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. 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






2. 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






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






4. 1st actual device in signal flow; Attenuation device






5. 1st stage of protection; Prevents damage to sound system by limiting and/or compressing overall ouput






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






7. Improves clarity by deflecting midrange audio into the sound space and minimizing distortion producing collisions






8. 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






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






10. Typically contains 4 amplifiers on average (Max = 6);






11. True






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






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






14. 20 Hz - 100 Hz






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






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






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






18. FOH






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






20. 1st portable public P/A system used by Knute Rockne of Notre Dame for coaching the football team from a tower






21. 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






22. False






23. 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






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






25. True






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






27. Stage area to the rear of stage performers that is furthest away from the audience






28. 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






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






30. Improves clarity by deflecting midrange audio into the sound space and minimizing distortion producing collisions






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






32. 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






33. Mixes for the audience






34. Best to keep drive and effects racks separate to avoid confusion






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






36. Splits full range audio into frequencies from high end of the spectrum to the high speakers - mids to the mid speakers and lows to the low speakers






37. 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






38. 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






39. 1st recorded published work on acoustics for the purpose of understanding the propagation of sound waves written by Gaspare P. Schotto (1657).






40. (1953) - 1st wireless microphone available to the public developed by Shure






41. 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






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






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






44. 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






45. 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






46. Put all instruments in the mix and fine tune later






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






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






49. True






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