The Science of Microphones

What is the basic goal of expensive mics in recording studios?

• to convert electricity to sound
• to convert rapid changes in either air pressure or air velocity into tiny AC voltage
• to convert AC voltage into air pressure

What microphone pattern does this patten represent?

• Cardioid
• Omnidirectional
• Bi-Directional
• Supercardioid

What can an Omnidirectional microphone do?

• It can pick up sounds from only one direction
• It can pick up sounds equally from all directions
• It can pick up sounds from two distinct directions

What microphone pattern does this represent?

• Omnidirectional
• Bidirectional
• Cardioid
• Supercardioid

What is the crucial thing about bidirectional mic?

• Unlike a pressure microphone, if sound influences front and rear of a velocity mic equally, the membrane won’t move at all.
• It can do everything an omnidirectional microphone can do but better
• It can only be used once
• It cannot be used on film

What microphone pattern does this represent?

• Cardioid
• Supercardioid
• Omnidirectional
• Bidirectional

What microphone does this represent?

• Tridirectional microphone
• Supercardioid
• Omnidirectional
• Cardioid

What is a side effect that occurs with non-omnidirectional microphones?

• A phenomenon called proximity effect
• A phenomenon called doppler effect
• A phenomenon called echo effect

What are the three most common microphone technologies? (Check all that apply)

• Moving Coil
• Ribbon
• Condenser
• Bidirectional
• Projector

What type of microphone is shown in the diagram below?

• Ribbon
• Projector
• Moving Coil
• Condenser