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






2. Device used to compensate for undesired sound system characteristics or room acoustics






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






4. System for feeding one or more separate mixes to the performers for use while recording and overdubbing; Also known as a Cue Mix ~ MONITORS






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






6. Device used to compensate for undesired sound system characteristics or room acoustics






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






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






9. 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






10. From the FOH; Covers audience members seated very close to the stage that will not be covered by direct sound from the FOH speaker system






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






12. From the Monitor Desk; Monitors that are located behind the artist and pointed downstage to cover area that cannot be covered by the floor wedges on the front line






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






14. 1st actual device in signal flow; Attenuation device






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






16. 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






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






18. 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






19. 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






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






21. System for feeding one or more separate mixes to the performers for use while recording and overdubbing; Also known as a Cue Mix ~ MONITORS






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






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






24. From the FOH; Covers audience members seated behind the stage






25. 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






26. FOH sound engineers for Woodstock; Used JBL/Altec cabinets - Crown/Macintosh amplifiers - and custom Hanley consoles






27. 15 minutes






28. Used for the Pre/Post Channel Fader






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






30. 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






31. True






32. Used for the Pre/Post Channel Fader






33. Theater loudspeaker system researched and developed by MGM and Lansing Manufacturing; Covered low and high frequencies with a crossover at 500Hz; Won a Technical Achievement Academy Award






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






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






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






37. Running monitors; Running house system; Communicating with the stage






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






39. FOH






40. Converts electrical information into acoustic energy






41. Wired to the Mix Inserts which are commonly used for gates - compression - reverb - and EQ






42. The angle between an incoming wave and an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the surface of the new medium






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






44. Covers a room from a single line of speakers over the rest of the venue saving time and labor costs; Multiple speakers hung together - either vertically or horizontally - so that they can act as one huge speaker






45. Founded in 1967 in Lititz - PA and had accounts with Elvis Presley - Elton John - Yes - Fleetwood Mac - KISS - Queen - and The Moody Blues






46. EQ -> Limiter -> Crossover






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






48. System for the audience; Simple left/right mix down of the artist






49. The standard in live sound reinforcement for both digital and analog shows






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