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. 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.






2. An electrical device characterized by its capacity to store an electric charge;






3. - Omnidirectional: 100% - Cardioid: 33% - Supercardioid: 27% - Hypercardioid: 25% - Bidirectional: 33%






4. 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.






5. Determined by: Ribbon Thickness (about 3 to 6 microns); Corrugations/Inch; Tension of the Ribbon.






6. German broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 20cm apart and at a 90






7. 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.






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






9. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






10. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






11. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Popular musicians' choice due to its sturdy construction and ability to work well with instruments that produce high sound pressure levels.






12. Shows the total range of the mic's internal pre- amp; Measured in dB (decibels).






13. Condenser; Multiple; Side Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AKG; Dual Diaphragm; Nine selectable pickup patterns; Peak Hold LED; The reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests.






14. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






15. Sounds that arrive at the 0






16. 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.






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






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






19. Coincident pairing angled between 90






20. Use coincident or near coincident pairings; Too many microphones will cause phasing issues.






21. Older ribbon microphone weighing 8.5 lbs. nearly all of it the large magnet!






22. Changes in air pressure from the front or the back can cause polarity cancellation; Sides have good rejection; Natural polar pattern is bidirectional.






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






24. 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






25. Bell Labs scientist that was an innovator of many spaced pair and arrayed miking techniques.






26. Reduces the power of a signal used when the trim itself cannot prevent overload in the mic line level signal.






27. Considered to be the best mic ever made; VF14 Tube.






28. Vintage Tube Mics hold voltage after being unplugged; Be sure grounds are connected to power cord and that the charge has left microphone prior to striking.






29. Sounds that may be broadcast over the radio or internet.






30. Causes an increase in low frequency response as one gets closer to the source.






31. The method by which microphones are classified.






32. To oppose with equal weight or force as in the length of the boom arm versus the weight of the microphone.






33. Microphone consisting of two parallel metal plates - each holding an opposing charge (+ or -) and thus creating a capacitor to induce an electrical charge as sound waves move the diaphragm; Require a solid- state or tube preamplifier.






34. - Omnidirectional: 1 - Cardioid: 1.7 - Supercardioid: 1.9 - Hypercardioid: 2 - Bidirectional: 1.7






35. Pair of cardioids facing to the front and rear - plus a sideways - facing figure 8; Mid- sides pair plus another rear- facing cardioid which is combined with the same Figure 8 mic for the surrounds.






36. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






37. The reduction in the amplitude of a wave due to the dissipation of wave energy.






38. 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.






39. Quartz; Barium Titaniate - Tourmaline; Rochelle Salt - and even cane sugar.






40. Omnidirectional: 360






41. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






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






43. The world's first single element cardioid mics.






44. Small microphone attached to the bridge of a string bass or to an acoustic guitar to amplify its sound.






45. Pair of omni mic separated by a circular absorptive baffle.






46. 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.






47. Digital device used to Fourier Forms; Used to measure the specific number of sine waves in a specific frequency in a specific setting.






48. 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.






49. Allow sound to reach the rear of the capsule/diaphragm - to create cardioid - supercardioid - and hypercardioid patterns In single capsule pressure gradient microphones.






50. Overall measurement close to the overall sound level in frequency response charts.