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. More compelling sound - giving both depth and perspective.






2. Measurement of Sound Pressure; stated as being N/m2 with a Newton being a measurement of force equal to about 9.8 lbs; Equal to 94dB SPL






3. Magnetic field opposite to that which presently exists; Do this on the bottom mic when miking a snare with two mics.






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






5. The outer covering of a microphone.






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






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






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






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






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






11. 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.






12. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






13. Rotating speaker cabinet design featuring separate treble and bass drivers that can switch speeds; Speaker rotate from front to back creating a Doppler effect; Resulted in new spatial perception for each note. Stereo miked up top and single miked at






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






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






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






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






18. Solid state version of the U67.






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






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






21. Shure's newer ribbon studio mics; KSM 353 & 313 (Roswellite); KSM 44 - 32 - & 27.






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






23. Fixed plate that is charged with polarized voltage found in condenser mics; Usually constructed of milled brass; Has a number of holes drilled in it to provide damping for diaphragm.






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






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






26. 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.






27. DC Voltage Req'd for capsule polarizing voltage and internal mic preamps; 3 sources: External Power Supply Unit (PSU); Phantom Power; Battery.






28. When miking an amp placing it near the center of this will make it sound brighter; Miking near the outer edge of this will make it sound darker and more mellow in tone.






29. 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.






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






31. Another name for condenser microphone.






32. 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.






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






34. 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'.






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






36. 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.






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






38. 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.






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






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






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






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






43. Coincident pairing that is at 90






44. 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.






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






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






47. - Omnidirectional: 1 - Cardioid: 1.7 - Supercardioid: 1.9 - Hypercardioid: 2 - Bidirectional: 1.7






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






49. Voltage applied to piezoelectric material will cause it to deform or change shape; NO PHANTOM POWER!






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