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. Coincident pairing angled between 90






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






3. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






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






5. Captures sounds arriving 90






6. 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.






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






8. Known as 'The Bottle' this was the first mass - produced condenser mic.






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






10. 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.






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






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






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






14. Omnidirectional: 360






15. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Small condenser design that is great for instrument recording.






16. 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.






17. The first dynamic microphone with changeable polar patterns.






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






19. Bell Labs scientist that was an innovator of many spaced pair and arrayed miking techniques.






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






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






22. 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.






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






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






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






26. 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.






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






28. 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;






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






30. Solid State and Tube.






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






32. Adds two outer right and left rear facing mics to a Decca tree for surround sound depth.






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






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






35. The outer covering of a microphone.






36. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






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






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






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






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






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






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






43. 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






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






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






46. Sounds that arrive at the 0






47. 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'.






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






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






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