Aa

Acetate - A term used to describe a small test pressing run of a vinyl record made from acetate material.

A/D - short for Analog to Digital Conversion. The conversion of analog data or information into digital or binary form (See binary).

ADAT - The registered trademark name of Alesis Corporation's modular digital multitrack recording system.

AES/EBU - The abbreviation for the Audio Engineering Society and the European Broadcast Union. Also refers to recording and broadcast equipment interface standards established by these organizations.

Ambience - The effect room acoustics have in shaping the tonal quality of a concert performance or sound system in producing a fuller, live sound.

Amp - Short for amplifier. An active device used to amplify audio signals for playback.

Amplitude - The height of a waveform above or below its zero baseline. Also referred to as signal volume.

Analog - The ability to quantify or measure continuous changes in volume, speed, mass or other physical properties through empirical data.

Analog Recording - A linear recording of changes and fluctuations in an audio wave based on continuous variations in the electrical output of the audio signal.

Analog To Digital Converter - The device which does the conversion of a signal that has continuous changes (usually of voltage) into numbers that approximate those changes.

Anti-skating - A device that applies lateral force against the tonearm to help counteract the inward force created by the record's outer groove wall during disc tracking. When properly adjusted, helps to keep the stylus centered in the record groove.

Assign - To choose to which place an output is going to be sent.

Attack - The rate the sound begins and increases in volume.

Attenuation - To reduce in signal level.

Automatic Turntable - A turntable which features automated tonearm functions such as automatic return or cueing.

Aux Return - Short for Auxiliary Return. A control, usually found on a mixer, for adjusting the level of "returning" signals from outboard equipment patched into the mixer's Auxiliary buss.

Aux Send - Short for Auxiliary Send. A control for adjusting the level of the signal sent from the console input channel to outboard equipment or an amplifier via the Auxiliary buss.

Auxiliary Equipment - Outboard audio gear such as effects or signal processing equipment which can be patched into from a mixer's effect loop or aux buss.

Axis - A direction, usually expressed in degrees, that defines the operating area of a particular audio device such as a speaker or microphone. The area directly in front of the device would be considered (zero)0 degrees or on axis.

Bb

Balance Control - A control on a stereo amplifier or mixer used to adjust the left/right balance of the stereo program.

Balanced - 1) Adjusting the left and right channel program material in a stereo sound system to achieve an equal mix of both channels. 2) A three-wire cabling or interconnection system that uses a separate ground wire and two signal conductors with opposite polarity. Commonly used in professional sound applications for its immunity to induced noise and electromagnetic interference. (See XLR connector).

Bandwidth - The frequency range in which an audio device operates, i.e., amplifiers, equalizers, speakers, etc.

Bass - The lower audio frequency range up to approximately 250 Hz. Those low frequencies normally associated with the kick drum and bass guitar.

Battle - A slang term for DJ mix competition. An event where DJs match their mixing skills for friendly competition or sponsored prizes.

B-boying - A form of hip hop dancing which is popularly known as break dancing. B-boying originated in The Bronx, NY. The term "B-boy" or "B-boying" came from Kool Herc, popular DJ spinning at block parties in Bronx back in the days. B-Boys is short for break boys, a label they received because they danced to the break part of the music.

Beat - A steady, rhythmic pulse in music that establishes the tempo of the song.

Beat Counter - An instrument used to automatically calculate the BMPs of a song.

Beat Juggling - A popular mixing technique which involves mixing two identical programs with a slight offset to create a doubling of the bass line. This technique also includes mixing two different programs in tempo to create a more complex alternating beat structure.

Beat Mixing - A mixing technique where two programs with similar beat structure are mixed together in tempo, creating a seamless transition between the two songs.

Beats Per Minute - The number of steady, rhythmic pulses per minute of time in a music selection which establish the tempo of the song.

Belt Drive - A turntable system that uses a pulley belt to transfer rotational drive from the motor to the disc platter.

Binary - A digital numbering system based on two where data is expressed as combinations of "0"s and "1"s). Bit - A single unit of digital information expressed as a "0" or "1".

Boost - To increase signal gain, especially at specific frequencies as in equalization.

BPM - An abbreviation of Beat Per Minute (the number of steady even pulses in music occurring in one minute and therefore defining the tempo).

Burn - Recording information onto a CD or CD-ROM.

Buss (Bus) - A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources.

