Description

Sound for events and live performance is the use of technical equipment to reinforce or enhance the acoustical experience as it applies to the audience, performer, acoustical atmosphere, script, products or the event or performance space. Audio technicians working in the live performance and event industry traditionally set up sound reinforcement systems (public address systems). They use specialized equipment such as microphones, mixing consoles, recording equipment, amplifiers, loudspeakers and IT-systems in a live environment.

This equipment can be found in many event and live-performance sound applications, including the theatre, corporate events, concerts, trade shows, broadcast television and other types of live events.

The competences listed in TeBeVAT are common for audio technicians in all areas of sound in the sector. 

Photo: © Rowen Smith – Unsplash

Scope note

ESCO: essential skills/competences of

• Audio Production Technician

• Sound Designer

• Sound Operator

• Stage Technician

• Theatre Technician

In comparison to a recording studio setting, audio recording techniques used in the live performance and event sectors can be somewhat different, as the goal is the optimal "live" sound and not the optimal "recorded" sound.

Competences

The Work Organisation Unit competences are a prerequisite as a basis for all units.

Independent (00)

00 00 00 03 10 - Prepare personal work environment  (Know the correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them appropriately before starting operations.)

00 00 00 03 20 - Use technical documentation (Understanding and use of technical documentation in the overall technical process.)

00 00 00 04 30 - Set up equipment in a timely manner (Make sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.)

30 05 00 04 10 - Keep up with trends (Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.)

60 00 00 03 02 - Maintain a safe, hygienic and secure working environment (Apply basic safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the risks to you and your colleagues.)

60 00 00 03 06 - Follow safety procedures when working at heights (Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at heights. Prevent endangering people working under these structures.)

60 20 00 03 01 - Work with respect for own safety (Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.)

60 20 00 03 03 - Work ergonomically (Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace and while manually handling equipment and materials.)

60 20 00 03 04 - Use personal protection equipment (Assess the need for personal protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.)

60 30 00 03 08 - Work safely with machines (Check and safely operate machines and equipment required according to manuals and instructions.)

60 50 00 05 21 - React to emergency situations in a live performance environment (Assess and react to an emergency, such as fires, threats, accidents or other calamities by alerting emergency services and by taking appropriate measures to safeguard or evacuate workers, participants, visitors or audience according to established procedures.)

60 70 00 05 27 - Provide first aid (Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until a complete medical treatment is available.)

60 80 00 03 05 - Prevent fire in a performance environment (Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.)

60 80 00 03 15 - Perform first fire intervention (Intervene in the case of a fire in order to extinguish the fire or limit the effects pending the arrival of emergency services according to training and procedures.)

60 90 00 03 02 - Follow environmentally-sustainable work practices (Apply principles, policies and regulations aimed at environmental sustainability in the workplace.)

70 11 00 03 10 - Promote yourself (Market yourself to others by promoting one's competences and abilities.)

70 11 00 03 20 - Manage personal professional development (Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about your practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.)

70 11 00 04 30 - Document your own practice (Register your own work practice for different purposes such as assessments, time management and job applications.)

70 15 00 03 10 - Develop professional network (Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.)

70 30 00 04 60 - Maintain system layout for a production (Establish a workable layout for the system you manage and maintain it for the duration of a production.)

70 55 00 05 30 - Promote health and safety (Encourage the importance of a safe working environment. Coach and support staff to participate actively in the continuous development of a safe working environment.)

70 71 00 03 10 - Keep personal administration (File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.)

Planning (10)

02 00 10 04 10 - Technically design a sound system (Set up, test and operate a complex audio system, based on a given sound concept. This could be a permanent as well as a temporary installation.)

70 20 10 04 30 - Plan teamwork (Organise the working schedule of a group of people in order to meet all time and quality requirements.)

70 30 10 05 10 - Develop project schedule (Define the project completion stages and create a timeline. Synchronise necessary activities, taking into account the convergence of production elements. Establish a schedule.)

70 56 10 05 30 - Budget set costs (Prepare set production budgets.)

Preparing (20)

02 00 20 04 10 - Fit up sound on stage (Set up, rig, connect, test and tune audio equipment on stage.)

02 00 20 04 11 - Set up sound reinforcement system (Arrange an analogue sound reinforcement system in a live situation.)

02 00 20 04 20 - Perform technical sound check (Prepare and run a technical sound check before rehearsals or live shows. Check instrument setup and ensure correct functioning of the audio equipment. Anticipate possible technical problems during a live show.)

02 00 20 04 25 - Perform soundchecks (Test the sound equipment of a venue to ensure smooth operation during the performance. Cooperate with performers to make sure the venue equipment is adjusted for the requirements of the performance.)

02 00 20 05 30 - Programm Sound cues (Program sound cues and rehearse sound states before or during rehearsals.)

02 20 20 04 20 - Set up basic recording (Put up a basic stereo audio recording system, which mostly includes amplifiers, speakers and one or more types of music sources.)

02 20 20 04 30 - Record music (Register a sound or musical performance in a studio or live environment. Use the appropriate equipment and your professional judgment to capture the sounds with optimal fidelity.)

02 20 20 04 55 - Edit recorded sound (Arrange audio footage using a variety of software, tools and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects and removing unwanted noises.)

02 30 20 04 10 - Tune up wireless audio systems (Adjust a wireless audio system in a live situation.)

Rehearsing (30)

30 00 30 03 10 - Adapt to artists' creative demands (Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your expertise and capabilities to reach the best possible result.)

Running the Show (40)

00 00 40 03 10 - Communicate during show (Interact efficiently during a live performance, in order to anticipate any possible malfunctionings.)

02 00 40 04 44 - Use audio reproduction software (Operate software and equipment that transform and reproduce digital, analogue sounds and sound waves into the desired perceivable audio to be streamed.)

02 00 40 04 60 - Prevent undesired changes to sound design (Adapt your maintenance of sound equipment to prevent undesired changes in the sound balance and design, safeguarding the overall production quality.)

02 10 40 05 20 - Mix sounds in a live situation (Combine audio signals from multiple sound sources during rehearsals or in a live situation.)

02 10 40 05 25 - Monitor mixing in a live situation (Oversee mixing in a live audio situation, under own responsibility.)

02 40 40 03 10 - Use communication equipment (Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.)

After the Show (50)

00 00 50 03 10 - De‐rig electronic equipment (Remove and store various types of electronic equipment safely after use.)

00 00 50 03 20 - Store performance equipment (Dismantle sound, light and video equipment in a safely manner after a performance event. Make sure the equipment is correctly stored away.)

Maintenance (60)

02 00 60 04 10 - Maintain sound equipment (Set up, check, maintain and repair sound equipment for a live performance establishment.)