W
Wavelength
The distance the sound wave travels to complete one cycle. The distance between one peak or crest of a sine wave and the next corresponding peak or crest. The wavelength of any frequency may be found by dividing the speed of sound by the frequency. (Speed of sound at sea level is 331.4 meters/second or 1087.42 feet/second).
WDM driver (Windows Driver Model)
32-bit driver architecture for Windows. MIDI interfaces and audio hardware that run on Windows 2000 WDM drivers.
Woofer
A speaker, (driver), used for low-frequency reproduction. Usually larger and heavier than a midrange or tweeter.
X
XLR
A type of connector used for balanced lines. Used for microphones, balanced audio components and the AES/EBU digital connection.
Friday, November 2, 2007
U-V
U
Unity gain:
A circuit with unity gain will not increase or decrease the volume level.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
An easy way to connect external computer accessories such as MIDI interfaces and audio hardware, among others.
USB port
Connector designed to take USB-enabled devices.
V
Vb
The total box volume, usually in cubic feet or liters. Used specifically in sealed and ported designs.
Vf
The front volume of a bandpass design.
Vr
The rear volume of a bandpass design.
Velocity Engine
Additional arithmetic unit in the G4 processor. It does require special support on the part of music software, but given this support, it boosts performance markedly.
Verse
The more subdued musical passages between refrains or choruses.
Voice coil
The wire wound around the speaker former. The former is mechanically connected to the speaker cone and causes the cone to vibrate in response to the audio current in the voice coil.
Voicing
The process of shaping a signal's characteristic tone, that is the relative intensity of its low, middle and high frequency components.
VST Instruments
Software sound generators that are plugged into a sequencer. The sounds of VST instrument are computed by the computer in real time.
Unity gain:
A circuit with unity gain will not increase or decrease the volume level.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
An easy way to connect external computer accessories such as MIDI interfaces and audio hardware, among others.
USB port
Connector designed to take USB-enabled devices.
V
Vb
The total box volume, usually in cubic feet or liters. Used specifically in sealed and ported designs.
Vf
The front volume of a bandpass design.
Vr
The rear volume of a bandpass design.
Velocity Engine
Additional arithmetic unit in the G4 processor. It does require special support on the part of music software, but given this support, it boosts performance markedly.
Verse
The more subdued musical passages between refrains or choruses.
Voice coil
The wire wound around the speaker former. The former is mechanically connected to the speaker cone and causes the cone to vibrate in response to the audio current in the voice coil.
Voicing
The process of shaping a signal's characteristic tone, that is the relative intensity of its low, middle and high frequency components.
VST Instruments
Software sound generators that are plugged into a sequencer. The sounds of VST instrument are computed by the computer in real time.
S-T
S
Sampling CD
Sound library in which digitized musical phrases, drum loops, vocal recordings, instruments or natural sounds are archived for use in self-produced songs.
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
This standard interface serves to connect hard disks and end devices such as scanners or samplers to the computer.
Sealed enclosure:
An air tight enclosure that completely isolates the back wave of the driver from the front. Very tight, defined sound (with Qtc = 0.707) with very good transient response and power handling.
Send effect
An effect that is applied to several tracks at the same time.
Sensitivity:
A measurement of how much power is required for a loudspeaker to achieve a certain output level. The general standard used is on-axis SPL(Sound Pressure Level) at 1 watt input, 1 meter distance.
Sequencer
Music software application for creating, editing and arranging music to create finished songs.
Signal-to-noise (SN) Ratio:
The range or distance between the noise floor (the noise level of the equipment itself) and the music signal.
Sine wave
The waveform of a pure alternating current or voltage. It deviates about a zero point to a positive value and a negative value. Audio signals are sine waves or combinations of sine waves. The waveform of a pure alternating current or voltage. It deviates about a zero point to a positive value and a negative value. Audio signals are sine waves or combinations of sine waves.
Single-ended
Type of amplification often, (but not always), using vacuum tubes. Typically low power output, low damping factor and relatively high distortion. Single-ended enthusiasts claim that the sound quality is more "real".
Song tempo
Describes the speed at which the notes of a song are played. Largely dictated by the choice of musical style, tempo is indicated in BPM.
