Test your basic knowledge |

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. Receive






2. Digital sampling but sounds are divided into small pieces of sound lasting from 1 to 50 milliseconds; Sounds are layered on top of one another and can be adjusted by speed - phase angle - and volume






3. Keys transmit directly to the internal sound engine of a keyboard (and usually to the MIDI OUT Port as well)






4. Advantage: Higher stability; Disadvantages: Lower memory (RAM) amount & separate media for samples






5. Digital recordings triggered by MIDI






6. Digital audio workstation platform for Mac OS X and Windows operating systems; Developed and manufactured by Avid Technology






7. Communications language based on the Master Device/Slave Device protocol used in synchronization systems; MIDI is NOT audio...it is performance data only






8. Only recording the performance and not the actual sounds; Completely editable and changeable post- recording






9. Sound generating device with no integral keyboard






10. This changes when keys are pressed above or below the key note; Alters the playback speed of the sample






11. CRedited with being the first to create and transmit music electronically; 'Singing Telegraph' (1867)






12. Contains harmoics and all odd and even harmonics; 6dB roll off between octaves; Same starting phases






13. Message sent when note is played (key pressed)






14. Added subtractive synthesis to the E- Mu Emulator






15. A device that 'conditions' the electrical supply to take out spikes and surges.






16. Alters the phase angle of a waveform 'bending' the shape to create a unique character or tone






17. Using an envelope generator on an oscillator does this...






18. How quickly sound reaches its peak volume when key is pressed






19. Each pass will combine new MIDI data with old MIDI data already recorded onto track; Most commonly used; Allows looping and the ability to work at desired pace






20. Used with very large sampled instruments on a software based system; Initial transient of a sample loaded into RAM and audio file is streamed from hard drive in real time






21. Used as a modulation source; Usually below 20Hz (.01 - 10Hz); Most common waveform is the sine - though there is often a choice; Defines vibrato - tremolo - and wah; Allows periodic changes to sound






22. Determines the point at which a filter begins altering harmonics or frequencies






23. Recreating a natural sound by using additive synthesis techniques; Requires powerful and expensive hardware; Replaced with the advent of digital sampling






24. Device receives on any and all channels but merges all the data together to one specific channel and then plays all notes received as the one sound assigned to that channel; Ability to play MORE than one note at a time






25. Electronic tape- based keyboard instrument featuring prerecorded sounds; Tape bank could be removed and loaded with different sounds






26. Allows bidirectional communication between MIDI device and computer






27. Note ON; Note OFF; Program Change; MONO Pressure; POLY Pressure; Pitch Bend; Control Change






28. Conveys the amount of overall (average) pressure on ALL the keys at a given point






29. (Deutsche Industrie Norm) ~ Cable standard that transfers MIDI data; Uses only pins 2 - 4 - & 5






30. MIDI interface designed to work with the USB protocol - as well as both Mac and PC serial ports; 8-Input & 8-Output; Uses a clever look- ahead buffering system to improve the timing of MIDI signals at the interface ports.






31. POLY Pressure + Channel (S) => Note # (D1) => Amount (D2)






32. Modulation technique in which the amplitude of the carrier signal is modified by the application of a data signal






33. Buzz in audio or hum bar in video signal caused by slightly different grounds that are interconnected by a wire (interconnecting equipment that's plugged into different power sources)






34. Hardware; Stand alone hardware MIDI sequencers designed to record - edit - and playback MIDI data only; Offer high stability and portability - but have low resolution (24-96 PPQN) and a lack of editing facilities






35. Direct copy of any MIDI data arriving at the MIDI IN Port; Device without a MIDI thru connector must be placed at the end of a MIDI chain






36. Changes some aspect of sound depending on how FAST you strike the keys; Commonly called 'Velocity Sensitivity;' Volume - Filter & Layers are typical examples






37. Musical Instrument Digital Interface






38. Status Byte (S) => Data 1 (D1) => Data 2 (D2)






39. Drum machine that generates its sounds using six powerful analog synthesis voices; Runs an innovative - performance- oriented operating system that manipulates beats and sounds in real time without ever stopping play






40. Maximum of 3 MIDI Slave Devices can be wired past the Master Device according to the MMA; All MIDI IN Ports are optically isolated to prevent hum - buzz - ground looping - and RF interference.






41. MIDI Out (Master) --> MIDI In (MIDI Interface) --> Travels via Dual Serial (USB) both to and from interface --> MIDI Out (MIDI Interface) --> MIDI In (Slave) --> Audio Out (Slave) --> Audio In (Mixer or Audio Interface) --> Audio Out (Speakers)






42. Determines which note on the MIDI keyboard will play the sample at its original pitch and speed; Almost always set to Middle C






43. Filter Type & Slope; Cutoff Frequency; Resonance (Emphasis); Key Tracking






44. Mark of the Unicorn; Runs on Mac only; Used for film scoring or sound design






45. Ability of audio equipment to reproduce fast changes in amplitude; Measured in volts per microsecond; Low slew rate 'softens' the attack of a signal; High frequencies change in amplitude the fastest so slew rate is critical






46. Transmit






47. Used in the Reason software package; Combination of the features of Wavetable and Granular synthesis; Allows selection of particular wavetables that have been broken down into grain clouds for further manipulation






48. The transmission of an audio signal by using it to vary a carrier wave (amplitude of frequency)






49. Most common type; Oscillators generate all of harmonic content and filters are used to subtract overtones from the sound; Think sculpture reference (from block to statue)






50. Speed of a waveform (cycles per second)