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. 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.






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






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






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






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. Delicate and require extreme care; NO PHANTOM POWER; Becoming more popular than ever because of highly efficient magnets - lower manufacturing costs - and great fidelity.






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






8. 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.






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






10. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






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






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






13. 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






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






15. Developed the condenser microphone in 1916 at Bell Labs.






16. Determined by: Ribbon Thickness (about 3 to 6 microns); Corrugations/Inch; Tension of the Ribbon.






17. 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.






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






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






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






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






22. 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.






23. Consumers can listen to live broadcasts over telephone lines; Individual one- way experience that required a subscription service to listen to performances.






24. Sounds that arrive at the 0






25. Radio Frequency Interference






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






27. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






28. 4800 ft/sec






29. 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.






30. Omnidirectional: 360






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






32. A 3- mic array using omni mics with left - right and center placement; Center is placed about 5 ft. closer to the source to eliminate 'holes' in the middle and the center levels are reduced for an even sound; Forms a triangle.






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






34. The part of the guitar you turn to tune the strings in order to get the right sound out of the guitar when one plays.






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






36. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






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






38. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






39. The reduction in the amplitude of a wave due to the dissipation of wave energy.






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






41. 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.






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






43. Often look like large diaphragm studio mics; Talk or sing into the side of the microphone.






44. The outer covering of a microphone.






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






46. 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.






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






48. 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.






49. 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.






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