Question 1

Set the threshold control so that the gain is reduced by ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  6 dB. 
B)  whatever sounds right. 
C)  the threshold control. 
D)  10 dB. 
A)  6 dB. 
B)  whatever sounds right. 
C)  the threshold control. 
D)  10 dB. B

Question 2

The difference between delay and echo is ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  delay is a time duration while echo is a signal repetition. 
B)  nothing; they mean the same thing. 
C)  delay is always one repeat while echo is several repeats. 
D)  delay sounds like a tapping sound, while echo sounds like a large concert hall. 
A)  delay is a time duration while echo is a signal repetition. 
B)  nothing; they mean the same thing. 
C)  delay is always one repeat while echo is several repeats. 
D)  delay sounds like a tapping sound, while echo sounds like a large concert hall. A

Question 3

Threshold is ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the level at which compression turns into gating. 
B)  the level above which compression occurs. 
C)  the level at which you hear compression. 
D)  the upper limit of compression. 
A)  the level at which compression turns into gating. 
B)  the level above which compression occurs. 
C)  the level at which you hear compression. 
D)  the upper limit of compression. B

Question 4

If you are sending aux signals to an effects device or plug-in, set the dry/wet mix control to _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  100% wet. 
B)  100% dry. 
C)  50%. 
D)  whatever is needed. 
A)  100% wet. 
B)  100% dry. 
C)  50%. 
D)  whatever is needed.

Question 5

Where are effects inserted?

Accepted Answer

A)  Between the instrument and mixing console. 
B)  It depends on the type of effect. 
C)  It depends on the amount of effect. 
D)  Between the mixer output and a mixer input. 
A)  Between the instrument and mixing console. 
B)  It depends on the type of effect. 
C)  It depends on the amount of effect. 
D)  Between the mixer output and a mixer input.

Question 6

Doubling can be achieved by ________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a flanging plug-in. 
B)  recording a part, then re-recording the same part. 
C)  using two compressors at the same time. 
D)  delaying the signal by 50 milliseconds. 
A)  a flanging plug-in. 
B)  recording a part, then re-recording the same part. 
C)  using two compressors at the same time. 
D)  delaying the signal by 50 milliseconds.

Question 7

Compared to a hardware effect, a major advantage of a plug-in effect is _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  lower cost if you are using the effect on many tracks. 
B)  better sound quality. 
C)  easier to troubleshoot. 
D)  there is no advantage; a hardware effect is always preferred. 
A)  lower cost if you are using the effect on many tracks. 
B)  better sound quality. 
C)  easier to troubleshoot. 
D)  there is no advantage; a hardware effect is always preferred.

Question 8

The purpose of a compressor is __________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  to reduce the dynamic range. 
B)  to squash sounds. 
C)  to increase the dynamic range. 
D)  to make mp3 files. 
A)  to reduce the dynamic range. 
B)  to squash sounds. 
C)  to increase the dynamic range. 
D)  to make mp3 files.

Question 9

If a guitar amp sounds bad, how can you fix it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Try another guitar amp. 
B)  Record the guitar direct and use amp modeling software. 
C)  Adjust the amp controls until it sounds good. 
D)  Try another guitar. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Try another guitar amp. 
B)  Record the guitar direct and use amp modeling software. 
C)  Adjust the amp controls until it sounds good. 
D)  Try another guitar. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 10

An insert effect in recording software is usually __________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  preferred over an aux-send effect. 
B)  inserted in a bus. 
C)  inserted in a track. 
D)  reverb or delay. 
A)  preferred over an aux-send effect. 
B)  inserted in a bus. 
C)  inserted in a track. 
D)  reverb or delay.

Question 11

A limiter controls ________________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the dynamic range 
B)  the maximum level that a signal reaches. 
C)  the minimum level that a signal reaches. 
D)  the end point of compression. 
A)  the dynamic range 
B)  the maximum level that a signal reaches. 
C)  the minimum level that a signal reaches. 
D)  the end point of compression.

