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. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






2. 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.






3. Best signal- to- noise ratio; Minimal phase cancellation; Quality representation of what is being recorded; Attempt to ignore unwanted external noise.






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






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






6. Mics in which sound waves vibrate a piezoelectric crystal that generates a varying voltage.






7. Never store mic in a damp place; Keep dirt & dust away from the mic; Never 'pop' test the mic; Check if a mic is working by lightly scratching the grill.






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






9. Measurement of the mic's sensitivity; Measured in mV/Pa (millivolts per Pascal).






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






11. Solid State and Tube.






12. When using multiple microphones - the distance between microphones should be at least 3 times the distance from each microphone to its intended sound source.






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






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






16. Older ribbon microphone weighing 8.5 lbs. nearly all of it the large magnet!






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






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






19. Determined by: Ribbon Thickness (about 3 to 6 microns); Corrugations/Inch; Tension of the Ribbon.






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






21. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






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






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






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






26. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Electro Voice; Large Diaphragm; Humbucking Coil; Bass Roll Off Switch; Minimizes proximity effect; Ideal for broadcasting and sound engineering techniques.






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






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






29. Small microphone attached to the bridge of a string bass or to an acoustic guitar to amplify its sound.






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






31. Allows all low frequencies to pass; Blocks the higher frequencies from being processed.






32. Radio Frequency Interference






33. 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.






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






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






36. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






37. Omnidirectional: 360






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






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






40. Pair of omni mic separated by a circular absorptive baffle.






41. 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.






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






43. The method by which microphones are classified.






44. Microphone with 4 large diaphragm condenser capsules; 3 bidirectional and 1 omni; Can be combined to make any polar pattern.






45. 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.






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






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






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






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






50. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Popular musicians' choice due to its sturdy construction and ability to work well with instruments that produce high sound pressure levels.