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






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






3. Shure's ribbon microphone that utilizes Roswellite to prevent ribbon damage.






4. Stereo configuration using a spaced pair 3-10 feet apart.






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






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






7. Founded AKG at the end of WWII in Austria.






8. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






9. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






10. 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.






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






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






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






14. Big + & - (More front with less opposite rear)






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






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






17. 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.






18. The reduction in the amplitude of a wave due to the dissipation of wave energy.






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






20. Dutch broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 30cm apart and at a 90






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






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






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






24. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






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






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






27. The part of the guitar you turn to tune the strings in order to get the right sound out of the guitar when one plays.






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






29. Quartz; Barium Titaniate - Tourmaline; Rochelle Salt - and even cane sugar.






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






31. 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).






32. 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.






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






34. 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.






35. Device or transducer used for converting sound waves or acoustical energy into electrical energy






36. 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.






37. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






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






39. Term coined by Sir Charles Wheatstone derived from the Greek words 'micro' (small) & 'phon' (sound).






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






43. - Omnidirectional: 100% - Cardioid: 33% - Supercardioid: 27% - Hypercardioid: 25% - Bidirectional: 33%






44. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






46. Changes in air pressure from the front or the back can cause polarity cancellation; Sides have good rejection; Natural polar pattern is bidirectional.






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






48. 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.






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






50. Basket/grille made out of a specific type of copper wire to block protect the mic from physical damage and to protect the mic from stray RFI