Cc

Capacitance - The ability of two conductors, separated by a nonconductor, to store electrical charges.

Cardioid Pattern - A microphone pickup pattern that provides optimum pick up performance from the front, less from the sides, and the least from the back of the microphone.

Cartridge - Short for Phono Cartridge. The stylus pickup assembly which is mounted on a turntable tonearm that provides disc playback. (See stylus).

CD - The abbreviation for Compact Disc. A small laser optical disk measuring 4.75 inches in diameter encoded with digital audio information.

CD-ROM - The abbreviation for Compact Disc, Read Only Memory. Compact Disc media used for the storage of computer data, such as large programs, graphic files, audio files, etc.

Center Frequency - The primary frequency of the audio signal that receives the most boost or cut adjustment as in an equalizer's frequency band controls.

Channel - An input module or section on a mixer that include input jacks and controls for adjusting the input signal.

Clip (clipping) - Audio waveform distortion caused by signal overload.

Coax - Two-conductor cable consisting of a single conductor surrounded by a wire or metal foil shield.

Compact Disc - A small optical laser disk with digital audio data recorded on it.

Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R) - A blank Compact Disc that can be recorded on or "burned" one time only.

Compression Ratio - The ratio of signal dynamic range (such as 2:1, 4:1 or 8:1) measured at the input and output of a compressor above the set threshold point.

Compressor - A signal processing device that limits the fluctuation in the level of the signal above a certain adjustable or fixed level.

Counterbalance (counterweight) - With reference to turntables, the small adjustable weight mounted at the rear end of a tonearm used to apply tracking force. (See Tracking Force).

Crash Mix - A mixing technique where one program selection immediately follows another without a gradual transition.

Crossfader - A transitional slide control on a mixer for fading in one input channel while fading out another.

Crossfader Curve Adjustment - A control that allows adjustment of the crossfader's attenuation characteristics. Enables users, for example, to change a crossfader's profile from a fast attack, quick attenuation fader to a slow attack, gradual attenuation fader

Crossover Frequency - In a speaker crossover network, the frequency point that represents the upper or lower range limits of a given speaker driver. In a two-way speaker system, the crossover frequency would be the point where the low frequency driver begins to roll off and the high frequency driver starts to cut in.

Crosstalk - Unwanted leakage of an audio signal from one channel into an adjacent channel or recording track. Cue - 1) A control switch enabling a user to listen to a selected input channel on a mixer with headphones or monitor speakers. 2) To set the tape or disc so that the desired selection will immediately play when the playback device is activated. 3) A control switch on a music playback device that begins playback from a preselected location

Cueing Lever - A control lever located below the turntable tonearm that is used to elevate and lower the arm.

Cue Send - A control for adjusting the amount of signal sent to a cue bus from an input channel for program monitoring.

Cut - 1) A song selection on a CD, record, etc. 2) To mute or turn off. 3) To reduce the gain of a select range of frequencies as with an equalizer. 4) To filter out a specific frequency or frequency range.

Cut Switch - A switch control on a mixer that enables the user to momentarily mute out or cut off an input channel signal while mixing.

Cutting Lathe - A device used to etch recorded music into the grooves of a metal disc master used in record production.

Cycles Per Second - A unit used in the measure of frequency, equivalent to Hertz. Cycles Per Second is an outdated term replaced by Hertz in 1968.

Dd

D/A - Abbreviation of the term Digital To Analog Converter. A device that converts binary data into corresponding discrete electrical voltage levels.

Daisy Chain - 1) To connect several devices in parallel so that signals from one device are passed on to another as with speakers or MIDI devices.

DAT - The abbreviation for Digital Audio Tape. An industry standard tape cassette format used for recording digital audio.

DAW - The abbreviation for Digital Audio Workstation. A dedicated digital based workstation or device that is used for recording and mixing digital audio.

dBm - 1) Audio power expressed in decibels referenced to one milliwatt of power in a 600 ohm load.

dBu (dBv) - Decibels of audio power where 0dB is referenced to 0.775 volts of audio voltage in any impedance. The preferred usage is dBu.

Decay - 1) The time interval from when an audio signal's peak level drops down to a sustain level. 2) The fade-out rate of a reverberating sound as in decay time.

Decibel (DB) - A unit of measurement for expressing sound pressure level (SPL), signal level and variation or differences in signal level.

