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






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






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






4. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






5. 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






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






7. Device or transducer used for converting sound waves or acoustical energy into electrical energy






8. 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.






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






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






11. 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).






12. When miking an amp placing it near the center of this will make it sound brighter; Miking near the outer edge of this will make it sound darker and more mellow in tone.






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






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






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






16. Used for stereo miking to ensure correct balance and imaging.






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






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






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






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






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






22. Small microphone attached to the bridge of a string bass or to an acoustic guitar to amplify its sound.






23. 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.






24. 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;






25. Developed the condenser microphone in 1916 at Bell Labs.






26. 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.






27. 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.






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






29. Considered to be the best mic ever made; VF14 Tube.






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






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






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






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






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






36. To oppose with equal weight or force as in the length of the boom arm versus the weight of the microphone.






37. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Ideal for project/home- studio applications; Low price; Remains the low cost performance standard in side- address condenser mics.






38. Measurement of Sound Pressure; stated as being N/m2 with a Newton being a measurement of force equal to about 9.8 lbs; Equal to 94dB SPL






39. + & + (Front & rear in equal positive amounts)






40. 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.






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






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






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






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






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. Configured to simulate the spacing and directivity of human hearing; Box shape with two 'ears' on each side.






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






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






49. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






50. 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.