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. Allows all low frequencies to pass; Blocks the higher frequencies from being processed.






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






3. Founded AKG at the end of WWII in Austria.






4. 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.






5. Fixed plate that is charged with polarized voltage found in condenser mics; Usually constructed of milled brass; Has a number of holes drilled in it to provide damping for diaphragm.






6. The tuning machines of a guitar; Part of the tuning key that strings are threaded through and twisted.






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






8. Flat plate that controls or directs the flow of sound energy in a crystal/ceramic mic.






9. Pure polar pattern with which the microphone is equally sensitive in all directions; Great for capturing ambiance or room reverb.






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






11. 2 - 4 ft. from player; Placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 30 degrees off axis - and tilted upward.






12. 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.






13. Very robust and durable; Used in telephones until 1990's; Currently finds applications for military use.






14. 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






15. Built by AKG for Telefunken and regarded as one of the best vintage condenser microphones ever.






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






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






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






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






20. Divisions on the fingerboard which represent the position of a specific note or tone.






21. When miking an amp placing it near the center of this will make it sound brighter; Miking near the outer edge of this will make it sound darker and more mellow in tone.






22. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






23. An instrument for detecting sound transmitted through water commonly manufactured using ceramic piezoelectric material.






24. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






25. E = Blv - e - Electromotive Force (in volts) - B - is the magnetic field strength - l - is the length of the conductor - v - is the velocity of the conductor moving through the magnetic field






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






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






28. Measurement of the mic's sensitivity; Measured in mV/Pa (millivolts per Pascal).






29. Radio Frequency Interference






30. The measure of how quickly a mic's diaphragm will react when it is hit by an acoustic sound wave.






31. Barrier made of shaped wire covered with a piece of nylon that is placed between a sensitive mic and the talent to avoid damage to the diaphragm of the mic.






32. Big + & + (More front with less positive rear)






33. Solid state version of the U67.






34. Tough & rugged microphone that contains an element consisting of a dome- shaped diaphragm and a moving 'voice coil'; Operates on principles of magnetic induction.






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






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






37. 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.






38. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Very small and compact; Especially suitable for use with drums and brass instruments; Includes a clip to mount directly on drums.






39. 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.






40. Coincident pairing of two bidirectional mics that make a pattern of crossing Figure 8's.






41. + & + (Front & rear in equal positive amounts)






42. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Unique mic clip with quick- release button; Large diaphragm dynamic element handles high SPL's - making it great for recording guitars and drums.






43. Increasing magnetic field strength is the only practical means of increasing output voltage; Conductor movement is limited due to tension of the ribbon; and ribbon length increases lead to a loss of high frequency response.






44. Phenomenon causing carbon microphones to lose sensitivity as granules become packed together over extended use; To remedy problem mic is gently rapped on hard surface.






45. Modern drummer who has created a large kit and innovated several ways of capturing the sound from his massive kit.






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






47. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Large Diaphragm; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low- frequency distortion.






48. Sub- frequency (below 100Hz) capture device designed for use with kick drums and floor toms as an alternative or supplement to a traditional microphone.






49. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






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