CAT Technical Skills 4

Question 1

What does a signal processor's 'attack time' setting control in a compressor?

Accepted Answer

How quickly the compressor begins reducing gain after the signal exceeds threshold

Answer

Attack time controls how quickly the compressor responds to a signal exceeding the threshold and begins applying gain reduction.

Question 2

In a commercial audio network using Dante, what physical network infrastructure is typically required?

Accepted Answer

Standard Ethernet (Cat5e or better) and switches

Answer

Dante operates over standard IT Ethernet infrastructure using Cat5e or better cabling and managed or unmanaged network switches.

Question 3

What is the purpose of 'pre-emphasis' in some audio systems such as FM broadcast?

Accepted Answer

Boost high frequencies before transmission to improve SNR

Answer

Pre-emphasis boosts high frequencies before transmission; the corresponding de-emphasis at the receiver restores flat response while reducing high-frequency noise.

Question 4

A commercial speaker is rated at 8 ohms and 100W continuous. What happens if you connect two of these speakers in series to a single amplifier channel?

Accepted Answer

Impedance doubles to 16 ohms and each speaker receives less power

Answer

Series connection adds impedances (8+8=16 ohms), reducing current flow so the amplifier delivers less total power, split between both speakers.

Question 5

What is 'headroom' in an audio system?

Accepted Answer

The difference in dB between nominal operating level and the clipping point

Answer

Headroom is the margin in decibels between the normal operating signal level and the point where the system begins to clip or distort.

(CAT) Commercial Audio Technician Practice Test

(CAT) Commercial Audio Technician Practice Test

CAT Technical Skills 4