Mm

Master - 1) A control used to adjust the main output level of a mixing console. 2) The machine used to provide the clock signals or speed reference when synchronizing multiple devices to run together. 3) An original recording which will be used to make a production master for commercial duplication.

Master Fader - The slider used for controlling the main output(s) of a mixer or mixing console during mixdown.

Measure - A specific number of musical beats located between two consecutive vertical lines on a music staff.

Meg/Mega - 1) The prefix for 1,000,000. 2) Computers: short for megahertz (1,000,000 Hertz) or megabytes (1,000,000 Bytes).

Memory - Also called RAM (random access memory). Temporary electronic storage in a computer device for processing or accessing data.

Meter - A device or gauge that provides a reading of an electrical voltage as in an audio signal.

Mic - Short for microphone.

Mic/Line Switch - A switch which selects the input of a mixer channel for use with a mic or line level source.

Mic Input - The input of a console or other device designed to accept a microphone.

Mic Level - A very low-level audio voltage signal generated by a studio microphone.

Mic Pad - A switch or control used to reduce the level of a mic signal to prevent overloading the mic preamplifier.

Mic Preamp - An amplifier stage used to boost low-level mic signals up to line level.

Microphone - A transducer device which transforms sound pressure waves into electrical audio signals.

Microprocessor - A single high-density INC. chip which performs the processing operations of a computer.

Mid-Range Frequencies - The audio frequency range from 250 Hz to 6,000 Hz.

MIDI - The abbreviation for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A digital communications language and hardware specification enabling compatible electronic instruments, sequencers, computers, etc., to communicate with each other in a network.

MIDI Channel - A collection of MIDI data for the performance of a single instrument, synthesizer, etc., that is separate from any other MIDI device.

MIDI Clock - Time data contained in the MIDI signal that advances one step with each 1/24 of a beat and is used to sync two sequencers together.

MIDI Clock With Song Pointer - A MIDI clock signal that also features a number signal for each music measure to provide location tracking throughout the song.

MIDI Controller - A MIDI device, usually with a keyboard, which can be played by a musician and used to control sound modules and synthesizers.

MIDI Interface - A device that converts a MIDI signal into digital data which can be stored and played back by a computer.

MIDI Patch Bay - A jack panel for routing multiple MIDI inputs to any output.

MIDI Sample Dump - The transmission or copying of sampled digital audio and loop information from one sampling device to another using MIDI SDS (sample dump standard) code.

MIDI Sequencer - A programmable digitally-based device used to record, edit and play back MIDI data to control the performance sequence of MIDI controlled musical instruments or devices.

MIDI Time Code - A method of translating SMPTE time code into MIDI messages for interlocking audio, video and film transport devices for recording and editing.

Milli- - The prefix for 1/1000 as in milliseconds or millimeter.

Minidisc - A small 2.5" compact disc introduced by Sony in 1992 capable of recording up to 74 minutes of CD-quality stereo programming. Mix - 1) To combine several audio channels into a single one. 2) To blend two different music programs by creating a smooth transition from one to the other.

Mixer (Mixing Console) - A device with multiple input channels and controls for creating a composite audio signal from different program sources.

Mixdown (Mix Down) - The process of combining several audio tracks from a multitrack recorder through the use of a mixing console to create a stereo or four-channel master tape.

Modem - A communications device for transmitting digital data from a computer over telephone lines.

Modular Digital Multitrack (MDM ) - A multitrack digital recorder, usually with 8 tracks, that can be slaved with other recorders to obtain additional recording tracks.

Modulation - To change the wave and frequency characteristics of a signal through the use of another signal.

Modulation Noise - Noise components that only appear when an audio signal is present.

Monitor - 1) To carefully listen to and study a recording or mix so as to make adjustments. 2) A speaker used as a listening reference for recording or live mixing. 3) A meter or display device that provides a visual reference of audio signal levels.

Monitor Channel (Monitor Path) - A separate audio bus on a mixing console used for listening to audio fed to a channel or received from a track of a multitrack recorder.

Monitor Mixer - 1) A section of a mixing console (monitor mixer section) used to perform a rough mix for reference monitoring without effecting the level settings for the multitrack recorder. 2) A mixing console used for adjusting and balancing live program feeds for the stage monitor speakers.

Monitor Selector - 1) A switch on mixing console that enables you to hear the monitor bus or selected input and playback devices over control room monitor speakers. 2) A switch on tape machines that allows you to monitor signals recorded on the tape or the input signals from the program source.

Mono - Short for Monophonic or Monaural. A recording or playback system which uses a single channel as the central sound source.

Moving Coil Cartridge - A phono cartridge that employs the use of two small wire coils to generate the electrical signal for record playback. Unlike the more popular moving magnet designs, the signal output of a moving coil cartridge is so low that it requires a special preamplifier.

