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. 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.






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






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






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






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






6. The tuning machines of a guitar; Part of the tuning key that strings are threaded through and twisted.






7. 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.






8. Measurement similar to how our hearing works in frequency response charts.






9. 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.






10. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






11. Shows the total range of the mic's internal pre- amp; Measured in dB (decibels).






12. Never store mic in a damp place; Keep dirt & dust away from the mic; Never 'pop' test the mic; Check if a mic is working by lightly scratching the grill.






13. 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.






14. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






15. Overall measurement close to the overall sound level in frequency response charts.






16. The head or top of the guitar where the tuning pegs are located.






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






18. 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.






19. Characterized by a vacuum tube transducer; Heat rises so many are hung upside down to prevent heat from reaching the microphone head; Avoid jostling or shaking these fragile mics.






20. The outer covering of a microphone.






21. Founded AKG at the end of WWII in Austria.






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






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






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






25. Demonstrated the first stereophonic transmissions via the Theatrophone in 1881.






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






27. 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.






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






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






30. E = Blv - e - Electromotive Force (in volts) - B - is the magnetic field strength - l - is the length of the conductor - v - is the velocity of the conductor moving through the magnetic field






31. Angle of maximum signal rejection in a microphone polar pattern.






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






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






34. 4800 ft/sec






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






36. Responds to air pressure variations outside of the capsule; Not selective of direction; Natural polar pattern is omnidirectional.






37. 2 - 4 ft. from player; Placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 30 degrees off axis - and tilted upward.






38. The method by which microphones are classified.






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






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






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






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






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






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






45. Quartz; Barium Titaniate - Tourmaline; Rochelle Salt - and even cane sugar.






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






47. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






48. An electromagnetic microphone - in which a thin - corrugated ribbon is suspended within a high magnetic flux field; Excellent transient response due to the small amount of acoustic energy required to move diaphragm.






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






50. 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;