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






2. Coincident stereo miking techniques that has two microphone diaphragms occupying (as near as possible) the same space; Capsules often on top of each other; Not good for noisy locations.






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






4. 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.






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






6. The method by which microphones are classified.






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






8. Microphone consisting of two parallel metal plates - each holding an opposing charge (+ or -) and thus creating a capacitor to induce an electrical charge as sound waves move the diaphragm; Require a solid- state or tube preamplifier.






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






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






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. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






13. Allows all low frequencies to pass; Blocks the higher frequencies from being processed.






14. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






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






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






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






18. An extremely strong acoustic nano- film designed to replace the foil ribbon in ribbon microphones.






19. Method of creating low end effects from a bass drum by creating a tunnel at the mic end thus trapping sound and amplifying low end boost.






20. 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.






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






22. Filters only the bandwidth of frequencies that are supposed to (or allowed) to pass through; High and Low Pass are examples.






23. Proportional to: Magnetic field strength; Length of the conductor; Velocity of conductor moving through the magnetic field.






24. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






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






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






27. 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.






28. The moving plate of a condenser capacitor; Constructed of a thin piece of metal or thin plastic - such as Mylar - coated with gold or nickel; .05 - 10 microns thick.






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. Coincident pairing of two bidirectional mics that make a pattern of crossing Figure 8's.






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






33. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






35. Omnidirectional: 360






36. Use coincident or near coincident pairings; Too many microphones will cause phasing issues.






37. Radio Frequency Interference






38. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Switchable 80 Hz Hi-Pass Filter; Ideal for professional recording and critical applications in broadcast.






39. Occupying the same space and time.






40. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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.






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






48. 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.






49. 4800 ft/sec






50. Microphone with 4 large diaphragm condenser capsules; 3 bidirectional and 1 omni; Can be combined to make any polar pattern.