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. Subtractive; Additive; Resynthesis; Frequency Modulation; Phase Distortion; Wavetable; Pulse Code Modulation; Granular; Graintable Synthesis; Physical Modeling; Analog Modeling






2. Ground






3. Circuits on a synth that determine the character of the attack and release of a tone can be controlled; Controls how sound changes over time; Most commonly on amplifier circuit






4. 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






5. Uses sound of a single note which is sampled and stored as an oscillator waveform; Allow for more complex sounds which produces richer - more realistic tones; Allow one to crossfade between different waveforms over time






6. Permanent; Original placement of notes is lost and only the quantized version remains






7. 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






8. Japanese MIDI Standards Committee; Defines MIDI specifications & coordinates with manufacturers and users in the Asian and Pacific Rim regions






9. The extent to which schemas and concepts are at the forefront of people's minds and are therefore likely to be used






10. Sony-Philips digital interface format






11. Voltage Controlled Filter; Voltage amount changes harmonic content






12. MIDI Note #60 (Roland Standard)






13. 12 notes; Change between B & C






14. Determined by time signature; Added together to form the full bar






15. Connects computer to MIDI device; All MIDI routing and communication is handled by the computer






16. Individual edit window to alter MIDI parameters such as pitch bend and volume






17. Voltage Controlled Amplifier; Controls Amplitude






18. LFO is routed to low pass filter






19. A curve or surface






20. Audio interface that includes 8 mic preamps - a sophisticated DSP cue mixer - and a comprehensive array of digital I/O; Allows one to record 24- bit audio at up to 192kHz.






21. Simple waveform is changed by modulating it with another waveform creating a new - more complex waveform with a different tone and character; Used in Yamaha DX & TX series in 1980's






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






23. Pitch Bend + Channel (S) => Coarse Tune (D1) => Fine Tune (D2)






24. Multi Mode; Performance (Perf) Mode; Sequence Mode






25. Two or more sounds play simultaneously on the same channel






26. Limits the playback of a certain sample to a certain range on the MIDI keyboard; May sample multiple notes per octave to maintain realism of sampled instruments






27. Inputs 2 frequencies; Outputs only the sum of and difference of the frequencies; Usually used with one simple - fixed oscillator tone - and a more complex sound like speech or singing to create 'talk box' effect






28. Drum sequencer that comes packaged with Logic Pro






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






30. MIDI Manufacturers Association; Defines MIDI specifications & coordinates with manufacturers and users in Americas & Europe






31. Powerful feature of MIDI editing that fixes timing issues; Moves notes to a predetermined grid by dividing the PPQN into common note value divisions






32. Device receives only on an assigned selectable data; Ability to play ONLY one note at a time






33. Very common technique; Utilizes initial attack and loops a small part of remaining audio file






34. 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






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






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






37. Place sounds in the stereo field within the device






38. Height (or loudness) of a waveform






39. Define whether an instrument will respond to one or more channels and how many notes it will play back at once






40. Same as square; Odd numbered multiples of harmonics - but the amplitude is decreasing more rapidly






41. +5 Bias Voltage; Provides +5V to 1's in binary code data






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






43. 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






44. Determined by dividing PPQN into common note values (1/8th - 1/16th - 1/32nd - 1/64th - 1/128th - etc.)






45. Dum machine that featured 12- bit sampling; 99- track sequencer with a 60 -000 note capacity; Debuted the familiar 4 x 4 grid of drum pads






46. Actual data; 'Note #'; Provides information and data the status byte uses to do its job; Uses an 8- bit system; Represented by msb = 0






47. Determines the layout of MIDI channels for each of the multitimbral parts






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






49. The first sequencer developed for custom- built electronic instruments; Developed by Raymond Scott in 1950's






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