After Fade Listen

A system used within mixing consoles to allow specific signals to be monitored at the level set by their fader of level control knob. Aux sends are generally monitored AFL rather than PFL (see PFL).

The result of sound reflections in a confined space being added to the original sound. Ambience may also be created electronically by some digital reverb units. The main difference between ambience and reverberation is that ambience doesn't have the characteristic long delay time of reverberation - the reflections mainly give the sound a sense of space.

(Ampere) Unit of electrical current.

Device that increases the level of an electrical signal.

Another word for level. Can refer to sound levels or electrical signal levels

Signals in the human audio range:nominally 20Hz to 20kHz.

Control on a mixing console designed to route a proportion of the channel signal to the effects or cue mix outputs (Aux Send).

Mixer inputs used to add effects to the mix.

Physical output from a mixer Aux Send buss.

Main instrument amps on the stage.

This word has several meanings in recording. It may refer to the relative levels of the left and right channels of a stereo recording, or it may be used to describe the relative levels of the various instruments and voices within a mix.

Wiring system which uses two out-of-phase conductors and a common screen to reduce the effect of interference. For balancing to be effective, both the sending and receiving device must have balanced output and input stages respectively.

A means of specifying the range of frequencies passed by an electronic circuit such as an amplifier, mixer or filter. The frequency range is usually measured at the points where the level drops by 3dB relative to the maximum.

A single control which allows the range of frequencies passing through a filter to be either amplified or attenuated. The centre position is usually the 'flat' or 'no effect' position.

Microphone that operates on the principle of measuring the change in electrical charge across a capacitor where one of the electrodes is a thin conductive membrane that flexes in response to sound pressure

Meaning heart shaped, describes the polar response of a unidirectional microphone

A single strip of controls in a mixing console relating to either a single input or a pair of main/monitor inputs.

In the context of mixing consoles, a channel is a single strip of controls relating to one input.

Device designed to reduce the dynamic range of audio signals by reducing the level of high signals or by increasing the level of low signals

In the context of reverberation, damping refers to the rate at which the reverberant energy is absorbed by the various surfaces in the environment

deciBel. Unit used to express the relative levels of two electrical voltages, powers or sounds.

Variation on dB referenced to 0dB = 1mW into 600Ohms

Variation on dB referenced to 0dB = 0.775 volts

Variation on dB referenced to 0dB = 1 volt.

Digital Delay Line.

DSP

The progressive reduction in amplitude of a sound or electrical signal over time. In the context of an ADSR envelope shaper, the Decay phase starts as soon as the Attack phase has reached its maximum level. In the Decay phase, the signal level drops until it reaches the Sustain level set by the user. The signal then remains at this level until the key is released, at which point the Release phase is entered.

Device for reducing the effect of sibilance in vocal signals

Short for Direct Inject, where a signal is plugged directly into an audio chain without the aid of a microphone

Device for matching the signal level impedance of a source to a tape machine or mixer input

Digital processor for generating delay and echo effects

Digital processor for simulating reverberation

Consumer multipin signal connection format, also used for MIDI cabling. Various pin configurations are available

A term used for wireless microphones. True divsersity means that 2 signals are broadcast and the result summed at the receiver. Non diversity means only one signal is sent, Dual diversity offers better reception and is not prone to drop out.

A signal that has had no effects added

Digital Sound Processor.

Sound effects such as reverb, echo, compression. Typically the term is used when the effects are built into a mixer.

A system for controlling the level of one audio signal with another. For example, background music can be made to 'duck' whenever there's a voice over

A type of microphone that works on the electric generator principle, where a diaphragm moves a coil of wire within a magnetic field

The range in dB between the highest signal that can be handled by a piece of equipment and the level at which small signals disappear into the noise floor.

Way of describing the relative levels within a piece of music

The first sound reflections from walls, floors and ceilings following a sound created in an acoustically reflective environment

Device for treating an audio signal in order to change it in some creative way. Effects often involve the use of delay circuits, and include such treatments as reverb and echo.

Connection system that allows an external signal processor to be connected into the audio chain

Additional mixer input designed to accommodate the output from an effects unit.

