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. 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.






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






3. Built by AKG for Telefunken and regarded as one of the best vintage condenser microphones ever.






4. Pair of omni mic elements mounted on opposite sides of a spherical shaped capsule.






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






6. Coincident pairing that is at 90






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






8. Filters only the bandwidth of frequencies that are supposed to (or allowed) to pass through; High and Low Pass are examples.






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






10. 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).






11. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






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






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






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






15. 2 - 4 ft. from player; Placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 30 degrees off axis - and tilted upward.






16. Sounds that may be broadcast over the radio or internet.






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






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






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






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






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






23. Part of a mic stand that the mic stands on.






24. Omnidirectional: 360






25. + & - (Front & rear in opposite equal amounts)






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






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






28. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Considered the industry standard for live vocal performance microphones; One of the best- selling microphones in the world.






29. Best signal- to- noise ratio; Minimal phase cancellation; Quality representation of what is being recorded; Attempt to ignore unwanted external noise.






30. 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.






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






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






33. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Popular musicians' choice due to its sturdy construction and ability to work well with instruments that produce high sound pressure levels.






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






35. 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.






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






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






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






39. DC Voltage Req'd for capsule polarizing voltage and internal mic preamps; 3 sources: External Power Supply Unit (PSU); Phantom Power; Battery.






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






41. Mid-Section of the mic stand; Includes the clutch.






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






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






44. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






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






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






47. 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






48. Dynamic; Super-Cardioid; End Address; Humbucking Coil; Brilliance Switch; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Acknowledged as the most accurate and versatile dynamic mic available.






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. 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.