CEA CEA Signal Processing & Electronics

Question 1

What does a compressor's 'attack time' control in audio signal processing?

Accepted Answer

How quickly gain reduction begins after the signal exceeds the threshold

Answer

Attack time determines how rapidly the compressor responds and begins reducing gain once the input signal surpasses the set threshold.

Question 2

In a balanced audio circuit, what is the primary benefit of using a differential amplifier at the input?

Accepted Answer

Rejects common-mode noise picked up along the cable

Answer

A differential amplifier amplifies the difference between the two conductors while canceling identical (common-mode) noise present on both, which is the core principle of balanced audio.

Question 3

What is the purpose of dithering when reducing bit depth in digital audio?

Accepted Answer

To add low-level noise that masks quantization distortion

Answer

Dithering adds a carefully shaped low-level noise signal before truncating bit depth, which randomizes quantization errors and prevents audible harmonic distortion.

Question 4

Which filter type passes frequencies below its cutoff point while attenuating higher frequencies?

Accepted Answer

Low-pass filter

Answer

A low-pass filter allows low frequencies to pass through while progressively reducing the amplitude of frequencies above the cutoff frequency.

Question 5

What does 'Total Harmonic Distortion' (THD) measure in audio electronics?

Accepted Answer

The level of unwanted harmonic frequencies generated relative to the fundamental

Answer

THD expresses the combined amplitude of all harmonic distortion products as a percentage of the original fundamental signal level.

(CEA) Certified Audio Engineer Practice Test

(CEA) Certified Audio Engineer Practice Test

CEA CEA Signal Processing & Electronics