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. Small Diaphragm Electret condensers; Extremely flat frequency response; Omnidirectional pattern.






2. 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.






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






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






5. The lowest - and usually most intense - frequency of a complex sound; Most often perceived as the sound's basic pitch.






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






7. An electromagnetic microphone - in which a thin - corrugated ribbon is suspended within a high magnetic flux field; Excellent transient response due to the small amount of acoustic energy required to move diaphragm.






8. Mounts on a single stand to provide for adjustable spacing and angling between mics.






9. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






10. 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;






11. 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.






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






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






14. 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.






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






16. 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.






17. Tough & rugged microphone that contains an element consisting of a dome- shaped diaphragm and a moving 'voice coil'; Operates on principles of magnetic induction.






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






19. 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.






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






21. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






22. An electrical device characterized by its capacity to store an electric charge;






23. 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.






24. 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.






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






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






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






28. 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.






29. - Omnidirectional: 100% - Cardioid: 33% - Supercardioid: 27% - Hypercardioid: 25% - Bidirectional: 33%






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






31. Occupying the same space and time.






32. Pure polar pattern with which the microphone is equally sensitive in all directions; Great for capturing ambiance or room reverb.






33. When using multiple microphones - the distance between microphones should be at least 3 times the distance from each microphone to its intended sound source.






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






35. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






36. 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.






37. 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






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






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






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






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






42. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






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






44. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






45. Extremely narrow area of sensitivity in front with extended reach; Also has multiple lobes which vary in position with frequency; Not made from combining pure patterns - but created by using an interference tube.






46. 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.






47. 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.






48. Solid State and Tube.






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






50. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90