Small technical dictionary

Posted by Michelle Ishizuka
June 18, 2009

A / C	(English) Alternating Current. An abbreviation of the term alternating current (electric current or electric power can be 110v, 220v, 360V etc.).
A / D	Abbreviation for analog to digital. Indicates that a device has an internal converter that makes the change from analogue systems which is more unstable for the system of numbers (bits) that digital is more accurate.
Adat	Registered trademark of Alesis multitrack recorder that designates its digital system (multitrack) Launched in early de1993 and used in many studios. Record Video Tape Super VHS. It is modular, you can connect several together to achieve a greater number of channels 8,16,24,32 etc.
ADSR	(English) The letters A, D, S & R are the first letters of: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. These are the elements for several changes and adjustments in digital effects, digital instruments and keyboards.
Amp	(English) Abbreviation used to amplify or amps
Amp	Unit of measurement of electrical current.
Amplifier	Device that increases the level of electrical signals and multiplying the volume.
Amplitude	The height of a sine wave (waveform) above or below the zero line.
Attenuation	Decrease the signal or volume. Eg mitigate the serious bass = Decrease
Attack	(English) ATTACK point where the sound begins and increases the volume.
Attenuation	(English) ATTENUATION = Decrease
Audio	Everything that refers to sound, captured, manipulated, transmitted or amplified electronically.
Audio frequency	Frequency noise heard by humans. Between 20Hz to 20,000 Hz (herts) theory - Hard to find someone who listens more than 18 000 Hz
Automation	(English) AUTOMATION - see below.
Automation	Common feature in desktop digital sound studios. It is when the engineer leaves pre-recorded where volumes (faders) the table will automatically increase or decrease. Tables with this feature are still expensive.
Aux. send	(English) AUXILIARY OUTPUT.
Banana	(Slang) surname of the plug phone 1 / 4 inch. Also known as "P-10" or "plug the guitar."
Baffles	(English) panels used in studios that absorb sound (screen type) preventing sound from entering or leaving a certain space. Also used in the presentation of live orchestras.
Balance	(English) equilibrium between two or more channels, leaving them in the same volume.
Band Track	(English) Term used in gravação.1) Base Music will be introduced where the voice 2) end of the song where he no longer has the voice singer (a) 3) Music voiceless. (Stands back play before mixing.)
Bass	(English) Against Low - also defines frequencies below 250 Hz. (Graves)
Boost	(English) 1) To increase signal gain - 2) Increase the gain of specific frequencies as an equalizer.
Box	(English) BOX: On illumination means armed structures of aluminum.
Brightness	(Slang) means high frequencies, acute. (Eg acute Brighter = More)
Case	(English) CASE. Special packaging for storage and protection equipment. They are made of wood, aluminum or carbon fiber.
Channel	(English) CHANNEL: Ex: Right channel = Right Channel
Console	(English) BUREAU OF SOUND or where is the "mixer".
Drum	(English) BATTERY: musical instrument
Direct Box	(English) little box that converts the signal from the instrument (in microphone signal (high impedance to low impedance).
Fade	(English) A gradual change of level (pre-set) to another. Ex: Fade In = Increase volume. - Fade out. = Lower the volume.
Fader	(English) button or key used to control the volume of a channel table or any other device. (Almost equal to the volume button).
Feed	(English) send an audio signal or control signal for testing
Feedback	(English) or FEEDBACK Feedback
Feedback (2)	(English) On delay type effects is a parameter that controls the amount of repetitions that will occur after the original sound. Also known as deep or "regeneration" (feedback)
Fedelity	(English) ALLEGIANCE - quality of recording or playback.
Filter	(English) FILTER -1) A device that removes signals with frequencies above or below a certain point. 2) A portion of the equalizer filters are used with other components to give the equalizer characteristics of frequency response. 3) The action of removing some frequencies and leave the rest. (Filter)
Final Mix	(English) final mix when all channels of a recording are reduced to just two stereo channels.
Flat	(English) in sound means leaving all the volumes and cuts in ZERO. There is a slang term for firms sound = (stop reset)
Floor Tones	(English) DEAF battery.
Foldback	(English) term 'European' means sending a signal from the sound mixer for stage monitors.
Foot Drum	(English) Another name of the kick drum.
Foot Pedal	(English) volume pedal.
Foot Switch	(English) PEDAL Anyone who has a key system "on and off."
Frequency	(English) FREQUENCY. (See below)
Frequency	(Portuguese) Number of cycles of a waveform for a second. The frequency of a wave is measured in hertz (Hz) Eg 1000 means 1000 hz vibrations (cycles) per second.
Frequency Range	(English) frequencies that a device works and works perfectly
Full Range	(English) System or speaker that emits all frequencies simultaneously. Ex: A speaker system with no crossover
Input	(English) INPUT - in some devices only "In"
Kick-drum	(English) bass drum. It uses only the term "Kick" (Chute)
Left	(English) LEFT. Ex: Left channel = Left channel.
Low	(English) LOW In audio means GRAVES
Main Power	(English) Central strength or energy .- Transformer center where they will leave all points of electrical power to the systems of sound or light.
Medusa	(Slang) name given to the tip of the multi-cable or sub-snake where are the XLR plugs or p-10. Reference the Goddess of Greek mythology who was a woman with hair of snakes.
Mic	Abbreviation for MICROPHONE
Mix	(English) Mix.
Mix (2)	In effect such delay is a parameter that controls the amount of effect to be added to the original sound.
Mixer	(English) Mixer. Also called small tables of sound.
Multitrack	(English) multiparous. Multitrack record = multitrack recorder.
Mute	(English) MUTE. Switch that cuts the signal (on / off) the difference is that in some sound boards it can be programmed for one or more simultaneous channels directly or via Midi.
Off	(English) OFF Ex: makeoff = off
Out put	(English) OUTPUT - only on some phones' Out "
On	(English) Ex ON: Power on = Force or energy on.
Overdub	(English) WRITE-UP IN is a parameter used in effects processors that records a new spin on an already recorded. Known as sound on sound. In some processors called "oversample."
PA	(English) PUBLIC ADDRESS - Sound on target. This term in Brazil defines all sound systems. But outside is used only for large audiences. Systems for small places called Reinforcement SOUND (sound reinforcement).
Power	(English) or FORCE ENERGY-Ac power = electric power.
Power (2)	(Slang) means AMPLIFIER in some regions of Brazil.
Power Supply	(English) Sources of electrical energy. Transformers, AC to DC power
Rule of the A / C	(Slang) Extension of electrical power to several outlets.
Right	(English) LAW - Ex: Right channel = Right Channel
RTA	(English) Real Time Analyzer analyzer = real time.
Squelch	(English) SILENCE-Small electronic circuit that reduces noise interference in wireless receivers (UHF or VHF). There are some models with automatic and manual adjustment.
Snare	(English) BOX Battery
SPL	(English) Sound Pressure Level = Level of sound pressure.
Sub-snake	(English) Small multi-cable used to wire the batteries and instruments spread across the stage bringing up the multiconductor central.
Time Delay	(English) Time to repeat (also known as speed) is a parameter used in effects processors that controls the time between one repetition to another. Can be measured in seconds, milliseconds or meters
Trafo	(Slang) Name of the power transformer or Main Power.
Wireless	(English) WIRELESS
Wireless Microphone	(English) WIRELESS MICROPHONE
XLR	Three-pin connector used in microphones (also called the Canon plug) connector, suitable for balanced cables of 600 ohms.