Sound generator
Device or software that produces sounds suitable for use in musical applications.
Sounds
Generic term that in this term describes the auditory effects produced by instruments.
Sound Pressure Level (Spl):
Given in decibels (DB) is an expression of loudness or volume. A 10db increase in SPL represents a doubling in volume. Live orchestral music reaches brief peaks in the 105db range and live rock easily goes over 120db.
Soundstage
A listening term the refers to the placement of a stereo image in a fashion that replicates the original performance. A realistic soundstage has proportional width, depth and height.
Sound Waves
Sound waves can be thought of like the waves in water. Frequency determines the length of the waves; amplitude or volume determines the height of the waves. At 20Hz, the wavelength is 56 feet long! These long waves give bass its penetrating ability, (why you can hear car boomers blocks away).
Speaker Level
Taken from the speaker terminals. This signal has already been amplified.
Spectral balance
Balance across the entire frequency spectrum of the audio range.
Standing wave
A buildup of sound level at a particular frequency that is dependent upon the dimensions of a resonant room, car interior, or enclosure. It occurs when the rate of energy loss equals the rate of energy input into the system. This is what you hear when you listen into a sea shell.
Stereo
From the Greek meaning solid. The purpose of stereo is not to give you separate right and left channels, but to provide the illusion of a three-dimensional, holographic image between the speakers.
Step sequencer
A device or software function that facilitates the process of coming up with melody lines or rhythmic phrases intuitively by experimentation.
Studio equipment
All the gear in a music studio. This includes mixers, effects and synthesizers and a bunch of other fun toys.
Studio environment
The entirety of all devices required for a musical production, for example, mixers, instruments and effects.
Subwoofer
A speaker designed exclusively for low-frequency reproduction. A true subwoofer should be able to at least reach into the bottom octave (20-40Hz). There are many "subwoofers" on the market that would be more accurately termed "woofers".
Surround (suspension)
The outer suspension of a speaker cone; holds the diaphragm in place but allows it to move when activated. Usually made of foam or rubber.
Surround Sound
Sound extracted from the stereo signal sent to smaller rear or side speakers used in a home theater.
Synthesizer
An electronic musical instrument that generates sounds unobtainable from ordinary musical instruments. It can be manipulated in variety of ways.
T
THX
Refers to a series of specifications for surround sound systems. Professional THX is used in commercial movie theaters. Home THX specifications are not published and manufacturers must sign non-disclosure waivers before submitting their products for THX certification. Manufacturers that receive certification for their products must pay a royalty on units sold.
Timbre
The quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds of the same pitch and volume. The distinctive tone of an instrument or a singing voice.
Timbral
Refers to the overall frequency balance of a system. In a perfect world, all systems would have complete tonal neutrality. With current technology, this ideal is approached but not met. Listening to many equally "good" speakers will reveal that some sound warmer than others, some sound brighter etc... In a surround sound system it is important that all speakers have a close timbral match for the highest degree of sonic realism.
Toolbox
Menu containing editing tools for arranging and editing audio and MIDI editors.
Total harmonic distortion (THD)
Refers to a device adding harmonics that were not in the original signal. For example: a device that is fed a 20Hz sine wave that is also putting out 40Hz, 80Hz etc. Not usually a factor in most modern electronics, but still a significant design problem in loudspeakers.
Tracks
Tracks contain the individual musical elements and MIDI or audio data.
Transducer
A device that converts one form of energy to another. Playback transducers are the phono cartridge, which changes mechanical vibrations into electrical energy, and the loudspeakers, which change it back, from electrical energy coming from the amp to mechanical movement of the diaphragm, causing audible pressure changes in the air.
Transmission Line
Also referred to as a T-line. A type of bass cabinet in which the back wave follows a relatively long, usually damped path before being ported to the outside. T-lines are usually rather large and costly cabinets to manufacture. Opinions vary widely over the "best" type of bass cabinet, but much has to do with how well a given design, such as a transmission line is implemented.
Transient response
The ability of a component to respond quickly and accurately to transients. Transient response affects reproduction of the attack and decay characteristics of a sound.
Transparency
Listening term. An analog that can be best "pictured" in photography. The more "transparent" the sound, the clearer the auditory picture.
