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. Stereo coincident pairing where the middle mic (usually a cardiod) is facing source and a bidirectional side mic is placed at 90






2. 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.






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






4. The graphic representation plot of the sensitivity of a microphone from any direction over a 360






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






6. The attachment that holds a microphone in place on the mic stand; Comes in various shapes - sizes - and applications.






7. 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).






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






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






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






11. 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.






12. 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






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






14. Most sensitive to sounds arriving from the front while rejecting sounds from rear; Shaped like a heart; Rejects most signals from 180






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






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






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. Pair of cardioids facing to the front and rear - plus a sideways - facing figure 8; Mid- sides pair plus another rear- facing cardioid which is combined with the same Figure 8 mic for the surrounds.






19. Moving a conductor (a coil of wire) through a magnetic field will cause a voltage to be induced across the conductor.

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20. 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.






21. Modern drummer who has created a large kit and innovated several ways of capturing the sound from his massive kit.






22. Shows the level of self- noise from a microphone's internal electronics; Measured in dB (decibels).






23. 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.






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






25. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Very small and compact; Especially suitable for use with drums and brass instruments; Includes a clip to mount directly on drums.






26. 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.






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






28. Flat plate that controls or directs the flow of sound energy in a crystal/ceramic mic.






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






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






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






32. Tube with ports down the side with the mic capsule at the bottom; Sounds entering the tube from on - axis interact inside the tube with the sounds coming in through the side ports - an interfere with each other in such a way as to partially cancel of






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






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






35. 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.






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






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






42. Electro- acoustic device attached to a transducer that vibrates to receive or produce sound waves which put the device into motion.






43. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






44. Barrier made of shaped wire covered with a piece of nylon that is placed between a sensitive mic and the talent to avoid damage to the diaphragm of the mic.






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






46. 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.






47. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






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






49. 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.






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