CCSMT6 Set up, configure and maintain studio equipment, software and hardware

 

Overview

This Standard is about setting up, configuring and maintaining studio equipment, software and hardware. Equipment, software and hardware might be for recording, mastering, editing or mixing and can also include mics,  headphones, speakers and instruments.

It includes selecting equipment, positioning, connecting and routing equipment, checking and resolving issues with signal paths and functionality, locking together and synchronising equipment and carrying out routine maintenance checks and minor repairs.

This standard is for studio engineers, recording engineers, editing engineers, mastering engineers, mix engineers, programmers, music technology practitioners and members of technical support maintenance teams who set up, configure and maintain studio equipment.

 

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. select equipment, hardware, software and instruments to meet creative requirments
  2. follow studio wiring and routing conventions
  3. position equipment in appropriate locations
  4. use connectors that are appropriate for both equipment and signal path
  5. use patchbay systems to route audio signals between pieces of equipment when they rationalise studio systems
  6. measure signal presence at key points to ensure a clear signal flow along analogue and digital audio chains
  7. lock and synchronise equipment together to meet requirements
  8. test equipment is set up, configured and working as required
  9. identify any faulty components or connectivity and wiring problems
  10. replace components and connectors and carry out repairs that are within your area of expertise
  11. report faults that you cannot resolve to appropriate people
  12. produce patchbay and recall sheets in appropriate formats
  13. comply within health and safety requirements at all times
  14. check condition of instruments and equipment on a regular basis to ensure continuous safe and effective use
  15. identify faults in equipment and establish appropriate sources of repair and maintenance
  16. make effective and appropriate use of available technical support systems and equipment
  17. report details of any instrument or equipment that is suspected of being in unsafe condition or is damaged in use, without delay

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. health and safety requirements including those related to safe listening, safeguards against hearing loss and working with electrical equipment
  2. the range of equipment, software and hardware required including mics, headphones, speakers, instruments, and equipment for recording, mastering, editing and mixing
  3. the selection of microphones, equipment set up and position to meet creative requirements
  4. typical control wiring and audio routing options
  5. signal monitoring and foldback relationships
  6. the difference in level between mic, line, headphone and speaker signals
  7. how to calculate and measure audio signals and audio equipment parameters
  8. basic sources of energy and power and the dangers of voltages and current
  9. electrical characteristics for mono, stereo and other multi-channel formats
  10. digital communication protocols including MIDI, FIREWIRE, LAN, S/PDIF and the requirements for separate conductors for digital and analogue signal paths
  11. types of interconnection protocols needed to maintain clean analogue and digital signal paths
  12. requirements for strength and durability of connectors, common types of analogue and digital connectors between different types of equipment and how to identify them
  13. types of adaptors
  14. types of electronic components, their values, how to test for and locate faulty components and identify replacement components of appropriate values
  15. types of patchbay leads, correct uses of patchbay configurations and the advantages and disadvantages for using patchbay wiring
  16. the continuity testing of a signal between two points
  17. common methods used to verify a signal has arrived at its destination within the audio signal chain
  18. how to prepare, strip and solder cables and wires
  19. how to carry out continuity tests between electrical conductors including use of a multimeter
  20. how to identify and isolate common electrical problems
  21. how to test leads and cables and the causes of typical faults including damage from movement and dry joints
  22. basic principles of transmission, limitations, latency (processing time) and typical network, IT, device performance
  23. relevant terminology and definitions for digital systems and network control and the principles of analogue forms of control and switching versus digital control and networks
  24. data communications, error corrections, data interfacing, and how to interface audio devices with computer operating systems
  25. operational and technical limitations of recording and signal
  26. recording formats and related technical standards