Question 12

A reverb time of 2 seconds would tend to sound like ___________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a small room. 
B)  an echo. 
C)  a concert hall. 
D)  an outdoor recording. 
A)  a small room. 
B)  an echo. 
C)  a concert hall. 
D)  an outdoor recording.

Question 13

If a vocalist sings flat but not sharp, how can you fix it?

Accepted Answer

A)  use Auto-Tune set to the "flat" setting. 
B)  Use Auto-Tune set to the "sharpen" setting. 
C)  Re-record the flat notes in tune. 
D)  Use the "Cher" effect. 
A)  use Auto-Tune set to the "flat" setting. 
B)  Use Auto-Tune set to the "sharpen" setting. 
C)  Re-record the flat notes in tune. 
D)  Use the "Cher" effect.

Question 14

The difference between echo and reverb is ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Echo is a smooth decay; reverb is a repetition. 
B)  There is no difference; they mean the same thing. 
C)  Echo sounds hollow while reverb sounds clean. 
D)  Echo is a repetion; reverb is a smooth decay. 
A)  Echo is a smooth decay; reverb is a repetition. 
B)  There is no difference; they mean the same thing. 
C)  Echo sounds hollow while reverb sounds clean. 
D)  Echo is a repetion; reverb is a smooth decay.

Question 15

If you want the same type of reverb on several tracks, how do you set it up most effectively?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use an aux send in each track to a bus with reverb inserted. 
B)  Insert the same reverb plug-in in each track. 
C)  Use an aux send from one track to all the others. 
D)  Turn down the reverb dry/wet mix control. 
A)  Use an aux send in each track to a bus with reverb inserted. 
B)  Insert the same reverb plug-in in each track. 
C)  Use an aux send from one track to all the others. 
D)  Turn down the reverb dry/wet mix control.

Question 16

In a compressor, a long attack time tends to emphasize ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  note attacks 
B)  long notes 
C)  slow-rising notes 
D)  high frequencies 
A)  note attacks 
B)  long notes 
C)  slow-rising notes 
D)  high frequencies

Question 17

A 4:1 compression ratio means _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the output is 4 dB louder than the input. 
B)  the input changes by 1 dB for every 4 dB change in the output. 
C)  the input is 4 dB louder than the output. 
D)  the output changes by 1 dB for every 4 dB change in the input. 
A)  the output is 4 dB louder than the input. 
B)  the input changes by 1 dB for every 4 dB change in the output. 
C)  the input is 4 dB louder than the output. 
D)  the output changes by 1 dB for every 4 dB change in the input.

Exam 10: Effects and Signal Processors

Set the threshold control so that the gain is reduced by ______________.

The difference between delay and echo is ____________________.

Threshold is ____________________.

If you are sending aux signals to an effects device or plug-in, set the dry/wet mix control to _________.

Where are effects inserted?

Doubling can be achieved by ________________.

Compared to a hardware effect, a major advantage of a plug-in effect is _________________.

The purpose of a compressor is __________________.

If a guitar amp sounds bad, how can you fix it?

An insert effect in recording software is usually __________________.

A limiter controls ________________________.

A reverb time of 2 seconds would tend to sound like ___________________.

If a vocalist sings flat but not sharp, how can you fix it?

The difference between echo and reverb is ____________________.

If you want the same type of reverb on several tracks, how do you set it up most effectively?

In a compressor, a long attack time tends to emphasize ____________________.

A 4:1 compression ratio means _________________.

The Recording Process

Sound and Psychoacoustics

Studio Acoustics; Signal Characteristics of Audio Devices

Equipping Your Studio

Monitoring

Microphones

Mic Technique Basics

Microphone Techniques

Equalisation

Mixers

Digital Audio

Computer Recording

Daw Operation

Judging Sound Quality

Midi and Loops

Session Procedures

Mastering and Cd Burning

On-Location Recording of Popular Music

On-Location Recording of Classical Music

Web Audio, Streaming and Online Collaboration

Appendix A: DB or Not DB

Appendix B: Optimizing Your Computer for Multitrack Recording

Appendix C: Impedance

Appendix D: Phantom Power; Legacy Recording Devices, AUDIO GLOSARRY

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