CER CER Audio Technology & Sound Quality Management 3

Question 1

When is it appropriate for an electronic court reporter to use noise-reduction software on a court recording?

Accepted Answer

Only when specifically authorized by the court and documented in the record, and never in a way that alters speech content

Answer

Freely, to improve the overall sound quality of every recording before delivery

Answer

Whenever background noise exceeds 40 dB during the session

Answer

Only on recordings that are not yet part of the official record

Question 2

A wireless microphone suddenly drops out mid-testimony. What should the CER do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Activate the backup wired or redundant recording channel and note the dropout timestamp in the log

Answer

Immediately inform the judge that the testimony must be repeated from the beginning

Answer

Switch the recording to a mobile phone as an emergency measure

Answer

Stop the proceedings and schedule a new hearing date

Question 3

Which practice BEST protects a court audio recording from data loss during a long trial day?

Accepted Answer

Incrementally saving and backing up recordings to a second device at regular intervals throughout the session

Answer

Recording to a single high-capacity hard drive with no backups until the end of the day

Answer

Pausing recording during recesses to conserve storage space

Answer

Using a compressed audio format to reduce the chance of file corruption

Question 4

What is 'phantom power' and why might a CER need to know about it?

Accepted Answer

48V DC power delivered through a microphone cable to power condenser microphones that require it

Answer

A software feature that simulates audio when a microphone is disconnected

Answer

A backup battery mode that activates when AC power fails in the courtroom

Answer

An audio processing effect that removes echo from a recording

Question 5

An attorney objects that a digital recording does not accurately reflect what was said. What is the CER's BEST response?

Accepted Answer

Provide the original unedited recording file along with chain-of-custody documentation for the court to evaluate

Answer

Agree to re-record the testimony from memory

Answer

Edit the recording to match the attorney's recollection

Answer

Delete the disputed file and rely on any written notes

Question 6

Which environmental factor is MOST commonly overlooked but significantly degrades courtroom audio recording quality?

Accepted Answer

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system noise transmitted through air ducts and vents

Answer

The color of the courtroom walls

Answer

The number of people seated in the gallery

Answer

The type of lighting fixtures installed in the ceiling