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






2. 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).






3. 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.






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






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






6. Extremely narrow area of sensitivity in front with extended reach; Also has multiple lobes which vary in position with frequency; Not made from combining pure patterns - but created by using an interference tube.






7. 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.






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






9. Bioacoustic Research; Documentary Journalism; Radio; Film/TV Production; Audio Post Production.






10. French broadcasting stereo mic technique; An X-Y type with the mics 17cm apart and at a 110






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






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






13. 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.






14. 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.






15. 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.






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






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






18. 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.






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






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






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






22. EMI employee that was the innovator of many coincident pairing mic techniques; Mid/Side & Blumlein techniques are associated with him.






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






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






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






26. 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.






27. Often look like large diaphragm studio mics; Talk or sing into the side of the microphone.






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






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






30. 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.






31. 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.






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






33. 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.






34. Sensitive in a narrower pattern in the front than a cardioid and has a prominent/pronounced lobe at rear; Rejects most signals from 110






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






36. The lowest - and usually most intense - frequency of a complex sound; Most often perceived as the sound's basic pitch.






37. 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;






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. Responds to air pressure variations outside of the capsule; Not selective of direction; Natural polar pattern is omnidirectional.






40. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






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






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






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






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






45. 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






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






47. A 3- mic array using omni mics with left - right and center placement; Center is placed about 5 ft. closer to the source to eliminate 'holes' in the middle and the center levels are reduced for an even sound; Forms a triangle.






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






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






50. Characterized by a vacuum tube transducer; Heat rises so many are hung upside down to prevent heat from reaching the microphone head; Avoid jostling or shaking these fragile mics.