CEA Live Sound & Event Production Flashcards
6 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CEA Live Sound & Event Production flashcards as text
What is 'feedback' in a live sound reinforcement system, and what is its primary cause?
Answer: A sustained howl or ring caused by a microphone picking up its own amplified output from a speaker
Acoustic feedback occurs when a microphone is positioned so it captures the sound from a loudspeaker it feeds, creating a closed loop that results in sustained oscillation.
In live sound, what does the 'front-of-house' (FOH) position refer to?
Answer: The main mixing console and operator position facing the stage from the audience area
FOH is the primary mixing position situated in the audience area, where the engineer controls the main house PA system as heard by the audience.
What is the purpose of a monitor mix in a live sound environment?
Answer: To give performers on stage a customized mix of what they need to hear to perform
Stage monitor mixes are tailored feeds sent to wedges or in-ear monitors so each performer hears a personalized blend of vocals, instruments, and click tracks.
What is 'gain before feedback' in a live sound context?
Answer: The maximum amount of gain achievable on a microphone channel before the system breaks into feedback
Gain before feedback describes how much amplification a live system can apply to a microphone before the loop gain exceeds unity and feedback begins.
What is a 'line array' speaker system, and what is its key acoustic advantage in large venues?
Answer: Vertically arrayed speaker elements that couple coherently to achieve controlled, long-throw coverage with reduced splay
A line array consists of multiple speaker modules stacked vertically that act as a coherent line source, providing consistent sound pressure level over long distances with a narrow vertical dispersion.
In live event production, what does 'rider' refer to?
Answer: A document provided by the artist specifying technical and hospitality requirements for a show
A technical rider is an addendum to the performance contract detailing the artist's required sound system specifications, stage plot, input list, and backline requirements.