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A noise signal similar to white noise, containing all audible frequencies, but with equal energy per octave as opposed to all frequency bands. Engineers frequently use pink noise as a tool to tune and calibrate audio equipment. (See also “White Noise.”)
1) The perception of frequency by the ear (a higher or lower tone of music). 2) A control on a tape transport which adjusts the speed slightly up or down, changing the pitch and time of the music.
A device that detects pitch in an analog audio signal and translates it into MIDI information. (Also called “Audio-to-MIDI-Converter.”)
A device that detects the frequency of an audio waveform and changes it into a control voltage, which is in turn fed to an oscillator that produces a pitch at the same frequency.
A device that produces artificial reverberation by sending vibrations across a metal plate via a transducer similar to a speaker driver. Physical plate reverbs today are considered a vintage form of artificial reverb; nowadays, most plate reverb effects are emulated digitally by plugins or reverb units.
1) The reproduction of recorded audio. 2) In motion picture or video production, the reproduction of the music over loudspeakers so the performers/musicians can perform in time to the music for the camera.
A transducer that converts magnetic flux recorded on tape into an audio signal for playback.
A configuration on a console that allows quick playback of the signal previously recorded on tape or via DAW via the monitor mixer.
1) See “Take.” 2) A user-defined selection of songs; a feature available on most streaming and digital media players.
A connector, usually on a cable, that mates with a jack.
1) In microphones, a graphic display of the area around the microphone that is sensitive to sound waves, detailing the audio output levels in dB of sound arriving from different directions. Similar to “Pickup pattern,” but more specific. 2) In speakers, a graphic display of the speaker’s dispersion of sound.
The direction of current flow or magnetizing force.
In condenser and electret microphones, the introduction of a small amount of electrical current to create the magnetism by which the capacitor converts audio signals to electrical current. In condenser microphones, polarizing voltage is provided externally (see also “Phantom Power”); in electret microphones, the polarizing voltage is permanently impressed on the condenser during manufacturing.
Iron or other magnetic material that conducts magnetic force for use in transducers like record heads, playback heads, microphones, speakers, etc.
Able to play more than one pitch or “voice” at the same time. A term commonly used to describe synths and keyboards. (See also “Voice.”)
