Brooks Audio Design

A control on a stereo amplifier that when moved clockwise will make the right channel louder (and the left channel softer) and will do the reverse when moved counter-clockwise. Feedback 1) The delayed signal sent back to the input of a delay line, used in repeat-echo effects. 2) The pickup of the signal out of a channel by its input or the howling sound that this produces. 3) In an amplifier, the phase reversed output signal sent back to its input, reducing gain but also distortion and noise. 4) This occurs when the sound coming out of the speakers goes back into the microphones, then back out the speakers, then back into the mics…and so on. This can build very quickly to a point where everyone in the room is holding their ears and screaming at you. It can also cause damage to the PA. Brooks Cinema RM 909 Bi-Amplification 1) A way of optimizing the efficiency of a speaker system by separately amplifying the High Frequency (HF) and Low Frequency (LF) portions of the ...

A less elevated version of the term Second Engineer. Experienced seconds often place microphones, operate tape machines, break down equipment at the session end and keep the paperwork for the session. Kilo A prefix meaning 1000. Brooks M 44 Amplitude The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Ambient Micing Placing a microphone in the reverberant field (where the reverberation is louder than the direct sound) so as to do a separate recording of the ambience or to allow the recording engineer to change the mix of direct to reverberant sound in recording. Brooks GS 15 Information Bits The bits in the digital signal that make up actual values or commands being communicated as opposed to bits that are used for checking & correcting data or other purposes. Dolby Trade name for a series of noise reduction systems that have become standard on many tape playback machines. Many film soundtracks are produced using this pro...

1) One complete path of electric current. 2) Similar to definition 1, but including all paths and components to accomplish one function in a device. Insulator A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity. Brooks Cinema TZ 505 Amplifier A device which increases the amplitude (level) of an electrical signal (making it louder). Expansion The opposite of compression; for example, an expander may allow the signal to increase 2 dB every time the signal input increased by 1 dB. Brooks Cinema Series Bi A prefix meaning two. Fade 1) A gradual reduction of the level of the audio signal. 2) A gradual change of level from one pre-set level to another. Headstock The area of the guitar at the end of the neck where the strings are tuned. Floor Toms The large toms to the right of the drummer.

The VCA faders of individual channels that are all controlled by a Group Master Fader (a slide control used to send out a control voltage to several VCA faders in individual channels). Error Detection The process of discovery that sonic information bits have been lost in digital audio. Brooks Cinema TZ 505 Line Input An input designed to take a line level signal. Graphic Equalizer An device with several slides controlling the gain of audio signal present which is within one of several evenly spaced frequency bands (spaced according to octaves). Brooks Cinema ZL 44 Isolation Booth/ Isolation Room A room that prevents loud sounds from other instruments from leaking in: an isolation booth is usually a smaller room that could be used for only one musician. Dry Describes a sound coming from the PA with no effects on it. Guitar Processor A unit that will add effects to a direct guitar signal, including a simulated instrument amplifier sound and (often) d...

The range of frequencies over which an electronic device is useful or over which a sound source will put out substantial energy. Bi-Directional Pattern A microphone pick up pattern which has maximum pick up directly in front and directly in back of the diaphragm and least pick up at the sides. Brooks Cinema RM 909 Electronics 1) On a tape machine, the housing for and the channel circuitry which processes the signal to be fed to the heads, provide bias, and playback. 2) The branch of science dealing with the behaviour of electrons/charges in vacuums, gases, semiconductors and special conductors. Fundamental The tuned frequency and (almost always) the lowest frequency that is present in the sounding of a pitch by a musical instrument. Brooks M 44 Cut-off Rate (Slope) The number of dB that a filter reduces the signal for each octave its frequency past the filter's cut-off frequency (outside of the pass band). Ampere The unit of current, abbreviated Am...

An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. Equipment Rack A cabinet with rails (or free standing rails) that have holes to accept screws at standard spaces and used to house outboard gear. Brooks Cinema TZ 505 Effects Electronic boxes (usually rack mounted) added to a PA system to subtly change and enhance the signals going through it. Examples include; Reverb, Delay, Compressor, Chorus. Echo Return An input of the console, which brings back the echo (reverberation) signal from the echo chamber or other echo effects device. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Cycle 1) An alternation of a waveform which begins at a point, passes through the zero line, and ends at a point with the same value and moving in the same direction as the starting point. 2) On a Solid State Logic Console, a command to have the console computer control the tape machine to play and replay a certain section of the tape. Jack Bay A series of jacks which have connections for most of the inputs a...

1) A route leading from one side of the stage to the other, out of the audiences view. 2) An electronic filter in a sound system that routes sound of the correct frequency to the correct part of the speaker system. Different speakers handle high frequencies (tweeters) and low frequencies (woofers). Sometimes known as a crossover network. An active crossover splits the signal from the mixing desk into high, mid and low frequencies which are then sent to three separate amplifiers. 3) An electrical circuit that divides a full bandwidth signal into the desired frequency bands for the loudspeaker components. Acoustic/Acoustical Having to do with sound that can be heard by the ears. AcousticsThe behaviour of sound and its study. The acoustics of a room depend on its size and shape and the amount and position of sound-absorbing and reflecting material. Brooks Cinema ZL 44 Kick (Kick Drum) Another term for Bass Drum. Inductance The property of an electric circuit by w...

