Test your basic knowledge |

Microphones Theory

Subject : engineering
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. The arm of the mic stand; Includes the angle adjust & telescopic adjust.






2. The measuring device used for loudspeaker room response testing.






3. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






4. The part of the guitar you turn to tune the strings in order to get the right sound out of the guitar when one plays.






5. Allows all high frequencies to pass; Blocks the lower frequencies from being processed.






6. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






7. Utilized primarily on condenser and ribbon mics to isolate it from vibrations that might otherwise be transmitted to the microphone through the mic stand.






8. Solid state version of the U67.






9. Pure polar pattern that receives sound from both the front and back; Also known as a 'Figure 8' pattern; More proximity effect that Cardioid or Hyper Cardioid; Often found in ribbon mics.






10. A flat or roughly flat strip on the neck of a stringed instrument against which the strings are pressed to shorten the vibrating length and produce notes of higher pitches.






11. Device or transducer used for converting sound waves or acoustical energy into electrical energy






12. Another name for condenser microphone.






13. Tough & rugged; Can work in extremely high SPL environments; Less responsive to transient frequencies b/c of diaphragm mass is heavier than sound waves.






14. This is what is measured to produce an electrical signal in condenser mics; This changes as sound waves strike the diaphragm causing the distance to the back plate to change.






15. + (only); (Front capsule alone)






16. Bioacoustic Research; Documentary Journalism; Radio; Film/TV Production; Audio Post Production.






17. French broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 17cm apart and at a 110






18. When using two microphones reverse the polarity of the bottom mic.






19. + & - (Front & rear in opposite equal amounts)






20. Timing difference between two waves; Waves interfere cancelling each other out and altering frequency response; Measured in degrees; Can be caused by reflections of sound waves; Can be reduced by putting cabinet or amp at an angle.






21. A 3- mic array using omni mics with left - right and center placement; Center is placed about 5 ft. closer to the source to eliminate 'holes' in the middle and the center levels are reduced for an even sound; Forms a triangle.






22. Magnetic field opposite to that which presently exists; Do this on the bottom mic when miking a snare with two mics.






23. Derived from two words; 'electr' from electrostatic and 'et' from magnet.






24. One of the world's greatest condenser microphones prized for the CK12 capsule.






25. The attachment that holds a microphone in place on the mic stand; Comes in various shapes - sizes - and applications.






26. Coincident pairing angled between 90






27. Mic in which the diaphragm moves in response to sound waves and an attached pin/rod moves; Coil attached to pin/rod moves alone with the diaphragm.






28. Works exactly like condenser mic but one of the two plates is manufactured as a capsule with a permanent static charge so there is no external power source necessary; Requires phantom or battery to charge internal mic preamp.






29. Often look like large diaphragm studio mics; Talk or sing into the side of the microphone.






30. Method of creating low end effects from a bass drum by creating a tunnel at the mic end thus trapping sound and amplifying low end boost.






31. Tube manufactured for the new version of the AKG C12 (called the C12-A); Powered by Norelco.






32. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






33. Mounts on a single stand to provide for adjustable spacing and angling between mics.






34. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Electro Voice; Large Diaphragm; Humbucking Coil; Bass Roll Off Switch; Minimizes proximity effect; Ideal for broadcasting and sound engineering techniques.






35. Mics placed in front of an instrument or ensemble (in a left/right fashion) to obtain an overall stereo image; Sound more open and natural; Weaker center image than X/Y; Great for creating background sounds that will blend in with foreground sounds.






36. Will yield a 6dB increase in output - but will cause a loss of high frequency response.






37. To break down or disassemble any portion of a set or stage set- up.






38. DC Voltage Req'd for capsule polarizing voltage and internal mic preamps; 3 sources: External Power Supply Unit (PSU); Phantom Power; Battery.






39. The lowest - and usually most intense - frequency of a complex sound; Most often perceived as the sound's basic pitch.






40. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by Neumann; Consists of three compact miniature microphones; Has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz that provides tonal balance that is fresher and livelier.






41. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






42. Tube microphone capable of SPL's over 140dB.






43. Condenser; Cardioid/Hypercardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AKG; Can be powered by internal 9 V battery for field recording; Improves clarity of speech with the PB 1000 Presence Boost Adapter.






44. Basket/grille made out of a specific type of copper wire to block protect the mic from physical damage and to protect the mic from stray RFI






45. Best signal- to- noise ratio; Minimal phase cancellation; Quality representation of what is being recorded; Attempt to ignore unwanted external noise.






46. Most sensitive to sounds arriving from the front while rejecting sounds from rear; Shaped like a heart; Rejects most signals from 180






47. Voltage applied to piezoelectric material will cause it to deform or change shape; NO PHANTOM POWER!






48. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






49. Responds to air pressure variations outside of the capsule; Not selective of direction; Natural polar pattern is omnidirectional.






50. Shure's ribbon microphone that utilizes Roswellite to prevent ribbon damage.