Microphone Types and Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Microphone Types and Techniques flashcards as text
A USB microphone differs from an XLR microphone mainly because it includes what built in?
Answer: An analog-to-digital converter and audio interface
USB mics have an onboard A/D converter and interface, letting them connect directly to a computer.
A lavalier microphone is typically what polar pattern for hands-free speech?
Answer: Omnidirectional
Most lavalier (lapel) mics are omnidirectional so they capture consistent level as the wearer turns their head.
Which connector is standard for professional balanced microphone cables?
Answer: XLR
The 3-pin XLR connector carries a balanced signal that resists noise over long cable runs.
Why is a balanced connection preferred for microphones over long cable runs?
Answer: It rejects induced noise via differential signaling
Balanced cables carry the signal on two opposite-polarity wires so noise picked up equally on both is canceled.
A large-diaphragm condenser is generally favored for studio vocals because it offers what?
Answer: Warmth, detail, and low self-noise
Large-diaphragm condensers capture detail with a warm character and low self-noise, ideal for controlled studio vocals.
A boundary (PZM) microphone is designed to be placed where?
Answer: Flat on a large surface like a table or floor
Boundary mics mount flush against a surface, using reflected sound to avoid phase cancellation and capture a wide area.
What does a microphone's sensitivity specification describe?
Answer: How much electrical output it produces for a given sound pressure
Sensitivity indicates the output voltage a mic generates at a reference sound pressure level, showing how 'hot' its signal is.