To set and interconnect two mixers so that the stereo mixing buss(es) of the first mixer feeds the stereo buss(es) of a second mixer. Ground Lift A switch that breaks the connection between the ground point in one circuit and the ground point in another circuit. Brooks KM 77 Bulk Dump Short for System Exclusive Bulk Dump (a method of transmitting data, such as the internal parameters of a MIDI device to another MIDI device). Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Boom 1) A hand-held, telescoping pole used to hold the microphone in recording dialogue in film production. 2) A telescoping support arm that is attached to a microphone stand and which holds the microphone. 3) Loosely, a boomstand. Driver See transducer. Dynamic Range �" The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds a device can handle (often quoted in dB). Keyboard Controller A device that has the standard m...

It's the part of the sound system that actually magnifies or "amplifies" the sound. In other words, it makes stuff louder. Absorption Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Brooks BA 71 Impedance 1) A term for the electrical resistance found in a/c circuits. Affects the ability of a cable to transmit low level (e.g. sound) signals over a long distance. Measured in Ohms. Speakers are rated according to power handling capabilities (Watts, W) and impedance (Ohms). 2) The total opposition offered by an electric circuit to the flow of an alternating current of a single frequency. It is a combination of resistance and reactance and is measured in ohms. Remember that a speaker's impedance changes with frequency, it is not a constant value. 3) The opposition to alternating current. Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibel...

The frequency of the audio signal that is boosted or attenuated most by an equalizer with a peak equalization curve. Absorption Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Brooks KS-55 ADSR The letters A, D, S &R are the first letters of: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. These are the various elements of volume changes in the sounding of a keyboard instrument. Direct box Used in line to convert a high impedance signal into a low impedance signal. Brooks KM 77 Level Sets output volume of individual PA input channels. Usually positioned as sliders at the bottom of the soundboard. Isolation Booth/ Isolation Room A room that prevents loud sounds from other instruments from leaking in: an isolation booth is usually a smaller room that could be used for only one musician. Central Processing Unit 1) The main "brain" chip of a computer that performs the calculations an...

A slide control used to send out a control voltage to several VCA faders in individual channels, thus controlling the gain of several channels. Consumer Format (Consumer DIF) A standard adopted by IEC for sending and receiving digital audio based on The AES Professional Interface. Brooks Cinema Projectors Far Field The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance. Insert 1) A punch in of the all of the tracks being recorded in a recording session. 2) On Solid State Logic consoles, placing an outboard piece of gear in the channel by patching and activating a switch. Brooks Cinema Series A/D An abbreviation of Analog to Digital Conversion (the conversion of a quantity that has continuous changes into numbers that approximate those changes), or Analog to Digital Converter. Impedance Matching Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed. Amplitude The stren...

A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity. Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. Brooks Cinema TX 509 High Frequencies The audio frequencies from 6000 Hz and above. LED A light that allows current to flow in one direction only and emits light whenever a voltage of a certain level or beyond is applied to it. Brooks GT 845 Ground Lifter An adapter that takes a three prong power cord and plugs into a two prong outlet, used to disconnect the third (ground) pin of the power outlet. WARNING: It can be VERY DANGEROUS to have no ground connection to the case by using a ground lifter and not grounding the unit by other means. Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. In Short For "in the circuit," in other words "active....

Another name for Bass Drum (the largest drum in the Drum Kit which puts out bass frequencies and is played with a foot pedal). Buss (Bus) A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources. Brooks Cinema Projectors Electric Instrument Any musical instrument that puts out an electrical signal rather than an acoustic sound. Capacitor 1) A device consisting of two or more conducting plates separated from one another by an insulating material and used for storing an electrical charge. Sometimes called a condenser. 2) An electronic device that is composed of two plates separated by an insulator. Brooks BA 71 Envelope 1) How a sound or audio signal varies in intensity over a time span. 2) How a control voltage varies in level over time controlling a parameter of something other than gain or audio level. Chorusing 1) A term meaning the same thing as Chorus (Definition 3 or 4). 2) In some delay effects devices, a term used to mean the ...

A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it. File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Brooks SS 81 Amplitude The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Hall Program A setting of a digital delay/reverb effects unit that approximates concert halls. Hall programs are characterized by pre-delay of up to 25 ms. Brooks Speakers Lead Sheet A written chart showing the melody, lyrics and chords of a tune with full musical notation. Formant An element in the sound of a voice or instrument that does not change frequency as different pitches are sounded. Harmonic Distortion The presence of harmonics in the output signal of a device which were not present in the input signal. Crossover Frequency 1) The frequency that is the outer limit of one of the bands of a crossover. 2) In the Lexicon 480L delay/reverberation effects unit, the frequency at which the...