Moving Fader Automation - A feature found on automated studio mixing consoles where fader settings can be stored in memory and recalled automatically during multitrack recorder playback, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

Moving Magnet Cartridge - A phono cartridge design that incorporates the use of two small magnets to generate the electrical signal for record playback. Ms - The abbreviation for milliseconds (1/1000th of a second) Normally not capitalized.

Multitasking - The ability of a computer to run multiple applications at the same time.

Multitimbral - An electronic instrument's ability to send and process multiple voice patches simultaneously.

Multitrack Recording - A process that involves the recording and play back of multiple sound sources on separate record tracks for greater production and editing flexibility.

Multitrack Tape - Magnetic tape used in a multitrack recorder to record separate audio tracks individually and/or simultaneously.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface - (See MIDI) Mute Switch - A switch or control used to turn off or silence an input channel, tape track, etc.

Nn

Noise Floor - Expressed in dB, the level of random noise below the program signal.

Noise Gate - An active circuit which passes audio signals above a certain threshold level and mutes the signal output when no signal is present.

Noise Reduction - Any active device to reduce or remove noise in an audio component or system.

Non-Destructive Editing - An editing process in hard disk recording and sampling where only the marked or selected portions of the digital audio is programmed to play, leaving the unmarked selections still intact on the hard drive.

Oo

Octave - A difference in pitch produced by doubling or halving a frequency tone.

Off Axis -To be positioned away from the front axis of a microphone or speaker. Measured in degrees from the center axis.

Ohm - A measurement unit for expressing electrical resistance in an electrical circuit. See also Impedance.

Omnidirectional - 1) Microphones designed to pick up sound evenly from all directions. 2) Speakers designed to evenly disperse sound in all directions. On Axis - 1) To be position directly in front of microphone in line with the movement of it diaphragm. 2) To be located directly in front of a speaker in line with the center axis of its high frequency driver components.

Open Circuit - 1) An incomplete signal path in an electrical circuit such as a break in a wire conductor.

Open Track - A free track on a multitrack tape available for recording.

Operating Level - The maximum level for normal operation of a sound system that should not be exceeded.

Oscillator - 1) An audio device used to generate test tones at various frequencies for test and troubleshooting applications. 2) The tone generating device in a synthesizer used to create instrument sounds.

Outboard Equipment - External signal processing and effects gear that is used in conjunction with a mixer or recorder.

Output - 1) The jack or physical connection where a device sends out a signal. 2) The signal put out by a device.

Output Impedance - The electrical resistance to current flow by the output circuits of an amplifier or other electronic device.

Overload - To apply too much signal level into an amplifier circuit resulting in output distortion.

Overload Indicator - An indicator light on a channel of a mixer that comes on when the signal is at overload.

Oversampling - A process where the analog audio signal (or digital audio signal for playback) is sampled many times more than the minimum sampling rate required for normal playback.

Pp

Pad - A switch or control on a input channel used to attenuate (reduce) the input signal to prevent overloading the amplifier circuit.

Panpot (Pan Pot) - A rotary channel control used for placing or balancing a single input signal at any point between the left and right channels of the stereo image.

Parallel Connection - To join electrical devices, such as speakers, so that matching terminals are connected in sequence (plus "+" to plus "+" and minus "-" to minus "-") so that current is supplied to each device at the same time.

Parallel Jacks - A method of wiring multiple jacks so that each receives the same input signal.

Parametric EQ - An equalizer with multiple rotary controls for center frequency selection, boost and cut, gain and bandwidth adjustment.

Patch Bay - A series of panel jacks for routing input and output connections for a mixing console and other related outboard equipment.

Patch Cord - A cable used for routing an audio signal between two patch jacks in a patch bay.

Patch Panel - A rack mount panel with jacks for temporary interconnection and patching of audio components.

Peak - The highest point or amplitude of an audio waveform.

Peak Indicating Meter - A meter display which provides a peak level reading of an audio waveform.

Phantom Powering - Power supplied to a condenser microphone directly from the mixing console through the XLR connector. Eliminates the need for an external +48V power supply.

Phone Plug (Jack) - A plug (or the corresponding mating jack) that is 1/4-inch in diameter and 1-1/4-inches in length used for a wide variety of audio connection applications.

Phono Cartridge - A small transducer device that converts mechanical energy transferred from the stylus into electrical signals representing the audio information etched into the record's grooves.

Phono Plug - Commonly called an RCA plug. A popular audio plug found on stereo audio cables featuring a center pin connector and outer shell connector. Mates with panel mounted female jacks like those found on the rear of most home stereo equipment.

Pick Up Pattern - The basic shape of the area that a microphone will provide the best pick up characteristics. Not to be confused with polar pattern.

Pitch - 1) The perception of a musical tone by the frequency of the sound waves producing it. 2) A control found on professional turntables, CD players and tape decks for varying the playback tempo and pitch up and down.

