Copy of `Testing1212 - terms for sound engineers`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

Testing1212 - terms for sound engineers Category: Electronics and Engineering > Audio Date & country: 05/11/2007, UK Words: 1151

Mic Level
The very low audio voltage level that comes out of a studio microphone.

Mic Level Signal
Low level audio signal produced by circuitry in microphone. Needs boosting either by a pre-amp or a mixing desk before it can be amplified. Susceptible to interference over long cable runs.

Mic Pad
A device that reduces the level of the signal and is placed just before a microphone preamplifier to prevent overload of the preamplifier.

Mic Preamp
An amplifier to boost the low-level audio signal out of a microphone up to line level.

Mic-Line Switch
The selector switch on the input of a console channel that chooses what input jack will feed the console.

Microphone
A transducer which converts sound pressure waves into electrical signals.

Microphone
Device for converting sound into electrical pulses which can then be amplified or recorded onto tape. Signals from a microphone are very low level and are amplified in the mixing desk to line level. See Dynamic Mic, Condenser Mic, Phantom Power, Pick-up, Radio Mic.

Microprocessor
One I/C which performs the core of activities in a computer.

Mid-Range Frequencies
The audio frequencies from about 250 Hz through 6000 Hz.

MIDI
Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface; a digital signal system (a system of number signals) used to communicate performance information to and from musical instruments making music.

MIDI Channel
A grouping of data about the performance of one synthesizer or device, separate from data for other synthesizers/devices.

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

MIDI Clock with Song Pointer
A MIDI clock signal (time data in the MIDI signal that advances one step each 1/24 of a beat) which also has a number signal for each measure to indicate the number of measures into the tune.

MIDI Controller
A device that can be played by a musician and puts out MIDI signals to control synthesizers or sound modules.

MIDI Echo
A function in a synthesizer that causes the output of a sequencer to send a MIDI signal out the out port which matches the MIDI signal coming in for the track being recorded.

MIDI Interface
A device that converts a MIDI signal into the digital format of a computer so that the computer can store and use the MIDI signal.

MIDI Patch Bay
A device that has several MIDI inputs and outputs and allows any input to be routed to any output.

MIDI Sample Dump
The copying of a digitally recorded sample without converting it to analog between different storage units or sound modules thru a MIDI transmission.

MIDI Sequencer
A computer that can record and playback MIDI data in such a way to control the performance of MIDI controlled musical instruments or devices in a series of timed steps.

MIDI Time Code
All of the information of SMPTE time code that has been converted into part of the MIDI signal.

Midrange
The middle frequencies where the ear is the most sensitive.

Mike
1) An abbreviation of Michael - an incorrect abbreviation for microphone.
2) To place microphones for recording.

Milli
An prefix meaning 1/1000.

Mini Disk (MiniDisc)
A small compact disc that can be recorded on by general consumers; introduced by Sony at the end of 1992.

Mix
1) To blend audio signals together into a composite signal.
2) The signal made by blending individual signals together.
3) A control or function on a delay effects/reverberation device which controls the amount of direct signal that will be mixed into the processed signal.

Mixdown
The process during which a multitrack recording is balanced and transferred to two tracks (stereo) for playback or reproduction.

Mixdown (Mix Down)
Combining the signals from the tracks of a multitrack tape onto a master tape; reverberation/other effects may be also added.

Mixer
1) A console, or other device that blends audio signals into composite signals and has a small number of outputs.
2) A section on a console that does this function.
3) In Europe, a fader.
4) An engineer or technician who mixes, especially a live sound mix at a performance.

Mixer
A desk comprising a number of input channels where each sound source is provided with its own control channel through which sound signals are routed into two or more outputs. Many mixing desks can also change the quality of the sound (see Equalization). A Powered Mixer has an amplifier built into it. Sound sources of varying levels are accepted which can be amplified if necessary. (See Line Level, Gain).

Mixing Console
A device which can combine several signals into one or more composite signals, in any desired proportion.

Mixing Desk
A British name for console.

Mixing Solo
A button that turns off all other channels, allowing the signal to be heard in the stereo perspective and level used in the mixdown, and with the reverberation being used.

