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Fanshawe MIA RCRD 3001 Audio Engineering questions with answers.
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Fanshawe MIA RCRD 3001 AudioEngineering questions with answers.
What are Amplitude Processors? ANS - • Amplitude processors are devices that affect the "dynamic
range" of a signal.
• Amplitude processors are also known as "Level Control Devices"
• These devices include: compressors, limiters and expanders .
What is dynamic range? ANS - • Dynamic range: The ratio of the loudest (undistorted) signal to that of
the quietest (discernible) signal in a unit or system as expressed in decibels (dB).
• Dynamic Range is the range from the quietest point to the loudest point of a signal.
• Or the dynamic range can be viewed as the difference in level between the softest and the loudest
parts of the sound source.
What is headroom? ANS - In equipment , the area of dynamic range between the minimum and
maximum to store, reproduce, and modify the signal.
When referring to equipment, what is another way to stating the maximum dynamic range? ANS -
Signal to Noise Ratio (
S/N ratio)
What is the maximum signal levels that professional analogue consoles can output and what would the
maximum dynamic range of these be? ANS - +26 dBu free of distortion with the best noise floors being
down around -94 dBu. This gives a maximum dynamic range of 120 dB.
Today's high quality digital systems can extend the dynamic range up to what level? ANS - 140 dB.
Why control the dynamic range of a signal? ANS - · Prevention of signal overload from erratic signals
and transients (Clipping).
· To maximize on the useable amount of headroom in a system.
,· To reduce the dynamic range of an instrument or vocalist who does not perform consistently at the
same volume intensity or to maintain a constant source to microphone distance.
· To add more power to a sound by increasing the apparent loudness of that signal.
· Reducing the dynamic range can also improve the intelligibility of speech in narration.
NB: Apparent loudness is something that sounds consistently louder than it truly is!
What is compression? ANS - · Compression is a concept of controlling the dynamic range (volume) of an
audio signal. Think of it as a automated fader that moves up and down based on your settings.
Is compressed audio more dynamic or less dynamic? ANS - Less dynamic. Compression is used to
reduce the dynamic range of a signal.
What is gain riding? ANS - Before compressors were widely available Gain Riding was a common
technique to keep signals under control. The engineer would try to anticipate the excessively low and
excessively high signal levels so that he or she could make a rapid (and sometimes desperate)
adjustment with the fader level while recording and mixing. In other words engineers moved faders!
When the signal level exceeds this predetermined point the compressor gain (output) is reduced and the
signal is attenuated. What is this predetermined point called on compressors? ANS - Threshold.
True or False. A compressor is considered a variable gain amplifier. ANS - True.
Name 6 typical compressor controls. ANS - • Threshold ( Input level )
• Ratio Selection (Slope)
• Attack Time
• Release Time
• Output Level (Makeup Gain)
• Metering Mode
What is another name for threshold on many compressors? ANS - input.
, What are two names for the point at which the compressor starts gain reduction once the signal crosses
the threshold? ANS - 1. Knee
2. Rotation Point
Is the signal below the threshold compressed? ANS - No.
True or False: In some compressor designs, there are separate input and threshold controls. In these
unit the input control is adjusted for unity gain from the source first and then the threshold control is
used to lower the threshold down on the signal. ANS - True
What is compression ratio? ANS - The compression ratio setting is responsible for the proportion of
change between the input and output levels. The Higher the ratio, the stronger the compression effect.
What is the range of compression ratios? ANS - 1:1 is nothing. 2:1 is mild. 4:! is standard on many
things. According to Joe, 10:1 and above is limiting. 20:1 is a common form of limiting.
What is attack time on a compressor? ANS - The time taken for the compressor to react to a signal that
has exceeded the threshold. Since the compressor can't see into the future, it will react *After* a
sudden change in level.
If you set the attack too fast on a snare drum, what happens? ANS - The snare may sound dull if you
remove the initial transient.
What is release time on a compressor? ANS - The time it takes for the compressor to return the signal
to its original gain once the signal has fallen back below the threshold.
What is another way to refer to release time? ANS - Rate of recovery.
What release time works on most sources? ANS - Medium release times will be good for most
applications. In the case where you have a signal that has a long sustain or slow decay ( like a legato
whole note bass or cymbals) you will need to slow down the release time to let the signal naturally
decay in volume before having the compressor bring the gain back up.
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