Audio Fundamentals Collier, RIM 3010 *Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025/2026 |VERIFIED|

Audio Fundamentals Collier, RIM 3010 *Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025/2026 |VERIFIED| What is the role of a producer in the recording industry? The producer oversees the entire recording project, managing the budget, organizing sessions, hiring musicians, and ensuring the commercial viability of the creative vision. What is the wavelength of a 20 Hz sound wave at room temperature? 56.5 feet How does the frequency of a wave affect its wavelength? The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. What is the velocity of sound at room temperature? 1,130 fps In what units is the phase relationship between two waves measured? degrees If 440 Hz is the fundamental frequency of concert "A," what is the fundamental frequency of a note two octaves above? 1,760 Hz What are Hertz also known as in the context of sound? amplitude 1 What is the 4th harmonic of 300 Hz? 1,200 Hz What is the "Comb Filter Effect"? It occurs when two microphones placed at different distances from the sound source pick up slightly delayed signals, leading to phase cancellation when mixed together. What is the typical range of frequencies that the human ear can hear? 20 Hz to 20 kHz Which harmonics are present in a sine wave? only the first What does a 3 dB increase represent in terms of power? A ratio of 2 watts to 1 watt. What is measured in dBm? power What is measured in dBu? volts What is the threshold of hearing in terms of dB SPL? 0 dB SPL How much does the dB SPL decrease when the distance from the sound source is doubled? 6 dB SPL 2 What is Tinnitus? It is a ringing or whistling in the ear. What part of the ear is fluid-filled and contains hair-like cells? cochlea What is the ear drum, or tympanic membrane? It is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. How many bits per sample are used in CDs? 16 bits What does the anti-aliasing filter in a PCM digital system remove? frequencies above one half of the sampling frequency According to Nyquist's Law, what must the minimum sample rate be? at least twice the frequency of the highest harmonic of the source signal to be digitized What does PCM stand for in digital audio recording? pulse code modulation What does increasing the bit depth in a PCM digital system affect? the dynamic range Which aspect of audio is most impacted by a low (slow) sampling frequency? the highest audio frequency that can be processed What is the purpose of data compression in audio files? 3 to reduce the amount of data or file size What is "dither" in digital audio conversion? Noise added to the audio before conversion to digital in order to reduce distortion at low amplitudes. What does latency refer to in digital audio? Time delay caused by DSP. What does jitter refer to in digital audio systems? Timing errors in sampling clock frequency. How do you calculate the bit rate for audio? By multiplying the bit depth by the sampling frequency per single channel of audio. Which audio file format is NOT a lossy codec? WAV Which audio codec is lossless, reducing file size while maintaining the original quality? FLAC Which file format is NOT typically used in DAW music production? Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) What does DSP stand for in audio processing? digital signal processing Which is a common lossy audio compression system? 4 mp3 What does "native" mean when referring to a plugin? It runs in the DAW computer. What is a plugin in digital audio? A software processor add-on. What is a DAW control surface or DAW controller? A hardware device that gives the user hands-on controls for the on-screen mixer in the digital audio environment. What is MIDI? Musical Instrument Digital Interface How many channels are available on each MIDI port? 16 channels What document describes the codes used in MIDI? the MIDI 1.0 Specification. What is General MIDI? A MIDI protocol that ensures different devices produce the same sound when receiving the same MIDI data. What does the "thru" connection on a MIDI port do? It passes through MIDI data from the input. What does MIDI sequencing record? 5 Your performance gestures. What is an example of a MIDI controller? A guitar with a MIDI connector. What is the result of a sequencer recording in MIDI? A .mid file. What is a soft synth? A software emulation of a synthesizer. What is a sampler in digital audio? A device that records individual notes from musical instruments and plays them when activated by MIDI. Not to be confused with a digital piano, a stand-alone keyboard workstation includes player and sequencer A drum machine is an example of a sample player a sample In MIDI editing, changing the pitch of a single note, group of notes, or changing the key of an entire song is called transposing or transposition In MIDI editing, ________________ allows timing inaccuracies to be adjusted to the nearest desired musical time division (such as a quarter, eighth, or sixteenth note). quantization In groove-based music production, a loop is a repeated pattern of notes. An REX loop file uses this process to match tempo changes in a musical composition. elastic-audio 6 Connect MIDI THRU to microphone, line, & speaker MIDI IN Audio in the analog electronic domain has 3 basic levels these are? the audio levels at different points in the signal flow Signal flow Gain structure