Transients
Instantaneous changes in dynamics, producing steep wave fronts.
Transport bar
Central control panel of a sequencer. Among other things, it lets you start record, play back and navigate through the arrangement.
Tuning Frequency
The helmholtz resonant frequency of a box. Also refers to the resonant frequency of other types of systems.
Tweeter
A speaker, (driver), used to reproduce the higher range of frequencies. To form a full-range system, a tweeter needs to be combined with a woofer, (2-way system), or a woofer and midrange, (3-way system).
Sampling CD
Sound library in which digitized musical phrases, drum loops, vocal recordings, instruments or natural sounds are archived for use in self-produced songs.
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
This standard interface serves to connect hard disks and end devices such as scanners or samplers to the computer.
Sealed enclosure:
An air tight enclosure that completely isolates the back wave of the driver from the front. Very tight, defined sound (with Qtc = 0.707) with very good transient response and power handling.
Send effect
An effect that is applied to several tracks at the same time.
Sensitivity:
A measurement of how much power is required for a loudspeaker to achieve a certain output level. The general standard used is on-axis SPL(Sound Pressure Level) at 1 watt input, 1 meter distance.
Sequencer
Music software application for creating, editing and arranging music to create finished songs.
Signal-to-noise (SN) Ratio:
The range or distance between the noise floor (the noise level of the equipment itself) and the music signal.
Sine wave
The waveform of a pure alternating current or voltage. It deviates about a zero point to a positive value and a negative value. Audio signals are sine waves or combinations of sine waves. The waveform of a pure alternating current or voltage. It deviates about a zero point to a positive value and a negative value. Audio signals are sine waves or combinations of sine waves.
Single-ended
Type of amplification often, (but not always), using vacuum tubes. Typically low power output, low damping factor and relatively high distortion. Single-ended enthusiasts claim that the sound quality is more "real".
Song tempo
Describes the speed at which the notes of a song are played. Largely dictated by the choice of musical style, tempo is indicated in BPM.
Sound generator
Device or software that produces sounds suitable for use in musical applications.
Sounds
Generic term that in this term describes the auditory effects produced by instruments.
Sound Pressure Level (Spl):
Given in decibels (DB) is an expression of loudness or volume. A 10db increase in SPL represents a doubling in volume. Live orchestral music reaches brief peaks in the 105db range and live rock easily goes over 120db.
Soundstage
A listening term the refers to the placement of a stereo image in a fashion that replicates the original performance. A realistic soundstage has proportional width, depth and height.
Sound Waves
Sound waves can be thought of like the waves in water. Frequency determines the length of the waves; amplitude or volume determines the height of the waves. At 20Hz, the wavelength is 56 feet long! These long waves give bass its penetrating ability, (why you can hear car boomers blocks away).
Speaker Level
Taken from the speaker terminals. This signal has already been amplified.
Spectral balance
Balance across the entire frequency spectrum of the audio range.
Standing wave
A buildup of sound level at a particular frequency that is dependent upon the dimensions of a resonant room, car interior, or enclosure. It occurs when the rate of energy loss equals the rate of energy input into the system. This is what you hear when you listen into a sea shell.
Stereo
From the Greek meaning solid. The purpose of stereo is not to give you separate right and left channels, but to provide the illusion of a three-dimensional, holographic image between the speakers.
Step sequencer
A device or software function that facilitates the process of coming up with melody lines or rhythmic phrases intuitively by experimentation.
Studio equipment
All the gear in a music studio. This includes mixers, effects and synthesizers and a bunch of other fun toys.
Studio environment
The entirety of all devices required for a musical production, for example, mixers, instruments and effects.
Subwoofer
A speaker designed exclusively for low-frequency reproduction. A true subwoofer should be able to at least reach into the bottom octave (20-40Hz). There are many "subwoofers" on the market that would be more accurately termed "woofers".
Surround (suspension)
The outer suspension of a speaker cone; holds the diaphragm in place but allows it to move when activated. Usually made of foam or rubber.
Surround Sound
Sound extracted from the stereo signal sent to smaller rear or side speakers used in a home theater.
