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Evidence Guide: CUSSOU302A - Record and mix a basic music demo

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

CUSSOU302A - Record and mix a basic music demo

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Clarify music demo requirements

  1. In consultation with relevant personnel confirm the purpose of the demo
  2. Contribute to the development of a recording plan that takes into account a range of factors as required
  3. Agree on method and format for final recording
In consultation with relevant personnel confirm the purpose of the demo

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribute to the development of a recording plan that takes into account a range of factors as required

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agree on method and format for final recording

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record performers

  1. Position performers, musical instruments and equipment for optimum sound quality
  2. Check that equipment is installed and aligned correctly
  3. Ensure that microphones are operational at all times
  4. Route test signals to the correct signal path and check that level of test signal is correct
  5. Create a headphone mix for musicians
  6. Capture sound sources according to the agreed method
Position performers, musical instruments and equipment for optimum sound quality

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check that equipment is installed and aligned correctly

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that microphones are operational at all times

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Route test signals to the correct signal path and check that level of test signal is correct

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Create a headphone mix for musicians

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capture sound sources according to the agreed method

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mix sound sources

  1. Use appropriate panel controls to mix and balance sound sources to achieve required artistic effects
  2. Produce transitions between sounds that are technically accurate and produce the required effect
  3. Apply sonic effects and signal processing as required
  4. Ensure that monitoring levels meet current safety standards
  5. Ensure that the level of the composite signal is within technical limits and desired dynamic range
Use appropriate panel controls to mix and balance sound sources to achieve required artistic effects

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Produce transitions between sounds that are technically accurate and produce the required effect

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply sonic effects and signal processing as required

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that monitoring levels meet current safety standards

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that the level of the composite signal is within technical limits and desired dynamic range

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalise music demo

  1. Assess the mix on speakers appropriate to the particular end use
  2. Assess each track for correctness and quality and evaluate the mix in terms of meeting demo requirements
  3. Listen to final mix with relevant personnel and agree on changes required to improve the quality of the mix
  4. Incorporate final adjustments to the sound mix as required
  5. Produce a master in the agreed format and make a backup
  6. Keep documentation as required
  7. Clean work environment after use and restore to pre-use condition
Assess the mix on speakers appropriate to the particular end use

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assess each track for correctness and quality and evaluate the mix in terms of meeting demo requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to final mix with relevant personnel and agree on changes required to improve the quality of the mix

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporate final adjustments to the sound mix as required

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Produce a master in the agreed format and make a backup

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep documentation as required

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean work environment after use and restore to pre-use condition

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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:

record and mix at least two basic music demos

work cooperatively with performers to achieve the required effect.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to performers requiring a basic music demo

access to industry-current sound mixing equipment

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 or video recording of the candidate during recording and mixing sessions

evaluation of authenticated audio recordings where the candidate was responsible for recording and mixing music

written or oral questioning to test industry knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing

CUSSOU201A Assist with sound recordings

CUSSOU303A Set up and disassemble audio equipment.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills

critical-listening and aural-discrimination skills

literacy skills sufficient to:

log and label tracks

note and report faults and problems

read and understand mixing documentation

numeracy skills sufficient to calculate duration of tracks

communication and teamwork skills sufficient to:

liaise with sound-production personnel and performers

understand and follow instructions

planning and organisational skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance when problems arise

problem-solving skills sufficient to identify faults that may occur in audio-production environments and refer problems to relevant personnel

learning skills in the context of acting on constructive feedback about own work performance

technology skills sufficient to operate:

a variety of mixing consoles

signal-processing and effects devices

Required knowledge

basicaudio principles and practice, including:

range of microphones and contexts in which they are used

microphone characteristics, e.g. frequency response, sensitivity and polar patterns

effect of microphone placement on quality of sound

characteristics of sound in a range of environments

signal-to-noise ratio, signal phase and audio level/headroom control

audible defects in analogue and digital technologies

features of mixers, amplifiers, speakers and effects racks

signal distortion

basic principles of acoustics, including:

frequency

pitch

amplitude

loudness

velocity

wavelength

acoustical phase

timbre

sound envelope

basic understanding of psychoacoustic principles, including:

spatial hearing

direct sound

early sound

reverberant sound

room design

characteristics of musical instruments in the context of recording and mixing

techniques for manipulating input signals and gaining structure through use of:

equalisers

filters

compressors/expanders

faders and auxiliaries

effects devices

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of recording and mixing a basic music demo

OHS requirements, including:

safe manual-handling techniques

working safely with electricity and hazardous substances

principles of safe listening, such as safeguards against hearing loss

Range Statement

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 and sound engineers

broadcasters

producers

post-production personnel

program managers

camera operators.

Purpose may include:

pitching a product at record labels

pursuing work at live music venues

getting work via live music or advertising agencies

getting air play on media outlets

accompanying a funding application

uploading onto music and/or social networking websites

developing media for band or solo artist websites

supporting applications for study and/or remote auditions

expanding a music portfolio

documenting a music project or other creative body of work.

Factors may include:

musical style

contractual arrangements

copyright

budget

timelines

availability of personnel, including:

musicians

sound recordists

sound mixers

post-production personnel

promotional materials

distribution strategies

recording location, including:

live music venue

recording studio

private residence

rehearsal requirements

number of recording sessions required

equipment requirements

hire of equipment or venue

instruments

props

costumes

make-up.

Method may include:

live to two-track stereo

live multi-tracking

multi-tracking with click

combination live recording and prerecorded samples

recording to analogue tape

recording to hard disk or digital tape

remixing existing music

video

using music production software for mixing and mastering.

Format may include:

compact disc (CD)

audio file formats for upload and distribution within virtual environments and/or onto relevant media players, such as:

MP3

WAV

AIFF

audiotape

video:

digital (high resolution)

digital (compressed for online environment)

analogue.

Equipment may include:

digital audio workstation (DAW) with software, such as:

Pro Tools

Logic

Cubase

Ableton Live

Reason

Nuendo

Garage Band

Digital Performer

Soundscape

Sonic Studio

hard disk recorders

multi-track recorder

stereo recorders

microphones, such as:

dynamic

condenser

lavalier

shotgun

directional

radio

microphone stands

microphone accessories

microphone windscreens

headphones

amplifiers

speakers

mixing console/desk, including:

analogue

digital

digitally controlled analogue (hybrid)

effects rack

sequence sampler

cables and connectors.

Sonic effects may include:

change in pitch

change in speed

echo

pan

fade in and fade out

filter

invert

normalise

repeat

reverb

modulation

wahwah.

Signal processing may include:

amplification

compression

noise processing

spectrum signal processing

equalisation

time signal processing.

Documentation may include:

pre-mix scripts

mixing sheets

track sheets

cue sheets

dubbing sheets

queries

notes

manuals.

Work environment may include:

dubbing theatre

outside broadcast

post-production studio

recording studio

sound stage

home studio.