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. 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.






2. Measurement similar to how our hearing works in frequency response charts.






3. Shows the max sound pressure level possible with a certain amount of distortion; Measured in dB (decibels).






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






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






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






7. Close mic placement can help guard again bleed from other instruments and takes advantage of proximity effect; Center of cone = Brighter; Outside of cone = Darker; Reflections can create phase issues (can be reduced by putting the cabinet at an angle






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






9. Aluminum Ribbon - Bi-Polar (Figure 8); Side Address; Manufactured by Shiny Box; Buttery mid- range improves digital recordings and smooths out modern treble; Best on drums - piano - overheads - and vocals where treble is focused.






10. Consumers can listen to live broadcasts over telephone lines; Individual one- way experience that required a subscription service to listen to performances.






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






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






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






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






16. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Ideal for project/home- studio applications; Low price; Remains the low cost performance standard in side- address condenser mics.






17. 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.






18. 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.






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






20. 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'.






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






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






23. Solid State and Tube.






24. + & - (Front & rear in opposite equal amounts)






25. 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.






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






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






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






29. 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.






30. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






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






32. Changes in air pressure from the front or the back can cause polarity cancellation; Sides have good rejection; Natural polar pattern is bidirectional.






33. Very robust and durable; Used in telephones until 1990's; Currently finds applications for military use.






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






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






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






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






38. 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.






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






40. Timing difference between two waves; Waves interfere cancelling each other out and altering frequency response; Measured in degrees; Can be caused by reflections of sound waves; Can be reduced by putting cabinet or amp at an angle.






41. 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.






42. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






43. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






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






45. Will yield a 6dB increase in output - but will cause a loss of high frequency response.






46. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






47. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






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






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






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