Question 1

A shelf filter works by ___________________.&#10;A) carving out a particular part of the frequency spectrum.&#10;B) sharply rolling off low frequencies, then adding back in what was lost.&#10;C) boosting or cutting frequencies by a uniform amount above or below a certain frequency.&#10;D) sharply rolling off high frequencies.

Accepted Answer

A shelf filter allows for the boosting or cutting of frequencies uniformly either above or below a certain frequency. It does not carve out a particular part of the frequency spectrum like a bandpass filter or roll off frequencies like a high or low pass filter.

Question 2

If you hear a coloration, an effective technique to remove it is___________________.&#10;A) Switch in a highpass filter set to the coloration frequency.&#10;B) Add 6 dB or less at the coloration frequency.&#10;C) Sweep a narrow-Q boost until you exaggerate the coloration, then cut there.&#10;D) Sweep a narrow-Q cut until the coloration is masked.

Accepted Answer

Sweeping a narrow-Q boost to exaggerate the coloration and then cutting at that frequency is an effective technique for removing colorations in audio. This method helps in precisely identifying the problematic frequency before applying a cut to mitigate it.

Question 3

To make an instrument sound brighter or more defined, ____________________.&#10;A) Boost the harmonic frequencies.&#10;B) Boost the fundamental frequencies.&#10;C) Cut the harmonic frequencies.&#10;D) Cut the fundamental frequencies.

Accepted Answer

Boosting the harmonic frequencies will make an instrument sound brighter and more defined. The harmonic frequencies are multiple frequencies of the fundamental frequency, and boosting them will emphasize the overtones of the instrument, resulting in a brighter and more defined sound.

Question 4

A kick drum and bass guitar are blending together. How can you make their sounds distinct?&#10;A) Apply a highpass filter to both instruments.&#10;B) Thin out the kick and boost the bass low frequencies, or vice versa.&#10;C) Apply a 4 kHz boost to both instruments.&#10;D) Turn up the low frequencies because they are both bassy instruments.

Accepted Answer

Thinning out the kick and boosting the bass low frequencies, or vice versa, will help to create a clearer distinction between the two instruments. This is because it will create separation in the frequency spectrum, allowing each instrument to occupy a different range of frequencies. Applying a highpass filter or turning up the low frequencies may not be as effective in creating this separation. Applying a 4 kHz boost would only affect the higher frequencies, which are not as prominent in the kick and bass guitar sounds.

Question 5

To reduce leakage with EQ, you should ___________________.&#10;A) Use peaking EQ rather than shelving.&#10;B) Reduce the bandwidth or Q of the equalizer.&#10;C) Use a highpass filter on tracks.&#10;D) use a lowpass filter on each instrument.

Accepted Answer

Using a highpass filter on tracks can help reduce leakage by cutting out frequencies that are not necessary for the instrument or track. This can help keep the sound focused and prevent extraneous sounds from bleeding into other tracks. Using peaking EQ or reducing the bandwidth/Q of the equalizer may not be as effective in reducing leakage, and using a lowpass filter on each instrument may significantly alter the sound and overall mix.

Question 6

To reduce proximity effect with EQ, you should ____________________.&#10;A) You can't reduce proximity effect with EQ; that's the wrong tool.&#10;B) turn down low frequencies.&#10;C) turn up high frequencies.&#10;D) find the proximity effect's frequency, apply boost below and cut above.

Accepted Answer

Proximity effect increases bass frequencies as a microphone gets closer to the sound source. Turning down low frequencies with an equalizer (EQ) can help counteract this increase, thereby reducing the effect.

Question 7

If a recorded instrument sounds &#34;warm&#34;, that usually means _______________.&#10;A) not thin; adequate low frequencies&#10;B) close-up or present&#10;C) distant&#10;D) full of harmonics

Accepted Answer

When an instrument sounds "warm", it typically means that it has a full and rich sound with adequate low frequencies, which is indicative of a more sonically satisfying and pleasing tone.

Question 8

A &#34;dry&#34; sound lacks ________________.&#10;A) realism&#10;B) effects&#10;C) presence&#10;D) power

Accepted Answer

A "dry" sound refers to audio that has not been affected by any added effects, such as reverb or echo, which means it lacks effects.

Deck 9: Equalisation