Microphone Test

A shock mount is a device that is used to minimize the transmission of vibrations and shocks to a microphone. It is designed to isolate the microphone from any external vibrations or movements, such as those caused by handling or placing the microphone on a stand. By doing so, it prevents the transmission of any rubble or unwanted noise that could be picked up by the microphone. A pop shield, on the other hand, is used to reduce plosive sounds and protect the microphone from moisture or saliva.

The term that describes the directionality of a microphone is the polar pick up pattern. This refers to the microphone's sensitivity to sound from different directions. Different microphones have different pick up patterns, such as omnidirectional, cardioid, or bidirectional, which determine the areas from which they capture sound. The polar pick up pattern is an important characteristic to consider when choosing a microphone for specific recording or performance needs.

Large diaphragm condensers are favored for vocal recording because the larger diaphragm enhances the low-frequency response, resulting in a hyping of rich bass tones. The Neumann U87i is a popular example of a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is commonly used for capturing vocals.

XLR leads have a screen wire which protects the signal wires from external interference. This makes them suitable for transporting low level signal from mics.

This is also known as 'Bass Tip up'

This microphone is described as a condenser microphone because it is powered by 48 volts and produces an electrical signal based on the variation in distance between the vibrating diaphragm and fixed back plate. Condenser microphones use a capacitor to convert sound waves into electrical signals, and they require an external power source.

Drum overhead mic positioning is designed to capture the entire sound of the drum kit. This means that the microphones are strategically placed above the drum set to pick up the sound of all the drums, including the snare, kick drum, tom-toms, and hi-hat. By capturing the entire sound of the drum kit, the overhead mics provide a balanced and comprehensive representation of the drums in the overall mix.

True condenser microphones have very light diaphragms, which allows them to be highly sensitive to sound. This means they can pick up even the faintest of sounds with great accuracy. Additionally, the light diaphragms enable condenser microphones to have an excellent high frequency response. They can accurately capture and reproduce high-frequency sounds, resulting in a clear and detailed audio recording. Therefore, the correct answer is "Good sensitivity to sound and excellent high frequency response."

A microphone is a transducer because it converts pressure changes (sound waves) into electrical signals. Transducers are devices that convert one form of energy into another. In this case, the microphone converts acoustic energy (pressure changes) into electrical energy (electrical signals).

Tri-directional is not an example of a polar pick up pattern because it is not a common term used to describe a microphone's polar pattern. The other options mentioned in the question (Cardiod, Hyper-cardiod, Figure of 8, and Omni) are all well-known polar patterns used to describe the directional sensitivity of microphones. Tri-directional is not a recognized polar pattern in the field of audio recording and therefore does not belong in the list of examples.

The polar pick up pattern called Cardioid is favored in a live situation because it effectively rejects sound coming from the back of the microphone capsule. This pattern is ideal for live performances as it helps to minimize unwanted noise and feedback from the stage monitors or other sound sources behind the microphone. Cardioid microphones are commonly used by vocalists and live performers to ensure clear and focused sound reproduction while reducing the chances of audio interference.

XY and Blumlein are both examples of coincident pair microphone positioning. In this technique, two microphones are placed close together, with their capsules aligned and pointing in the same direction. The XY technique involves placing the microphones at a 90-degree angle to each other, while the Blumlein technique positions the microphones at a 45-degree angle. This setup allows for accurate stereo imaging and a natural sound reproduction, making it a popular choice for recording instruments and capturing live performances.

The HPF switch on the microphone cuts all frequencies below 50Hz. This means that any sound signals with frequencies below 50Hz will be attenuated or removed entirely from the microphone's output. This can be useful in situations where low-frequency noise or rumble needs to be eliminated, such as in live performances or recording sessions. By cutting these frequencies, the microphone can focus on capturing the desired audio without interference from unwanted low-frequency sounds.

Mid and side is often used in television for creating a stereo recording that is also mono compatible. The cardiod mic faces towards the source and the figure of eight faces side to side to the source with the front of the mic facing to the right. The signal from the side facing mic is split into two which are panned hard left and right. One channel is phase reversed. These two channels are balanced with the cardiod channel.

A pop shield is a device used to minimize plosives or the sound of spoken 'P's. Plosives are sounds produced by the release of a burst of air, such as when pronouncing the letter 'P', which can create unwanted popping sounds in audio recordings. A pop shield, also known as a pop filter or a windscreen, is typically made of a mesh material that is placed in front of a microphone to act as a barrier between the speaker and the microphone. It helps to diffuse the air and reduce the impact of plosives, resulting in cleaner and clearer audio recordings.

