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. 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.






2. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Switchable 80 Hz Hi-Pass Filter; Ideal for professional recording and critical applications in broadcast.






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






4. 1 Bidirectional & 1 Cardioid placed coincidentally; Bidirectional faces left and right and cardioid faces the sound; Gives control of the focus and size of the stereo image;






5. Measurement of Sound Pressure; stated as being N/m2 with a Newton being a measurement of force equal to about 9.8 lbs; Equal to 94dB SPL






6. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Large Diaphragm; Manufactured by Rode; Widely recognised as the world's quietest studio microphone; Ideal for vocals - voiceover - and acoustic instruments.






7. Captures sounds arriving 90






8. EMI employee that was the innovator of many coincident pairing mic techniques; Mid/Side & Blumlein techniques are associated with him.






9. A stereo miking technique similar to coincident pair - where the mics are set up with some distance between them; Distance and angle of microphones may differ; Creates a more defined stereo image; Produces very sharp images; Provides more 'air'.






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






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






12. Used for stereo miking to ensure correct balance and imaging.






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






14. Angle of maximum signal rejection in a microphone polar pattern.






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






16. Stereo configuration using a spaced pair 3-10 feet apart.






17. The outer covering of a microphone.






18. Pair of omni mic elements mounted on opposite sides of a spherical shaped capsule.






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. Rotating speaker cabinet design featuring separate treble and bass drivers that can switch speeds; Speaker rotate from front to back creating a Doppler effect; Resulted in new spatial perception for each note. Stereo miked up top and single miked at






23. Often look like handheld vocal mics; Talk or sing into the end of the microphone.






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






25. Configured to simulate the spacing and directivity of human hearing; Box shape with two 'ears' on each side.






26. Another name for condenser microphone.






27. The property of certain crystals that causes them to produce voltage when a mechanical pressure such as sound vibrations is applied to them; Originates from Greek word 'piezein' (to compress).






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






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






30. 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.






31. 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.






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






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






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






35. Demonstrated the first stereophonic transmissions via the Theatrophone in 1881.






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






37. A gradual - continuous decrease in low frequency response.






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






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






40. Consumers can listen to live broadcasts over telephone lines; Individual one- way experience that required a subscription service to listen to performances.






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






42. Omnidirectional: 0 - Cardioid: 8 - Supercardioid: 12 dB - Hypercardioid: 6 dB - Bidirectional: 0






43. Developed the condenser microphone in 1916 at Bell Labs.






44. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






45. 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.






46. Sounds that arrive at the 0






47. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Ideal for project/home- studio applications; Low price; Remains the low cost performance standard in side- address condenser mics.






48. Extremely narrow area of sensitivity in front with extended reach; Also has multiple lobes which vary in position with frequency; Not made from combining pure patterns - but created by using an interference tube.






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






50. Used to make sure you have accurate angles & capsule spacing when miking in stereo.