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. First microphone invented by Georg Neumann






2. 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.






3. 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






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






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






6. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






7. Used in adverse conditions to protect from elements like sand - or dust.






8. 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.






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






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






11. Adds two outer right and left rear facing mics to a Decca tree for surround sound depth.






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






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






14. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Very small and compact; Especially suitable for use with drums and brass instruments; Includes a clip to mount directly on drums.






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






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






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






18. Demonstrated the first stereophonic transmissions via the Theatrophone in 1881.






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






23. Considered to be the best mic ever made; VF14 Tube.






24. To oppose with equal weight or force as in the length of the boom arm versus the weight of the microphone.






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






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






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






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






29. Shows the max sound pressure level possible with a certain amount of distortion; Measured in dB (decibels).






30. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






32. 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.






33. 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'.






34. Device used to calibrate sound pressure measurement devices; Emits a single 1 kHz frequency over a sustained period of time.






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






36. 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.






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






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






39. 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.






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






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






42. To break down or disassemble any portion of a set or stage set- up.






43. Solid State and Tube.






44. Solid state version of the U67.






45. 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.






46. Small coil of wire wrapped around the plastic or aluminum diaphragm of a dynamic microphone.






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






48. Tube manufactured for the new version of the AKG C12 (called the C12-A); Powered by Norelco.






49. Mics placed in front of an instrument or ensemble (in a left/right fashion) to obtain an overall stereo image; Sound more open and natural; Weaker center image than X/Y; Great for creating background sounds that will blend in with foreground sounds.






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