Pitch Bend - 1) A control on a synthesizer or MIDI keyboard for raising or lowering the pitch of a musical tone. 2) A control found professional CD players and some turntables for making incremental changes in pitch. Playlist - 1) A sequential list of soundfiles programmed for playback by a computer. 2) A group of music selections programmed for playback on a CD player or other playback media.

Plug - A male connector, usually on a cable, designed to mate with a chassis-mounted female jack.

Polar Pattern - 1) A polar graph displaying the pickup sensitivity of a microphone at difference frequencies and at different angles from the on-axis position. 2) A polar graph indicating a speaker's dispersion characteristics relative to its on-axis performance.

Polyphonic - The capability of a electronic musical instrument play multiple notes at the same time.

Pop Filter - A foam or wire screen placed between the microphone and singer to reduce unwanted "pop" sounds produced by wind and breath blasts.

Post - The routing of send bus or other channel control signals after the main channel fader.

Pot - 1) The abbreviation for potentiometer. 2) A slide or rotary gain, pan or other variable signal control.

Power Amplifier - An audio device that increases a line level signal to a voltage sufficient to drive speakers.

Pre-Amp - An amplifier circuit or device that brings a low-level signal up to normal line level.

Pre Fader - The routing of send bus or other channel control signals before the main channel fader.

Pre Fader Listen (PFL) - A monitor circuit that allows an engineer to listen to and/or meter a channel signal without changing or altering the channel fader setting.

Producer - The individual in charge of managing and coordinating all of the production details associated with a recording project, including scheduling, budgeting and product quality.

Program Number - Often referred to as track number. The number of the music or recorded selection on a CD or DAT.

Program Equalization - The process of adjusting the level of select frequency bands on a program equalizer to emphasize or de-emphasis certain tonal properties of a sound system.

Qq

Quantization - Part of the digital audio sampling process, the step where the analog to digital converter assigns binary values to the sampled waveform which correspond to the amplitude voltage of the waveform.

Rr

Rack Ears (Rack Flanges) - Accessory brackets that can be attached to equipment for mounting in a standard 19-inch rack enclosure.

Rack Mount Design - Equipment designed to meet EIA specifications for 19-inch equipment rack mounting.

Rack Space - The standard front panel measurements for a single rack space unit is 19 inches wide by 1-3/4 inches tall.

Random Access Memory (RAM) - High-speed, read-write, electronic memory used for temporary storage of data for processing and retrieval.

Rap - A spoken word song with elements of rhyme, political and social commentary, scratch and drum machine loops all arranged to create a rhythmic performance.

RCA Plug (jack) - See Phono Plug.

R-DAT - The abbreviation for Rotary-Head Digital Audio Tape. An industry standard digital audio recording format based around a compact tape cassette that's even smaller than a conventional audio cassette. Generally used for stereo mixdown and CD mastering. More commonly known as DAT.

Reactance - Electrical resistance to current flow which changes with the frequency of the current.

Read - The retrieval of digitally encoded data from a storage device such as a hard drive, computer memory or removable record media.

Read Only Memory (ROM) - A memory INC. with data stored on it that cannot be erased or rewritten by the user.

Record Bus - The wire path that carries channel signals from the mixing console to the inputs of a multitrack recorder.

Release - The end portion of a note as it drops from a sustain signal level to silence. The time it takes for a sustained note on a keyboard synthesizer to drop to silence when the key is released.

Release Time - The time it takes for a dynamics processing device (such as a compressor, limiter or expander) to return the processed signal to 63% of its original (unprocessed) level.

Remixer - An individual who specializes in taking originally recorded material and making a dance mix version of it by changing the tempo and adding loops or other sampled parts.

Resistance - Opposition to the flow of DC current in a wire or electrical circuit.

Return - An input jack on a mixing console that receives a processed send signal from outboard gear such as a equalizer, compressor, limiter, etc.

Reverb - The abbreviation for reverberation. 1) The gradual decay of original and reflected sound waves that occur naturally as a result of room acoustics. 2) An echo effect used to recreate the natural effects of room reverberation.

RF - The abbreviation for Radio Frequencies. RF Interference - Unwanted electrical interference that occurs when spurious radio waves are introduced into audio signal cables resulting in noise, hum and static.

Riding Faders - Adjusting channel faders up and down during a live concert or recording session to ensure optimum signal and sound quality. Room Equalization - A separate equalizer used in a sound system to compensate for changes in frequency response due to the effects of room acoustics.

Root Mean Square (RMS) - The measurement of a waveform's average signal level.

Rotary Control - A control device, such as a potentiometer, that is operated by rotating or turning it. Rumble - A low-frequency noise sometimes caused by motor vibration from a turntable's or tape transport's drive system.