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 for stereo miking to ensure correct balance and imaging.






2. Commonly utilize large diaphragm dynamic mics.






3. 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






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






5. Founded AKG at the end of WWII in Austria.






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






7. Flat plate that controls or directs the flow of sound energy in a crystal/ceramic mic.






8. Shure's newer ribbon studio mics; KSM 353 & 313 (Roswellite); KSM 44 - 32 - & 27.






9. 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.






10. The method by which microphones are classified.






11. 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.






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






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






14. Captures sounds arriving 90






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






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






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






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






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






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






21. 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.






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






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






24. Term coined by Sir Charles Wheatstone derived from the Greek words 'micro' (small) & 'phon' (sound).






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






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






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






28. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






29. Works exactly like condenser mic but one of the two plates is manufactured as a capsule with a permanent static charge so there is no external power source necessary; Requires phantom or battery to charge internal mic preamp.






30. Sounds that arrive from angles other than the 0






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






32. 4 coincident mics each positioned at 90






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






34. Reduces the power of a signal used when the trim itself cannot prevent overload in the mic line level signal.






35. Radio Frequency Interference






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






37. Omnidirectional: 360






38. 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;






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






40. Modeled to mimic a human head for extremely good spatialization; Shaped like a human head.






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






42. 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.






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






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






45. The first cardioid pattern dynamic microphone.






46. Used in production sound for multiple perspectives on the set; Used in Audio Post to record a number of mics into a recorder with minimal set- up & tear down.






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






48. Shure's ribbon microphone that utilizes Roswellite to prevent ribbon damage.






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






50. Microphone consisting of two parallel metal plates - each holding an opposing charge (+ or -) and thus creating a capacitor to induce an electrical charge as sound waves move the diaphragm; Require a solid- state or tube preamplifier.