Synthesizer
An electronic musical instrument that generates sounds unobtainable from ordinary musical instruments. It can be manipulated in variety of ways.
T
THX
Refers to a series of specifications for surround sound systems. Professional THX is used in commercial movie theaters. Home THX specifications are not published and manufacturers must sign non-disclosure waivers before submitting their products for THX certification. Manufacturers that receive certification for their products must pay a royalty on units sold.
Timbre
The quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds of the same pitch and volume. The distinctive tone of an instrument or a singing voice.
Timbral
Refers to the overall frequency balance of a system. In a perfect world, all systems would have complete tonal neutrality. With current technology, this ideal is approached but not met. Listening to many equally "good" speakers will reveal that some sound warmer than others, some sound brighter etc... In a surround sound system it is important that all speakers have a close timbral match for the highest degree of sonic realism.
Toolbox
Menu containing editing tools for arranging and editing audio and MIDI editors.
Total harmonic distortion (THD)
Refers to a device adding harmonics that were not in the original signal. For example: a device that is fed a 20Hz sine wave that is also putting out 40Hz, 80Hz etc. Not usually a factor in most modern electronics, but still a significant design problem in loudspeakers.
Tracks
Tracks contain the individual musical elements and MIDI or audio data.
Transducer
A device that converts one form of energy to another. Playback transducers are the phono cartridge, which changes mechanical vibrations into electrical energy, and the loudspeakers, which change it back, from electrical energy coming from the amp to mechanical movement of the diaphragm, causing audible pressure changes in the air.
Transmission Line
Also referred to as a T-line. A type of bass cabinet in which the back wave follows a relatively long, usually damped path before being ported to the outside. T-lines are usually rather large and costly cabinets to manufacture. Opinions vary widely over the "best" type of bass cabinet, but much has to do with how well a given design, such as a transmission line is implemented.
Transient response
The ability of a component to respond quickly and accurately to transients. Transient response affects reproduction of the attack and decay characteristics of a sound.
Transparency
Listening term. An analog that can be best "pictured" in photography. The more "transparent" the sound, the clearer the auditory picture.
Transients
Instantaneous changes in dynamics, producing steep wave fronts.
Transport bar
Central control panel of a sequencer. Among other things, it lets you start record, play back and navigate through the arrangement.
Tuning Frequency
The helmholtz resonant frequency of a box. Also refers to the resonant frequency of other types of systems.
Tweeter
A speaker, (driver), used to reproduce the higher range of frequencies. To form a full-range system, a tweeter needs to be combined with a woofer, (2-way system), or a woofer and midrange, (3-way system).
Q-R
Q
Q or Quality Factor
Is a measure of damping. Modern home speaker systems have Q values ranging from <>
Quantize
An editing function of the sequencer. Out-of-time notes that don't fall into the desired rhythmic pattern are automatically shifted so they are in time.
R
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Term for the main memory of a computer.
RCA Connector
"Phono" plugs, used primarily as low-level connections between Phonographs/CD players/Tuners/Recievers/Amplifiers
Real time
In this context, real time means that an event - changes in pitch, sound or volume - is rendered as it occurs.
Recording Level
Volume setting of the recorded audio signal.
ReCycle
Software tool for adjusting the tempo of drum loops and other sampled phrases, distributed by Steinberg.
Red Book
Specification developed by Sony and Philips that sets forth the format of an audio CD.
Refrain (Chorus)
A musical phrase normally based on a single-note melody line. A key component of an arrangement, it is a song's central motif that ups its recognition factor.
Resonant frequency
Any system has a resonance at some particular frequency. At that frequency, even a slight amount of energy can cause the system to vibrate. A stretched piano string, when plucked, will vibrate for a while at a certain fundamental frequency. Plucked again, it will again vibrate at that same frequency. This is its natural or resonant frequency. While this is the basis of musical instruments, it is undesirable in music-reproducing instruments like audio equipment.
Ribbon Speaker
A type of speaker that uses a pleated conductor suspended between magnets. Most true ribbons are tweeters only. Sometimes confused with magnetic-planar speakers.
RMS (root-mean-square)
The square root of the mean of the sum of the squares. Commonly used as the effective value of measuring a sine wave's electrical power. A standard in amplifier measurements.
