Quiz: Can You Match the Celebrity Name with its Shape?

The Studio 360 mics have captured the profundities and witticisms of many a poet, musician, actor, novelist, and comedian. You’ve heard plenty of these voices, but canyou guess which sonic footprint each voice leaves behind? Take the quiz below to find out!

Before you hit thetest, we should probably explain what we mean by “sonic footprint.” In the recording studio, each name has a shape.Our software measures the volume and frequency of sound hitting the mics. Then, the software maps that volume and frequencywithwaveforms: the louder the sound, the taller the waveform. Sort of likea seismograph needle, drawinglarger waveforms in responseto higher levels of seismic activity:

Science.

(giphy.com)

First, let’s listen.

We’ve createda few playfully remixed “audio landscapes” built from the music and Kurt’s use of guest names within each interview. Lil’ Kim has a cameo.

Jamaica Kincaid

Janelle Monae

Kerry Washington

Reggie Watts

Richard Wright

(Technically, Wright wasn’t a guest on the show…but he was the subject of our American Icons houron “Native Son.”

Second, let’s look.

Time for the quiz. Below, in random order, you’ll seethe shape that each guest’s name makes as a waveform in our recording software.

Canyou match the guest name with its waveform? Answers below. No peeking!

How’d you do?

Here’s the answer key:

A =Janelle Monae

B =Jamaica Kincaid

C =Richard Wright

D = Kerry Washington

E =Reggie Watts