Modem
A device that allows digital data to be sent and received over telephone lines.

Modular Digital Multitrack
A multitrack digital recorder with (usually) 8 tracks than can be run in synchronization with other machines (of the same type) to attain more tracks. ADAT brand recorders are an example.

Modulation
The control of one signal by another AC signal.

Modulation Noise
Noise that is present only when the audio signal is present.

Module
A group of circuits and controls that are mounted on a removable housing; often on consoles, all of the controls and circuits for one or two channels.

Monitor
1) In audio, to listen.
2) To indicate with a meter or light the conditions in a circuit, especially level and overload.
3) A device to listen or observe.

Monitor Channel (Monitor Path)
An audio channel (a single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device) used to listen to the signal fed to or received back from one track of a multitrack tape recorder.

Monitor Mixer
Larger systems often use a completely separate mixer for the monitors that only adjusts the sounds that are heard on the stage.

Monitor Mixer
1) A console or other device that blends audio signals into composite signals and has a small number of outputs.
2) The section of the console which is used to do a rough mix so the engineer can hear what is being recorded without effecting the levels being fed to the multitrack recorder.
3) The audio technician who mixes the signals sent to the stage monitor speakers.

Monitor Pot
A rotary control used to set the level of the track signal in the monitor (the signal to or the signal back from one track of a multitrack tape recorder).

Monitor Selector
1) On consoles, a switch which allows you to hear various things over the control room monitor speakers such as the main console outputs (for mixing), the monitor mixer section (for recording and overdubbing), the disc player, tape machines and other devices.
2) On tape machines, a switch that (in one position) sends the signal from the tape to the meters and the output of the machine's electronics or (in a second position) sends the input signal being fed to the machine to the meters and the output of the electronics.

Monitors
The speakers facing back onto the stage and the system or amps, equalizers, and effects attached to them.

Mono
Shortened from Monophonic and meaning that there is only one sound source or the signal was derived from one sound source.

Monophonic
1) More formal term for Mono and meaning that there is only one sound source or the signal was derived from one sound source.
2) In synthesizers, a term meaning that only one pitch may be sounded at a time.

Mounted Toms
An alternate name for Rack Toms (the smaller toms, as small as approximately a 10' diameter, mounted above the foot drum in a drum kit).

Moving Coil Microphone
A term with the same meaning as the term Dynamic Microphone (a microphone in which the diaphragm moves a coil suspended in a magnetic field to generate an output voltage proportional to the sound pressure level).

Moving Fader Automation
In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer program fader level changes so that these changes happen automatically upon playback of the multitrack recording because the fader positions actually change. (The faders are diven by motors).

Ms
An abbreviation for milli-seconds (1/1000th of a second - usually not capitalized)

MS Micing
A method of stereo microphone placement where one microphone, with a cardioid pattern, points directly at the middle of the area to be miked and a Bi-directional microphone is as close as possible to the first mic with its rejection pointing the same way as the axis of the first mic.

MTC
Short for MIDI Time Code (All of the information of SMPTE time code that has been converted into part of the MIDI signal).

Muddy
Describes a low end muffled sound lacking highs and mids, and possibly having too much effects.

Multi-Multi Jack
Short for Multiple Jacks or Multiple Jack and meaning: 1) a jack at the output of a device which is not normalled so that plugging into the jack will allow the output to be sent to a different input and the output will also feed the normal place it feeds.
2) A set of jacks (or one of a set of jacks) with each terminal wired to a corresponding terminal of another or other jacks.

Multitasking
The running of more than one program at the same time by a computer.

Multitimbral
Able to send out several signals of different sound patches (and often playing different parts) by one synthesizer; having several sound modules in it (said of a synthesizer).

Multitrack Recording
1) A technique of recording various instruments separately on different portions of the same tape, in time with each other and so that final balancing of the sound may be accomplished later.
2) A technique of digitally recording various instruments onto a hard disk in different data files so the may be played in time with each other and final balancing of the sound may be accomplished later.

Multitrack Tape
A piece of magnetic tape which can be used to store two or more discrete signals, in time with each other.

