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






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






3. 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






4. Shows the level of self- noise from a microphone's internal electronics; Measured in dB (decibels).






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






6. Tube manufactured for the new version of the AKG C12 (called the C12-A); Powered by Norelco.






7. 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.






8. 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.






9. The graphic representation plot of the sensitivity of a microphone from any direction over a 360






10. 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






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






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






18. Determined by: Ribbon Thickness (about 3 to 6 microns); Corrugations/Inch; Tension of the Ribbon.






19. More compelling sound - giving both depth and perspective.






20. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






21. 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.






22. 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.






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






24. 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.






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






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






27. Coincident pairing of two bidirectional mics that make a pattern of crossing Figure 8's.






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






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






30. 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.






31. Electro- acoustic device attached to a transducer that vibrates to receive or produce sound waves which put the device into motion.






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






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






34. Captures sounds arriving 90






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






36. Another name for condenser microphone.






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






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. Solid state version of the U67.






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






41. The world's first single element cardioid mics.






42. French broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 17cm apart and at a 110






43. Term coined by Sir Charles Wheatstone derived from the Greek words 'micro' (small) & 'phon' (sound).






44. Derived from two words; 'electr' from electrostatic and 'et' from magnet.






45. 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.






46. 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.






47. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






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






49. 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.






50. 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