Quiz 1 Flashcards
Acoustics
Science that deals with the behavior of sound and sound control;
The properties of a room that affect the quality of sound
Ambience
Sounds such as reverberation, noise, and atmosphere that form a background to the main sound
Amplifier
a device that increases the amplitude of an electric signal
Amplitude
The magnitude of a sound wave or electric signal, measured in decibels, experienced as loudness
Bandwidth
Range of frequencies that the ear, a microphone, or a piece of electronic equipment can hear, pick up, or amplify
Clipping
Audible distortion that occurs when a signals level exceeds the limits of a particular device or circuit
Compression
The drawing together of vibrating molecules, producing a high-pressure area
Decibel
A dimensionless unit used to compare the ratio of two quantities usually in relation to acoustic energy, sound as sound pressure, and electric energy, such as power and voltage
Elasticity
The capacity to return to the original shape or place after deflection or displacement
Fader
A device containing a resistor that is used to vary the output voltage of a circuit or component, aka gain
Frequency (cycles per second)
The number of times per second that a sound source vibrates, expressed in hertz (Hz); formerly expressed in cycles per second (cps)
Human hearing range
20 to 20,000 Hz
Impedance
The measure of the total resistance to the current flow in an AC circuit, expressed in ohms
In the mud
Sound level so quite that it barely “kicks” the VU or peak meter
In the red
Sound level so loud that the VU meter “rides” over the 100% of modulation
Narrative sound
Sound effects that add more to a scene than what is apparent and so perform an informational function
Microphone
A transducer that converts acoustic energy into electric energy
Mixer
A small, highly portable device that mixes various elements of sound, typically coming from multiple microphones, and performs limited processing function
Mixing board
Electronic device that amplifies, balances, processes, and combines input signals and routes them to broadcast or recording
Noise
Any unwanted sound or signal
Ohm
A unit of resistance to current flow
Off-mic
Not being within the optimal pickup pattern of a microphone; off-axis
On-mic
Being within the optimal pickup pattern of a microphone; on axis
Pitch
Psychologically perceived frequency
Rarefaction
Temporary drawing apart of vibrating molecules, causing a partial vacuum to occur
Sound envelope
Changes in the loudness of a sound over time, described as occurring in four stages: attack, initial decay, sustain, and release (ADSR)
Sound pressure level (dB-SPL)
A measure of the pressure of a sound wave, or sound-pressure level (SPL), expressed in decibels (dB)
Sound wave
A vibrational disturbance that involves mechanical motion of molecules transmitting energy from one place to another
System noise
The inherent noise that an electronic device or a system generates
Threshold of hearing
The lowest sound-pressure level at which sound becomes audible to the human ear. It is the zero reference of 0 dB-SPL
Threshold of pain
The sound-pressure level at which the ear begins to feel pain, at about 120 dB-SPL
Transducer
A device that converts one form of energy to another
Transient
A sound that begins with a sharp attack followed by a quick decay
Velocity
The speed of a sound wave: 1,130 feet per second at sea level and 70 degrees F. Velocity increases with air temperature
Waveform
A graphic representation of a sound’s characteristic shape displayed, ex, on test equipment and computer editing systems
Wavelength
The length of one cycle of a sound wave. Wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency of a sound, the shorter the wavelength
XLR connector
Common male and female microphone plugs with a three-pin connector