Delay - An audio circuit or device which suspends output of an audio signal and mixes it with the original audio source to create a fuller sound.

D.I. - Short for Direct Injection or Direct Input. An active direct for converting high-level, high-impedance audio signal to a low-impedance, mic-level signal for insertion into a mixer's microphone input. Commonly referred to as a "direct box".

Dial Input Fader - A rotary fader or pot control used for adjusting signal level of an input source or channel. Mixers featuring rotary faders are often referred to as "N.Y. style" fader and are the mixers of choice for most DJs performing House music.

Digital Recording - A recording process that converts analog audio signals into binary data that represent the original audio waveform.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) - Any signal processing done to an analog audio signal after it has been converted into digital audio.

Digital To Analog Converter - A circuit used to change binary data that make up the digital audio signal into discrete voltage levels that approximate the original analog audio waveform. Abbreviated as D/A converter.

Direct Box - An electronic device utilizing a transformer or amplifier to change the electrical output of an electric instrument (for example, an electric guitar) to the impedance and level usually obtained from a microphone.

Direct Drive - A motor system in which rotational energy is transferred directly to the drive source without the use of a pulley belt or idler wheel.

DnB/Jungle - Heavy Reggae and Hip Hop influenced dance music with strong bass lines and fast drum tracks.

Dolby - Trademarked noise reduction systems and technology by Dolby Laboratories to improve the performance and fidelity of audio recording, playback, and transmission.

Drum Machine - an audio device with sampled or synthesized drums sounds that can be sequenced by an internal or external sequencer to play drum patterns.

Dry - A term loosely used to describe an audio signal without any signal processing. An audio signal lacking in reverberation or ambience.

DSP - An abbreviation for Digital Signal Processing (Any signal processing done after an analog audio signal has been converted into digital audio.

Dub - 1) To make a copy of a recording. 2) To make a recording from one recording source while copying another so that the end result is a combination of the two.

Dynamic Processing (Dynamic Signal Processing) - An signal processing system which automatically changes the gain to maintain a preset level ratio or relationship between the loudest and quietest passages of music.

Dynamic Range - The level difference, expressed in dB, between the loudest level and quietest level of a recording or live audio source.

Dynamics - The amount of level variations or fluctuation of an audio signal or live music.

Ee

Earth - British term for Ground.

Editing - Altering the original sequence of a recording by eliminating or inserting musical elements either manually or digitally.

Effects - 1) Electronic filtering or modification of an audio signal to change the sound. 2) Sound elements added to a recording or film score to create a finished product.

Electronica - A general term used to describe a wide range of guitarless, heavy synthesizer, electronic dance music.

Engineer - The technician in charge of a studio recording session. Also commonly called a studio engineer.

Equalization - The process of boosting or cutting audio signals at a specific frequency or range of frequencies

Expansion - To increase the dynamic range of a program signal by a given ratio. Commonly used in recording to help boost the level of soft passages of music to bring them over the noise level.

Ff/p>

Fade - A gradual increase or reduction in the level of the audio signal. 2) To slowly change the level of an audio signal from one level setting to another.

Fader - A control used to adjust the gain of an input or output channel on a mixer.

Fat - Having unusually rich signal strength, especially at low frequencies or having more sound than normal as with the use of signal processing.

Feedback - 1) The insertion of a delayed program signal back to the input for use in echo effects. 2) The pickup and re-amplification of an output signal by its input resulting in an unwanted "howling" sound.

Feedback Control - An equalization circuit or control used to help eliminate unwanted program feedback or "howling".

Filter - A circuit that removes or acts on certain frequency signals above or below a predetermined point called a cut-off frequency.

Flange - An audio effect produced by combining a delayed signal with the original and continuously varying the delay to create additional overtones.

Flutter - 1) High-frequency pitch variations in program material due to speed fluctuations in a recorder or playback unit. Often expressed as "wow and flutter".

Frequency - The rate or speed at which an audio source generates complete cycles in one second. The number of cycles that occur in one second is call hertz (Hz.).

Frequency Range - The range of frequencies over which an electronic device delivers its best performance or over which a sound source will produce substantial energy. (see also Bandwidth)

Frequency Response - A plot or graph of frequencies that an audio device, such as a mic, amplifier or speaker, can accurately reproduce within stated parameters or conditions.

Frequency Shift Key - FSK for short. An electronic clock signal that can be used to synchronize sequencer playback with an audio tape.