Mute Switch
A switch which turns off a channel, takes out a track signal from the monitors, or which turns off the entire monitor signal.

N.A.B.
An abbreviation for the National Association of Broadcasters

Nano
A prefix meaning one-billionth.

Nano-Webers Per Meter
The standard unit in measuring the amount of magnetic energy.

Narration
The spoken word from a person not seen on the screen that gives various information.

Narrow Band Noise
Noise (random energy) over a limited frequency range.

Near Field
The area up to one foot from the sound source.

Neck Width at Nut
The width of the neck where the nut is located. This area is where the neck is at its shortest width.

Negative
The opposite of positive.

Negative Feedback
A portion of the output signal that is feed to the input (of an amplifier), out of phase.

Noise
1) A random energy that contains energy at all audio frequencies.
2) Any unintentional or objectionable signal added to an audio signal.

Noise Filter
A filter used which passes only signals with the intended audio frequencies thus eliminating noise signals at other frequencies.

Noise Floor
The level of the noise, in dB, below the signal.

Noise Gate
A piece of sound processing equipment that reduces background noise by muting a sound signal when it falls below a certain level, restoring it when the level increases again. Must be used on vocal microphones with care, because it may cut the signal off, although the vocalist is still singing quietly. Also known as an Expander.

Noise Gate
A gate used to turn off an audio channel when noise but not signal is present.

Noise Reduction
Any device to remove noise in a device or system.

Non- Destructive Editing
The action in Digital Disk Audio Recording, where the playback of the digital audio is programmed to play certain portions and not others.

Non-Directional
Used with microphones to mean the same thing as the term Omni-Directional (picking up from all directions).

Non-Linear
The condition of obtaining a change at the output of the device which is not proportional to the change occurring at the input, causing distortion.

Normalize
1) To provide normal switches on a jack.
2) To reset a synthesizer, sound module or sample playback unit to the original settings that were present from the factory.
3) To adjust the level of a selection so that the highest peak is at the maximum recording level of the medium.
4) In computers, to format a floppy disc.

Normalizing Jacks
Switches on the patch jacks that connect certain jacks together until a patch cord is inserted.

Normals
Switches on the patch jacks that connect certain jacks together until a patch cord is inserted.

Notch
A narrow band of audio frequencies.

Notch Filter
A device that rejects signals that have frequencies within a narrow band of audio frequencies and passes all other signals.

Null
1) A condition of zero energy or movement.
2) In console automation, the placement of the slide of a fader to the exact point that was originally used to make the automated mix.

Nut
The point on the guitar neck where the strings touch the neck and join the headstock.

NW-m
An abbreviation of Nano-Webers Per Meter (the standard unit in measuring the amount of magnetic energy).

Nybble
One half byte, 4 information bits.

Nyquest Frequency
The highest frequency that can be recorded and reproduced properly by a particular sampling rate (a frequency that is one-half the sampling rate).

Nyquest Rate
The lowest sampling rate that can be used to record and reproduce a given audio frequency.

Octave
A difference of pitch where one tone has a frequency that is double or one-half of the frequency of another tone.

Off Axis
1) Away from the front or axis of the mic, measured in degrees.
2) 180 degrees from the front.

Offset (Offset Time)
1) The SMPTE time that will trigger a MIDI sequencer to begin.
2) The amount of position difference needed to get two reels to play the music in time.

Ohm
The unit of opposition to current flow.

Ohm's Law
The mathematical relationship between voltage, current and resistance. >>> explanation

Omni
A prefix meaning All.

Omni Mode
Recognizing and responding to all MIDI Channels.

Omni- Directional
1) In microphones, picking up evenly from all directions.
2) In speakers, sending out evenly in all directions.

On Axis
The position of directly in front of the diaphragm of a microphone, in line with its movement.

On Line
1) Video editing done by a computer controlling tape machines according programmed instructions and used for the final editing of video recording.
2) A status that means that the device is ready to receive input.

Op Amp
Short for Operational Amplifier (an amplifying circuit used in most audio devices).

Open
Short for the term Open Circuit.