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. 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






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






3. Pair of omni mic elements mounted on opposite sides of a spherical shaped capsule.






4. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






5. Captures sounds arriving 90






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






7. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






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






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






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






12. 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.






13. 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.






14. 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.






15. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






16. 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'.






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






18. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






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






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






21. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






22. 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.






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






24. A gradual - continuous decrease in low frequency response.






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






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






27. E = Blv - e - Electromotive Force (in volts) - B - is the magnetic field strength - l - is the length of the conductor - v - is the velocity of the conductor moving through the magnetic field






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






29. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






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






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






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






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






34. 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;






35. 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.






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






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






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






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






41. Most sensitive to sounds arriving from the front while rejecting sounds from rear; Shaped like a heart; Rejects most signals from 180






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






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






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






45. The moving plate of a condenser capacitor; Constructed of a thin piece of metal or thin plastic - such as Mylar - coated with gold or nickel; .05 - 10 microns thick.






46. One of the world's greatest condenser microphones prized for the CK12 capsule.






47. 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.






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






50. Condenser; Cardioid/Hypercardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AKG; Can be powered by internal 9 V battery for field recording; Improves clarity of speech with the PB 1000 Presence Boost Adapter.