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. Package tours and the Motown Era created the need for these in the 1950's






2. 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






3. Setting the levels to get the best signal transfer through a console; Always start with the stereo bus - channel and monitor faders set to 0dB (Unity Gain) then adjust preamp for initial volume






4. Monitors kept near the FOH engineer so proper mixing can be done during the live performance






5. Introduced the first moving coil speaker (loudspeaker) in 1874






6. 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






7. 1st U.S. President to have speeches publicized via loudspeaker to large crowds






8. Meyer Sound; The first self-powered - high-level sound reinforcement loudspeaker (1240 watts)






9. Vocals --> (Basic Rhythm) Kick - Snare - Hat --> Primary Instruments --> Toms - FX - etc.






10. True






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






12. Low frequency sound absorber used to reduce the effects of standing waves in a room






13. Large format live console for show production and sound reinforcement






14. Responsible for the line array technology boom; Developed the L-ACOUSTICS V-DOSC system in 1993






15. False






16. From the Monitor Desk; Cover artists from speaker locations on the sides of the stage; Usually tri-amped systems; Stereo bus designed to manage these - but Mix SENDS can also be utilized






17. Vacuum tube that improved and amplified weak wireless signals






18. Debuted at the George Strait Country Music Festival in 1999






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






20. Developed first microphone; Telephone transmitter invented for Alexander Graham Bell in 1876; Patented the first flat disc gramophone






21. True






22. Hired by the sound company or venue and paid salary; Set-up and maintain FOH system and often mix opening artists; Responsible for set-up - teardown - and maintenance of systems






23. False






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






25. Masks with acoustic horns in the design; High-soled shoes to help with projection; Reflective acoustic shells designed into staging; Stadium stye seating for patrons; Jars filled with different layers of ash used for sound absorption and diffusion






26. Verification that all the cables for mics & amplies are connected and sending signal properly






27. System for the artists; Each band member receives their own personal mix; Up to 24 individual mixes for 1 engineer to manage






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






29. Verification that all the cables for mics & amplies are connected and sending signal properly






30. Could be in a bass trap or a dead zone at the mix position






31. From the FOH; Used to cover audience members located beyond the coverage of the front of house sound systems; Speaker system's signal is delayed to let the sound from FOH speaker systems catch up






32. 100 Hz - 1 kHz






33. Could be in a bass trap or a dead zone at the mix position






34. (1953) - 1st wireless microphone available to the public developed by Shure






35. 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






36. Usually colored red and lettered; Gender reversed from the channels; Allow for sending of any signal from the console areas back to the splitter box; Final mix from the console is the first priority; Optional and must be specified; If splitter does n






37. 1st actual device in signal flow; Attenuation device






38. Contains fan outputs from stage - fan outs from effects - and fan outs to drive racks; Interface can stay plugged into console jacks






39. Too far away inside the sound will be diffused






40. AFL; On the Mix OUTS the Cue or Solo Button is an example






41. Monitors kept near the FOH engineer so proper mixing can be done during the live performance






42. 15 minutes






43. large cable that hooks up to these mass connectors and carries the audio from the splitter box back to the House console area






44. Early form of sound reinforcement made of various materials including silver and tortoise shell






45. In live performance this is the reference mix that the engineer uses; In studio recording it is the mix in the artist's headphones; One of the engineer's most valuable tools; Post outboard EQ and Mix Master Faders






46. Operates just like a dynamic loudspeaker except it has no cone; Small diaphragm couples into a flared horn






47. Patched into INSERT SENDS & RETURNS






48. 1st recorded published work on acoustics for the purpose of understanding the propagation of sound waves written by Gaspare P. Schotto (1657).






49. From the FOH; Can be used in addition to stereo clusters of speakers to give a stronger center channel; Generally used for lead vocals






50. Vacuum tube that improved and amplified weak wireless signals