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. Method of creating low end effects from a bass drum by creating a tunnel at the mic end thus trapping sound and amplifying low end boost.






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






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






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






5. 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;






6. Small microphone attached to the bridge of a string bass or to an acoustic guitar to amplify its sound.






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






8. 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.






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






10. 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






11. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






12. 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.






13. 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.






14. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






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






16. Voltage applied to piezoelectric material will cause it to deform or change shape; NO PHANTOM POWER!






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






18. 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.






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






26. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






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






29. Will yield a 6dB increase in output - but will cause a loss of high frequency response.






30. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






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






32. A stereo miking technique similar to coincident pair - where the mics are set up with some distance between them; Distance and angle of microphones may differ; Creates a more defined stereo image; Produces very sharp images; Provides more 'air'.






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






34. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






35. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






36. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






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






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






39. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Unique mic clip with quick- release button; Large diaphragm dynamic element handles high SPL's - making it great for recording guitars and drums.






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






41. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Large Diaphragm; Manufactured by Rode; Widely recognised as the world's quietest studio microphone; Ideal for vocals - voiceover - and acoustic instruments.






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






43. Coincident pairing that is at 90






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






45. 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






46. 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.






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






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






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






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