Elements and Performance Criteria

Equipment must include:
loudspeakers
audio mixing consoles
input source equipment

Sound equipment may include:
stereo 3-way PA system for audiences of different sizes
microphones of different pickup patterns and types
amplifiers to suit the system
speakers as part of the system
analogue FOH mixing desk of at least 24:8:2 format
effects rack
CD player
computer DAT
mini disc
hard disc recorder
signal processing equipment

Accessories used in live audio may include:
DI boxes
insolation transformers
active splits
SPL meters
white or pink noise generators
spectrum analysers
analysis software
continuity and phase testers

Equipment differences for loudspeakers may include:
size of paper cone loudspeakers
features of high frequency compression driver types

Equipment differences for audio mixing consoles may include:
how front of house consoles differ from stage monitor consoles, particularly the difference between pre and post fade auxiliary sends

Equipment differences for input source equipment may include:
devices in the main signal chain, eg equalisers, CD, cassette, mini disk
devices inserted over individual channels, such as noise gates, limiters, compressors, preamps

Correct sequencing of wiring would include:
connection of adequate mains to all components and understanding of power isolation
safe and neat positioning of cables and multicore
patching to create a complete signal chain from input to output

Correct start up sequence and operating settings for an audio system would include:
ensuring all output faders on console are down (at minimum settings or muted)
ensuring all amplifier volume controls are down (at minimum settings)
powering up all front-of-house equipment first
powering up amplifiers last
winding up amplifier volumes after all equipment is powered up

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

the general scope and potential of audio operations within different live production contexts, eg theatre, music, corporate
the relationship between audio operations and other technical and performance areas, including lighting, vision systems and performance
typical roles and responsibilities of audio technicians in different contexts, including different career paths
fundamentals of sound in a circuit, including understanding that microphone level is -40 to -60dB line level
features and meaning of a typical sound system signal flow chart, including signal chains, gain structure and levels
decibel levels and basic sound pressure level measurement, including that frequency is measured in Hertz, understanding the differences between 100Hz and 1kHz
understanding of phase, including phase cancellation, and that at 180 degree phase difference signals do cancel each other out
common terminology used in relation to audio
key features, purpose and basic operating procedures of major types of audio equipment, including different types of loudspeakers, audio mixing consoles, signal processing equipment, input source equipment and common accessories

different types of cable, their usage in different situations and how to care for them, including:

microphone cables; how to run safely and neatly and where to store excess
speaker cables; how to run safely and neatly and avoid lighting components
multicore cables, how to run safely and neatly and where to store excess
power cables, how to run safely and neatly and where to store excess
requirements for the storage of audio equipment
occupational health and safety requirements and legislation that relate to audio personnel, in particular with regard to working safely with electricity
literacy skills sufficient to extract key information from audio installation plans
numeracy skills sufficient to sort and count equipment

Linkages to other units

This unit underpins and has linkages to general technical units and all other audio units, and combined training and assessment with those units may be appropriate, eg:

CUFSAF01B Follow health, safety and security procedures
CUETGE11A Handle physical elements safely during bump in/bump out

Critical aspects of evidence

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

recognition of sound equipment, including key features and purpose
understanding of signal flow through the audio chain
completion of audio-related tasks in accordance with health and safety procedures

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the completion of a range of preparatory and set-up tasks with industry-current audio equipment
project or work activities that allow knowledge to be applied to specific production contexts and situations

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 audio-related tasks
evaluation of equipment which has been set-up by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment and audio theory
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 sound equipment as identified in the Range Statement
a sound system
an environment in which an audio system can be run

Communicating ideas and information
Reading audio plan to determine equipment required (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Discussing work requirements with supervisor (1)

Planning and organising activities
Positioning and placing equipment appropriately ready for installation (1)

Working with others and in teams
Liaising with other technicians during set-up (1)

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

Solving problems
Amending positioning of equipment to remove feedback problems (1)

Using technology
Wiring the audio system (1)