Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
24/07/2026 12:39 AM AWST

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Perform advanced sound editing

Perform advanced sound editing

Unit of competency
National Code
CUSSOU403A
State Code
D2965
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
18/07/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/10/2011
Field of Education
100701 - Audio Visual Studies
Original Release Date
07/10/2011
Nominal Hours
65
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform advanced sound editing. This involves assessing the quality of original recorded sound against production requirements, determining the scope of the sound-editing project, preparing source materials for sound editing, editing sound in line with production requirements, and applying sound effects to enhance the final product.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for sound editing
  • 1.1 Participate in pre-production meetings with relevant personnel to discuss production requirements and procedures
  • 1.2 Check that necessary copyright releases have been organised
  • 1.3 Consider the impact of different release sound formats when planning editing work
  • 1.4 Check sound equipment to ensure it is operational and appropriate for the task
  • 1.5 Prepare a team work plan as required and brief relevant personnel accordingly
  • 1.6 Obtain original sound sources and assess their quality against production requirements
  • 1.7 Check any documentation in the receipt and preparation of original recordings and copies for productions
  • 1.8 Advise where sound sources do not meet quality and production requirements and propose options to resolve issues as required
  • 1.9 Anticipate problems that may arise during the editing process and plan accordingly
2. Edit complex sound sequences
  • 2.1 Check the format of all sound sources, ensuring it is compatible with editing software, equipment and media output
  • 2.2 Critically listen to sound sources to determine the extent and range of required edits
  • 2.3 Manipulate editing software and equipment to produce required outcomes and to resolve identified problems
  • 2.4 Work sensitively and constructively with relevant personnel to achieve best production outcomes
3. Create overall sound context
  • 3.1 Determine the purpose for which sound is being used in productions
  • 3.2 Identify, select and/or produce appropriate sound effects or elements
  • 3.3 Apply knowledge and understanding of sonic lexicon to enhance final creative outcomes
  • 3.4 Note sound effects and elements on spotting sheets
  • 3.5 Incorporate sound effects and elements to meet creative requirements
4. Finalise editing operations
  • 4.1 Participate in spotting sessions with relevant personnel and make adjustments to mix as required
  • 4.2 Ensure that final files are in the correct format
  • 4.3 Manage the quality check of the final sound mix in line with enterprise procedures and production requirements
  • 4.4 Archive edited audio files and complete associated documentation according to enterprise procedures
  • 4.5 Ensure that work environment is left clean and ready for the next user
  • 4.6 In collaboration with support personnel, organise and maintain sound effects libraries for future productions
  • 4.7 Provide feedback to other team members as required
  • 4.8 Evaluate own performance against technical and creative criteria and note areas for improvement
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:
performer
composer
sound supervisor
supervising sound editor
preservation supervisor
archivist
effects editor
effects mixer
sound mixer
recordist
re-recording mixer
audio assistant
audio and sound engineer
director
producer
post-production picture editor
post-production manager
program manager
sound designer.
Production requirements and procedures may include:
creative
technical
file formats
agreement on file naming structures
work flow after capture
prerelease screenings to check quality of sound mix
technical checks
spotting sessions
attributions
audience
budget
confidentiality
content
contractual arrangements
copyright
deadlines
direct quotes
duration
intellectual property
interviews
location
purpose
schedule
style.
Release sound formats may include:
IMAX multichannel system
5.1 surround sound:
cinema
television
4-track Dolby stereo
2-track stereo
internet
games
radio.
Equipment may include:
digital audio workstation (DAW) with software, such as:
Pro Tools
Nuendo
Pyramix
Fairlight
Sound Forge
Adobe Audition
Final Cut Pro
Avid
EDL software
mixing consoles
outboard gear, such as:
re-verb unit
sub-base harmoniser
de-esser
compressor.
Sound sources may include:
dialogues and voice-overs
special effects
music
walla
ambient sound
atmospheric sound
foley.
Documentation may include:
pre-mix scripts
mixing sheets
track sheets
de-noising documents
cue sheets
dubbing sheets
queries
notes
manuals.
Production may include:
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
oral histories
voice-over.
Format may include:
audio/sound, such as:
DAT
AIF (AIFF)
WAV
broadcast WAV format (BWF)
WMA
MIDI
OGG
advanced audio coding (AAC)
Apple Lossless
magnetic tape
Real Audio
QuickTime
MP3
computerised data.
Media may include:
radio
video
CD
DVD
DAT
computer hard drive
internet
mobile device
film.
Manipulating editing software may include:
adjusting and normalising audio levels
inserting:
transitions
sound effects
music
voice-overs
overlays
manipulating audio clips, such as:
cutting
pasting
copying
moving
splitting.
Purpose may include:
breaking the screen plane
defining space
focusing attention
establishing locale
creating environment
emphasising action
intensifying action
depicting identity
setting pace
providing counterpoint
creating humour
symbolising meaning
creating metaphor
unifying transition
creating silence.
Producing sound effects may involve:
creating and synchronising effects in a post-production studio
recording during shooting
collecting in the field
generating effects electronically.
Sonic lexicon may refer to genres, such as:
silent film
natural history
drama productions
animation
comedy
horror.
Work environment may include:
dubbing theatre
on location, including interior and exterior
outside broadcast
post-production studio
recording studio
sound stage
cultural institution
archive.
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:
use all features of a range of current industry sound-editing software and equipment
make critical editing decisions that enhance the quality and impact of the final sound
incorporate a range of sound effects into the final mix
work cooperatively in a team environment
meet deadlines.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to current industry-standard equipment as listed in the range statement
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:
observation of candidate undertaking complex sound edits, including the incorporation of sound effects
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate
authenticated recordings of material edited by the candidate
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing issues and challenges that arise in the context of complex sound editing.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUSSOU404A Edit dialogues.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWF35 CUASOU407 Edit sound Unit of competency