CEA Recording Techniques & Equipment 3

Question 1

In multi-microphone recording, what is 'phase cancellation' and how is it typically identified?

Accepted Answer

Frequency suckouts caused by time-offset signals from multiple microphones summing destructively

Answer

Distortion caused by excessive gain on adjacent channels

Answer

Saturation on the mix buss caused by too many tracks

Answer

Intermodulation between two microphones of different polar patterns

Question 2

What is the '3:1 rule' in multi-microphone recording?

Accepted Answer

The distance between two microphones should be at least three times the distance from each microphone to its source to minimize phase issues

Answer

The mix ratio for reverb should not exceed 3:1 wet-to-dry

Answer

Compression ratio on drum overheads should be set to 3:1

Answer

Three microphones must be used for every one instrument recorded

Question 3

What is the function of 'phantom power' in a recording setup?

Accepted Answer

It provides 48V DC through the microphone cable to power active electronics in condenser microphones and active DI boxes

Answer

It boosts the output level of dynamic microphones by 48 dB

Answer

It grounds the microphone cable shield to prevent RF interference

Answer

It activates the impedance converter in ribbon microphones

Question 4

What is 'overdubbing' in a multi-track recording context?

Accepted Answer

Recording additional tracks over previously recorded material while listening back to the existing tracks

Answer

Re-recording an entire track to replace a flawed take

Answer

Duplicating a recorded track to create a double-tracking effect automatically

Answer

Mixing down a multi-track session to a stereo file

Question 5

In acoustic recording environments, what does 'live end, dead end' (LEDE) room design refer to?

Accepted Answer

A room design where the front (live end) has reflective surfaces and the rear (dead end) is heavily treated with absorption

Answer

A room with diffusion on the rear wall and heavy absorption on the front listening wall

Answer

A control room where only one speaker is live at any time

Answer

A method of isolating a recording booth from a control room

Question 6

Which microphone type is most appropriate for recording extremely loud sources like a snare drum close-miked, due to its high SPL handling and durable transducer?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic moving-coil microphone

Answer

Large-diaphragm condenser

Answer

Ribbon microphone

Answer

Electret condenser microphone