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. 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.






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






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






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






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






6. EMI employee that was the innovator of many coincident pairing mic techniques; Mid/Side & Blumlein techniques are associated with him.






7. Using omnidirectional as a reference of 1 - this is a measurement of how much farther you can be from a mic to achieve equal output level in other polar pattern microphones.






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






9. 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.






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






11. Sounds that arrive at the 0






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






13. 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






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






15. 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.






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






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






18. Dynamic; Super-Cardioid; End Address; Humbucking Coil; Brilliance Switch; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Acknowledged as the most accurate and versatile dynamic mic available.






19. Often look like large diaphragm studio mics; Talk or sing into the side of the microphone.






20. Captures sounds arriving 90






21. Used by government agencies to determine safe sound exposure levels (in dB) over a period of time; 85 - 90 dB = 16 hrs. of safe exposure time at 85 dB; Decreases to 8 hrs. of safe exposure time at 90 dB.






22. Used to make sure you have accurate angles & capsule spacing when miking in stereo.






23. Radio Frequency Interference






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






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






26. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






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






28. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






30. 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.






31. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






32. 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.






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






34. The first phantom powered condenser microphone designed for use by Georg Neumann for Norwegian State Television.






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






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






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






38. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






39. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






40. 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.






41. 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;






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






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






44. Derived from two words; 'electr' from electrostatic and 'et' from magnet.






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






46. 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.






47. 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.






48. 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.






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






50. 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.