TH 1551
Sound for the Theatre
Midterm Exam
Study Guide

I. Sound defined

A. Wavelengths

1. Frequency
2. Amplitude
3. Harmonics

II. Human ear

A. Frequency range in Hertz
B. Amplitude range in decibels
C. Doppler effect
D. Discernment

III. Sound Source

A. Turntables

1. Stylus
2. Platter
3. Pick-up arm
4. Stereo recording techniques
5. Uses in the theatre

B. Compact discs

1. Basic technology
2. Sampling
3. Purpose of laser split into three beams of light
4. Audio range in Hz and dB
5. Skip back function
6. A-B loop function

C. Microphones

1. Types

a. Carbon
b. Crystal
c. Ribbon
d. Dynamic
e. Condenser

2. Impedance - high and low wiring configurations
3. Directivity - uses in theatre

a. Omnidirectional
b. Bidirectional
c. Unidirectional

1. Cardioid
2. Supercardioid
3. Hypercardioid

4. Styles

a. Hand held
b. Wireless
c. Lavalier
d. Pressure zone

G. Minidisc players

1. Advantages/disadvantages over CD
2. Record track
3. Move track
4. Combine track
5. Divide track
6. Erase track
7. Label tracks

IV. Mixers

A. Ins/Outs
B. Speaker Assignments
C. Equalization

1. Graphic
2. Sweepable
3. Parametric

D. Panning technique
E. PFL (pre-fader listen) technique
F. Solo technique

V. Amplifiers

A. Root Mean Squared (RMS)
B. Parallel speaker loads

VI. Loudspeakers

A. Dynamic
B. Compressor
C. Enclosures

1. Infinite baffle
2. Vented box
3. Folded horn

D. Crossover networks
E. Angle of dispersion
F. Frequency response/presence