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. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






2. Omnidirectional: 0 - Cardioid: 8 - Supercardioid: 12 dB - Hypercardioid: 6 dB - Bidirectional: 0






3. Modeled to mimic a human head for extremely good spatialization; Shaped like a human head.






4. 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.






5. 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).






6. 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;






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






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






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






10. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






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






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






13. 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.






14. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






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






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






17. The method by which microphones are classified.






18. Coincident stereo miking techniques that has two microphone diaphragms occupying (as near as possible) the same space; Capsules often on top of each other; Not good for noisy locations.






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






20. 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.






21. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






22. 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.






23. 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.






24. Sensitive in a slightly narrower pattern in the front than cardioid and has a small lobe at rear; Rejects most signals arriving from 125






25. Omnidirectional: 360






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






27. Proportional to: Magnetic field strength; Length of the conductor; Velocity of conductor moving through the magnetic field.






28. 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.






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






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






31. Magnetic field opposite to that which presently exists; Do this on the bottom mic when miking a snare with two mics.






32. 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.






33. Fixed plate that is charged with polarized voltage found in condenser mics; Usually constructed of milled brass; Has a number of holes drilled in it to provide damping for diaphragm.






34. 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.






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






36. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Large Diaphragm; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low- frequency distortion.






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






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






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






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






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






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






43. Sensitive in a narrower pattern in the front than a cardioid and has a prominent/pronounced lobe at rear; Rejects most signals from 110






44. Captures sounds arriving 90






45. Adds two outer right and left rear facing mics to a Decca tree for surround sound depth.






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






47. Used to filter heating current in certain mics; Invented by Georg Neumann.






48. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






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






50. Dutch broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 30cm apart and at a 90