Roll-off (cut-off)
The attenuation that occurs at the lower or upper frequency range of a driver, network, or system. The roll-off frequency is usually defined as the frequency where response is reduced by -3 dB.
O-P
O
Octave
An octave is a doubling or halving of frequency. 20Hz-40Hz is often considered the bottom octave. Each octave you add on the bottom requires that your speakers move four times as much air!
Ohm
A unit of electrical resistance or impedance.
Ohm's Law
The basic law of electric circuits. It states that the current [I] in amperes in a circuit is equal to the voltage [E] in volts divided by the resistance [R] in ohms; thus, I = E/R.
OMS (Open Music System)
System expansion for Mac OS that allows MIDI devices and Apple computers to communicate.
Out of Phase
When speakers are mounted in reverse polarity, i.e... one speaker is wired +/+ and -/- from the amp and the other is wired +/- and -/+. Bass response will be very thin due to cancellation.
Output
The sound level produced by a loudspeaker.
Overload
A condition in which a system is given too high of an input level. A common cause of distortion or product failure.
Overtones
See Harmonics.
P
PCM
Pulse Code Modulation. A means of digital encoding.
Partitions
Subdivisions of the data area on a hard disk. Every partition has its own disk drive ID.
Parts
Individual sections of a MIDI or audio track.
Passive Radiator
A device that looks just like an ordinary driver, except it has no magnet or voice coil. A passive radiator is usually a highly compliant device, with a similar cone material and surround found on regular active drivers. The radiator must usually be at least as large (or larger) than the driver it is aligned with. The passive radiator is tuned to Fb and used in place of a port.
Patch editor
Software application that provides the means to process and exchange the instrument sounds of an audio card's MIDI sound generator.
PC Card (formerly PCMCIA)
Standardized slot designed to connect hardware accessories to mobile computers.
PCI bus (Peripheral Component Interface)
Slot in the PC or Mac (bus) designed to take internal expansion cards.
Phase Cancellation
Where two oscillating frequencies move in and out of phase with each other. Chorus effects attempt to emulate this behaviour. Imagine two people playing a guitar riff. It would be very rare indeed for them to play exactly in time with each other. Where they don't, phase cancellation occurs.
Phase Coherence
The relationship and timing of sounds that come from different drivers (subs, mids, tweets) mounted in different locations.
Phase Distortion
A type of audible distortion caused by time delay between various parts of the signal.
Planar Source
Most electrostatics and magnetic planars have a large surface area. Think of a wide board dropped flat onto the water surface. The sound can be extremely coherent, but the listening window is effectively limited to being directly on-axis of both the left and right planar speaker.
Plug-ins
Unable to run on their own, these software modules plug into a sequencer, adding new sound generators or effects to it.
Point-Source
Most multi-unit loudspeakers try to approximate a point-source. Think of a pebble dropped into the water and the expanding wave pattern away from impact. Obviously it is difficult to integrate multiple point-sources into a truly coherent expanding wave. The best designs do quite well with careful driver engineering and crossover development.
Polarity
A speaker, for example, has a positive and a negative input terminal. Connecting a battery directly to the speaker will result in the diaphragm moving outward. If you reverse the battery leads, the diaphragm will move inward.
Caution: Too high of a voltage battery will also burn out the speaker!
Ported Enclosure:
A type of speaker enclosure that uses a duct or port to improve efficiency at low frequencies.
Power (P)
The time rate of doing work or the rate at which energy is used. One equation for Power:
P = Volts^2 / Impedance
PowerBook
Product name for mobile Apple computers.
Processor
Highly complex arithmetic unit built into a chip - the brain of a computer, so to speak.
Push-Pull Configuration
One driver is mounted normally, the second is mounted so that it faces into the enclosure, both sharing the same internal volume and wired out of phase with one another. Although electrically out of phase with one another, the drivers are acoustically in phase since they move in the same direction. This alignment theoretically reduces second order harmonic distortion.
Push-pull
Most common type of amplification that amplifies the negative and positive sides of the waveform separately. Allows for much higher power output than single-ended.
