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. 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).






2. 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.






3. 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.






4. Measurement of the mic's sensitivity; Measured in mV/Pa (millivolts per Pascal).






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






6. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






7. The tuning machines of a guitar; Part of the tuning key that strings are threaded through and twisted.






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






9. Vintage Tube Mics hold voltage after being unplugged; Be sure grounds are connected to power cord and that the charge has left microphone prior to striking.






10. Solid State and Tube.






11. Modeled to mimic a human head for extremely good spatialization; Shaped like a human head.






12. Responds to air pressure variations outside of the capsule; Not selective of direction; Natural polar pattern is omnidirectional.






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






14. Consumers can listen to live broadcasts over telephone lines; Individual one- way experience that required a subscription service to listen to performances.






15. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






16. 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.






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






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






19. 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.






20. The combination of the ribbon and magnet in a ribbon microphone.






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






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






23. 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.






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






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






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






27. 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.






28. Bioacoustic Research; Documentary Journalism; Radio; Film/TV Production; Audio Post Production.






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






30. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. 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.






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






40. Utilized primarily on condenser and ribbon mics to isolate it from vibrations that might otherwise be transmitted to the microphone through the mic stand.






41. Shows the total range of the mic's internal pre- amp; Measured in dB (decibels).






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






43. Most sensitive to sounds arriving from the front while rejecting sounds from rear; Shaped like a heart; Rejects most signals from 180






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






45. 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.






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






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






48. A flat or roughly flat strip on the neck of a stringed instrument against which the strings are pressed to shorten the vibrating length and produce notes of higher pitches.






49. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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