Quiz 4 Flashcards
Transducer
A device that converts one form of energy
into another.
Dynamic Microphone
A microphone that trans- duces energy electromagnetically. Moving-coil and ribbon microphones are dynamic.
Moving Coil Microphone
A mic with a moving-coil element. The coil is connected to a diaphragm sus- pended in a magnetic field.
Condenser Microphone
A microphone that transduces acoustic energy into electric energy electrostatically. Also called capacitor microphone.
Phantom Power
Operating voltage supplied to a capacitor microphone by an external power source or mixer, thereby eliminating the need to use batteries.
Lavaliere Microphone
Microphone that used to be worn around the neck but is now worn attached to the clothing. Also called mini-mic.
Shotgun Microphone
A highly directional micro- phone with a tube that resembles the barrel of a rifle.
Wireless Microphone
System consisting of a transmitter that sends a microphone signal to a receiver connected to a console or recorder. Also
called cordless, FM, radio, and transmitter microphone.
Diversity Reception
a method of radio reception in which the best signal impulse is automatically selected from among those available (as those produced by several antennas in different locations)
Polar / Pattern Response
The graph of a microphone’s directional characteristics as seen from above. The graph indicates response over a 360-degree circum- ference in a series of concentric circles, each rep- resenting a 5 dB loss in level as the circles move inward toward the center. Also called pickup pattern
Omnidirectional
Microphone that picks up sound from all directions. Also called nondirectional microphone.
Bidirectional
A microphone that picks up sound to its front and back and has mini- mal pickup at its sides.
Unidirectional
A microphone that picks up sound from one direction. Also called directional microphone.
Cardiod
A unidirectional microphone with a heart-shaped pickup pattern.
Super/hyper Cardioid
The supercardioid and hypercardioid is more directional at the front than the cardioid.
Frequency Response
A measure of an audio system’s ability to reproduce a range of frequencies with the same relative loudness; usually represented by a graph.
Sensitivity
(1) Measurement of the voltage (dBV) a microphone produces, which indicates its effi- ciency. (2) The sound-pressure level directly in front of the loudspeaker, on-axis, at a given distance and produced by a given amount of power.
Proximity effect
Increase in the bass response of some mics as the distance between the mic and its sound source is decreased. Also known as bass tip-up.
XLR Connectiors
Common male and female microphone plugs with a three-pin connector.
TRS Connectors
(Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connectors common headphone connectors
Balanced Line
A pair of ungrounded conductors whose voltages are opposite in polarity but equal in magnitude.
Unbalenced Line
A line (or circuit) with two conductors of unequal voltage.
Wind Screens
Foam rubber covering specially designed to fit over the outside of a microphone head. Used to reduce plosive and blowing sounds. See also pop filter.
Pop Filters
Foam rubber windscreen placed inside the microphone head. Particularly effective in reducing sound from plosives and blowing. Also called blast filter. See also windscreen.
Shock Mount
A device that isolates a microphone from mechanical vibrations. It can be attached externally or built into a microphone.
Pads
An attenuator inserted into a component or system to reduce level.
Low-Frequency Rolloff (HPF)
suppress the recording of all low frequencies, like handling noise and wind, but can make your recording sound a bit flat.
Phase vs. Polarity
phase = time polarity = -/+
Tabletop Reflections (phase)
make sure that its head is not par- allel to or facing the tabletop.
three-to-one rule
spacing the mic in distances of 3 to 1 units to avoid phase issues
Mic Position 45º
Setting a mic at a 45º angle to a source to avoid popping.
Direct Box
a device typically used in recording studios to connect a high-impedance, line level, unbalanced output signal to a low-impedance microphone level balanced input, usually via XLR connector.
Isolation Booth
non-reflective walls, lined with acoustic foam that eliminate potential reverberations.
