Higher Certificate in Sound Technology

Purpose

The purpose of the Sound Technology qualification is to give learners a thorough understanding of the theory and practical requirements to be successfully employed in the audio industry.

Rationale

The audio industry has shown a lot of growth over the years and Cape Audio College has developed a qualification that will provide the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to be successfully employed in the audio industry.

Cape Audio College works closely with organisations in the workplace to align the qualification and the knowledge and skills taught with the needs of the industry.

By providing learners with skills and knowledge of the latest technologies, the audio industry in South Africa as a whole will benefit, in that the quality and standard of audio productions will improve and match and maintain international levels.

It is assumed that learners have

• A basic insight and aptitude towards audio equipment and music.
• English language competence; speaking, reading, writing and comprehension, at NQF level 4 (Grade 12).
• General problem solving skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Cape Audio College offers opportunities for prospective learners with industry experience and/or previous academic qualifications to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to grant access to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements and to grant credits towards the qualification.

Access to the Qualification

The qualification is open to a learner that meets any of the following requirements

• Successful completion of a South African Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate.

OR

• Successful completion of a Further Education and Training Certificate or any other accredited qualification at NQF Level 4.

All the modules are at NQF Level 5 and are compulsory.

Modules

• Audio technology fundamentals, 3 credits.
• Sound Measurement, 3 credits.
• Basic electronics, 3 credits.
• Microphone technology and application, 10 credits.
• The audio signal chain/Recording Equipment, 12 credits.
• Applied music, 2 credits.
• Computer based audio, 12 credits.
• Music production/Recording, 18 credits.
• Audio visual production, 12 credits.
• MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), 5 credits.
• Mixing - Music, 10 credits.
• Introduction to Digital audio Technology, 10 credits.
• Live sound, 10 credits.
• Acoustics, 5 credits.
• Mastering, 5 credits.

1. Demonstrate understanding of the theory of human hearing and the auditory perception of sound and how it relates to decision-making when evaluating audio equipment for use.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the theory and application of audio technology fundamentals including the electrical representation of sound in audio productions.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of the decibel in relation to the different operating voltages of modern audio devices, and interpret the metering of these devices using the decibel scale.
4. Inter-connect audio devices through the application of basic electronics principles.
5. Demonstrate understanding of the various properties and applications of microphones, microphone theory and microphone recording techniques.
6. Read and write music at a level equivalent to Grade 1 music theory.
7. Utilise the various software programmes used in the audio industry.
8. Compose musical soundtracks of any genre using MIDI.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are used in an integrated way when assessing competence against the Exit Level Outcomes:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the digital audio workstation (DAW) user interface and the function of the crucial software and hardware modules to capture, edit and process audio in the digital realm.
• Audio paths are managed and configured.
• Musical instrumentation digital interface (MIDI) and audio is recorded, edited and mixed, making appropriate use of plug-ins.
• A realistic insight into the trends and practices in the audio industry are demonstrated.
• A personal research portfolio of a variety of practices in various sub-fields of the industry is compiled.
• Musical equipment is assembled to store and manipulate a variety of sound sources of various productions.

> Range of equipment includes but is not limited to: Musical instruments, microphones and related sound equipment

> Range of productions includes but is not limited to: Basic pop ensembles, choirs and voice recordings.

• Hardware and software based sound processing devices are used to process captured sound in a variety of ways.
• A basic mixer is operated by configuring, routing and mixing audio.
• Multi-track music recordings are mixed and processed using a variety of sound processing devices.
• Signal flow diagrams are drawn for a basic mixing system to describe the function and integration of constituent components.
• Effective soldering techniques are applied when building electronic circuits.
• Audio cables and connectors are assembled and repaired.
• Basic electronic test equipment is used in conjunction with circuit diagrams, to identify faults.
• Pre-recorded samples of audio waveforms and various musical instruments and musical genres, triads and intervals are aurally identified.
• Intervals, triads, major and natural minor scales and a simple song are performed on a musical instrument.

Integrated Assessment

The methods of assessment include both the summative, such as examinations, as well as formative, including essays with personal feedback, practicals with feedback, and both individual, group and written projects with reports critically analysing an aspect thereof, and presentations with group work.