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






2. The measure of how quickly a mic's diaphragm will react when it is hit by an acoustic sound wave.






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






4. Solid state version of the U67.






5. Stereo configuration using a spaced pair 3-10 feet apart.






6. 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.






7. 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.






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






9. Causes an increase in low frequency response as one gets closer to the source.






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






11. 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.






12. 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.






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






14. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






15. Configured to simulate the spacing and directivity of human hearing; Box shape with two 'ears' on each side.






16. 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;






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






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






19. 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.






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






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






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






23. The method by which microphones are classified.






24. 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;






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






26. 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






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






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






29. 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






30. Measurement of the mic's sensitivity; Measured in mV/Pa (millivolts per Pascal).






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






32. A gradual - continuous decrease in low frequency response.






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






34. 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.






35. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by Neumann; Consists of three compact miniature microphones; Has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz that provides tonal balance that is fresher and livelier.






36. 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.






37. Often look like handheld vocal mics; Talk or sing into the end of the microphone.






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






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






40. Sounds that arrive at the 0






41. Bell Labs scientist that was an innovator of many spaced pair and arrayed miking techniques.






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






43. Microphone with 4 large diaphragm condenser capsules; 3 bidirectional and 1 omni; Can be combined to make any polar pattern.






44. 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.






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






46. 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.






47. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






49. 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.






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