Audio Engineering Mid-term Exam Question and Answers [100% Correct] 2025 Latest Version |ACTUAL EXAM|

Audio Engineering Mid-term Exam Question and Answers [100% Correct] 2025 Latest Version |ACTUAL EXAM| What is the primary function of an audio interface in a digital audio workstation (DAW)? To convert analog signals into digital signals and vice versa Which type of microphone is most commonly used for capturing vocals in studio recordings? Condenser microphones What is the purpose of a low-pass filter in audio processing? To remove high-frequency noise and let low-frequency sounds pass through Which audio file format is commonly used for lossless audio compression? WAV What does "dB" stand for in the context of audio levels? Decibel What is the function of a compressor in audio mixing? To reduce the dynamic range by making the loud parts quieter and the quiet parts louder In a stereo mix, what do the left and right channels represent? The spatial distribution of sound, with distinct sounds panned to either the left or right What does "phantom power" supply to a microphone? Power for condenser microphones to operate their internal electronics 1 What is the most common sample rate for CD-quality audio? 44.1 kHz Which type of cable is most commonly used to connect professional microphones to audio interfaces? XLR cables In what situation would you use a high-pass filter in audio production? To eliminate low-frequency rumble or noise What is the typical purpose of a reverb effect in audio mixing? To create a sense of space and depth by simulating reflections of sound What is the key difference between analog and digital audio signals? Analog signals are continuous, while digital signals are made up of discrete samples What does "mixing" refer to in the context of audio engineering? The process of adjusting levels, panning, and applying effects to multiple audio tracks What is the purpose of an equalizer (EQ) in audio engineering? To adjust the balance of frequencies in an audio signal Which audio file format is most commonly used for compressed audio, especially for streaming? MP3 What is the purpose of an audio limiter in a recording? To prevent audio levels from exceeding a certain threshold and causing distortion What is the main function of a signal processor in an audio setup? 2 To modify or manipulate an audio signal in some way, such as compression, EQ, or reverb What type of microphone pickup pattern is most sensitive to sound from all directions? Omnidirectional What is a "bus" in audio mixing? A pathway used to route audio signals to different processing or output destinations What does "clipping" mean in the context of audio signals? When the audio level exceeds the maximum limit, causing distortion What is a sound wave's frequency typically measured in? Hertz (Hz) What is the purpose of using a noise gate in audio processing? To eliminate unwanted background noise by cutting off signals below a certain threshold Which component in an audio setup is responsible for amplifying the signal for speakers or headphones? Amplifier What is a "track" in digital audio production? An individual audio recording or MIDI data within a project What is a "DAW" in the context of audio production? Digital Audio Workstation, the software used for recording, editing, and producing audio What is the primary purpose of an audio limiter in post-production? To ensure that audio does not exceed a specific peak level and avoid distortion 3 What does "mono" audio mean? A single audio channel that plays through both speakers equally How does "panning" affect a stereo mix? It positions sounds between the left and right channels of the stereo field What is the term for the number of audio samples taken per second in digital audio? Sample rate What effect does overcompression have on an audio track? It can make the track sound flat and lifeless by reducing its dynamic range excessively What is the primary purpose of a direct box (DI) in a recording setup? To convert a high-impedance instrument signal (like an electric guitar) to a low-impedance signal suitable for a mixing console What is the function of a spectrum analyzer in audio engineering? To visually display the frequency content of an audio signal What does "bussing" mean in the context of a mixing console? Routing multiple audio signals to a single output or processing chain What is "headroom" in audio engineering? The amount of space left between the peak level of the audio signal and the clipping point What is an audio "mixer"? A device or software used to adjust levels, panning, and effects of multiple audio signals 4 What is the purpose of using a parallel compression technique in audio mixing? To blend a heavily compressed version of the track with the original signal, retaining dynamics while controlling peaks What is the main characteristic of a dynamic microphone? It uses a diaphragm and a coil moving within a magnetic field to capture sound What is the purpose of a "sidechain" in audio processing? To automatically adjust the level of one audio signal in response to the level of another What does "stereo width" refer to in audio mixing? The perceived width of the audio image, how far the left and right channels are separated What is the function of an "insert" in a mixing console? To allow for processing of a signal through external effects or processors What does the "gain" knob control on a microphone preamp? The level of the incoming signal before it is amplified and sent to the next stage in the signal chain What does "latency" refer to in audio recording? The delay between the input of a sound and its output through the system What is the role of a "pop filter" in audio recording? To reduce plosive sounds (like "p" and "b") that can cause distortion in vocal recordings What are the components of a soundwave? Compressions and rarefactions 5 It is a "pure tone" (simplest sound). It is made up of only one frequency and What is a sine wave? is rare in nature What is a complex tone? What is frequency? How is frequency measured? Wave containing more than one frequency Cycles per second (1 compression and 1 rarefaction) Hertz or CPS What is the range/threshold of human hearing? What is a harmonic series? 20 Hz - 20k Hz Multiples of the fundamental pitch What is an octave? What is amplitude? Doubling of frequency Strength of signal What components are necessary to make sound? medium for the sound to move through What is wavelength? Something needs to move and there must be a Speed of sound divided by frequency What is the speed of sound? What is diffraction? 