is? the path the audio takes through the audio chain The function of a pan pot could be to? speakers. a common signal path. vary the relative gain being fed to both sides of a set of An audio bus is a? A pot is? a potentiometer. The fold back system solo system routes signal to headphone monitors. AFL and PFL are associated with the console? Given a console that is marketed as being a 48 x 8 x 2 console, how many busses or groups does the console have? 8 busses monitor section This is the section of the console where you can, choose the source to listen to, determine how loud the the speakers will be and select which speakers to listen to? When creating a headphone mix, you want your auxiliary sends to be set as _____ so that they are independent of the console fader. pre-fader 7 insert You would use this connection point on the console to add an external compressor to the signal chain. The most common professional microphone connector is called a? XLR plug To connect an electric guitar directly into a console preamplifier you need a? DI Box This type of cable wiring is used in professional audio systems because it helps reject noise. Balanced Most budget mixers as well as home stereos have this kind of EQ for the Treble and Bass? Which of the following describes the slope of a filter? Filters are usually identified by? cut off frequency dB per octave All analgo EQs and many digital EQs create _____ when used? Parametric means that these qualities on an EQ are variable? The purpose of a compressor is to reduce the dynamic range. The side chain input on a compressor might also be called the? An expander is normally used in the studio to? phase shift level, frequency and "Q" key input control noise and leakage A compression ratio is a ratio of? input to output shelving 8 sets the dB level above which compression will begin A threshold control of a compressor/limiter? to be applied If a compressor threshold is set at 0 dB and the compression ratio at 2:1 an input signal of +12 dB would produce an output at? + 6dB ADT as? A time processor effect replicating an instrument playing the same part over again is know Which of the following best describes the flanging effect? related null points An echo chamber? creates natural sounding revereration. how long it takes the initial sound to decay 60 dB plate a shifting comb filter with harmonically The decay time of a reverb This type of reverb device uses an electromechanical transducer to create a vibration in a large piece of sheet metal What brought about the need for developing and applying artificial reverb? mutlitracking A "dry" sound lacks Music Producer effects close micing and helps the artist and record company create the best possible recorded performance and final product that reflects the artist's vision Music Engineer expresses the artist's music and the producer's concepts and intent through the medium of recording technology FOH engineer focuses on mixing audio for the audience of a live show 9 Monitor engineer responsible for the operation of the monitor mixing console, maintenance and repair of the band's in-ears Location Sound Recordist member of a film crew responsible for recording all sound recording on set during the filmmaking for later inclusion in the finished product Scoring engineer ADR engineer rerecorded Foley engineer works during the recording sessions to record and mix the music for film/TV responsible for recording sessions for overdubbing lines in a film that needed to be records the sounds to match live sounds filmed Post-production engineer Sound-effects designer works on all stages after the actual recording in a studio happens Plans and provides the sound effects for screen action Radio Broadcast Streaming engineer Electronic music producer responsible for mixing sound for live radio A person who is responsible for carrying out the creation of electronic music Acoustician an expert in the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound Resonant Frequency Compression the preferred or natural frequency of vibration for an object an increase in atmospheric pressure 10 rarefraction a decrease in atmospheric pressure frequency pitch amplitude velocity of sound wavelength phase t imbre harmonics Sound Envelope period of a wave octave the number of cycles per unit of time. measured in Hertz (Hz) the rate at which vibrations are produced measurement of the degree of change in atmospheric pressure caused by sound waves 1130 ft/s in average humidity and at 70 degrees wavelength = velocity / frequency how far along its cycle a given waveform is (0-360 degrees) quality given to a sound by its overtones an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency; 1st- 440 Hz, 2nd 880 Hz Attack- Decay- Sustain- Release one cycle of the wave without repeating an interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency threshold of hearing threshold of pain .02 millipascals 120-140 dB SPL 11 Pascal (Pa) sound pressure is measured in pascals in-phase out of phase together two waves mixed together will increase in amplitude waves of equal amplitude but out of phase will cancel completely when mixed Acoustic phase cancellation the arrival time differences for the signal at the two microphones results in a boost at certain frequencies and cancellation at other frequencies comb filtering interference Fourier analysis Transducer energy Outer Ear Middle ear Inner ear Pinna adds a