Type of capacitor microphone utilising a permanently charged capsule

A device designed to brighten audio material using techniques such as dynamic equalisation, phase shifting and harmonic generation

Device for selectively cutting or boosting selected parts of the audio spectrum

An enhancer that works by synthesizing new high frequency harmonics

A device designed to decrease the level of low level signals and increase the level of high level signals, thus increasing the dynamic range of the signal.

Sliding potentiometer control used in mixers and other processors

Describes the polar response of a microphone that is equally sensitive both front and rear, yet rejects sounds coming from the sides

An electronic circuit designed to emphasize or attenuate a specific range of frequencies.

Modulated delay effect using feedback to create a dramatic, sweeping sound.

Indication of how many cycles of a repetitive waveform occur in 1 second. A waveform which has a repetition cycle of once per second has a frequency of 1Hz (pronounced Hertz).

Effects

An electronic device designed to mute low level signals so as to improve noise performance during pauses in the wanted material.

Wiring problem where multiple ground connections are causing audible mains hum to be picked up. Also known as earth loops

GRAPHIC EQUALISER: An equaliser whereby several narrow segments of the audio spectrum are controlled by individual cur/boost faders. The name comes about because the fader positions provide a graphic representation of the EQ curve

Electrical earth or 0 Volts. In mains wiring, the ground cable is physically connected to the ground via a long conductive metal spike.

A condition likely to lead to the circulation of currents in the ground wiring of an audio system. When these currents are induced by the alternating mains supply, hum results.

A collection of signals within a mixer that are mixed, then routed through a separate fader to provide overall control. In a multitrack mixer, several groups are provided to feed the various recorder track inputs.

The safety margin in dBs between the highest peak signal being passed by a piece of equipment and the absolute maximum level the equipment can handle.

A filter which attenuates frequencies below its cutoff frequency

Short for Hertz, the unit of frequency

Can be visualised as the 'AC resistance' of a circuit which contains both resistive and reactive components

A connector that allows an external processor to be patched into a signal path so that the signal now flows through the external processor.

Commonly used audio connector. May be mono or stereo.

Device that controls the gain of a signal so as to prevent it from ever exceeding a preset level. A limiter is essentially a fast acting compressor with an infinite compression ratio.

A nominal signal level which is around -10dBV for semi-pro equipment and +4dBu for professional equipment

A filter which attenuates frequencies above its cutoff frequency.

The low level signal generated by a microphone. This must be amplified many times to increase it to line lev

Device for combining two or more audio signals.

Unit of electrical resistance

Control enabling the user of a mixer to move the signal to any point in the stereo soundstage by varying the relative levels fed to the left and right stereo outputs

An equaliser with separate controls for frequency, bandwidth and cut/boost

A circuit with no active elements.

A system of panel-mounted connectors used to bring inputs and outputs to a central point from where they can be routed using plug-in patch cords.

Maximum instantaneous level of a signal.

Pre Fade Listen; a system used within a mixing console to allow the operator to listen in on a selected signal, regardless of the position of the fader controlling that signal.

48V DC supply for capacitor microphones, transmitted along the signal cores of a balanced mic cable

Hi-Fi connector developed by RCA and used extensively on semi-pro, unbalanced recording equipment

Pressure Zone Microphone. A type of boundary microphone. Designed to reject out-of-phase sounds reflected from surfaces within the recording environment.

Opposition to the flow of electrical current. Measured in Ohms

Acoustic ambience created by multiple reflections in a confined space

High frequency whistling or lisping sound that affects vocal recordings, due either to poor mic technique or excessive equalisation.

The ratio of maximum signal level to the residual noise, expressed in dBs

Sound Pressure Level measured in dBs.

Subjective term used to describe audio quality where the high frequency detail is clear and individual sounds are easy to identify and separate

Stereo type jack with Tip, Ring and Sleeve connections

A 2-wire electrical signal connection where the inner or hot or +ve (positive) conductor is usually surrounded by the cold or -ve (negative) conductor, which forms a screen against electrical interference

Meter designed to interpret signal levels in roughly the same way as the human ear, which responds more closely to the average levels of sounds rather than to the peak levels.

Unit of electrical power

Measurement of sound

Type of connector commonly used to carry balanced audio signals including the feeds from microphones.

Lead split so that one source can feed two destinations. Y leads may also be used in console insert points in which case a stereo jack plug at one end of the lead id split into two monos at the other