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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. Mics in which sound waves vibrate a piezoelectric crystal that generates a varying voltage.






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






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






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






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






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






7. Carbon; Ceramic/Crystal; Magnetic/Dynamic; Ribbon; Condenser






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






9. 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.






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






11. Close mic placement can help guard again bleed from other instruments and takes advantage of proximity effect; Center of cone = Brighter; Outside of cone = Darker; Reflections can create phase issues (can be reduced by putting the cabinet at an angle






12. 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.






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






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






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






16. The arm of the mic stand; Includes the angle adjust & telescopic adjust.






17. Sounds that arrive at the 0






18. The combination of the ribbon and magnet in a ribbon microphone.






19. The moving plate of a condenser capacitor; Constructed of a thin piece of metal or thin plastic - such as Mylar - coated with gold or nickel; .05 - 10 microns thick.






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






21. The outer covering of a microphone.






22. 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.






23. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






24. 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






25. 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.






26. 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.






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






28. 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).






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






30. 4800 ft/sec






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






32. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






33. 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.






34. Verify that the boom is placed over a microphone leg prior to use to provide added balance and stability.






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






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






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






38. 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.






39. 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;






40. 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.






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






42. Used by government agencies to determine safe sound exposure levels (in dB) over a period of time; 85 - 90 dB = 16 hrs. of safe exposure time at 85 dB; Decreases to 8 hrs. of safe exposure time at 90 dB.






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






44. Delicate and require extreme care; NO PHANTOM POWER; Becoming more popular than ever because of highly efficient magnets - lower manufacturing costs - and great fidelity.






45. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Small condenser design that is great for instrument recording.






46. 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.






47. 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






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






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






50. Early example of switchable polar patterns; Had both a dynamic and a ribbon capsule inside of it which when combined produced other polar patterns.






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