Copy of `Berklee - Musical terms`

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 The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

Berklee - Musical terms Category: Music and Sound Date & country: 24/10/2013, USA Words: 179

Oxide
The actual magnetic material applied to one side of all recording tape. It is made of small particles of iron oxide (specifically gamma ferric oxide) or other magnetic material stirred into and suspended in viscous binder liquid which is applied evenly to the tape and allowed to dry. (WW)

Pan Pot
A multiple pole potentiometer used to vary the proportion of an incoming signal sent to two or more separate outputs. Generally used to position sounds left to right in a stereo mixdown, or to distribute one signal to two tracks in a multi-track recording. Stereo and quad pan pots are common in audio applications. (WW)

Parallel
In the connection of one signal or power source to more than one device or destination, the wiring configuration in which the input leads of all the devices meet at a common electrical point. Signal or power routed to this point flows directly to each device. Opposite of series wiring, in which the source is wired to the input of one device, whose output becomes the input for the next, etc. (WW)

Parallel Interface
In Computers, the multipin connector and associated cable through which parallel data flows. The Centronics Corporation defined the current standard parallel interface. (WW)

Parametric Equalizer
An equalizer in which the center of the frequency band that each boost/cut control affects can be continuously varied over a wide range. The amount of boost or cut for each band is separately adjustable. Sometimes the bandwidth that each boost/cut control affects can also be varied by a second control. The bandwidth parameter is often erroneously called Q. (WW)

Partials
The upper harmonics or overtones in a complex waveform or sound. The partials of a flute, for example, include the sound of the player's breath passing over the embouchure or mouthpiece, in addition to the higher frequencies emanating from the instrument's body. (WW)

Passive Device
A circuit or network that operates without need for any outside power supply

Passive Equalizer
An equalizer that employs only passive electronic components

Patch (noun)
A particular sound produced by a synthesizer, either preset at the factory, or programmed by the performer. Example: A clarinet or harpsichord patch-i.e., the synthesized sound of that instrument. (WW)

Patch (verb)
To route a signal in via a desired path, usually by use of ) the patch bay and patch cords. (WW)

Patch Bay
In a recording console or equipment rack, one or more rows of female input and output jacks, used in conjunction with patch cords to route signals through outboard signal processing gear, or to reroute signals inside the console itself. Synonym for jack bay. (WW)

Patch Cord
A short length of audio cable with an audio plug on each end, used for signal routing in a patch bay. (WW)

Patch Point
A location in a flow chart or the corresponding electronic circuit at which access to the circuit is provided by a jack in the patch bay. (WW)

Peak Level
The instantaneous highest level of the transient in any signal or series of signals. Because these transients are so short, meters designed to read peak levels have circuitry built in that remembers and holds the level on display long enough for the meter itself to reach the peak's full level and be observed by the engineer. (WW)

Peak Reading Meter
A level meter driven by a circuit that registers and holds transient peaks in the signal long enough for the pointer or display to show the highest instantaneous level in each peak. (WW)

Phase Cancellation
The attenuation that results when two acoustic or electric waves of the same frequency but opposite or nearly opposite polarity combine. (WW)

Phase Coherency
A condition encountered in the summation of two or more signals, in which the signals combine constructively, with little or no cancellation. (WW)

Polar Pattern
The graph of the sensitivity of a transducer. (WW)

Poly Mode
In MIDI inter-connection of synthesizers, the operating mode in which an instrument can receive several notes on one specified MIDI channel, generating a polyphonic output with all notes sounding the same patch. Also called omni-off/poly mode. (WW)

Pre-amplifier or Preamp
In a console or other audio system, the first stage of amplification, in which very low level input signals, such as from a phonograph cartridge or microphone, are boosted to line level (or some usable level). Many pre-amplifiers contain circuits to equalize signals whose source has a known imbalance in frequency content, again such as a phonograph record. (WW)

Pressure Zone (PZM) Microphone
A type of microphone first developed and marketed by Crown Corporation, in which a dynamic or condenser capsule is mounted flush at the surface of a rigid metal plate or other plate several inches on a side. When the plate is taped to a wall, the inside of a piano lid, or other rigid surface, only direct sound can reach the capsule. This eliminates most direct/indirect phasing problems that can be generated by virtue of mic placement itself, and (in theory) leads to a clearer sound. Many companies now make PZM mics. (WW)

