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






2. The first microphone sold by Shure; Military awarded Shure a contract to build microphones in WWII.






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






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






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






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






7. Phenomenon causing carbon microphones to lose sensitivity as granules become packed together over extended use; To remedy problem mic is gently rapped on hard surface.






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






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






10. Stereo configuration using a spaced pair 3-10 feet apart.






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






12. 2 - 4 ft. from player; Placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 30 degrees off axis - and tilted upward.






13. Device used to calibrate sound pressure measurement devices; Emits a single 1 kHz frequency over a sustained period of time.






14. 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.






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






16. Sounds that arrive at the 0






17. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Popular musicians' choice due to its sturdy construction and ability to work well with instruments that produce high sound pressure levels.






18. 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.






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






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






21. Shows the max sound pressure level possible with a certain amount of distortion; Measured in dB (decibels).






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






23. 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.






24. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






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






27. 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.






28. + (only); (Front capsule alone)






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






30. Founded AKG at the end of WWII in Austria.






31. 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.






32. 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;






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






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






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






36. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






37. 4800 ft/sec






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






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






40. Radio Frequency Interference






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






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






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






44. Overall measurement close to the overall sound level in frequency response charts.






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






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






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






48. An instrument for detecting sound transmitted through water commonly manufactured using ceramic piezoelectric material.






49. 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.






50. 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.