Sound

Question 1

Audio Amplifier

Answer 1

Electronic equipment that increases
the level of a sound signal
Synonym: Amp, Amplifier, Power Amplifier

Question 2

Audio Assistant

Answer 2

Person who works under the
direction of the Audio Department Head
Synonym: A2

Question 3

Audio Department Head

Answer 3

Person in charge of the
audio crew
Synonym: A1

Question 4

Audio Mixer Console

Answer 4

receives audio inputs for
selecting, processing and blending the output to
other audio equipment
Synonym: Audio Board, Audio Desk, Board, Console,
Mixer, Mixing Board

Question 5

Auxiliary Send

Answer 5

A path for sending audio from a
channel strip to an additional destination beyond its
main assigned path

Question 6

Auxiliary Return

Answer 6

Auxiliary Return: A path used for bringing a signal
back into a mixer. Often used to bring the output of
external effects, such as echo, delay, and reverb into
a console.
Synonym: Aux Input

Question 7

Balanced Cable

Answer 7

Used with balanced signal. A
microphone cable.

Question 8

Balanced Signal:

Answer 8

Type of audio signal with two
conductors plus shield
Synonym: Balanced Line

Question 9

Block Diagram

Answer 9

A line and box-based visualization of
audio and control signal paths in a system.

Question 10

Cardioid

Answer 10

A unidirectional microphone pickup
pattern characterized by its inverted heart shape.
The narrowest pattern is Hyper-_______

Question 11

Compressor

Answer 11

Reduces the level of an audio signal if
its amplitude exceeds a certain threshold.
Decibel: a unit used to measure the intensity of a
sound or the power level of an electrical signal by
comparing it with a given level on a logarithmic
scale.
Synonym: dB

Question 12

Direct Input Box (DI)

Answer 12

An electronic device used to
convert high impedance unbalanced signal to low
impedance balanced microphone level.

Question 13

Diversity

Answer 13

A radio reception technique in which signal
is obtained by selecting the stronger of two
independent sources at any given time.

Question 14

Dropout

Answer 14

Loss of transmission signal used by a
wireless mic.

Question 15

Dynamic Microphone

Answer 15

Common electro-mechanical
sound pickup device

Question 16

Equalization

Answer 16

The process of using equalization to
suppress resonances in a sound system that may
otherwise cause feedback.
Synonym: EQ

Question 17

Floor Surface Microphone

Answer 17

Microphone designed to
be placed directly on the floor
Synonym: Dance Mic, PMZ

Question 18

Foldback Monitor

Answer 18

Stage area loudspeakers
positioned for the performers to her themselves
and/or other sound sources
Synonym: Monitor, Stage Monitor, Wedge

Question 19

Frequency

Answer 19

The rate at which a sound vibration
occurs that constitutes a wave, usually measured per
second. Scientific name for pitch.

Question 20

Front of House Mixer

Answer 20

Person in charge of the audio
mix heard by the audience.

Question 21

Harmonics

Answer 21

An overtone accompanying a
fundamental tone at a fixed interval, produced by
vibration of a string, column of air, etc. in an exact
fraction of its length.

Question 22

Headroom

Answer 22

The amount by which the signal-handling
capabilities exceed the desired operating level.

Question 23

Hertz

Answer 23

A measurement of sound vibrations
(frequency) per second.
Synonym: Hz

Question 24

High Impedance

Answer 24

Electronic input/output circuits
with an impedance of several thousand ohms or
more
Synonym: High Z, Hi Z

Question 25

Intermodulation

Answer 25

Results when two or more wireless signals, of different frequencies, are mixed together and additional signals are formed. Synonym: Intermod, IMD, IM

Question 26

Kilohertz

Answer 26

A unit of frequency equal to one thousand cycles per second. Synonym: kHz

Question 27

Lavaliere Microphone

Answer 27

Small microphone worn on a performer Synonym: Body Mic, Lapel, Lapel Mic, Lav

Question 28

Limiter:

Answer 28

A dynamic effect. Process by which the amplitude of a signal is prevented from exceeding a predetermined value.

Question 29

Line Check:

Answer 29

Process of testing every input signal device on stage, usually without performers present

Question 30

Low Impedance:

Answer 30

Electronic input/output circuits with an impedance of a few hundred ohms Synonym: Low Z, Lo Z

Question 31

Microphone:

Answer 31

Electro-mechanical device that converts acoustic energy into electrical energy Synonym: Mic, Mike, Pickup

Question 32

Microphone Boom Arm:

Answer 32

Adjustable extension for a microphone stand Synonym: Boom

Question 33

Microphone Stand:

Answer 33

Freestanding, telescoping, vertical assembly on a base to support microphones Omni-Directional: Microphones that pick up sound with equal gain from all sides or directions.

Question 34

Parametric Equalizer:

Answer 34

Frequency manipulation device which allows: 1. control over frequency levels (boosting or cutting decibels); 2. selection of the center/primary frequency; 3. manipulation of bandwidth/range (also known as Q or quotient of change) of each frequency

Question 35

Personal Monitor:

Answer 35

Earphone style audio monitor that is fitted into the artist's ear Synonym: Earwig, IFB, In-Ear, Ears

Question 36

Phone Connector:

Answer 36

Ring and tip 1/4" diameter audio connector most often used for line level signals Synonym: Phone Jack, TRS, 1/4”

Question 37

Pop Screen:

Answer 37

Protective screen placed in the front of a microphone to reduce the popping and breathing noises produced by close vocal work

Question 38

Program Microphone:

Answer 38

A microphone mounted in a venue to capture sound of a performance, which is then relayed backstage for performers to monitor, shared with Assisted Listening Devices, and/or recorded.

Question 39

Radio Frequency Interference:

Answer 39

A disturbance generated by an external source on an electrical circuit via electromagnetic induction. Synonym: RF, RFI

Question 40

Voltage Control Amplifier:

Answer 40

Mixer application involving signal routing. Assigning control of a group of faders to a single fader while maintaining the relative levels throughout the group. Synonym: Variable Gain Amplifier, VCA

Question 41

Snake:

Answer 41

Thick cable containing a combination of many individual audio cables inside a common, sturdy outer jacket.

Question 42

Sound Designer:

Answer 42

Individual responsible for all creative and technical aspects of sound for a production.

Question 43

Sound Supervisor:

Answer 43

Department head for sound at a theatre company.

Question 44

Subwoofer:

Answer 44

Speaker designed to reproduce very low frequencies; typically 20-200 Hz. Synonym: Subs

Question 45

Transducer:

Answer 45

Device that converts acoustic energy into electrical energy (microphone) or electrical to acoustic (loudspeaker).

Question 46

XLR:

Answer 46

Trade Name (ITT-Cannon); multi-pin locking connector. Synonyms: 3 Pin