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. 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.






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






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






4. Shure's ribbon microphone that utilizes Roswellite to prevent ribbon damage.






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






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






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






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






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






10. This is what is measured to produce an electrical signal in condenser mics; This changes as sound waves strike the diaphragm causing the distance to the back plate to change.






11. Another name for condenser microphone.






12. - Omnidirectional: 1 - Cardioid: 1.7 - Supercardioid: 1.9 - Hypercardioid: 2 - Bidirectional: 1.7






13. The combination of the ribbon and magnet in a ribbon microphone.






14. 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.






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






16. 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






17. The method by which microphones are classified.






18. Coincident pairing angled between 90






19. Polar pattern produced when you add a little bit of bidirectional to the omni pattern.






20. 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.






21. 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).






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. 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.






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






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






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






27. 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;






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






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






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






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






32. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






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






34. Solid state version of the U67.






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. 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.






42. 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.






43. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






44. 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.






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






46. Early example of switchable polar patterns; Had both a dynamic and a ribbon capsule inside of it which when combined produced other polar patterns.






47. 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.






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






49. Radio Frequency Interference






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