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






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






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






4. The outer covering of a microphone.






5. 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.






6. Early example of switchable polar patterns; Had both a dynamic and a ribbon capsule inside of it which when combined produced other polar patterns.






7. Captures sounds arriving 90






8. Tough & rugged microphone that contains an element consisting of a dome- shaped diaphragm and a moving 'voice coil'; Operates on principles of magnetic induction.






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






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






11. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by Neumann; Consists of three compact miniature microphones; Has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz that provides tonal balance that is fresher and livelier.






12. 2 - 4 ft. from player; Placed below the line of sight of the bell - rotated at about 30 degrees off axis - and tilted upward.






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






14. Small coil of wire wrapped around the plastic or aluminum diaphragm of a dynamic microphone.






15. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






16. 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






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






18. An electromagnetic microphone - in which a thin - corrugated ribbon is suspended within a high magnetic flux field; Excellent transient response due to the small amount of acoustic energy required to move diaphragm.






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






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






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






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






23. 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






24. 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.






25. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






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






27. 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.






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






29. Used to filter heating current in certain mics; Invented by Georg Neumann.






30. Used for stereo miking to ensure correct balance and imaging.






31. 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.






32. 4800 ft/sec






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






34. Tube microphone capable of SPL's over 140dB.






35. 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.






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






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






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






39. 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.






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






41. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






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






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






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






45. Barrier made of shaped wire covered with a piece of nylon that is placed between a sensitive mic and the talent to avoid damage to the diaphragm of the mic.






46. Angle of maximum signal rejection in a microphone polar pattern.






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






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






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






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