The Decca Tree microphone arrangement was specifically created to capture the sound of an ensemble like an orchestra or choir. This arrangement involves three microphones placed in a triangular shape, with the center microphone capturing the direct sound and the two side microphones capturing the ambient sound. This setup allows for a balanced and natural representation of the ensemble's sound, making it an ideal choice for recording large groups of musicians or vocalists.

The given question describes a microphone that has a copper wire winding attached to a diaphragm, and the movement of the winding over a fixed magnet induces an electrical signal. This is a characteristic of a dynamic moving coil microphone, where the diaphragm and coil are connected to create a magnetic field that generates the electrical signal.

A microphone with a flat frequency response accurately reproduces sound without altering the frequencies. It captures all frequencies evenly, resulting in a balanced and natural sound reproduction. This is ideal for applications where the goal is to capture the sound as accurately and faithfully as possible, such as recording studios or live sound reinforcement.

True condenser mics differ from Electret mics in that their diaphragm is polarised, or charged by Phantom Power. This means that the diaphragm of a true condenser mic requires an external power source to function properly. In contrast, Electret mics have a permanently charged diaphragm that does not require external power. The polarization or charging of the diaphragm in true condenser mics allows for better sensitivity and accuracy in capturing sound.

The AKG D112 is specifically designed to capture the low frequency nuances of instruments like kick drum and amplified bass guitar. Its egg-shaped design helps to minimize resonance and interference, allowing for a cleaner and more accurate capture of the low frequencies. This microphone is a popular choice among audio engineers and musicians for its ability to accurately reproduce the deep and powerful sound of these instruments.

Shure SM57, SM58, AKG D112, and Sennheiser MD421 are all examples of moving coil dynamic microphones. These microphones use a diaphragm attached to a coil that moves within a magnetic field, generating an electrical signal. Moving coil dynamic microphones are known for their durability, versatility, and ability to handle high sound pressure levels, making them popular choices for live performances and studio recordings.

The given examples, Studio Electronics SE1A, Rode NT3, and AKG Perception 170, are all true condenser microphones. True condenser microphones are characterized by their use of a permanently charged backplate and a diaphragm that moves in response to sound waves. These microphones require external power, usually provided through batteries or phantom power, to operate. They are known for their high sensitivity, wide frequency response, and accurate sound reproduction, making them popular choices for recording studios and professional audio applications.

The given question asks for a microphone type that is not included in the options. The options include dynamic moving coil, dynamic ribbon, true condenser, electret, and static coil. Among these options, the correct answer is "static coil" as it is not a recognized type of microphone. Dynamic moving coil, dynamic ribbon, true condenser, and electret are all well-known and commonly used microphone types in the industry.

It shows how much signal is produced in response to charges in air pressure caused by sound waves.

The extra weight of the diaphragm causes a resistance to sympathetic vibration caused by sound. This inertia reduces the electret mic's senstivity to high frequency.

A special dummy head like the Neumann KU100 is placed in a room and gives an incredibly realistic sonic impression of actually being there. The listener must wear headphones for the complete effect.

Andy Johns specified the Shure SM57 microphone model for his mic positioning technique with two mics pointed at a guitar amplifier.

Small diaphragm condenser microphones tend to be favored for instrument recording due to their flatter frequency response. This means that they are able to capture a wider range of frequencies accurately and evenly, resulting in a more natural and balanced sound reproduction. Large diaphragm condenser microphones, on the other hand, may introduce some coloration or emphasis to certain frequencies, which may not be desirable when recording instruments. Therefore, small diaphragm condenser microphones like the SE1A are preferred in order to capture the instrument's sound as accurately and faithfully as possible.

The true condensor has the lightest diaphragm and picks up high frequency best. The electret has an material bonded to its diaphragm, greatly reducing high frequency response.

Alan Parsons, being a big fan of a bright snare drum sound, would employ a small diaphragm condenser microphone to record the snare. Small diaphragm condenser microphones are known for their ability to capture high-frequency details and provide a crisp and detailed sound reproduction. This type of microphone is often favored for recording instruments such as drums, as it can accurately capture the transient response and fast attack of the snare drum, resulting in a bright and vibrant sound.

The Pad switch on the Rode NT2 large diaphragm condenser mic is used to reduce the output signal level. This can be useful in situations where the incoming audio signal is too strong and needs to be attenuated to prevent distortion or clipping. By reducing the output signal level, the Pad switch allows for better control over the audio recording and ensures a clean and balanced sound.

A cardiod pattern is a combination of an omnidirectional pattern and a figure of 8 pattern. This means that the microphone picks up sound from the front and rejects sound from the sides and rear, similar to a heart-shaped pattern.

The correct answer is Omni directional. An omni directional polar pick up pattern captures sound equally from all directions, making it ideal for interviews where the interviewer and the interviewee may be moving or positioned in different angles. This pattern is also less affected by wind blast, ensuring clear audio quality in outdoor settings.