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 first AKG dynamic microphone.






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






3. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by Neumann; Consists of three compact miniature microphones; Has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz that provides tonal balance that is fresher and livelier.






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






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






6. 4800 ft/sec






7. 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.






8. Sensitive in a narrower pattern in the front than a cardioid and has a prominent/pronounced lobe at rear; Rejects most signals from 110






9. Configured to simulate the spacing and directivity of human hearing; Box shape with two 'ears' on each side.






10. 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.






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






12. First to mass produce the condenser microphone in 1929; Improved cutting lathe technology by developing direct drive turntables; Invents 48V Phantom Power to power the new condenser microphone for Norwegian State Television.






13. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






14. To break down or disassemble any portion of a set or stage set- up.






15. Known as 'The Bottle' this was the first mass - produced condenser mic.






16. Shure's newer ribbon studio mics; KSM 353 & 313 (Roswellite); KSM 44 - 32 - & 27.






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






18. Used in production sound for multiple perspectives on the set; Used in Audio Post to record a number of mics into a recorder with minimal set- up & tear down.






19. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






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






21. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






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






23. Allows all high frequencies to pass; Blocks the lower frequencies from being processed.






24. Reduces the power of a signal used when the trim itself cannot prevent overload in the mic line level signal.






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. 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.






27. 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.






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






29. 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.






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






31. Works exactly like condenser mic but one of the two plates is manufactured as a capsule with a permanent static charge so there is no external power source necessary; Requires phantom or battery to charge internal mic preamp.






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






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






34. Used to filter heating current in certain mics; Invented by Georg Neumann.






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






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






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






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






39. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






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






41. Rotating speaker cabinet design featuring separate treble and bass drivers that can switch speeds; Speaker rotate from front to back creating a Doppler effect; Resulted in new spatial perception for each note. Stereo miked up top and single miked at






42. 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.






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






44. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






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






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






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






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






49. 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.






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