Elements and Performance Criteria

Equipment operated to mix audio must include:
a range of microphones
mixing consoles
equaliser
signal processor (effects units)
amplifier
loudspeakers

Effects may include:
reverberation
compression
limiters
gates
echo
pitch band
distortion

Relevant personnel may include:
designer
director
stage manager
other technical staff
performers

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

console types and features, both small and large FOH consoles, analogue and digital, and their mixing capabilities
matrix and main outputs of consoles and their use
typical mixing requirements for different types of performance, eg theatre, music concert
techniques for adding sub-mixers and properly patching into system
overview of VCA masters, and use of them
overview of working with automation, and working with snapshot automation and cue delivery
overview of the use SMPTE and/or MIDI to fire cues and automation
dynamic automation factors sufficient to understand processing limitations and interface required for timed (dynamic) automation and crossfades
overview of contemporary audio effectors and DSP effects
overview of signal processing options and their applications, including use of signal processing as a tool for troubleshooting and creative uses for effects and signal processing

Linkages to other units

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
CUESOU10A Operate wireless audio equipment
CUSSOU05B Install, align and test audio equipment
CUESOU03B Operate professional audio equipment

This unit also has linkages to other audio units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, eg:

CUESOU11A Set up and operate stage monitor systems

Critical aspects of evidence

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

ability to use the range of console features to mix audio which meets the requirements of a production
knowledge of specific techniques for mixing audio in different environments

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the mixing of audio for more that one live performance/production
involvement of and interaction with a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the production 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 mix at a live event where the candidate is responsible for mixing audio
case studies to assess ability to adapt mix to different production environments
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of mixing techniques and equipment features
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:

industry-current audio mixing consoles
venue in which audio can be mixed for a live event

Communicating ideas and information
Assessing input sources and required effects (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Liaising with other stage technicians (2)

Planning and organising activities
Managing and monitoring the mix during performance (2)

Working with others and in teams
Liaising with other stage technicians (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Using logarithmic calculations to set gain structure (1)

Solving problems
Identifying and responding to need for adjustments to mix during performance (2)

Using technology
Operating mixing console (2)