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 method by which microphones are classified.






2. A flat or roughly flat strip on the neck of a stringed instrument against which the strings are pressed to shorten the vibrating length and produce notes of higher pitches.






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






4. 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.






5. Small microphone attached to the bridge of a string bass or to an acoustic guitar to amplify its sound.






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






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






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






9. Forward facing bipolar mics spaced 20cm apart.






10. When using two microphones reverse the polarity of the bottom mic.






11. Coincident stereo miking techniques that has two microphone diaphragms occupying (as near as possible) the same space; Capsules often on top of each other; Not good for noisy locations.






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






13. French physicist who pioneered piezoelectricity.






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






15. Allow sound to reach the rear of the capsule/diaphragm - to create cardioid - supercardioid - and hypercardioid patterns In single capsule pressure gradient microphones.






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






17. 4800 ft/sec






18. 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






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






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






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






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






23. Often look like handheld vocal mics; Talk or sing into the end of the microphone.






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






25. 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.






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






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






28. - Omnidirectional: 100% - Cardioid: 33% - Supercardioid: 27% - Hypercardioid: 25% - Bidirectional: 33%






29. Rotating speaker cabinet design featuring separate treble and bass drivers that can switch speeds; Speaker rotate from front to back creating a Doppler effect; Resulted in new spatial perception for each note. Stereo miked up top and single miked at






30. The head or top of the guitar where the tuning pegs are located.






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






32. 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.






33. Condenser; Multiple; Side Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AKG; Dual Diaphragm; Nine selectable pickup patterns; Peak Hold LED; The reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests.






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






35. Pure polar pattern with which the microphone is equally sensitive in all directions; Great for capturing ambiance or room reverb.






36. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






37. 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.






38. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






39. Keep in proper case; Never disassemble shockmounts






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






42. 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.






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






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






45. 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.






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






47. 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.






48. 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.






49. 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.






50. Solid state version of the U67.