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. 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






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






3. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






5. The method by which microphones are classified.






6. 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.






7. 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.






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






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






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






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






12. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






13. Device used to measure sound loudness; Often used to measure and balance the loudness of each speaker in a home - studio - or live venue or theater system.






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






15. Older ribbon microphone weighing 8.5 lbs. nearly all of it the large magnet!






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






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






18. The measuring device used for loudspeaker room response testing.






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






20. Divisions on the fingerboard which represent the position of a specific note or tone.






21. Mounts on a single stand to provide for adjustable spacing and angling between mics.






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






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






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






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






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






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






28. Omnidirectional: 360






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






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






31. 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.






32. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






33. 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.






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






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






36. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






37. 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.






38. Shure's newer ribbon studio mics; KSM 353 & 313 (Roswellite); KSM 44 - 32 - & 27.






39. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Small condenser design that is great for instrument recording.






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






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






42. Another name for condenser microphone.






43. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Popular musicians' choice due to its sturdy construction and ability to work well with instruments that produce high sound pressure levels.






44. 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.






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






46. Sounds that arrive at the 0






47. Pair of cardioids facing to the front and rear - plus a sideways - facing figure 8; Mid- sides pair plus another rear- facing cardioid which is combined with the same Figure 8 mic for the surrounds.






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






49. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Unique mic clip with quick- release button; Large diaphragm dynamic element handles high SPL's - making it great for recording guitars and drums.






50. Stereo coincident pairing where the middle mic (usually a cardiod) is facing source and a bidirectional side mic is placed at 90