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. Small Diaphragm Electret condensers; Extremely flat frequency response; Omnidirectional pattern.






2. 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.






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






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






5. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






6. The method by which microphones are classified.






7. 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.






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






9. Increasing magnetic field strength is the only practical means of increasing output voltage; Conductor movement is limited due to tension of the ribbon; and ribbon length increases lead to a loss of high frequency response.






10. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






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






12. Coincident pairing that is at 90






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






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






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






16. 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.






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






18. 1 Bidirectional & 1 Cardioid placed coincidentally; Bidirectional faces left and right and cardioid faces the sound; Gives control of the focus and size of the stereo image;






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






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






21. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






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






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






24. Three or more microphones working together to capture a stereo or surround image of the sound source.






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






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






27. The outer covering of a microphone.






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






29. Radio Frequency Interference






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






31. Modern drummer who has created a large kit and innovated several ways of capturing the sound from his massive kit.






32. 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.






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






34. 4800 ft/sec






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






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






37. More compelling sound - giving both depth and perspective.






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






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






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






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






42. 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.






43. 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.






44. 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






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






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






47. Used by government agencies to determine safe sound exposure levels (in dB) over a period of time; 85 - 90 dB = 16 hrs. of safe exposure time at 85 dB; Decreases to 8 hrs. of safe exposure time at 90 dB.






48. 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.






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