Print-through
The unwanted transfer of signal from one layer of magnetic tape to another. Noticed particularly when a very loud sound on one layer of tape can be heard during very soft sounds or pauses on the adjacent layers. (WW)

Protocol
A predetermined procedure or series of rules that ensures sending and receiving units pass data efficiently and accurately. (WW)

Random Access Memory (RAM)
A type of computer memory in which the user can send data to or retrieve it from any single memory address, independently of all other addresses. The number of Kbytes in a computer's RAM limits the complexity of programs to be run, the size of matrices established for spreadsheets, and the amount of text data instantly available for review or editing. (WW)

Record or Playback Equalization
In tape recording, the internal and complimentary alteration of the frequency response of input signals prior to recording and output signals after playback. By boosting highs prior to record and reducing them after playback, some tape noise is eliminated. In addition, the equalization curve can compensate for nonlinear response of the specific type of recording tape in use. The NAB, C.C.I.R., and I.E.S. established standard record/playback curves used in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. (WW)

Resolution
1. Generally, the measure of photographic sharpness of any image. 2. In motion picture film, this depends on the quality of lenses, the accuracy and stability of registration in the camera and projector, and the grain structure of the emulsion itself. 3. In video, the number of pixels into which a horizontal line of picture is accurately divided. This presumes that the system in use is capable of supplying distinct picture information to all 525 lines (if it is an NTSC system). Home televisions, for example, can deliver no more than 325 lines of vertical resolution, with about 250 pixels per line. (WW)

Resonance
1. A reinforcement of signal caused when the incoming frequency is equal to the natural frequency of vibration of the acoustic or electric system through which it passes. 2. A specific frequency at which a resonant condition exists. (WW)

Resonant Peak
An increase in amplitude or intensity that occurs when a resonant frequency passes through an acoustic or electronic system. Measured in dB above nominal signal level or SPL for other frequencies. (WW)

Ribbon Microphone
A dynamic microphone in which the diaphragm is a metallic ribbon. The ribbon is suspended between the poles of a permanent magnet. Audio signals are generated in the ribbon itself as it vibrates through the magnetic field. Because sounds approaching the ribbon's edge (from either side along its surface) will fail to move it, ribbon mics are always bi-directional. Other patterns can be achieved by blocking sounds approaching the ribbon from various directions. (WW)

Room Equalization
The alteration of the frequency response of signals that will be sent to speakers or monitors, done in order to compensate for resonances or other response problems inherent in the room itself. These problems are generally identified by sending pink noise to the speakers, then adjusting the frequency response of the resulting sound that arrives at the listening position. Real-time analysis and other lab tests are often tempered by human judgment in setting room EQs. (WW)

Room Resonance
Any frequency whose half-wavelength is equal to one or more dimensions of a room. When propagated in the room, this frequency will cause a resonant condition. (WW)

Sample
1. To take regular measure of an analog signal. 2. Any single measurement of such a voltage. 3. To digitally record one or more sounds intended as a sound source for playback via keystrokes on a synthesizer or other device. One might, for example, sample a frog croaking, and later reproduce the croak at any desired pitch through the various keys of a synthesizer. (WW)

Sample and Hold Circuit
Any electronic circuit that can take a measurement of the instantaneous voltage (or other parameter) of a signal and hold the value for processing and/or display until the next sample is requested. The time at which the sample is taken may be manually designated, as in certain test equipment, or programmed to happen in response to certain signal events (e.g., as in a peak-reading meter), or repeatedly with respect to time (e.g., in the D-A or A-D circuits of a digital recorder. (WW)

Serial Interface
A single-wire plug and associated cable through which serial data flows, one bit after another. The RS-232 connector is the current industry standard serial interface. (WW)

Serial Output
A data transmission mode in which each bit of an e-bit word is delivered to a single pin connector one at a time, in sequence. Opposite of parallel output. (WW)

