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






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






3. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






4. 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.






5. 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






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






7. 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.






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






9. Shure's newer ribbon studio mics; KSM 353 & 313 (Roswellite); KSM 44 - 32 - & 27.






10. One of the oldest mics; Diaphragm mounted on & compresses cup of tiny granules of carbon (100 microns big) that increase current flow when compressed by sound waves and vary electrical current; Also called Resistance Mics;






11. Radio Frequency Interference






12. Used in production sound for multiple perspectives on the set; Used in Audio Post to record a number of mics into a recorder with minimal set- up & tear down.






13. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Considered the industry standard for live vocal performance microphones; One of the best- selling microphones in the world.






14. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






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






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






17. Cable wrapping method that keeps every coil on top of the next; May cause interference and tiny curls or tangles.






18. The outer covering of a microphone.






19. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






20. 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.






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






22. The first microphone sold by Shure; Military awarded Shure a contract to build microphones in WWII.






23. Dynamic; Super-Cardioid; End Address; Humbucking Coil; Brilliance Switch; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Acknowledged as the most accurate and versatile dynamic mic available.






24. Coincident stereo miking techniques that has two microphone diaphragms occupying (as near as possible) the same space; Capsules often on top of each other; Not good for noisy locations.






25. 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.






26. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






27. Never store mic in a damp place; Keep dirt & dust away from the mic; Never 'pop' test the mic; Check if a mic is working by lightly scratching the grill.






28. Cable wrapping method that reduces interference and makes it easier to unravel the cable.






29. Commonly found in acoustic guitar pickups; Ceramic piezoelectric material is used in hydrophones (underwater mics) because of durability.






30. 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.






31. Small coil of wire wrapped around the plastic or aluminum diaphragm of a dynamic microphone.






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






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






34. 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.






35. Tube with ports down the side with the mic capsule at the bottom; Sounds entering the tube from on - axis interact inside the tube with the sounds coming in through the side ports - an interfere with each other in such a way as to partially cancel of






36. 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.






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






38. Captures sounds arriving 90






39. Stereo coincident pairing where the middle mic (usually a cardiod) is facing source and a bidirectional side mic is placed at 90






40. When using multiple microphones - the distance between microphones should be at least 3 times the distance from each microphone to its intended sound source.






41. Solid state version of the U67.






42. Device used to measure sound loudness; Often used to measure and balance the loudness of each speaker in a home - studio - or live venue or theater system.






43. 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






44. Another name for condenser microphone.






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






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






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






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






49. 4800 ft/sec






50. Adds two outer right and left rear facing mics to a Decca tree for surround sound depth.