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






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






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






4. Bell Labs scientist that was an innovator of many spaced pair and arrayed miking techniques.






5. Digital device used to Fourier Forms; Used to measure the specific number of sine waves in a specific frequency in a specific setting.






6. 4800 ft/sec






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






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






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






10. Mics placed in front of an instrument or ensemble (in a left/right fashion) to obtain an overall stereo image; Sound more open and natural; Weaker center image than X/Y; Great for creating background sounds that will blend in with foreground sounds.






11. 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.






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. Another name for condenser microphone.






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






23. Solid State and Tube.






24. 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.






25. Tube manufactured for the new version of the AKG C12 (called the C12-A); Powered by Norelco.






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






27. 2 - 4 ft. from player; Placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 30 degrees off axis - and tilted upward.






28. Delicate and require extreme care; NO PHANTOM POWER; Becoming more popular than ever because of highly efficient magnets - lower manufacturing costs - and great fidelity.






29. Allow sound to reach the rear of the capsule/diaphragm - to create cardioid - supercardioid - and hypercardioid patterns In single capsule pressure gradient microphones.






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. The world's first single element cardioid mics.






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






34. Carbon; Ceramic/Crystal; Magnetic/Dynamic; Ribbon; Condenser






35. 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.






36. 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.






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






38. Cable wrapping method that reduces interference and makes it easier to unravel the cable.






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






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






41. The outer covering of a microphone.






42. 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.






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






44. Captures sounds arriving 90






45. 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.






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






47. Changes in air pressure from the front or the back can cause polarity cancellation; Sides have good rejection; Natural polar pattern is bidirectional.






48. 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.






49. 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.






50. 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