CAT Problem Solving and Troubleshooting 5

Question 1

A sound system produces a consistent buzz that changes pitch when a dimmer board in the room is adjusted. The most effective solution is:

Accepted Answer

Isolate audio circuits from dimmer circuits and use audio-grade power conditioning

Answer

Dimmer boards introduce switching noise and harmonics onto AC power lines; separating audio circuits and using power conditioners eliminates the interference.

Question 2

After a firmware update to a DSP, all preset scenes fail to load. The most appropriate first step is:

Accepted Answer

Check the firmware release notes for preset compatibility changes and re-import scenes

Answer

Firmware updates sometimes change preset file formats; checking release notes and re-importing or converting scenes is the correct first response.

Question 3

A cardioid microphone on a podium picks up excessive low-frequency room noise. The best corrective tool on the console is:

Accepted Answer

A high-pass filter set appropriately below the voice fundamental

Answer

A high-pass filter removes low-frequency rumble and noise below the voice's fundamental frequency without affecting speech intelligibility.

Question 4

Two wireless microphone systems on nearby frequencies cause intermodulation products that land on a third system's frequency. This is best resolved by:

Accepted Answer

Recalculating and assigning intermod-free frequencies using coordination software

Answer

Intermodulation is solved by using frequency coordination software to calculate and assign frequencies that avoid IM products on active channels.

Question 5

During playback from a laptop via USB audio interface, the audio has a consistent crackle that worsens with CPU load. The most likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Audio buffer size set too small, causing underruns under CPU load

Answer

Crackling that worsens with CPU load is the hallmark of audio buffer underruns caused by a buffer size too small for the system to handle.

(CAT) Commercial Audio Technician Practice Test

(CAT) Commercial Audio Technician Practice Test

CAT Problem Solving and Troubleshooting 5