Pre-amplifier
Or Pre-amp is a device that takes a source signal, such as from a turntable, tape-deck or CD player, and passes this signal on to a power-amplifier(s). The pre-amp may have a number of controls such as source selector switches, balance, volume and possibly tone-controls.
Octave
An octave is a doubling or halving of frequency. 20Hz-40Hz is often considered the bottom octave. Each octave you add on the bottom requires that your speakers move four times as much air!
Ohm
A unit of electrical resistance or impedance.
Ohm's Law
The basic law of electric circuits. It states that the current [I] in amperes in a circuit is equal to the voltage [E] in volts divided by the resistance [R] in ohms; thus, I = E/R.
OMS (Open Music System)
System expansion for Mac OS that allows MIDI devices and Apple computers to communicate.
Out of Phase
When speakers are mounted in reverse polarity, i.e... one speaker is wired +/+ and -/- from the amp and the other is wired +/- and -/+. Bass response will be very thin due to cancellation.
Output
The sound level produced by a loudspeaker.
Overload
A condition in which a system is given too high of an input level. A common cause of distortion or product failure.
Overtones
See Harmonics.
P
PCM
Pulse Code Modulation. A means of digital encoding.
Partitions
Subdivisions of the data area on a hard disk. Every partition has its own disk drive ID.
Parts
Individual sections of a MIDI or audio track.
Passive Radiator
A device that looks just like an ordinary driver, except it has no magnet or voice coil. A passive radiator is usually a highly compliant device, with a similar cone material and surround found on regular active drivers. The radiator must usually be at least as large (or larger) than the driver it is aligned with. The passive radiator is tuned to Fb and used in place of a port.
Patch editor
Software application that provides the means to process and exchange the instrument sounds of an audio card's MIDI sound generator.
PC Card (formerly PCMCIA)
Standardized slot designed to connect hardware accessories to mobile computers.
PCI bus (Peripheral Component Interface)
Slot in the PC or Mac (bus) designed to take internal expansion cards.
Phase Cancellation
Where two oscillating frequencies move in and out of phase with each other. Chorus effects attempt to emulate this behaviour. Imagine two people playing a guitar riff. It would be very rare indeed for them to play exactly in time with each other. Where they don't, phase cancellation occurs.
Phase Coherence
The relationship and timing of sounds that come from different drivers (subs, mids, tweets) mounted in different locations.
Phase Distortion
A type of audible distortion caused by time delay between various parts of the signal.
Planar Source
Most electrostatics and magnetic planars have a large surface area. Think of a wide board dropped flat onto the water surface. The sound can be extremely coherent, but the listening window is effectively limited to being directly on-axis of both the left and right planar speaker.
Plug-ins
Unable to run on their own, these software modules plug into a sequencer, adding new sound generators or effects to it.
Point-Source
Most multi-unit loudspeakers try to approximate a point-source. Think of a pebble dropped into the water and the expanding wave pattern away from impact. Obviously it is difficult to integrate multiple point-sources into a truly coherent expanding wave. The best designs do quite well with careful driver engineering and crossover development.
Polarity
A speaker, for example, has a positive and a negative input terminal. Connecting a battery directly to the speaker will result in the diaphragm moving outward. If you reverse the battery leads, the diaphragm will move inward.
Caution: Too high of a voltage battery will also burn out the speaker!
Ported Enclosure:
A type of speaker enclosure that uses a duct or port to improve efficiency at low frequencies.
Power (P)
The time rate of doing work or the rate at which energy is used. One equation for Power:
P = Volts^2 / Impedance
PowerBook
Product name for mobile Apple computers.
Processor
Highly complex arithmetic unit built into a chip - the brain of a computer, so to speak.
Push-Pull Configuration
One driver is mounted normally, the second is mounted so that it faces into the enclosure, both sharing the same internal volume and wired out of phase with one another. Although electrically out of phase with one another, the drivers are acoustically in phase since they move in the same direction. This alignment theoretically reduces second order harmonic distortion.
Push-pull
Most common type of amplification that amplifies the negative and positive sides of the waveform separately. Allows for much higher power output than single-ended.
Pre-amplifier
Or Pre-amp is a device that takes a source signal, such as from a turntable, tape-deck or CD player, and passes this signal on to a power-amplifier(s). The pre-amp may have a number of controls such as source selector switches, balance, volume and possibly tone-controls.
