Test your basic knowledge |

Show Production Basics

Subject : performing-arts
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Microphones -> Mic Cables -> Subsnakes -> Splitter -> Monitor Fanout -> Console -> EQ Rack (Mix Inserts) -> EQ -> Console -> Mix Outs -> Amp Racks -> Multiple Monitor Wedges






2. Rear Fill; Side Fill; Center Fill; Butt Fill; Apron Fill; Delay Fill; Down Fill






3. Debuted with the film Earthquake (1974); Created a physical sensation from four large low-frequency horns located behind the screen






4. Semicircular; Acts as a natural acoustic amplifier






5. Presidential Republican Convention (Chicago - IL)






6. False






7. 100 Hz - 1 kHz






8. True






9. Used for cleaning up the stage area; Not considered part of the snake system; Can be used as a snake for a small system






10. Final stage of protection; Protects each frequency band from overload






11. 1st stage of protection; Prevents damage to sound system by limiting and/or compressing overall ouput






12. Works in house at live music venues to maintain audio systems; Generally entry-level positions; Most begin working monitors; May or may not get to mix for opening artists






13. Usually located in the rear of the house or in the balcony; Houses technicians who complete any music or sound effects






14. Founded by Jim Gamble and Jim Chase in Hermosa Beach - CA in 1972; Clients included Grand Funk Railroad & Boston






15. Mix Coherence and Individuality of Instruments - High Level of SNR in Microphones - All Instruments Leaving Sound System at Same Time - Be Fluent in the Most Basic Reinforcement Concepts - Helping the Performer in Any Way Via Sound - Constantly Impro






16. True






17. 1st stage of protection; Prevents damage to sound system by limiting and/or compressing overall ouput






18. FOH






19. Feedback eliminated - stage volume reduced - and 'roaming' problems decreased






20. Processing needed to run the sound system (EQ - Limiter - Crossover)






21. Feedback eliminated - stage volume reduced - and 'roaming' problems decreased






22. Typically cover a small area; Many wedges placed strategically around the stage are used so artist can move around and continue to hear performance






23. Major developer of amplifiers and loudspeakers in the 1920's and 1930's






24. The oldest sound company in the world; Began by offering clients audio advertising to recover from the Wall Street crash






25. Developed by George Lucas and Thomlinson Holman; Debuted with the film 'Return of the Jedi'; Proprietary electronic crossover network and rigorous audio equipment specifications and performance standards






26. Microphones -> Mic Cables -> Subsnakes -> Splitter -> Monitor Fanout -> Console -> EQ Rack (Mix Inserts) -> EQ -> Console -> Mix Outs -> Amp Racks -> Multiple Monitor Wedges






27. When the volume over the headphones is affected by the channel fader; Generally more useful on a single channel; Common for an AUX OUT to be added to this mix so the engineer can listen to the signal being sent to that aux






28. Polar Patterns; Sensitivity of Microphones; Placement of Microphones ~ The goal is to decrease ambient noise and only amplify the desired signal






29. False






30. Held reputation as the world's loudest band in the 1970's






31. Optimum = Somewhere in the middle of the floor






32. 100 Hz - 1 kHz






33. Up to 168 pins; Large output connectors on the end of the snake






34. Works in house at live music venues to maintain audio systems; Generally entry-level positions; Most begin working monitors; May or may not get to mix for opening artists






35. (1953) - 1st wireless microphone available to the public developed by Shure






36. Used when a production dictates that a console would exceed the number of channels available in a given frame; Smaller frame that usually






37. Microphones -> Mic Cables -> Subsnakes -> Splitter -> House Main Snake (Fanout/Console/FX Rack/ Drive Rack/Return Lines (Fanout) -> Main Snake -> Splitter -> Drive Lines -> Amp Racks -> Speaker Cabinets






38. (1953) - 1st wireless microphone available to the public developed by Shure






39. Primary purpose is to send signal to additional sound systems






40. Time; Acoustics; Microphones & Placement; Stage Volume; Condition & Level of Gear






41. Attempt to emulate the singer's manners and techniques as much as possible






42. Radial horn with vanes placed in the mouth of the horn for the stated purpose of pattern control






43. From the FOH; Used in addition or instead of an apron fill to cover audience members seated under or below the FOH speaker clusters






44. Shop Technician --> System Technician --> System Engineer --> Band Engineer






45. Electronic system that blends sounds from more than one source; First demonstrated at Constitution Hall by Bell Labs






46. Allows use of two or more consoles; 1 House & 1 Monitor; Can be wall mounted or placed in a rack; Basically a big set of Y-cables in a box; Does not belong in FOH area






47. Shop Technician --> System Technician --> System Engineer --> Band Engineer






48. British physicist and writer involved in the development of key patents in wireless telegraphy; Also improved loudspeaker with nonmagnetic spacers to keep the air gap between the inner and outer poles of a moving coil transducer






49. Splitter Box; Main Snake; Fan Outs






50. Line of sight to the speakers is necessary (false sense of high frequencies if not directly in front of speakers); Optimum = Center or just off center of the main floor with a good distance for imaging and where the entire system can be heard