delayed version of a signal to itself, causing constructive and destructive the expression of any periodic function as a sum of sine and cosine functions any device that changes one form of energy into another, corresponding form of Pinna, auditory canal eardrum, ossicles, eustachian tube Cochlea, Semicircular canals job is to catch and focus the acoustic waves into the ear canal Auditory Canal Ear Drum 1-1.5 in long; resonate frequency: 3k Hz a stretched, drumlike membrane that vibrates as acoustic waves strike it 12 Ossicles anvil, stirrup the vibrations of the ear drum are carried across the middle ear by three bones: hammer, Eustachian tube Cochlea Equalizes air pressure between the outside and middle ear a tubular, snail-like organ that contains two fluid filled chambers Basilar membrane cochlea Hair cells (cillia Organ of corti oval window round window the brain semicircular canals hydraulic wave auditory nerve Tinnitus the stiff structural element that separates the two liquid filled tubes in the run along the basilar membrane bundles of nerve fibers that receive sound from the hairs on the basilar membrane a membrane that is part of the cochlea on the side where the ossicles are a membrane on the end of the cochlea that transmits the sounds to nerves and inside the inner ear, supply balance information to the brain a wave that passes along the basilar membrane, carrying the vibrations carries the bio electric signal to the brain a ringing in the ear caused by hearing damage Fletcher & Munson Discovered the Equal Loudness Curves 13 Equal Loudness Curves Hearing response varies with the level of frequency Frequency response of the ear Phon Audible range of hearing: 20-20,000Hz Term used in loudness levels for pure tones. 1 Phon= 1dB SPL @ 1kHz SPL Weighted measurement Critical bands used to approximate human hearing response ("A", "B", "C") the frequency bandwidth of the "auditory filter" created by the cochlea Masking A louder sound will cover or mask a softer sound Beat pattern/beating Constructive interference higher amplitude (in phase) Destructive interference amplitude lowers Combination tones Masking Shadow When 2 pure tones with a frequency difference of ~15Hz are combined when two waves line up with each other and are combined to reach a When the crest of one wave meets the trough of another wave, when 2 pure tones with a large frequency difference are combined The frequency area masked by the louder sound Doppler Effect When a sound source is moving in relation to the listener, the pitch goes up as they approach and goes down as they move away Leslie Speaker Cabinet Speakers rotate and create a "chorus" sound with the doppler effect 14 McGurk effect a perceptual phenomenon that demonstrates an interaction between hearing and vision in speech perception Sound Source Location wavelength and the phase Perception of the direction of a sound source is determined by the Inter-aural Time Difference (ITD) Inter-aural Amplitude Difference (IAD) around head, high freq. do not Acoustic Shadow Sound arrives at the closer ear first Head creates an acoustic shadow, low frequencies diffract an area where sound waves fail to reach due to an obstruction Frequency range for IAD Frequency range for ITD Cone of confusion 800Hz-1,600Hz & 1,600Hz and up 80Hz-800Hz & 800Hz-1,600Hz a sound source presents equal phase delays & transient disparities making it impossible to localize the source Haas Effect (Precedence Effect) source direction Transducer The ear/brain will use the time of first arrival to locate the sound converts a signal in one form of energy to a signal in another form of energy The ear Microphone Sound waves in air TO nerve impulses in the brain Sound waves in air TO electrical signals in wires 15 Speaker Electrical signals in wires TO sound waves in air Tape Record Head Tape Playback Head Phonograph cartridge Transducer Electrical signals in wires TO magnetic flux on tape Magnetic Flux on tape TO electrical signals in wires Grooves cut in disk surface TO electrical signals in wires converts a signal in one form of energy to a signal in another form of energy The ear Microphone Speaker Sound waves in air TO nerve impulses in the brain Sound waves in air TO electrical signals in wires Electrical signals in wires TO sound waves in air Tape Record Head Tape Playback Head Phonograph cartridge Fletcher & Munson Equal Loudness Curves Electrical signals in wires TO magnetic flux on tape Magnetic Flux on tape TO electrical signals in wires Grooves cut in disk surface TO electrical signals in wires Discovered the Equal Loudness Curves Hearing response varies with the level of frequency Frequency response of the ear Audible range of hearing: 20-20,000Hz 16 Phon Term used in loudness levels for pure tones. 