Series
A wiring configuration by which several circuits or devices may be connected. A signal or power source is first routed to the input of one device. Its output then becomes the input for the second device, and so on. Opposite of parallel wiring. (WW)

Shelf Equalization
Any type of equalization in which the boost or cut levels off to a constant shelf of the specified number of decibels. A shelf equalization of +5 dB at 5 kHz implies that from 5 kHz to 20 kHz all frequencies will be boosted by 5 dB. The curve by which frequencies below 5 kHz increase from unity gain to +5 dB varies according to the design of the circuit. (WW)

Shelving Equalizer
An equalizer that raises or lowers frequencies beyond its turnover frequency by a fixed and continuous amount. A shelf boost of 6 dB above 5 kHz will thus increase all frequencies in the signal above 5 kHz by dB. (WW)

Shield
Any material or device used to inhibit the destructive effects an ambient magnetic or electric field may have on a signal path or an entire electronic system. In tape recorders, the heads may be shielded by plates of metal, an alloy impervious to magnetic fields. (b) In electric signal paths, the signal conductors may be wrapped in a thin metallic sheath, either of foil or fine wires, etc. (WW)

Shielded Cable
Any audio cable in which the conductors are protected from ambient fields by a surrounding braided or foil metal shielding.(WW)

Shock Mount
A microphone suspension system that prevents mechanical vibrations of the stand from reaching the mic. Usually made of elastic bands mounted on a metal frame, which together hold the mic in position without rigid mechanical contact with the stand. (WW)

Signal
The electric current that carries audio information. (WW)

Signal Processing Device
Any audio system used to alter the characteristics of a signal passing through it. Examples: equalizer, compressor, noise gate, etc. (WW)

Signal-To-Noise-Ratio
For any audio system, the ratio of maximum undistorted signal voltage level to noise voltage level, usually expressed as the decibel difference between these two levels. This quantity can be measured for any single piece of audio equipment, or for a number of processes performed sequentially on a signal, such as recording and reproducing it. (WW)

Sine Wave
The waveform of pure tone or single frequency. One of the three basic waveforms produced by synthesizers, the others being square and sawtooth waves. (WW)

Slapback
An unwanted and distracting echo caused by a reflective surface in any environment

Solo Button
1. (noun) In a recording console, a switch that disconnects the output of the normal monitor system from the monitor amp input. Instead, it routes the signal passing through the circuit or module containing that solo button directly to the monitor amp. The result is that only the signal from that source or module will be heard. 2. (verb) To press a solo button on a recording console in order to hear only the signal passing through one module or channel. (WW)

Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
The decibel rating of acoustic pressure of a sound wave. The threshold of hearing is defined as 0 dB SPL. The threshold of pain for most people is near 140 dB SPL. SPL meters are often equipped with filters to give weighted as well as flat readings. (WW)

Spectrum
The distribution of frequencies present in a specific sound, or reproducible by a certain medium or device. (WW)

Speed Of Sound
In air, sound travels at about 1,087 feet per second at 32

Spreadsheet
A type of data-based applications software that establishes a matrix in the computer's RAM or CPU. Used mostly for business applications such as budgeting, cost monitoring and control, scheduling, and inventory. The user can assign names and values (costs, number of items required or available, time or scheduling factors, etc. ) to the items in each position of the columns and rows of the matrix. He can also define equational relationships between the items in various columns and rows. By plugging in different test values for each entry, the user can predict how various factors will affect the outcome of the overall program. He can thus computer-optimize cost, time, and other factors in order to achieve specific business goals. (WW)

Stereophonic
A type of audio system that uses two or more speakers or channels to reproduce spatial information, giving the listener the illusion of lateral placement of sounds between two speakers and their relative distance from the listener. (WW)

Storage Medium
Any type of material on which analog recordings or digital data is permanently saved

Subtractive Synthesis
The process of creating sounds by taking some of the overtones or partials out of a very complex original signal, such as a square or sawtooth wave. Most analog synthesizers generate sounds subtractively. (WW)

Super-Cardioid Microphone
A unidirectional pattern narrower than cardioid, but broader than hyper-cardioid. Minimum sensitivity occurs at about 135

