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






2. Derived from two words; 'electr' from electrostatic and 'et' from magnet.






3. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






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






6. Omnidirectional: N/ - Cardioid: 180






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






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






9. 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.






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






11. 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.






12. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






13. 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'.






14. Mid-Section of the mic stand; Includes the clutch.






15. Condenser; Cardioid; Side Address; 48V Required; Large Diaphragm; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low- frequency distortion.






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






17. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






18. Sounds that may be broadcast over the radio or internet.






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






26. Method of creating low end effects from a bass drum by creating a tunnel at the mic end thus trapping sound and amplifying low end boost.






27. 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.






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






29. The part of the guitar you turn to tune the strings in order to get the right sound out of the guitar when one plays.






30. 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






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






32. An extremely strong acoustic nano- film designed to replace the foil ribbon in ribbon microphones.






33. 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.






34. 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.






35. Filters only the bandwidth of frequencies that are supposed to (or allowed) to pass through; High and Low Pass are examples.






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






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. 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.






42. 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.






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






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






45. One of the oldest mics; Diaphragm mounted on & compresses cup of tiny granules of carbon (100 microns big) that increase current flow when compressed by sound waves and vary electrical current; Also called Resistance Mics;






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






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






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






49. 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.






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