Question 1

Characteristics of a ribbon mic are ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  recommended for kick drum. 
B)  crisp, clear sound. 
C)  omnidirectional polar pattern. 
D)  mellow sound which takes the edge off bright instruments. 
A)  recommended for kick drum. 
B)  crisp, clear sound. 
C)  omnidirectional polar pattern. 
D)  mellow sound which takes the edge off bright instruments. D

Question 2

If you don't want proximity effect, how can you get rid of it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mike farther away. 
B)  Use an omnidirectional microphone. 
C)  Switch in a low-cut switch. 
D)  Turn down the low frequencies on your mixer. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Mike farther away. 
B)  Use an omnidirectional microphone. 
C)  Switch in a low-cut switch. 
D)  Turn down the low frequencies on your mixer. 
E)  All of the above. E

Question 3

Proximity effect occurs with which type of polar pattern?

Accepted Answer

A)  cardioid 
B)  supercardioid 
C)  bidirectional 
D)  hypercardioid 
E)  all of the above 
A)  cardioid 
B)  supercardioid 
C)  bidirectional 
D)  hypercardioid 
E)  all of the above E

Question 4

Condenser mics tend to sound especially good on _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  kick drum 
B)  guitar amps 
C)  cymbals and acoustic instruments 
D)  horns 
A)  kick drum 
B)  guitar amps 
C)  cymbals and acoustic instruments 
D)  horns

Question 5

In audio terms, a snake is ___________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a connector box for microphones. 
B)  a long multiconductor cable and stage box. 
C)  a long cable that wraps around equipment. 
D)  an impolite person at a recording session. 
A)  a connector box for microphones. 
B)  a long multiconductor cable and stage box. 
C)  a long cable that wraps around equipment. 
D)  an impolite person at a recording session.

Question 6

A microphone has a frequency response that rises at 5 kHz. It is likely to sound _____________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  bright and articulate. 
B)  mellow. 
C)  muddy. 
D)  distant. 
A)  bright and articulate. 
B)  mellow. 
C)  muddy. 
D)  distant.

Question 7

A _________ microphone requires phantom power.

Accepted Answer

A)  dynamic 
B)  condenser 
C)  ribbon 
D)  non-powered 
A)  dynamic 
B)  condenser 
C)  ribbon 
D)  non-powered

Question 8

A mic cable is wired in correct polarity if the XLR wiring is __________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  pin 1 white, pin 2 black, pin 3 red 
B)  pin 1 shield, pin 2 red, pin 3 white 
C)  pin 1 shield, pin 2 black, pin 3 white 
D)  pin 1 hot, pin 2 cold, pin 3 ground 
A)  pin 1 white, pin 2 black, pin 3 red 
B)  pin 1 shield, pin 2 red, pin 3 white 
C)  pin 1 shield, pin 2 black, pin 3 white 
D)  pin 1 hot, pin 2 cold, pin 3 ground

Question 9

A supercardioid microphone has best sound rejection at ________ away from the front.

Accepted Answer

A)  180 degrees 
B)  125 degrees 
C)  110 degrees 
D)  90 degrees 
A)  180 degrees 
B)  125 degrees 
C)  110 degrees 
D)  90 degrees

Question 10

Characteristics of a small diaphragm condenser mic are ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  low noise and deep bass. 
B)  side pickup and detailed sound. 
C)  it's good for miking acoustic instruments. 
D)  excellent rear rejection of sound. 
A)  low noise and deep bass. 
B)  side pickup and detailed sound. 
C)  it's good for miking acoustic instruments. 
D)  excellent rear rejection of sound.

Question 11

A boundary microphone tends to be ________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  free of phase cancellations. 
B)  noise-free. 
C)  custom-made for mic stands. 
D)  very close to the sound source. 
A)  free of phase cancellations. 
B)  noise-free. 
C)  custom-made for mic stands. 
D)  very close to the sound source.

Question 12

What's a good mic choice for a roaming guitarist?

Accepted Answer

A)  a pickup 
B)  a miniature omni mic on the guitar 
C)  a shotgun mic 
D)  an SDC 
A)  a pickup 
B)  a miniature omni mic on the guitar 
C)  a shotgun mic 
D)  an SDC

Question 13

Which A-weighted self-noise spec is the quietest?

Accepted Answer

A)  14 dB 
B)  18 dB 
C)  25 dB 
D)  7 millivolts 
A)  14 dB 
B)  18 dB 
C)  25 dB 
D)  7 millivolts

Question 14

Name two microphone accessories.

Accepted Answer

A)  shock mount and pop filter. 
B)  screw-on grille and on-off switch. 
C)  rubber handle and cable holder. 
D)  extra weight and aiming device. 
A)  shock mount and pop filter. 
B)  screw-on grille and on-off switch. 
C)  rubber handle and cable holder. 
D)  extra weight and aiming device.

Question 15

Characteristics of a large-diaphragm condenser mic are ________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  good low frequency response and low self-noise. 
B)  outstanding transient response. 
C)  end-addressed, big sound. 
D)  excellent rear rejection of sound. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  good low frequency response and low self-noise. 
B)  outstanding transient response. 
C)  end-addressed, big sound. 
D)  excellent rear rejection of sound. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 16

If you need a rugged mic that can handle very loud sounds, a good choice is the _______________ type.

Accepted Answer

A)  dynamic 
B)  condenser 
C)  ribbon 
D)  rock 'n' roll 
A)  dynamic 
B)  condenser 
C)  ribbon 
D)  rock 'n' roll

Question 17

A mic with which polar pattern tends to pick up the least wind noise and handling noise?

Accepted Answer

A)  cardioid 
B)  bidirectional 
C)  hypercardioid 
D)  omnidirectional 
A)  cardioid 
B)  bidirectional 
C)  hypercardioid 
D)  omnidirectional

Exam 6: Microphones

Characteristics of a ribbon mic are ____________________.

If you don't want proximity effect, how can you get rid of it?

Proximity effect occurs with which type of polar pattern?

Condenser mics tend to sound especially good on _______________.

In audio terms, a snake is ___________________.

A microphone has a frequency response that rises at 5 kHz. It is likely to sound _____________ .

A _________ microphone requires phantom power.

A mic cable is wired in correct polarity if the XLR wiring is __________________.

A supercardioid microphone has best sound rejection at ________ away from the front.

Characteristics of a small diaphragm condenser mic are ______________.

A boundary microphone tends to be ________________.

What's a good mic choice for a roaming guitarist?

Which A-weighted self-noise spec is the quietest?

Name two microphone accessories.

Characteristics of a large-diaphragm condenser mic are ________________.

If you need a rugged mic that can handle very loud sounds, a good choice is the _______________ type.

A mic with which polar pattern tends to pick up the least wind noise and handling noise?

The Recording Process

Sound and Psychoacoustics

Studio Acoustics; Signal Characteristics of Audio Devices

Equipping Your Studio

Monitoring

Mic Technique Basics

Microphone Techniques

Equalisation

Effects and Signal Processors

Mixers

Digital Audio

Computer Recording

Daw Operation

Judging Sound Quality

Midi and Loops

Session Procedures

Mastering and Cd Burning

On-Location Recording of Popular Music

On-Location Recording of Classical Music

Web Audio, Streaming and Online Collaboration

Appendix A: DB or Not DB

Appendix B: Optimizing Your Computer for Multitrack Recording

Appendix C: Impedance

Appendix D: Phantom Power; Legacy Recording Devices, AUDIO GLOSARRY

Filters