Cycle 3 Test

Question 1

Stereo requires at least 2 microphones to record one source with differences in _______ and ______ between the two mics

Answer 1

amplitude, time of arrival

Question 2

matched pair

Answer 2

two mics that are manufacturer-tested to be as close to the same mic as possible.

Question 3

two rules for matched pair mics

Answer 3

1. dont use one without the other

2. be careful in high SPL situations

Question 4

Spaced Pair pros/cons

Answer 4

+ Wide stereo image

• Lacks a strong center
• Phase issues (Use the 3:1 Rule)

Question 5

XY pros/cons

Answer 5

+ Good phase coherency
+ Strong center
- Image not as wide as a spaced pair
+/- Picks up mostly direct sounds with minimal room sounds

Question 6

ORTF pros/cons

Answer 6

+ Mimics human hearing
+ Wider image than XY (not as wide as spaced pair)
- Some phase issues (near-coincident)

Question 7

Mid-Side pros/cons

Answer 7

+ Individual control over direct and room sounds during & after the recording session.
+ Control of stereo width during & after the recording session
+ Good phase coherency
+ Good mono compatibility
- Image not as wide as a spaced pair

Question 8

Blumlein pros/cons

Answer 8

+ Good phase coherency
+ Strong center
- Image not as wide as spaced pair
+/- Picks up direct sounds AND room sounds

Question 9

compressor / limiter

Answer 9

a device employing a gain reduction circuit to manipulate or control the dynamic range of an audio signal.

Question 10

threshold

Answer 10

when the input signal exceeds a pre determined level (the threshold), the compressor’s gain is reduced and the signal is attenuated.

Question 11

ratio

Answer 11

the amount of input decibels above the threshold, to the amount of output decibels above the threshold.

Question 12

attack

Answer 12

sets the amount of time it takes for the compressors gain to be reduced.

Question 13

release

Answer 13

sets the amount of time it takes for the compressor’s gain to return to its original level

Question 14

bad compressor release settings - side effects

Answer 14

too fast = pumping or breathing effect… rapid rise in noise floor.
too slow = over compression

Question 15

output/makeup gain

Answer 15

compensates for gain reduction

Question 16

knee

Answer 16

how strictly the threshold is encorced

Question 17

around a _____ ratio is where limiting begins (depends on the situation)

Answer 17

4:1

Question 18

what is the primary difference between a Compressor and a Limiter?

Answer 18

ratio.

Question 19

famous compressors

Answer 19

1. Teletronix LA-2A Optical Style Tube Compressor

2. Universal Audio 1176

Question 20

Audio EQ is defined as

Answer 20

a device that enables the engineer to exercise control over the harmonic or timbral content of a live or recorded sound.

Question 21

reasons for EQ (5 reasons)

Answer 21

1. to correct specific problems within a “live” signal
2. to overcome deficiencies in the frequency response of a microphone or in the sound of an instrument
3. to alter a sound purely for creative reasons
4. to allow contrasting sounds to blend better in a mix
5. to reduce the frequencies that are causing leakage

Question 22

two types of analog filter circuits

Answer 22

1. passive filter EQ

2. active filter EQ

Question 23

types of EQ filter CURVES (5)

Answer 23

peaking curve, shelving curve, high+low pass filters, bandpass filters

Question 24

regarding high & low pass filters… frequencies attenuated less than 3db are considered to be

Answer 24

inside the passband

Question 25

regarding high & low pass filters... frequencies attenuated more than 3dB are said to be

Answer 25

inside the stopband

Question 26

the Q of a peak refers to

Answer 26

the steepness of the slope

Question 27

EQ TYPES

Answer 27

1. selectable frequency EQ 2. parametric EQ 3. graphic EQ 4. notch filter

Question 28

selectable frequency EQ has a _______ of frequencies to choose from

Answer 28

set number

Question 29

where are selectable frequency EQs typically found?

Answer 29

older consoles + outboard gear

Question 30

parametric EQ's center frequency is ________ _______ and the Q is also ________ _______.

Answer 30

continuously variable, continuously variable.

Question 31

describe a graphic EQ

Answer 31

boost or cut level control over a series of frequencies that are spaced according to musical intervals. controls are generally liner slider types, arranged side-by-side. this type of EQ is often used in the fine-tuning of a system to match the acoustics of a room.

Question 32

notch filter... why do we use it?

Answer 32

to remove hum and other undesirable discreet frequency noises.

Question 33

notch filters have a _______ bandwidth

Answer 33

narrow

Question 34

noise gate

Answer 34

allows signal that is above the threshold to pass through. once input signal falls below the threshold, the gate shuts down the signal

Question 35

expander

Answer 35

like a noise gate, but with partial attenuation instead of full

Question 36

noise gate Threshold

Answer 36

sets the level at which the gate will open and allows signal at the input to pass through to the output.

Question 37

noise gate Range (aka Ratio or Depth)

Answer 37

the amount of attenuation applied to the input signal once it falls below the threshold level.

Question 38

noise gate Hold

Answer 38

sets the amount of time the gate remains open, once the input signal falls below the threshold level.

Question 39

Dynamic mics and Ribbon mics use

Answer 39

electro-magnetic induction

Question 40

Condenser mics use

Answer 40

electro-static principle

Question 41

tube mics have

Answer 41

their own power supply

Question 42

two types of Analog Filter Circuits

Answer 42

Passive filter EQ, Active filter EQ

Question 43

Passive Filter EQs consist of 3 main electrical components:

Answer 43

Capacitors, Resistors, Inductors

Question 44

Active Filter EQ’s make use of devices called ________ which require a dedicated power source.

Answer 44

Differential Operational Amplifiers (OP amps)

Question 45

Condenser microphones, generally:

Answer 45

- have a flatter frequency response - have a faster transient response - have a louder output level (less risk of needing to crank up mic-pre’s, which raises up the noise floor)

Question 46

Dynamic microphones, generally:

Answer 46

- can handle more SPL - are more durable - are more affordable

Question 47

Side-chain Input or Key Input:

Answer 47

a key input or side-chain input is the same thing. It’s an auxiliary input that can trigger the voltage detector (threshold) from a remote source.

Question 48

Full attenuation =

Answer 48

Noise Gate

Question 49

Partial attenuation

Answer 49

Expander