or video
filmed event and/or performance
interactive media product
internet production
electronic game production
music recording and/or video
promotional trailer
radio broadcast
short film and/or video
television program
training film and/or video
voice-over.
Elements of a sound plan may include:
list of equipment required
features of the sound system
personnel required
block diagrams to indicate positioning of equipment for optimum effect
pre-production testing arrangements
venue considerations
budget
performers' requirements
interaction with other production elements, e.g. lighting
sound sources.
Sound sources may include:
dialogues and voice-overs
additional dialogue recording (ADR)
effects (FX)
music produced acoustically or electronically
foley
atmosphere
sounds from the natural environment.
Equipment may include:
amplifiers
limiters
compressors
effects rack
turntables
analogue to digital converters
cables
compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD) players and burners
computer technology and associated software
recording devices:
hard disk recorder, e.g. digital audio workstation (DAW)
digital audiotape recorder, e.g. S-DAT and R-DAT
digital videotape recorder (DVTR)
mini disc recorder (MD)
modular digital multi-track recorder (MDM)
digital audio players, such as:
iPod
MP3
headphones
microphones and accessories
mixing consoles and desks
monitors and speakers
signal processors and plug-ins
sequencers and samplers
musical instruments.
Documentation may include:
microphone plots
sound sources
block diagrams
layout
cue sheets
track sheets
dubbing charts
equipment instructions
OHS requirements
organisational standards
performers' requirements
production schedules and set-up reports
shot lists
sound and audio reports
storyboards
technical manuals.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
prepare sound plans that clearly specify all production requirements
implement sound plans on at least two occasions
supervise the work of others
work collaboratively with team members.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a range of industry-current equipment as listed in the range statement
access to venues and productions or events
use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:
case studies, and written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit
authenticated copies of sound plans developed by the candidate.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
CUSSOU401A Record sound
CUSSOU405A Mix recorded music
CUSSOU407A Coordinate location sound recording.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
prepare sound plans that clearly specify all production requirements
implement sound plans on at least two occasions
supervise the work of others
work collaboratively with team members.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a range of industry-current equipment as listed in the range statement
access to venues and productions or events
use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:
case studies, and written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit
authenticated copies of sound plans developed by the candidate.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBOHS407A Monitor a safe workplace
CUSSOU401A Record sound
CUSSOU405A Mix recorded music
CUSSOU407A Coordinate location sound recording.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C4042 | CUSSOU23A | Specify sound systems | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWG73 | CUASOU406 | Develop and implement sound plans | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J700 | CUA40413 | Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services | Qualification |
| D195 | CUF40107 | Certificate IV in Screen and Media | Qualification |
| D361 | CUS50209 | Diploma of Sound Production | Qualification |