1100 ft/s Bending of a wave form around an object What are the requirements to reflect instead of diffract? the wavelength The barrier must be larger than half of 6 What are baffles used for? They are used to help with bleed/leakage What is timbre? What is white noise? What is pink noise? What is masking? What is polarity? What is phase? What is a transducer? What is a decibel? It is the characteristic sound of anything (balance of harmonic series) Equal energy at all frequencies Equal energy per octave (used often in testing audio setups) When one sound is affected by the presence of another sound Refers to what is positive and what is negative Phase occurs when a wave gets time shifted/delayed Something that turns one kind of energy into another kind of energy dB = 10 * log (Pm/Pr) SPL (sound pressure level) Range of human hearing in dB? Loudest sound we can tolerate = 10 trillion times more powerful than the quietest 0 - 130dB is the threshold of hearing - pain How much power is required to perceive a doubling of loudness? 2x the power = 3dB louder How is human response to loudness measured? 10x the power Logarithmic scale 7 What is a Robinson/Dadson Curve? loudness contour (dB vs Frequency) Formerly known as Fletcher/Munson Curve. It is an equal Why should you mix quiet and check loud? based on listening level What is frequency response? Because perception of frequencies vary drastically Refers to the relative amplitude over a range of frequencies What is standard operating level in the studio? Common switch on the back of gear is.... +4 dBm +4 or -10 (make sure switches are the same) What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced cable? Unbalanced cable has 2 conductors, balanced has 3. Unbalanced line picks up outside signals. Balanced line has a reversed polarity line that cancels out the unwanted signals and provides a clean noise What kind of cables are used by professionals? Unbalanced saves money but professionals use balanced cords. Shorter cords are less prone to picking up extra noise Two broad categories of microphones Dynamic microphones Dynamic and Condenser a microphone that produces a voltage by the movement of a conductor in a magnetic field. A voltage is imparted on that conductor. Ribbon microphones A type of dynamic microphone. A movement of a conductor in a magnetic f ield (the ribbon is both the diaphragm and the conductor. more accurate but more fragile than standard dynamic microphones Condenser microphone (compositor microphones) At the heart of the mic is a compositor it has two parts a fixed back plate and the diaphragm. Together they are a compositor. 48 volt phantom power 8 is sent to the compositor. And a varying voltage comes out Compositors store the voltage. The voltage is sent to a preamp that is built into the microphone. Phantom power also makes the preamp work. Condenser mic diaphragm can be made very very small. They are the most accurate microphones. Flattest frequency. What is an electret condenser? What is directional sensitivity? Diaphragm is made of ceramic and doesn't need phantom power Microphones cannot concentrate on sounds from certain directions, but can be more sensitive to them. Directional sensitivity patterns How is an omnidirectional microphone made? How do loudspeakers work? Draw picture of pressure design The exact opposite from microphones What is the speaker cabinet? Why are cabinets used? out front facing energy What does the diaphragm do? rarefactions The cabinet is the box that encloses the speaker To increase efficiency by preventing rear radiating energy from cancelling It vibrates and makes noise. It seperates compressions and What are other ways to increase efficiency? Passive radiators Horn loading Ports/vents Ports/vents are strategically placed holes in the cabinet that utilizes rear radiating energy 9 Speaker diaphragm with no electronics that uses vibrations from within the Passive radiator cabinet Horn Loading Makes sound significantly louder because it makes up for impedance differences between diaphragm and air (acts like the gear system when pedaling a bike down a hill) Tweeter Woofer Diaphragm optimized for high frequencies low frequency drivers Mid frequency driver What is a crossover driver diaphragm optimized for mid frequencies a device that splits music into different bandwidths to be sent to appropriate 2 broad categories of crossovers Passive crossover passive and active Happens after amplification, output of power amps feed the crossover (home listening) Active crossover Anechoic Chamber Point Source Splits signal before power amp (essential for loud systems) rooms filled with foam to remove all sound waves a theoretical sound source that radiates equally omnidirectionally Where does the word analog come from? It comes from the word analogy, because it records a wave form that is analogous to the wave form in the air 10 converts electricity from a microphone into What does the transducer do in analog recording? magnetism What is magnetic tape? A strip of plastic with a bunch of crushed up magnets adhered to it What are the three heads on a professional analog tape recorder? Problems with analog recording? Erase, record, and play zero cross distortion, tape saturation, tape hiss, gap loss, print through, cross talk, WOW, flutter What is Zero Cross Distortion? Tape doesnt respond without a significant force acting on it, so signal distorts every time it crosses zero. How is zero cross distortion remedied? What is Tape Saturation? with a bias tone that is around 150k Hz Tape saturation occurs when the tape is already fully magnetized and cannot hold the full strength of the signal and distorts the sound What is Tape hiss? alligned What is gap loss? Tape hiss is the white noise that occurs when not all of a tape's magnets are When the playback head does not see a difference in magnetic field strength between one side of the gap and the other What is print through? What is cross talk? What is WOW One winding of the tape magnetizes an adjacent winding Occurs when tracks on the same piece of tape megnetize each other Because it is impossible to drag tape at an absolute speed, WOW occurs when tape is dragged too slow 11 Flutter Because it is impossible to drag tape at an absolute speed, flutter occurs when tape is dragged too fast How fast should tape move at a professional level? 30 and 15 inches/sec 12