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. Tough & rugged; Can work in extremely high SPL environments; Less responsive to transient frequencies b/c of diaphragm mass is heavier than sound waves.






2. 4 to 6 ft. from the player; Mic should be placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 40 degrees off- axis - and tilted upward.






3. Rotating speaker cabinet design featuring separate treble and bass drivers that can switch speeds; Speaker rotate from front to back creating a Doppler effect; Resulted in new spatial perception for each note. Stereo miked up top and single miked at






4. Polar pattern produced when you add a little bit of bidirectional to the omni pattern.






5. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






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






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






8. 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.






9. First to mass produce the condenser microphone in 1929; Improved cutting lathe technology by developing direct drive turntables; Invents 48V Phantom Power to power the new condenser microphone for Norwegian State Television.






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






11. 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.






12. 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.






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






14. 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.






15. Overall measurement close to the overall sound level in frequency response charts.






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






17. Cable wrapping method that keeps every coil on top of the next; May cause interference and tiny curls or tangles.






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






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






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






21. 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).






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






23. A stereo miking technique similar to coincident pair - where the mics are set up with some distance between them; Distance and angle of microphones may differ; Creates a more defined stereo image; Produces very sharp images; Provides more 'air'.






24. 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.






25. Occupying the same space and time.






26. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






27. 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.






28. Omnidirectional: 360






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






30. 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.






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






32. Big + & + (More front with less positive rear)






33. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






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






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






37. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






43. Omnidirectional: 0 - Cardioid: 8 - Supercardioid: 12 dB - Hypercardioid: 6 dB - Bidirectional: 0






44. A 3- mic array using omni mics with left - right and center placement; Center is placed about 5 ft. closer to the source to eliminate 'holes' in the middle and the center levels are reduced for an even sound; Forms a triangle.






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






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. Sub- frequency (below 100Hz) capture device designed for use with kick drums and floor toms as an alternative or supplement to a traditional microphone.






48. Causes an increase in low frequency response as one gets closer to the source.






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






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