M-N
M
Magnetic-Planar Speakers
A type of speaker that uses a flat diaphragm with a voice coil etched or bonded to it to radiate sound. If the magnets are both in front of and behind the diaphragm, it becomes a push-pull magnetic-planar.
Mastering
A process by which a mixed-down piece of music is given a final sonic and electronic buff; the final step before the track is burned onto CD.
Maximum power rating
A meaningless specification.
Megacycle
A unit of measure for processor clock frequency. This is a benchmark specification that provides some insight into the computing speed and performance capability of a computer.
Melody line
Single-note, instantly recognizable motif that conjures up a specific musical atmosphere.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
Created in 1982, this is the industry standard governing the transmission of control commands for electronic music instruments and studio devices.
MIDI adapter
A cable connector that turns the game-port of an audio card into a MIDI port.
MIDI event
A term used to describe an individual command or message sent via MIDI.
MIDI hardware
Any MIDI-compatible device.
MIDI instruments
Sound generators that can be played via MIDI.
MIDI interface
Accessory that connects MIDI devices to the computer.
MIDI keyboard
A keyboard used to play MIDI sound generators. It may or may not be equipped with an audio generator.
Midrange
A speaker, (driver), used to reproduce the middle range of frequencies. A midrange is combined with a woofer for low frequencies and a tweeter for high frequencies to form a complete, full-range system.
Mixer
A device that lets you voice or shape the signals of several audio sources and converge them into a single master audio signal.
Mixman
Software for the arrangement of music tracks on the basis of drum loops and other sampled phrases, distributed by Steinberg.
Monitoring environment
Combination of loudspeakers and amp by which audio signals are made audible.
Monopole
Any speaker that encloses the backwave of the speaker device even though part of this backwave may be released via a port or duct. The primary radiation at most frequencies will be from the driver front. If the driver is not enclosed it becomes a dipole.
MOSFET
Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors. Used in most modern, quality car audio amplifiers in the power supply (and sometimes in the output stage). MOSFET's run cooler than normal bipolar transistors, and have a faster switching speed.
MP3 (MPEG 1 Layer 3)
A data reduction process for audio files developed by Fraunhofer Institute; it has become the established format for distributing music over the Internet.
Muddy
Listening term. A sound that is poorly defined, sloppy or vague. For example, a "muddy" bass is often boomy with all the notes tending to run together.
Muting
To greatly decrease the volume level. Many receivers and pre-amplifiers have a muting control which allows the volume level to be cut way down without changing the master volume control. Great for when the phone rings.
Multimedia software
Programs for playing back or processing static images, audio and video.
Multi-tracking
This describes a process in which several tracks are played back simultaneously, which allows a song to be recorded step by step rather than all at once.
Musician's portal
Website on which musicians can publish music and swap stories with other musicians.
Music production
The full sweep of musical activity involved in going from an idea to a finished song.
N
Noise
Any background noise, hissing, or interference caused by other computer components such as hard disks.
Non-destructive editing
Audio data on the hard disk remains in its original state, meaning that it is not physically changed during the editing.
Nonlinearity
What goes into a system comes out changed by its passage through that system-in other words, distorted. The ideal of an audio component and an audio system is to be linear, or nondistorting, with the image on one side of the mirror identical to the image on the other side.
Normalize
A process by which the volume of an audio file is boosted to peak level.
K-L
K
Kevlar
Material developed by Dupont that is has an exceptional strength to weight ratio. Used extensively in bullet-proof vests, skis, sailboat hulls, etc. In audio, used in many variations for speaker cones.
Kilohertz (kHz)
One thousand hertz.
L
Latency
This term describes the amount of time computers and audio hardware take to generate or process audio signals. It is the delay between the actual start of an event and the moment in which it becomes audible.
Linear frequency response
This means that the frequencies that make up an audio signal are rendered by audio hardware at levels that are directly proportionate to the input volume.
Line Level
CD players, VCRs, Laserdisc Players etc... are connected in a system at line level, usually with shielded RCA type interconnects. Line level is before power amplification. In a system with separate pre-amp and power-amp the pre-amp output is line level. Many surround sound decoders and receivers have line level outputs as well.
