Key terms and concepts

• Audio desk 

• Audio equipment and accessories 

• Audio installation plans 

• Audio operations 

• Audio technician 

• Cables 

• Decibel levels 

• Electricity 

• Hertz

• Occupational health and safety (OHS) 

• Phase and phase cancellation 

• Positioning and equalising techniques 

• Problems and faults 

• Rigging and positioning 

• Signal processing equipment 

• Sound in a circuit 

• Sound pressure level measurement

• Sound system signal flow chart

Understanding a range of audio operations

• Different entertainment industry contexts 

- live performance 

- theatre

- music

- corporate/events

• Different venue types 

- indoor

- outdoor 

Typical roles and responsibilities of audio technicians in different contexts and possible career pathways

An awareness of production plans in relation to audio systems activities

• Technical notes 

 • Stage plan 

• Audio installation plans

Common terminology used in audio installation plans including key terms and symbols

General features, purpose and operation of a range of audio equipment

• Loudspeakers 

• Audio mixing consoles/desks 

• Input source equipment 

• Microphones 

• Amplifiers 

 • CD player 

• Signal processing equipment 

• Audio accessories appropriate to entertainment

industry context

Recognition of rigging and positioning points within different venues for a range of audio equipment and accessories

Knowledge of cables and connectors

• Different types of cables 

- microphone

 - speaker

- multicore 

- powercables

• Different types of connectors

• Cable usage in different situations

• Safe work practices

- how to run safely and neatly 

- where to store excess

- avoiding lighting components

Differences in a range of audio equipment and accessories

• Loudspeakers

• Mixing consoles

• Input source equipment

Knowledge of safe work practices

• Manual handling

• Lifting techniques

• Packing/storage

• Working with electricity

Occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations and requirements that relate to audio personnel, in particular with regard to working safely with electricity

• Decibel levels and basic sound pressure level  • Measurement including

- frequency is measured in Hertz

- understanding of difference between 100Hz and 1kHz

• Fundamentals of sound in a circuit including

- microphone level is -40 to -60dB line level

• Features and meaning of a typical sound system signal flow chart including

- signal chains 

- gain structure

- levels phase and phase cancellation signals

- analogue

- digital

Solutions to a range of common audio faults/problems

How and when to seek assistance

The importance of acting within level of authority

• Taking initiative 

• Problem-solving  

• Decision-making

Awareness of the relationship between audio operations and other technical and performance areas

• Lighting 

• Vision systems 

• Performers 

• Stage manager 

• Director

• Staging