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 world's first single element cardioid mics.






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






3. To capture two perspectives on the same sound.






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






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






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






7. The first AKG dynamic microphone.






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






9. Condenser; Cardioid; End Address; 48V Required; Manufactured by AudioTechnica; Switchable 80 Hz Hi-Pass Filter; Ideal for professional recording and critical applications in broadcast.






10. 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.






11. Modern drummer who has created a large kit and innovated several ways of capturing the sound from his massive kit.






12. 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.






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






14. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Shure; Popular musicians' choice due to its sturdy construction and ability to work well with instruments that produce high sound pressure levels.






15. Used by government agencies to determine safe sound exposure levels (in dB) over a period of time; 85 - 90 dB = 16 hrs. of safe exposure time at 85 dB; Decreases to 8 hrs. of safe exposure time at 90 dB.






16. More compelling sound - giving both depth and perspective.






17. 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;






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






19. EMI employee that was the innovator of many coincident pairing mic techniques; Mid/Side & Blumlein techniques are associated with him.






20. 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.






21. Raises the body of the microphone increasing height.






22. The arm of the mic stand; Includes the angle adjust & telescopic adjust.






23. Shows the total range of the mic's internal pre- amp; Measured in dB (decibels).






24. + & + (Front & rear in equal positive amounts)






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






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






27. 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'.






28. 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






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






30. 12V DC; 24V DC; 48V DC






31. 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.






32. Big + & - (More front with less opposite rear)






33. 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.






34. Radio Frequency Interference






35. 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.






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






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






38. Dynamic; Cardioid; End Address; Manufactured by Sennheiser; Unique mic clip with quick- release button; Large diaphragm dynamic element handles high SPL's - making it great for recording guitars and drums.






39. Occupying the same space and time.






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






41. The graphic representation plot of the sensitivity of a microphone from any direction over a 360






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






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






44. Bioacoustic Research; Documentary Journalism; Radio; Film/TV Production; Audio Post Production.






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






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






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






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






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






50. 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.