The reduced density of air particles during the trough of a sound wave; in the context of “compression and rarefaction,” it is the opposite of compression. (See also “Compression.”)
The input impedance, or opposition to current flow by an input of a device, that a piece of equipment is designed to feed.
(Also called Phono Plug) A common audio connector found on most stereo systems with a center pin as one connection and an outer shell as the second connection.
To retrieve information bits from a storage device; in digital audio, the reproduction of digital signals.
A type of data storage that cannot be erased or reprogrammed by the user. The most common form of ROM in audio/video settings today is optical storage media (i.e, CD, DVD, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM).
Popular music software program from Propellerhead Software. It offers the digital equivalent of hardware synthesizers, samplers, signal processors, sequencers and mixers. Reason works as a virtual music studio, or as a set of virtual musical instruments which can be played live or used with other sequencing software.
A device on an analog tape machine that changes electrical current to magnetic energy; the changes of the magnetism match the waveshape of the audio signal fed to the head.
A control on a tape machine that determines the amount of magnetic flux recorded on the tape, or the DAW control that determines the level of the digital signal recorded to the sound file.
On some tape machines, a switch position that allows the VU meter and sound output of the tape machine electronics to monitor the input signal to the tape machine.
A control state of a multitrack tape recorder where the designated track will begin recording when the record function of the tape recorder is activated.
A bus that sends a mix signals from the console channels to the multitrack recorder or DAW. (See also “Bus.”)
1) The hub and flanges onto which analog tape is spooled; recording and playback involves unspooling the tape from one reel and onto another. 2) Sometimes also called “demo reel,” a compilation of audio or video that demonstrates the abilities of a musician, audio engineer, actor, or other audio/visual professional. Unlike a demo, which is intended to pitch one or more songs, a reel is a demo intended to promote the abilities of the professional rather than the product itself. The term itself is a holdover from the days when this promotional material was delivered on reels.
1) A standard baseline level of volume used to measure how much level is present in dB above or below the baseline. 2) See “Operating Level.”
A single-frequency tone (often at 1000 kHz) used to calibrate the levels of sound equipment; the tone used to set reference level. (See also “Test Tones.”)
Sound that reaches a microphone or listener after one or more reflections from surrounding surfaces.
