Music & Audio Advice Microphone Types and Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which microphone type generally requires phantom power to operate?
- Dynamic microphone
- Condenser microphone (Correct answer)
- Ribbon microphone
- Carbon microphone
Correct answer: Condenser microphone
Condenser microphones need an external power source, typically 48V phantom power, to charge the diaphragm and run their internal circuitry.
Question 2: What polar pattern picks up sound equally from all directions?
- Cardioid
- Omnidirectional (Correct answer)
- Bidirectional
- Hypercardioid
Correct answer: Omnidirectional
An omnidirectional pattern captures sound uniformly from every direction around the microphone.
Question 3: Which microphone is most commonly used for live vocal performance due to its durability and feedback resistance?
- Large-diaphragm condenser
- Ribbon microphone
- Dynamic microphone (Correct answer)
- Boundary microphone
Correct answer: Dynamic microphone
Dynamic microphones are rugged and handle high sound pressure levels, making them ideal for the stage.
Question 4: The proximity effect causes which change as a directional mic gets very close to the source?
- Boost in low frequencies (Correct answer)
- Boost in high frequencies
- Reduction in overall volume
- Increase in self-noise
Correct answer: Boost in low frequencies
Moving a directional microphone close to the source emphasizes bass frequencies, known as the proximity effect.
Question 5: A bidirectional (figure-8) microphone rejects sound coming from which area?
- The front
- The rear
- The sides (Correct answer)
- Directly above
Correct answer: The sides
Figure-8 patterns capture front and rear but reject sound arriving from the sides.
Question 6: Which microphone type is known for being fragile and sensitive to high SPL and wind blasts?
- Dynamic
- Ribbon (Correct answer)
- Electret
- USB condenser
Correct answer: Ribbon
Ribbon microphones use a thin metal ribbon that can be damaged by strong air pressure or phantom power on some models.
Question 7: What is the main advantage of a shotgun microphone for film and video?
- Wide, room-filling pickup
- Highly directional, long-distance pickup (Correct answer)
- Equal pickup in all directions
- Built-in reverb
Correct answer: Highly directional, long-distance pickup
Shotgun mics use an interference tube to achieve a narrow, highly directional pickup that isolates a distant subject.
Music & Audio Advice Microphone Types and Techniques 2
Which microphone type generally requires phantom power to operate?