Trivia Quiz On Microphone Techniques For Recording!

Phantom power is a method used in audio equipment to provide power to microphones and other devices. It is typically used in professional audio settings. The correct answer is 48v because this is the standard voltage required for phantom power. This voltage is necessary to power condenser microphones and other devices that require phantom power to operate properly.

The correct answer is Condenser. In the given circuit diagram, the microphone is described as a condenser microphone. Condenser microphones use a capacitor to convert sound waves into electrical signals. They are known for their high sensitivity and wide frequency response, making them suitable for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments in professional recording studios.

The technique described in the question, where one engineer moves a microphone around and another engineer listens to the sound, is commonly used to find the "sweet spot." The sweet spot refers to the optimal position where the microphone captures the best sound quality and balance. By experimenting with different microphone placements and having another engineer listen to the sound, they can determine the sweet spot that produces the desired sound for recording or broadcasting purposes.

A condenser microphone is normally more dynamically sensitive than a dynamic microphone. This means that a condenser microphone is able to capture a wider range of sound levels, from very soft to very loud, with greater accuracy and detail. Dynamic microphones, on the other hand, are generally less sensitive and are better suited for capturing loud sounds, such as live performances or instruments with high SPL (sound pressure level).

The correct answer is "AB's stereo width can be manipulated by the position of the microphones." In the AB stereo mic technique, two microphones are placed apart from each other, typically at a distance of around 3 feet or more. The stereo width, or the perceived width of the soundstage, can be adjusted by changing the distance between the microphones. If the microphones are placed closer together, the stereo width will be narrower, and if they are placed farther apart, the stereo width will be wider. Therefore, the position of the microphones can indeed manipulate the stereo width in the AB technique.

ORTF is a stereo recording technique that uses two microphones positioned at a specific angle and distance to capture a realistic stereo image. The correct answer is 110 degrees, diaphragms 17 cm apart. This means that the two microphones should be placed 17 cm apart from each other and angled at 110 degrees from each other. This arrangement helps to create a wide stereo image with good separation between the left and right channels.

The image above demonstrates spot mic-ing technique. Spot mic-ing involves placing a microphone close to a specific sound source to capture its audio. This technique is commonly used in live sound reinforcement and recording situations where it is important to isolate and amplify or record a particular sound source with clarity and precision.

The B2 Pro microphone requires phantom power.

The answer suggests that microphone A is likely to be a condenser microphone, while microphone B is likely to be a dynamic microphone. This is because the question is about frequency response diagrams, and condenser microphones are known to have a flatter frequency response compared to dynamic microphones. The answer is based on the general characteristics and performance of these two types of microphones.

The hyper-cardioid polar pattern is known for being more sensitive to sound from the front and less sensitive to sound from the back. This means that it does not pick up sound as prominently from the back as it does from the front.

The MS (Mid-Side) technique is the only one among the options that is completely mono compatible. This technique involves using two microphones, one capturing the mid or center signal and the other capturing the side or stereo width signal. When the side signal is removed, the remaining mid signal is identical to a mono recording. This makes MS recordings compatible with both stereo and mono playback systems. On the other hand, AB, ORTF, and XY are stereo recording techniques that may not translate well to mono playback due to phase cancellation or loss of spatial information.

The image above represents the ORTF microphone technique. ORTF stands for "Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française," which is a French broadcasting organization. This technique involves using a pair of cardioid microphones spaced 17 cm apart and angled at 110 degrees. The ORTF technique is known for its ability to provide a wide stereo image and good localization of sound sources.

The correct answer is M: Omnidirectional, S: Figure of 8. This means that for the MS mic technique, the main microphone (M) should have an omnidirectional polar pattern, while the side microphone (S) should have a figure of 8 polar pattern. This combination allows for capturing a wider stereo image and better phase coherence between the two microphones.