Audio Engineering Principles Flashcards

What is the standard operating level for professional audio equipment in dBu?

Answer: +4 dBu

Professional audio gear typically operates at +4 dBu nominal level, providing more headroom and better noise performance than consumer -10 dBV.

What does 'bit depth' in digital audio primarily affect?

Answer: Dynamic range and noise floor

Each additional bit of depth adds approximately 6 dB of dynamic range, so 16-bit audio provides ~96 dB and 24-bit provides ~144 dB of theoretical dynamic range.

Which type of equalization uses a fixed bandwidth that widens proportionally at lower frequencies?

Answer: Proportional-Q (reciprocal) EQ

Proportional-Q EQ has a Q that automatically narrows at higher boost/cut amounts and widens at lower amounts, common in many console-style EQ designs.

When using a figure-8 microphone, what is the rejection at 90° (directly to the side)?

Answer: Complete rejection (null)

A figure-8 microphone has a complete null (theoretically infinite rejection) at 90° and 270° to the capsule axis.

What is 'headroom' in audio engineering?

Answer: The amount of gain available above nominal operating level before clipping occurs

Headroom is the margin between a system's nominal operating level and its clipping point, allowing transients to pass without distortion.

What is the primary advantage of using a compressor with a 'soft knee' setting?

Answer: Gradual onset of compression around the threshold for more transparent processing

A soft knee gradually introduces compression as the signal approaches and crosses the threshold, resulting in more natural-sounding dynamics control.

In the context of reverb, what does 'pre-delay' control?

Answer: The time between the direct sound and the first reflections of the reverb

Pre-delay is the time gap before early reflections begin, which mimics the natural delay between direct sound and room reflections and helps preserve source clarity.