Quiz 4

Question 1

Transducer

Answer 1

A device that converts one form of energy

into another.

Question 2

Dynamic Microphone

Answer 2

A microphone that trans- duces energy electromagnetically. Moving-coil and ribbon microphones are dynamic.

Question 3

Moving Coil Microphone

Answer 3

A mic with a moving-coil element. The coil is connected to a diaphragm sus- pended in a magnetic field.

Question 4

Condenser Microphone

Answer 4

A microphone that transduces acoustic energy into electric energy electrostatically. Also called capacitor microphone.

Question 5

Phantom Power

Answer 5

Operating voltage supplied to a capacitor microphone by an external power source or mixer, thereby eliminating the need to use batteries.

Question 6

Lavaliere Microphone

Answer 6

Microphone that used to be worn around the neck but is now worn attached to the clothing. Also called mini-mic.

Question 7

Shotgun Microphone

Answer 7

A highly directional micro- phone with a tube that resembles the barrel of a rifle.

Question 8

Wireless Microphone

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Diversity Reception

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

Polar / Pattern Response

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Omnidirectional

Answer 11

Microphone that picks up sound from all directions. Also called nondirectional microphone.

Question 12

Bidirectional

Answer 12

A microphone that picks up sound to its front and back and has mini- mal pickup at its sides.

Question 13

Unidirectional

Answer 13

A microphone that picks up sound from one direction. Also called directional microphone.

Question 14

Cardiod

Answer 14

A unidirectional microphone with a heart-shaped pickup pattern.

Question 15

Super/hyper Cardioid

Answer 15

The supercardioid and hypercardioid is more directional at the front than the cardioid.

Question 16

Frequency Response

Answer 16

A measure of an audio system’s ability to reproduce a range of frequencies with the same relative loudness; usually represented by a graph.

Question 17

Sensitivity

Answer 17

(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.

Question 18

Proximity effect

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

XLR Connectiors

Answer 19

Common male and female microphone plugs with a three-pin connector.

Question 20

TRS Connectors

Answer 20

(Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connectors common headphone connectors

Question 21

Balanced Line

Answer 21

A pair of ungrounded conductors whose voltages are opposite in polarity but equal in magnitude.

Question 22

Unbalenced Line

Answer 22

A line (or circuit) with two conductors of unequal voltage.

Question 23

Wind Screens

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Pop Filters

Answer 24

Foam rubber windscreen placed inside the microphone head. Particularly effective in reducing sound from plosives and blowing. Also called blast filter. See also windscreen.

Question 25

Shock Mount

Answer 25

A device that isolates a microphone from mechanical vibrations. It can be attached externally or built into a microphone.

Question 26

Pads

Answer 26

An attenuator inserted into a component or system to reduce level.

Question 27

Low-Frequency Rolloff (HPF)

Answer 27

suppress the recording of all low frequencies, like handling noise and wind, but can make your recording sound a bit flat.

Question 28

Phase vs. Polarity

Answer 28

phase = time
polarity = -/+

Question 29

Tabletop Reflections (phase)

Answer 29

make sure that its head is not par- allel to or facing the tabletop.

Question 30

three-to-one rule

Answer 30

spacing the mic in distances of 3 to 1 units to avoid phase issues

Question 31

Mic Position 45º

Answer 31

Setting a mic at a 45º angle to a source to avoid popping.

Question 32

Direct Box

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

Isolation Booth

Answer 33

non-reflective walls, lined with acoustic foam that eliminate potential reverberations.