Line-Source
A speaker device that is long and tall. Imagine a narrow dowel dropped flat onto the water's surface. The line-source has very limited vertical dispersion, but excellent horizontal dispersion.
Lobing
Any time more than one speaker device covers the same part of the frequency range there will be some unevenness in the output. (Picture the waves from one pebble dropped into a calm pool vs. two pebbles dropped several inches apart.) Lobing means that the primary radiation pattern(s) is at some angle above or below the centerline between the two drivers. Good crossover design takes this into account.
Loudness
Another term for volume.
Low Frequency Extension
Manufacturers, writers and salespeople toss around all kinds of numbers and terminology that can be very confusing and misleading. "This $300 shoebox sized sub is flat to 20Hz". Right, in your dreams . . . How is that cheap, tiny box and driver going to reproduce a 56 foot wavelength with enough power to be heard?
It will not. Good bass reproduction requires moving a lot of air and playback at realistic volumes. Remember the rule of needing to move four times the air to go down one octave.
Example: You have a pair of good quality tower speakers with 10" woofers that produce good bass down to around 40Hz. The salesman is telling you that his little subwoofer with a single 10" woofer will extend your system down to 20Hz.
If you've been paying attention, you know that his woofer will have to move eight times as much air as each of your 10" woofers, not likely. Adding that subwoofer to your system might give you more apparent bass energy, and in fact may help a little with movie special effects, but it is unlikely to extend bass response significantly.
Low-Pass Filter
A circuit that allows low frequencies to pass but rolls off the high frequencies. Most subwoofers have low-pass filters built in and many surround sound decoders have subwoofer outputs that have been low-pass filtered.
Kevlar
Material developed by Dupont that is has an exceptional strength to weight ratio. Used extensively in bullet-proof vests, skis, sailboat hulls, etc. In audio, used in many variations for speaker cones.
Kilohertz (kHz)
One thousand hertz.
L
Latency
This term describes the amount of time computers and audio hardware take to generate or process audio signals. It is the delay between the actual start of an event and the moment in which it becomes audible.
Linear frequency response
This means that the frequencies that make up an audio signal are rendered by audio hardware at levels that are directly proportionate to the input volume.
Line Level
CD players, VCRs, Laserdisc Players etc... are connected in a system at line level, usually with shielded RCA type interconnects. Line level is before power amplification. In a system with separate pre-amp and power-amp the pre-amp output is line level. Many surround sound decoders and receivers have line level outputs as well.
Line-Source
A speaker device that is long and tall. Imagine a narrow dowel dropped flat onto the water's surface. The line-source has very limited vertical dispersion, but excellent horizontal dispersion.
Lobing
Any time more than one speaker device covers the same part of the frequency range there will be some unevenness in the output. (Picture the waves from one pebble dropped into a calm pool vs. two pebbles dropped several inches apart.) Lobing means that the primary radiation pattern(s) is at some angle above or below the centerline between the two drivers. Good crossover design takes this into account.
Loudness
Another term for volume.
Low Frequency Extension
Manufacturers, writers and salespeople toss around all kinds of numbers and terminology that can be very confusing and misleading. "This $300 shoebox sized sub is flat to 20Hz". Right, in your dreams . . . How is that cheap, tiny box and driver going to reproduce a 56 foot wavelength with enough power to be heard?
It will not. Good bass reproduction requires moving a lot of air and playback at realistic volumes. Remember the rule of needing to move four times the air to go down one octave.
Example: You have a pair of good quality tower speakers with 10" woofers that produce good bass down to around 40Hz. The salesman is telling you that his little subwoofer with a single 10" woofer will extend your system down to 20Hz.
If you've been paying attention, you know that his woofer will have to move eight times as much air as each of your 10" woofers, not likely. Adding that subwoofer to your system might give you more apparent bass energy, and in fact may help a little with movie special effects, but it is unlikely to extend bass response significantly.
Low-Pass Filter
A circuit that allows low frequencies to pass but rolls off the high frequencies. Most subwoofers have low-pass filters built in and many surround sound decoders have subwoofer outputs that have been low-pass filtered.
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