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. 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.






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






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






4. Radio Frequency Interference






5. To break down or disassemble any portion of a set or stage set- up.






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






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






8. 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.






9. Mics placed in front of an instrument or ensemble (in a left/right fashion) to obtain an overall stereo image; Sound more open and natural; Weaker center image than X/Y; Great for creating background sounds that will blend in with foreground sounds.






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






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






12. The method by which microphones are classified.






13. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Electro Voice; Large Diaphragm; Humbucking Coil; Bass Roll Off Switch; Minimizes proximity effect; Ideal for broadcasting and sound engineering techniques.






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






15. Solid State and Tube.






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






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






18. The part of the guitar you turn to tune the strings in order to get the right sound out of the guitar when one plays.






19. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






20. Shows the max sound pressure level possible with a certain amount of distortion; Measured in dB (decibels).






21. 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.






22. Known as 'The Bottle' this was the first mass - produced condenser mic.






23. Pair of cardioids facing to the front and rear - plus a sideways - facing figure 8; Mid- sides pair plus another rear- facing cardioid which is combined with the same Figure 8 mic for the surrounds.






24. 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






25. Microphone consisting of two parallel metal plates - each holding an opposing charge (+ or -) and thus creating a capacitor to induce an electrical charge as sound waves move the diaphragm; Require a solid- state or tube preamplifier.






26. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






27. Used in adverse conditions to protect from elements like sand - or dust.






28. 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;






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






30. 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).






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






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






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






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






35. 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.






36. Coincident pairing that is at 90






37. Aluminum Ribbon - Bi-Polar (Figure 8); Side Address; Manufactured by Shiny Box; Buttery mid- range improves digital recordings and smooths out modern treble; Best on drums - piano - overheads - and vocals where treble is focused.






38. An extremely strong acoustic nano- film designed to replace the foil ribbon in ribbon microphones.






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






40. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






41. Sounds that arrive at the 0






42. 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.






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






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






45. Changes in air pressure from the front or the back can cause polarity cancellation; Sides have good rejection; Natural polar pattern is bidirectional.






46. Big + & - (More front with less opposite rear)






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






48. The first phantom powered condenser microphone designed for use by Georg Neumann for Norwegian State Television.






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






50. Captures sounds arriving 90