CEA CEA Live Sound & Event Production

Question 1

What is 'feedback' in a live sound reinforcement system, and what is its primary cause?

Accepted Answer

A sustained howl or ring caused by a microphone picking up its own amplified output from a speaker

Answer

Distortion caused by overdriving the power amplifier

Answer

Low-frequency rumble from a poorly isolated stage

Answer

Comb filtering between two adjacent microphones

Question 2

In live sound, what does the 'front-of-house' (FOH) position refer to?

Accepted Answer

The main mixing console and operator position facing the stage from the audience area

Answer

The mixing position located offstage in the wings

Answer

The monitor engineer's position at the side of the stage

Answer

The area behind the main speaker clusters

Question 3

What is the purpose of a monitor mix in a live sound environment?

Accepted Answer

To give performers on stage a customized mix of what they need to hear to perform

Answer

To provide a delayed version of the FOH mix for audience members in the back

Answer

To drive subwoofers separately from the main PA

Answer

To record a dry signal for post-production

Question 4

What is 'gain before feedback' in a live sound context?

Accepted Answer

The maximum amount of gain achievable on a microphone channel before the system breaks into feedback

Answer

The amount of gain applied by the FOH EQ before the signal reaches the amplifier

Answer

The headroom available above 0 dBFS on a digital console

Answer

The preamp gain setting that optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio

Question 5

What is a 'line array' speaker system, and what is its key acoustic advantage in large venues?

Accepted Answer

Vertically arrayed speaker elements that couple coherently to achieve controlled, long-throw coverage with reduced splay

Answer

A single large horn speaker with wide horizontal dispersion

Answer

A cardioid subwoofer array designed to cancel rear energy

Answer

A series of delay speakers placed throughout a large audience area

Question 6

In live event production, what does 'rider' refer to?

Accepted Answer

A document provided by the artist specifying technical and hospitality requirements for a show

Answer

The stagehands responsible for setting up the PA

Answer

The delay setting applied to the PA to time-align it with the stage

Answer

The rental contract for equipment provided by a vendor