The opposition to current flow by the first circuits of a device.
A setting on many DAWs that allows you to monitor the live input signal coming into the DAW (as opposed to the recorded signal).
An access in the signal chain (usually in the mixing console or virtually within a DAW) in which a device, signal processor or digital plug-in can be “inserted” into the circuit between pre-amplification and the channel or bus output. Commonly used to add processing such as reverb, compression or EQ to a channel or group of channels.
A device that has a power amplifier and speaker to reproduce the signal put out by an electric instrument.
Feeding the output of an electric instrument (like an electric guitar) directly to the recording console or tape recorder, as opposed to miking the amplifier.
A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity.
(Abbreviated “IC”) – A miniature circuit of many components set on semiconductor material, used in electronics. A fancy term for “chip” or “microchip.”
Any device or connection point that allows one unit to work, drive or communicate with another unit, or that allows a human to interact with a computer or other electronics. There are many examples of interfaces in professional audio situations, including MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface); audio interfaces which connect audio inputs to your computer; and even your DAW program, which displays a screen that enables you to assign instruments, adjust settings, record, mix and playback. Even the mixing console is an interface of sorts, connecting the many elements of the control room.
Distortion caused by two or more audio signals of different frequencies interacting with one another. The sum and difference of the frequencies produce new (usually unwanted frequencies) that didn’t exist in any of the original frequencies.
A mathematical rule that describes an inverse relationship between one quantity and the square of another quantity. In plain English, one number goes down by a certain amount each time the other number doubles. In audio and acoustics, the inverse square law says that in an open sound field with no obstructions, the sound pressure level will drop by half (6dB) each time the distance from the sound source is doubled. (This equation is quite useful to audio engineers trying to provide sound in open-air settings, for example.)
The process of containing sound within a certain area so that it doesn’t interact with other sounds. For example, acoustically treated isolation booths are often used to record vocals or instruments in the studio to keep outside noises from bleeding into the recording microphone, or likewise to keep vocals or other sounds away from instrument mics during live recording sessions.
A connector mounted on the case of a device or on a panel.
A process available on some clock or syncing devices which reads an external time code and recreates (or “jams”) a new time code identical to the original external code for the syncing of devices. This function is mainly used for replacing code that has become degraded.
1) In music, the note scale in which a piece of music is written or played, identified by the first note (tonic) of the scale, as in, “Key of C.” 2) The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal through the use of a side chain. 3) A digital or data code that unlocks the use of a device or software. Example: Pro Tools is licensed through an iLok ID via the use of a physical USB key.
Any musical instrument or computer controlled by pressing a key.