1 Phon= 1dB SPL @ 1kHz SPL Weighted measurement Critical bands used to approximate human hearing response ("A", "B", "C") the frequency bandwidth of the "auditory filter" created by the cochlea Masking A louder sound will cover or mask a softer sound Beat pattern/beating Constructive interference higher amplitude (in phase) Destructive interference amplitude lowers Combination tones Masking Shadow When 2 pure tones with a frequency difference of ~15Hz are combined when two waves line up with each other and are combined to reach a When the crest of one wave meets the trough of another wave, when 2 pure tones with a large frequency difference are combined The frequency area masked by the louder sound Doppler Effect When a sound source is moving in relation to the listener, the pitch goes up as they approach and goes down as they move away Leslie Speaker Cabinet McGurk effect Speakers rotate and create a "chorus" sound with the doppler effect a perceptual phenomenon that demonstrates an interaction between hearing and vision in speech perception Sound Source Location wavelength and the phase Perception of the direction of a sound source is determined by the 17 Inter-aural Time Difference (ITD) Inter-aural Amplitude Difference (IAD) around head, high freq. do not Acoustic Shadow Sound arrives at the closer ear first Head creates an acoustic shadow, low frequencies diffract an area where sound waves fail to reach due to an obstruction Frequency range for IAD Frequency range for ITD Cone of confusion 800Hz-1,600Hz & 1,600Hz and up 80Hz-800Hz & 800Hz-1,600Hz a sound source presents equal phase delays & transient disparities making it impossible to localize the source Haas Effect (Precedence Effect) source direction Transducer The ear/brain will use the time of first arrival to locate the sound any device that changes one form of energy into another, corresponding form of energy Outer Ear Middle ear Inner ear Pinna Pinna, auditory canal eardrum, ossicles, eustachian tube Cochlea, Semicircular canals job is to catch and focus the acoustic waves into the ear canal 18 Auditory Canal 1-1.5 in long; resonate frequency: 3k Hz Ear Drum Ossicles anvil, stirrup Eustachian tube Cochlea a stretched, drumlike membrane that vibrates as acoustic waves strike it the vibrations of the ear drum are carried across the middle ear by three bones: hammer, Equalizes air pressure between the outside and middle ear a tubular, snail-like organ that contains two fluid filled chambers Basilar membrane cochlea Hair cells (cillia Organ of corti oval window round window the brain semicircular canals hydraulic wave auditory nerve the stiff structural element that separates the two liquid filled tubes in the run along the basilar membrane bundles of nerve fibers that receive sound from the hairs on the basilar membrane a membrane that is part of the cochlea on the side where the ossicles are a membrane on the end of the cochlea that transmits the sounds to nerves and inside the inner ear, supply balance information to the brain a wave that passes along the basilar membrane, carrying the vibrations carries the bio electric signal to the brain 19 Tinnitus a ringing in the ear caused by hearing damage Resonant Frequency Compression the preferred or natural frequency of vibration for an object an increase in atmospheric pressure rarefraction frequency pitch amplitude velocity of sound wavelength phase t imbre harmonics Sound Envelope period of a wave a decrease in atmospheric pressure the number of cycles per unit of time. measured in Hertz (Hz) the rate at which vibrations are produced measurement of the degree of change in atmospheric pressure caused by sound waves 1130 ft/s in average humidity and at 70 degrees wavelength = velocity / frequency how far along its cycle a given waveform is (0-360 degrees) quality given to a sound by its overtones an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency; 1st- 440 Hz, 2nd 880 Hz Attack- Decay- Sustain- Release one cycle of the wave without repeating 20 octave an interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency threshold of hearing threshold of pain Pascal (Pa) .02 millipascals 120-140 dB SPL sound pressure is measured in pascals in-phase out of phase together two waves mixed together will increase in amplitude waves of equal amplitude but out of phase will cancel completely when mixed Acoustic phase cancellation the arrival time differences for the signal at the two microphones results in a boost at certain frequencies and cancellation at other frequencies comb filtering interference Fourier analysis Music Producer adds a delayed version of a signal to itself, causing constructive and destructive the expression of any periodic function as a sum of sine and cosine functions helps the artist and record company create the best possible recorded performance and final product that reflects the artist's vision Music Engineer expresses the artist's music and the producer's concepts and intent through the medium of recording technology FOH engineer focuses on mixing audio for the audience of a live show 21 Monitor engineer responsible for the operation of the monitor mixing console, maintenance and repair of the band's in-ears Location Sound Recordist member of a film crew responsible for recording all sound recording on set during the filmmaking for later inclusion in the finished product Scoring engineer ADR engineer rerecorded Foley engineer works during the recording sessions to record and mix the music for film/TV responsible for recording sessions for overdubbing lines in a film that needed to be records the sounds to match live sounds filmed Post-production engineer Sound-effects designer works on all stages after the actual recording in a studio happens Plans and provides the sound effects for screen action Radio Broadcast Streaming engineer Electronic music producer responsible for mixing sound for live radio A person who is responsible for carrying out the creation of electronic music Acoustician an expert in the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound 22