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. Three or more microphones working together to capture a stereo or surround image of the sound source.






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






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






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






5. 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.






6. 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.






7. 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






8. 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.






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






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






11. 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.






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






14. 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.






15. 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.






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






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






18. Sounds that arrive at the 0






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






20. 4800 ft/sec






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






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






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






24. Using omnidirectional as a reference of 1 - this is a measurement of how much farther you can be from a mic to achieve equal output level in other polar pattern microphones.






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






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






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






28. Most sensitive to sounds arriving from the front while rejecting sounds from rear; Shaped like a heart; Rejects most signals from 180






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






30. 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;






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






32. 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.






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






34. The outer covering of a microphone.






35. Radio Frequency Interference






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






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






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






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






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






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






42. 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.






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






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






45. Small Diaphragm Electret condensers; Extremely flat frequency response; Omnidirectional pattern.






46. Device used to calibrate sound pressure measurement devices; Emits a single 1 kHz frequency over a sustained period of time.






47. Tough & rugged; Can work in extremely high SPL environments; Less responsive to transient frequencies b/c of diaphragm mass is heavier than sound waves.






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






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






50. 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.