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Provide amplified sound

URN: SKSS10
Business Sectors (Suites): Sound Production (Film & TV)
Developed by: ScreenSkills
Approved on: 31 Jan 2017

Overview

This Standard is about providing amplified sound for contributors or audiences.

It involves providing a sound signal for amplification which is free from defects and meets requirements for quality, intelligibility and level. It includes positioning speakers to optimise coverage, minimising spill onto microphones, balancing sound sources, controlling system gain and position, and equalising microphones to avoid howl round (feedback).  

This Standard will apply to anyone who is involved with providing amplified sound for contributors or audiences.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. confirm that equipment items are operating efficiently and meet safety requirements
  2. confirm that sound signals to be fed to contributors are suitable for their  purpose in line with production requirements
  3. position loudspeakers close enough to contributors to avoid colouration and time delays
  4. position and secure equipment and route cables so that they are visually acceptable and safe to others
  5. confirm that items of equipment for personal use are safe, clean, hygienic, visually acceptable, and suitable for contributors
  6. confirm that sound signals for amplification are free from defects and suitable for purpose
  7. provide amplified sound at sufficient volume and clarity for contributors and audiences
  8. check that amplified sound is within safe limits and does not adversely affect sound acquisition by others
  9. specify microphone limits to contributors that will avoid feedback and will not produce audio colouration that will affect sound acquisition
  10. position microphones and use system gain and equalisation to avoid audio howl round and sound spill
  11. adjust equipment to minimise the effect of room modes on reproduced sound
  12. identify, contain and remedy any defects and malfunctions in systems and equipment during performance with minimum disruption to performance
  13. explain technical issues to non-technical people in ways that will help them understand their significance
  14. communicate with contributors, colleagues and others about equipment positioning, problems with sound sources and creative possibilities at appropriate times
  15. produce any handover paperwork in expected formats

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the sound production requirements including the expectations of contributors, audiences, and clients or productions
  2. the importance of audibility of dialogue especially with regards to the impaired hearing of an ageing population
  3. effective strategies to enhance dialogue audibility
  4. types and characteristics of mixers, amplifiers, speakers, headphones and in-ear monitors and how to optimise their operation for the contributors and to achieve the required sound
  5. the relevant interconnection standards in use
  6. relevant acoustic principles, and how to apply them in the current context
  7. how to assess changes in acoustics due to the presence of an audience
  8. the requirements of safety legislation and procedures, and how they may affect the provision of sound in the current context
  9. the techniques used with multi-speaker and point source systems
  10. matrix and routing systems
  11. the advantages and disadvantages of active and passive splitters
  12. the implications of using howl round suppression devices and noise gates
  13. the uses of signal processing and how sound level limiting systems operate
  14. indicators of faults, failures and breakdowns, how to recognise them and what remedial action to take, particularly for howl round or spill from headphones
  15. hygiene requirements, and how to check and maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of personal equipment items
  16. sensitivities contributors may have to wearing headphones or earpieces, and how to adapt the use of equipment to overcome them
  17. the formats required for documentation, and how to complete documentation clearly and accurately
  18. why it is important to communicate in a clear, polite and persuasive way to colleagues and contributors and how to do so​

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2020

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Creative Skillset

Original URN

SKSS10

Relevant Occupations

Sound Production Professionals (Film & TV)

SOC Code

3417

Keywords

sound; production, film; tv; amplified; signal; quality