CAT Technical Skills 5

Question 1

What is the purpose of an 'output limiter' on a commercial amplifier driving large speaker systems?

Accepted Answer

To prevent signal levels from exceeding a threshold that could damage speakers

Answer

To increase bass frequency response

Answer

To add compression to improve perceived loudness

Answer

To correct phase alignment between channels

Question 2

In acoustic design, what is 'reverberation time' (RT60)?

Accepted Answer

The time for a sound to decay by 60 dB after the source stops

Answer

The time for a sound to travel 60 feet

Answer

The frequency at which room resonance peaks at 60 Hz

Answer

The delay time between direct sound and first reflection

Question 3

A commercial technician is setting up a matrix mixer. What is the primary capability that distinguishes a matrix mixer from a standard mixer?

Accepted Answer

Any input can be routed to any combination of outputs independently

Answer

It can process more simultaneous effects

Answer

It supports higher sample rates than standard mixers

Answer

It provides built-in acoustic echo cancellation

Question 4

What does 'sensitivity' mean in the context of a professional loudspeaker specification?

Accepted Answer

The SPL produced at 1 meter with 1 watt (or 2.83V) of input

Answer

The minimum signal level required to produce output

Answer

The speaker's ability to handle transient peaks

Answer

The frequency range over which the speaker is rated

Question 5

When measuring audio signal levels with a meter, what does 'RMS' represent compared to 'peak'?

Accepted Answer

RMS measures the equivalent steady-state power level; peak measures the highest instantaneous amplitude

Answer

RMS measures the highest instantaneous amplitude; peak measures average power

Answer

RMS and peak are identical for sine waves at all times

Answer

RMS is only used for DC signals; peak applies to AC audio signals

Question 6

What is the function of an acoustic echo canceller (AEC) in a commercial conferencing audio system?

Accepted Answer

Removes the far-end audio from the microphone signal to prevent feedback loops in calls

Answer

Adds artificial reverb to improve speech intelligibility

Answer

Boosts speech frequencies to improve clarity over telephone lines

Answer

Synchronizes audio and video signals to eliminate lip-sync errors

Question 7

A commercial audio installation uses Cat6 cable to carry Dante audio. Which additional precaution should be taken to ensure audio network reliability?

Accepted Answer

Segment the Dante network onto a dedicated VLAN or physical network isolated from general IT traffic

Answer

Use consumer-grade unmanaged switches to avoid configuration complexity

Answer

Apply 48V phantom power to the Cat6 cable ends

Answer

Use half-duplex mode on all switch ports to reduce packet collisions