A digital audio recording that can be stored in a computer or on a digital storage medium (such as a hard disk).
See “Sound Pressure Level.”
An electronic instrument (tone generator, synth or sampler playback unit) that has no playable interface, but instead responds to incoming MIDI message. Often sound modules were created as the “brains” of popular synthesizers, cheaper versions of the product that could be added to an existing MIDI configuration. Today, sound modules can also occur as software versions or plugins to be accessed on a computer.
In scientific/technical terms, the measure of the change in air pressure caused by a sound wave, measured in dB. We hear and perceive SPL in terms of amplitude, volume or loudness of the sound.
The origin of a sound, whose vibrations create sound waves.
(Also called “Sound Pressure Wave”) A wave caused by a vibration that results in slight variations in air pressure, which we hear as sound.
1) Broadly speaking, refers to any/all audio that accompanies an instance of visual media, whether music, dialogue or SFX. 2) In more common terms, refers to the musical score and/or licensed music synced to a film, video, TV program or video game.
(Also called “A/B Technique“) A stereo microphone placement technique in which two cardioid or omnidirectional microphones are spaced somewhere between 3-10 feet apart from each other (depending on the size of the sound source) to create a left/right stereo image.
A device that converts electrical signals to sound; more technically, a transducer that changes an electrical audio signal into sound pressure waves.
Generally speaking, the time it takes for a sound wave to travel through a medium. Sound travels at different speeds through solids, liquids and gases, and though we usually think of sound as traveling through the air, differences in temperature, air pressure and humidity can also affect how fast sound travels. For a starting frame of reference, the speed of sound is generally defined by aerospace engineers as “Mach 1.0,” translating to 340.29 meters per second (approx. 761.1 mph, or 1116 feet per second), which is how fast sound travels through the air at sea level at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). By contrast, at 70 degrees Fahrenheit under standard atmospheric conditions, the speed of sound is about 344 m/s, or 770 mph. (See how complicated it can get?)
Historically, the act of attaching previously cut pieces of audio tape or film in precise locations by applying a special kind of adhesive tape on the back. This is/was done for the purpose of shortening sections of audio or editing film. Today, splicing has become a very simple process by editing sections of audio or video digitally with a DAW or film editing software.
A device that simulates reverberation by creating vibrations within a metal spring by attaching it to a transducer and sending the audio signal through it. A pickup at the other end converts those vibrations into an electrical signal which is mixed with the original audio signal. While the physical spring reverbs still exist, most studios emulate spring reverb with the use of plug-ins or hardware reverb units.
A wave shape in which the voltage rises instantly to one level, stays at that level for a time, instantly falls to another level and stays at that level, and finally instantly rises to its original level to complete the wave cycle.
1) The partially enclosed or raised area where live musicians perform. 2) In reverberation effects devices, an echo added before the reverberation to simulate echoes that would come from a concert stage.
