Acoustics and Recording Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CMP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Acoustics and Recording Techniques flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a diffuser panel in a recording studio?
Answer: Scatter sound waves to reduce flutter echo
Diffusers scatter sound waves in multiple directions, breaking up flutter echo and standing waves without deadening the room.
Which microphone pattern is best for isolating a single instrument on a loud stage while rejecting side bleed?
Answer: Hypercardioid
Hypercardioid patterns have the narrowest front pickup lobe and strong rear rejection, making them ideal for high-isolation scenarios.
What does 'critical distance' refer to in room acoustics?
Answer: The point where direct and reverberant sound levels are equal
Critical distance is where the direct sound field and the reverberant field have equal energy, influencing microphone placement decisions.
A recording engineer notices a 'comb filtering' artifact in a guitar track. What most likely caused it?
Answer: Two slightly delayed versions of the same signal being combined
Comb filtering results from mixing a signal with a slightly delayed copy of itself, creating alternating peaks and notches across the frequency spectrum.
What is the recommended sample rate for recording audio intended for high-resolution music distribution?
Answer: 88.2 or 96 kHz
88.2 kHz or 96 kHz are standard high-resolution sample rates that capture extended frequency content beyond CD quality for premium distribution.
When using a large-diaphragm condenser microphone on a vocalist, where should the engineer place it to minimize plosives?
Answer: Above the mouth angled slightly downward
Positioning the mic above and angled down keeps it off the direct path of expelled breath from plosive consonants while maintaining a natural sound.
What does 'proximity effect' do to a directional microphone's frequency response as it moves closer to a sound source?
Answer: Boosts low-frequency output
Proximity effect causes directional microphones to exhibit increased bass response as the source distance decreases, due to the pressure gradient principle.