Test your basic knowledge |

Show Production Basics

Subject : performing-arts
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. Covers a room from a single line of speakers over the rest of the venue saving time and labor costs; Multiple speakers hung together - either vertically or horizontally - so that they can act as one huge speaker






2. Can quickly change gain in response to many different detectors looking at same signal; Used in really tough situations where u want strict control over level and dynamics






3. Final stage of protection; Protects each frequency band from overload






4. 1st U.S. President to have speeches publicized via loudspeaker to large crowds






5. 1st to use a foldback monitor system at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium in 1961






6. Developed for the motion picture industry and used for live event production


7. Developed first microphone; Telephone transmitter invented for Alexander Graham Bell in 1876; Patented the first flat disc gramophone






8. 1st stage of protection; Prevents damage to sound system by limiting and/or compressing overall ouput






9. Created the audion tube which amplified weak radio signals thus making modern electronics possible






10. Radial horn with vanes placed in the mouth of the horn for the stated purpose of pattern control






11. False






12. Primary purpose is to send signal to additional sound systems






13. Feedback eliminated - stage volume reduced - and 'roaming' problems decreased






14. Converts one type of energy to another






15. Random noise that is at equal energy at all frequencies






16. This button will route aux sends to group master






17. Stage area to the rear of stage performers that is furthest away from the audience






18. 1st portable public P/A system used by Knute Rockne of Notre Dame for coaching the football team from a tower






19. Vacuum tube that improved and amplified weak wireless signals






20. From the FOH; Can be used in addition to stereo clusters of speakers to give a stronger center channel; Generally used for lead vocals






21. Patched into EFFECTS / AUXILIARY SENDS






22. Line of sight to the speakers is necessary (false sense of high frequencies if not directly in front of speakers); Optimum = Center or just off center of the main floor with a good distance for imaging and where the entire system can be heard






23. Attempt to emulate the singer's manners and techniques as much as possible






24. System for feeding one or more separate mixes to the performers for use while recording and overdubbing; Also known as a Cue Mix ~ MONITORS






25. Semicircular; Acts as a natural acoustic amplifier






26. False






27. System for the artists; Each band member receives their own personal mix; Up to 24 individual mixes for 1 engineer to manage






28. Running monitors; Running house system; Communicating with the stage






29. 'Wrote the book' on practically all aspects of loudspeaker component and horn design; Most speaker systems today rely on this technology; Began as Western Electric






30. From the Monitor Desk; Monitors that are located behind the artist and pointed downstage to cover area that cannot be covered by the floor wedges on the front line






31. The angle between an incoming wave and an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the surface of the new medium






32. Splits full range audio into frequencies from high end of the spectrum to the high speakers - mids to the mid speakers and lows to the low speakers






33. Attempt to emulate the singer's manners and techniques as much as possible






34. Used to mount speakers for 'flying sound'; Contains a basket - shackle - stinger - chain hook - chain - motor - motor hook - spansets and truss






35. From the FOH; Can be used in addition to stereo clusters of speakers to give a stronger center channel; Generally used for lead vocals






36. Polar Patterns; Sensitivity of Microphones; Placement of Microphones ~ The goal is to decrease ambient noise and only amplify the desired signal






37. P/A






38. From the FOH; Covers audience members seated very close to the stage that will not be covered by direct sound from the FOH speaker system






39. Processing needed to run the sound system (EQ - Limiter - Crossover)






40. FOH sound engineers for Woodstock; Used JBL/Altec cabinets - Crown/Macintosh amplifiers - and custom Hanley consoles






41. True






42. Best to keep drive and effects racks separate to avoid confusion






43. When the volume over the headphones is affected by the channel fader; Generally more useful on a single channel; Common for an AUX OUT to be added to this mix so the engineer can listen to the signal being sent to that aux






44. Large format live console for show production and sound reinforcement






45. Typically contains 4 amplifiers on average (Max = 6);






46. Converts electrical information into acoustic energy






47. Located in Windsor - England; Fleetwood Mac used 1000 watts of pure Hi-Fi power here for the first time






48. Vocals --> (Basic Rhythm) Kick - Snare - Hat --> Primary Instruments --> Toms - FX - etc.






49. Allows use of two or more consoles; 1 House & 1 Monitor; Can be wall mounted or placed in a rack; Basically a big set of Y-cables in a box; Does not belong in FOH area






50. Setting the levels to get the best signal transfer through a console; Always start with the stereo bus - channel and monitor faders set to 0dB (Unity Gain) then adjust preamp for initial volume