Chapter 6

Question 1

1. Microphone is a generic term that is used to refer to any element which transforms ___ into ___.
2. A microphone is therefore, one type of ___.

Answer 1

1. acoustic energy (sound) / electrical energy (audio signal)
   2, transducer

Question 2

By far the most common type of microphone sound work is the ___. This type of microphone is like a miniature ___. They can serve dual functions such as ___ and ___.

Answer 2

dynamic
loud speaker
loud speaker and microphone (intercoms)

Question 3

Dynamic microphones are ___, ___, and ___.

Answer 3

dependent, rugged and reliable

Question 4

___ are the most common microphone type. A voltage is applied to the diaphragm by an external ___. These elements produce a signal voltage with almost no power., so a ___ is built in. Because of the design, it can respond very ___ and ___ to sound.

Answer 4

Condensers
power supply
amp
quickly and accurately

Question 5

___ are condensers that have diaphragms that have plastic that retain a static charge indefinitely. These still require a ___ amplifier. The amplifier often is powered within a battery within __ and __ volts housed in the microphone case.

Answer 5

Electrets
built in
1.5 and 9

Question 6

The ___ type is one of the earliest microphone types. They do not sound very good, but are ___ and can be used in places that might ___. They can lose some efficiency and become noisy if the carbon granules become compacted; but simply ___ usually fixes this problem.

Answer 6

carbon
durable / explode (mines, refineries, etc.)
tapping the element against a hard surface

Question 7

___ microphones typically have poor sound quality but are quite inexpensive. Properly implemented, a ___ element can perform very well and the principle is often used for contact pickups. They can be damaged irreparably by physical abuse and are susceptible to both ___ and ___.

Answer 7

Pizeoelectric
crystal
heat and humidity

Question 8

By far the most common microphone design is the ___. The most common pattern in this microphone is the ___. Rubber shock mounts and protective screens are common.

Answer 8

hand-held

cardioid

Question 9

___ microphones are very small and are designed to be attached to the user. Since they affixed to the performer, the distance between source and microphone is constant and the constant and the sound quality is therefore consistent. They must be mounted with care to avoid ___.

Answer 9

Lavalier

clothing noise

Question 10

Microphones are classified not only by the method of transduction, but also by their ___. The ___ is the way in which the element responds to sounds coming in from different directions.

Answer 10

pick-up pattern

pick-up pattern

Question 11

The ___ is the most popular of all microphone pick-up patterns. The directional qualities of this make it a natural choice for ___. It’s called this because the pattern resembles a ___.

Answer 11

cardioid
sound reinforcement
heart

Question 12

___ elements, as their name implies, picks up sound more - or less equally - from all directions. They are not typically used in sound reinforcement. Many believe that ___ are better, but these have better low frequency response and less susceptibility to breath and wind noise.

Answer 12

omni-directional

cardioids

Question 13

The ___ is a highly directional microphone. They are used in special circumstances where greater side rejection is desired, but some rear pickup may be tolerated. Because of the concentrated forward lobe, they also may reach further than the typical __ and are sometimes used for pickup of relatively different sources.

Answer 13

super cardioid

cardioid

Question 14

___ pickups are designed to detect sound waves in a solid medium. They are used almost exclusively for ___ and their placement is extremely critical.

Answer 14

Contact

instruments

Question 15

Many microphones exhibit a response peak in the ____ (upper or lower) frequencies. ___ (uniform or formed) frequency response is a characteristic of good, quality mics.

Answer 15

upper

uniform

Question 16

___ effect is an increase in low frequency response when a microphone is very close to the sound source. It is inherent characteristic of directional microphone. ___ and ___ often use this effect to add fullness to the sound of the voice.

Answer 16

Proximity

Announcers and vocalists

Question 17

___ response is a measure of a microphone’s ability to render very sharp, fast changes. It’s important for things such as drums and plucked stringed instruments. The ___ (bigger / smaller) microphone, the better the response.

Answer 17

transient

smaller

Question 18

Transduction elements themselves generate ___ (large / small) signal levels.

Answer 18

small

Question 19

Microphones are usually divided into to basic classes. What are they? Most professional microphones are ___. Pezioelectric contact pickups, guitar pickups and inexpensive microphones are usually ___.

Answer 19

high impedance and low impedance
low impedance
high impedance

Question 20

___ impedance mics can drive cables hundreds of feet long where ___ impedance mics are limited to about 20’ long.

Answer 20

low

high

Question 21

Match    
Balanced / Unbalanced
1. Is a two-wire system
2. Almost always used for low-impedance microphones.
3. More immune to noise.
4. A 3-wire system.
5. Connector is a three-pin XLR type.
6. The connector is the quarter inch phone connector.

Answer 21

1 = unbalanced
2 = balanced
3 = balanced
4 = balanced
5 = balanced
6 = unbalanced

Question 22

A wireless microphone system consists of a ___, ___, and ___. It also adds the burden and headache that comes with any ___ system. Wireless mics from one manufacturer ___ (will / will not) usually be compatible with equipment from another.

Answer 22

microphone, transmitter and receiver.
RF
will not