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CER Audio Technology & Sound Quality Management Flashcards

6 cards from real CER practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is the recommended minimum sample rate for courtroom audio recordings to ensure acceptable speech intelligibility?

    Answer: 44,100 Hz

    44,100 Hz (44.1 kHz) is the standard minimum sample rate for court recordings because it captures the full range of human speech and is widely compatible with playback and transcription systems.

  2. Which microphone polar pattern is MOST effective for minimizing ambient courtroom noise while recording a single witness?

    Answer: Hypercardioid

    A hypercardioid pattern provides a narrower pickup angle than a standard cardioid, making it the most effective choice for isolating a single speaker while rejecting off-axis courtroom noise.

  3. What does 'clipping' refer to in audio recording, and why is it critical to avoid during court proceedings?

    Answer: Distortion caused by an audio signal exceeding the recorder's maximum input level

    Clipping occurs when an input signal is too loud and exceeds the recorder's ceiling, producing harsh distortion that makes speech unintelligible and can render a court recording legally unusable.

  4. A court electronic reporter notices a consistent 60 Hz hum on the recording. What is the MOST likely cause?

    Answer: Electrical interference from nearby AC power lines or equipment

    A 60 Hz hum is the characteristic frequency of AC electrical interference in the United States and is almost always caused by ground loops or proximity to power cables and electrical equipment.

  5. What is the purpose of using a low-cut (high-pass) filter on courtroom microphones?

    Answer: To eliminate low-frequency rumble, HVAC noise, and handling vibrations that muddy speech recordings

    A low-cut filter removes unwanted low-frequency noise such as air conditioning rumble, footsteps, and microphone handling sounds that sit below the range of intelligible speech.

  6. Which file format is generally PREFERRED for archiving official court audio recordings due to its lossless compression?

    Answer: FLAC

    FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) preserves 100% of the original audio data without quality loss, making it the preferred archival format for official legal recordings that may be reviewed years later.