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. Determined by: Ribbon Thickness (about 3 to 6 microns); Corrugations/Inch; Tension of the Ribbon.






2. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






3. 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.






4. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






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






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






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






8. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






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






10. Occupying the same space and time.






11. E = Blv - e - Electromotive Force (in volts) - B - is the magnetic field strength - l - is the length of the conductor - v - is the velocity of the conductor moving through the magnetic field






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






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






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






15. 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.






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






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






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






19. The attachment that holds a microphone in place on the mic stand; Comes in various shapes - sizes - and applications.






20. 4800 ft/sec






21. 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.






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






23. Basket/grille made out of a specific type of copper wire to block protect the mic from physical damage and to protect the mic from stray RFI






24. The outer covering of a microphone.






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






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






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






28. The measure of how quickly a mic's diaphragm will react when it is hit by an acoustic sound wave.






29. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Considered the industry standard for live vocal performance microphones; One of the best- selling microphones in the world.






30. 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.






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






32. French broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 17cm apart and at a 110






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






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






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






36. Angle of maximum signal rejection in a microphone polar pattern.






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






38. Will yield a 6dB increase in output - but will cause a loss of high frequency response.






39. 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.






40. The head or top of the guitar where the tuning pegs are located.






41. 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.






42. Omnidirectional: 360






43. The property of certain crystals that causes them to produce voltage when a mechanical pressure such as sound vibrations is applied to them; Originates from Greek word 'piezein' (to compress).






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






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






46. 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.






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






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






49. The arm of the mic stand; Includes the angle adjust & telescopic adjust.






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