STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1.   Follow and explain the signal path of audio from input through to loudspeaker including additional sends and processing paths.

 2.  Acquire a functional knowledge of common equipment in portable and install public address systems including microphones, cabling, mixers, processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers.

 3.  Access the acoustic environment and requirements for sound reinforecement.

 4.  Explore microphone techniques for vocalists as well as close and distant placement for various common instuments or groups of instruments.

 5.  Plan for efficient stage mangement including traffic flow and cable runs.

 6. Troubleshoot common on site problems and associated maintenance issues.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.  Setup

         a)  Students will practice procedure of setup and install of equipment in various configurations based on situational needs; single speaker, musical event, or theatrical event.

         b) Learn to assess the acoustic environment and adapt

 II.  Operations - hands on

         a) Signal flow

         b) Gain staging

         c)  Microphone selection and use

         d)  General function of common equipment; mixers compressors, effects

 III.  Research emerging technologies

         a)  On-going assignment presented in research paper format on new developments in sound reinforcement technology

 IV  Class Project

         a) The class will participate in an event where they are responsible for all sound reinforcement needs; all equiment, setup and operation

 V.  Facilities tour

         a) Students will visit at least one large scale installation, such as an events center, and discuss the equiment and operations with staff.