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. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






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






4. Solid state version of the U67.






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






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






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






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






10. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






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






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






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






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






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






16. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by Neumann; Consists of three compact miniature microphones; Has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz that provides tonal balance that is fresher and livelier.






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






18. Electro- acoustic device attached to a transducer that vibrates to receive or produce sound waves which put the device into motion.






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






20. Close mic placement can help guard again bleed from other instruments and takes advantage of proximity effect; Center of cone = Brighter; Outside of cone = Darker; Reflections can create phase issues (can be reduced by putting the cabinet at an angle






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






22. 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.






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






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






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






26. One of the world's greatest condenser microphones prized for the CK12 capsule.






27. Flat plate that controls or directs the flow of sound energy in a crystal/ceramic mic.






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. 4800 ft/sec






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






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






35. Reduces the power of a signal used when the trim itself cannot prevent overload in the mic line level signal.






36. Aluminum Ribbon - Bi-Polar (Figure 8); Side Address; Manufactured by Shiny Box; Buttery mid- range improves digital recordings and smooths out modern treble; Best on drums - piano - overheads - and vocals where treble is focused.






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






38. + (only); (Front capsule alone)






39. The method by which microphones are classified.






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






41. Condenser; Cardioid/Hypercardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AKG; Can be powered by internal 9 V battery for field recording; Improves clarity of speech with the PB 1000 Presence Boost Adapter.






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






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






44. Verify that the boom is placed over a microphone leg prior to use to provide added balance and stability.






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






46. 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'.






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. 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.






49. 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.






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