PLACE LABEL HERE

TASMANIAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

Tasmanian Certificate of Education

AUDIO DESIGN
Senior Secondary

Subject Code: AUD315110

Sample External Assessment

2010

Sound Reinforcement

Time: approximately 120 minutes

On the basis of your performance in this examination, the examiners will provide
results on each of the following criteria taken from the syllabus statement:

Criterion 5 Examine and resolve audio issues.

Criterion 6 Demonstrate understanding of the role of audio engineering and

music technology in the contemporary arts.

Pages: 20
Questions: 12

Copyright for part(s) of this examination may be held by individuals and/or organisations other
than the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority.
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CANDIDATE INSTRUCTIONS

You MUST ensure that you have addressed ALL of the externally assessed criteria on this
examination paper.

If you have chosen to answer the SOUND REINFORCEMENT examination you are NOT
required to answer the RECORDING examination.

1. Answer ALL questions.

2. Answers must be written in the spaces provided on the examination paper.

3. This examination is 2 hours in length.

4. It is recommended that you spend a total of:

50 minutes on Section A
70 minutes on Section B

5. All questions have been given a mark allocation.

All written responses must be in English.

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Section A Use
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Answer ALL questions from this section.

It is recommended that you spend approximately 50 minutes on this section.

This section assesses Criterion 5.

Question 1

A mixer used in a sound reinforcement application will usually provide Aux Sends in the signal
path. Aux Sends will often provide the operator with the choice of Pre or Post. Describe a
situation where needed to use one of these mixer functions. (3 marks)

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Question 2

When miking up a steel string guitar, the low stings sound really boomy and bassy through
the front of house speakers. Provide two ways to avoid this problem. (3 marks)

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Section A (continued) For

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Question 3 Only

You have a single channel amplifier whose output terminal is marked as 8 ohms. You now
have two 4 ohm speakers to connect to this amplifier. What connection method will you use
to ensure that maximum acoustic power is delivered from the speakers? Explain the reasoning
for your choice. (3 marks)

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Question 4

On a sound reinforcement set-up it is necessary to power up and power down the equipment
in a particular order. Think of a rig you have worked with and describe the order in which you
powered up and powered down the equipment. Provide an explanation for your method.
(4 marks)

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Question 5 Only

You have been asked to provide sound reinforcement for an a capella (unaccompanied)
vocal ensemble consisting of four voices. Describe and justify a simple yet effective sound
reinforcement technique for a task like this. (6 marks)

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Question 6 Only

Your college is hosting a national conference of maths education in the school auditorium.
The conference will include keynote speakers, a panellist discussion and multimedia displays.
The organisers have also asked for a microphone to enable audience members to be heard
during question/answer segments.

(a) List issues you expect to be presented with leading up to and during the conference.
(5 marks)

(b) Explain the steps you would take to resolve these issues. (5 marks)

(c) Compile a list of the equipment you believe you will need to complete the task, in an
order that reflects the flow of the signal through the system you use. (5 marks)

(d) Describe and justify your choice of equipment for this task. (5 marks)

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Section B Use
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Answer ALL questions from this section.

It is recommended that you spend approximately 70 minutes on this section.

This section assesses Criterion 6.

Question 7

An important consideration when working as an audio engineer as part of a production team is

the set of personal and professional qualities you bring to the project. Identify four qualities or
work behaviours required to successfully fulfil your role as audio engineer and briefly describe
why each is important. (2 marks)

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Question 8

Fully understanding the needs of stakeholders is essential to the overall success of an audio
project. List three specific actions you must take in order to meet the needs of the Director of a
Music Theatre production you wish to provide sound reinforcement for. (3 marks)

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Question 9 Only

A jazz vocalist has asked you to recommend an appropriate sound reinforcement set-up for a
live performance in a wine bar. The vocalist is accompanied by a grand piano. Detail your
recommendations in respect to an appropriate method for this venue. (5 marks)

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Question 10 Only

A public dance competition is being held in a local community hall and you have accepted the
role of managing the audio. As the sound reinforcement manager, what steps do you take to
ensure that the audio for this performance is effective? (5 marks)

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Question 11 Only

Drama students from your college are giving their annual public performance in the college
theatre consisting of 4 actors (not miked up), SFX and music. You are managing the sound
reinforcement . Describe what you would anticipate the Directors brief would be to you in
relation the sound component of the production? (5 marks)

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Question 12 Only

The Rock Music classes from your college are having a play-off to choose which band will
represent the college in the Rock Challenge. This play-off will be held in the college
auditorium and will be in front of a live audience of students. You have the role of managing
the sound reinforcement for this event.

(a) What are the characteristics of good sound reinforcement in a multi-band, live rock
performance? (5 marks)

(b) What steps do you take to ensure that the audio from the sound reinforcement setup is
effective? (10 marks)

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