Quiz 1 Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is frequency?
Frequency is the rate at which an acoustic generator or vibrating mass repeats within a cycle.
What is phase?
Phase in audio refers to the position of a sound wave in time.
What are phase shifts?
Phase shifts are forward or backward changes in the start point of a waveform.
What does “out of phase” mean?
When phase shift starts creating destructive interference between two waveforms.
What is a decibel?
The unit used for measuring sound-pressure lever (SPL), signal level, and relative changes in signal level.
What is a transducer?
A transducer is a device that converts energy from one form to another.
What is the human range of hearing?
Between 20Hz to 20,000Hz (20kHz)
What is binaural localization?
The capability of two ears to localize a sound source within an acoustic space.
What are three of the first audio recording devices invented?
The phonautograph, phonograph, and gramaphone
What was the earliest recognizable record of a human voice and music?
“Au Clair de La Lune”
Who invented the carbon microphone?
David Edward Hughes
Who invented the gramaphone?
Thomas Edison AND Emile Berliner
What was Thomas Edison’s first recording?
“Mary Had A Little Lamb”
What was the first microphone that was considered useful for actual recording purposes?
The Bell Labs 394 condenser microphone
Who invented the first phonograph recording system using microphones with vacuum tube amplifiers?
Edward C. Wente
Who developed binaural (stereo) sound?
Alan Blumlein
Who developed multi-track recording?
Les Paul
What are the three main types of microphones?
Dynamic, Ribbon, and Condenser Microphones
What are the three most common polar patterns for a microphone?
Cardioid, Bidirectional, and Omnidirectional
Since the output signal of most microphones are at levels far too low to drive the line-level input stage of most recording systems, what device is used to boost its signal?
A Preamplifier