Tape Delay
A delay produced by recording and playing back a sound or signal simultaneously on the same recorder, taking advantage of the time it takes the tape to travel from the record to the playback head. Also, the tape and recorder with which this is done. Tape delay was used long before digital and other systems were developed. Because the heads are stationary, the only way to adjust the delay time is by changing the tape speed itself. Sometimes called a slapback. (WW)

Tape Hiss
Noise that is characteristic of analog tape recordings, produced by the random fluctuations in the positioning of magnetic particles along the tape, and heard as low-level hiss during playback. The noise, although broadband, is most noticeable in the high frequencies. (WW)

Threshold
For any dynamic signal processor, the input level at which the device starts functioning. (WW)

Timbre
The specific tone color or quality of a sound, including its timing, harmonic structure, envelope, and other identifying aural characteristics. (WW)

Transient
A sudden, high-amplitude signal peak that decays to the average program level very quickly. Percussive instruments create steep transients with every note. (WW)

Transient Response
The measure of the accuracy with which an audio system reproduces transients. For example, each hit of the snare drum in a digitally recorded rock cut may have a transient 12-15 dB above the average signal level. (WW)

Tremolo
A wavering quality in a steady musical tone or sound, caused by a cyclical change in its volume level

Tweeter
A loudspeaker designed to reproduce high frequencies. (WW)

Unbalanced Line
A signal line with two conductors: one that carries the signal, the other at ground potential. The ground conductor is often used as the shield. Unbalanced lines are more subject to the effects of ambient magnetic or electric fields than balanced lines. (WW)

Uni-Directional Microphone
Any pattern in which the microphone exhibits more sensitivity to sounds appearing on axis. (WW)

Vibrato
A wavering quality in a steady musical tone or sound, caused by a cyclical change in its musical pitch (or fundamental frequency)

Volatile
A type of computer memory which can only store data when charged with electricity. When power is turned off, the contents of memory are lost. (WW)

Volt
(symbol V) A unit of voltage. The voltage between two points of a conducting wire carrying a constant current of 1 ampere, when the power dissipated between these two points is 1 watt. (WW)

Voltage
The difference in the electrical potential of two points in a circuit. (WW)

Voltage-Controlled Amplifier (VCA)
An amplifier whose gain is controlled by an external voltage having nothing to do with the signal being amplified. Used in some recording consoles for subgrouping, in automated mixing, etc.(WW)

Voltage-Controlled Filter (VCF)
A variable bandpass filter, the cut-off frequency of which increases or decreases in proportion to an externally supplied DC control voltage. Used in many synthesizers to change the timbre of the output signal. (WW)

Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
An oscillator whose output frequency varies in proportion to an externally supplied control voltage. The main tone-producing circuit of many synthesizers. (WW)

Volume Unit
A unit of signal level corresponding to the ear's subjective judgment of changes in audio program level or loudness. (WW)

VU Meter
A level meter calibrated in volume units. Most VU meters are calibrated in decibels and % modulation, a linear scale defined such that 100% modulation = 0 dBVU. The ballistics of a VU meter (a function of its components and the inertia of the indicator itself) approximates the response of the human ear to sudden level changes. The ear senses the average level of sounds, not their momentary peaks. Similarly, the VU meter cannot move fast enough to indicate every peak. When the meter bounces up to 0 dBVU, the peak that caused that bounce may actually have reached +10 dBVU or more. (WW)

Woofer
A loudspeaker designed to reproduce low frequencies only. (WW)

Word Length
The number of bits composing each word of digital data. The more bits in each digital audio sample, for instance, the greater the number of quantizing increments by which the incoming analog wave can be represented. This, in turn, affords greater accuracy in recording and reproduction of the original waveform. (WW)

Word Processor
In computers, software that allows the computer to accept, edit, format, and then send data to a printer for finished text and/or graphic presentation. It enables the user to input long text programs, to electronically shuffle various parts of the text into a satisfactory order, then specify the format in which it will be printed, including margins, justification, characters, and line spacing, etc. (WW)

Wow
A slow variation in the musical pitch of recorded sounds caused by inconstant tape speed. A slower kind of Flutter. (WW)

XLR Connector
A three-pin grounded and lockable audio connector designed for professional use, especially in balanced lines. (WW)