The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape). Balanced input/output A "balanced" connection is one that has three wires to move the signal. One is a ground, and the other two (called conductors) carry signals of equal value. This is why they are called balanced. Low Z cables and connections are the most common example. Brooks Speakers Integrated Circuit (IC) A miniature circuit of many components in a small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment. Centre Frequency The frequency of the audio signal that is boosted or attenuated most by an equalizer with a peak equalization curve. Brooks XB 22 Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. IM Distortion An abbreviation of the term Intermodulation Distortion ...

To set and interconnect two mixers so that the stereo mixing buss(es) of the first mixer feeds the stereo buss(es) of a second mixer. Console A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing. Brooks GT 845 Full Step A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. Brooks QS 70 Compression Ratio How many dB the input signal has to rise above the threshold for every one dB more output of a compressor or limiter. Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Equipment Rack A cabinet with rails (or free standing rails) that have holes to accept screws at standard spaces and used to house outboard gear. Cord (Speaker, Mic, Instrument) Used to connect a sound system together. Each type of cord is made for a specific purpose and should not be used in pl...

1) Controlling the gain of several individual channels with a Group Fader. 2) The mixing together of several individual audio signals to send a mixed signal out of the console to record a track on a multitrack tape machine. Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Brooks Cinema RM 909 Cycle 1) An alternation of a waveform which begins at a point, passes through the zero line, and ends at a point with the same value and moving in the same direction as the starting point. 2) On a Solid State Logic Console, a command to have the console computer control the tape machine to play and replay a certain section of the tape. Gain Control A device that changes the gain of an amplifier or circuit, often a knob that can be turned or a slide that can be moved up arid down. Brooks Cinema Series Level Sets output volume of individual PA input channels. Usually positioned as sliders at the bottom of the soundboard. Keyboard Controller A device that has the standa...

A baffle so large that the sounds coming from one side do not reach the other side. Dynamic Mic Robust type of microphone which picks up the sound on a diaphragm connected to a coil of wire which moves within a magnet. An alternating current is induced into the wire which provides the electrical output. Most dynamic mics have low output impedance of 200 Ohms. See Condenser Mic. Brooks Cinema RM 909 Equal Loudness Contours A drawing of several curves showing how loud the tones of different frequencies would have to be played for a person to say they were of equal loudness. Analog To Digital Converter The device which does the conversion of a quantity that has continuous changes (usually of voltage) into numbers that approximate those changes. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Circuit 1) One complete path of electric current. 2) Similar to definition 1, but including all paths and components to accomplish one function in a device. Bi A prefix meaning two. Aux Sen...

The amount of signal strength; the amplitude, especially the average amplitude. Half Step A pitch difference of the amount that is present between adjacent keys on a piano. Brooks XT 20 Binary A numbering system based on two. In binary there are two symbols used ("l" and "0"). Intermodulation Distortion Distortion caused by one signal beating with another signal and producing frequencies that are both the sum and the difference of the original frequencies. Brooks XB 22 Bass Roll Off An electrical network built into some microphones to reduce the amount of output at bass frequencies when close-micing. Capsule 1) The variable capacitor section of a condenser microphone. 2) In other types of microphones, the part of the microphone that includes the diaphragm and the active element. Generating Element The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes. ...

A set of controls, on one housing, for an in-line console that has two channels (one for recording and one for monitoring) and has controls for all console sections. Capacitance That property of a capacitor which determines how much charge can be stored in it for a given potential difference between its terminals, measured in farads, by the ratio of the charge stored to the potential difference. Brooks Cinema XR 607 Chip 1) A slang term with the same meaning as the term IC (a miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). 2) The thread cut away from the master lacquer to make the groove, while disc recording. Electricity Electrical current (the amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor per unit of time) or voltage (the force pushing electrons to obtain electrical current). Brooks SS 81 Foot Pedal 1) An effects device where the amount of the effect can be controlled by a musician...

A shortening of the term Phase Cancellation (the energy of one waveform significantly decreasing the energy of another waveform because of phase relationships at or close to 180 degrees). Cue 1) The signal fed back to the musicians through headphones. 2) To set the tape or disc so that the intended selection will immediately play when the tape machine or player is started. 3) A location point entered into a computer controlling the playback or recording of a track or tape. 4) In MCI brand tape machines, a term meaning the same thing as Sync Playback (where the record head is used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded). Brooks XT 20 Howlback British term for the term Feedback (the pickup of the signal out of a channel by the input of the channel or the howling sound that this produces). Capo A clamp-like device that is placed vertically across the guitar neck. It is used to change the pitch of the guitar, acting as a moveable nut. Brooks QS 7...

Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Brooks TA 60 Compander 1) A two section device that is used in noise reduction systems. The first section compresses the audio signal, before it is recorded, and the second section, expands the signal after recording. 2) In Yamaha brand digital consoles, a signal processing function that applies both compression and expansion to the same signal. Band Track 1) A mixdown of a song without the lead vocal or without the lead and background vocals. 2) A term with the same meaning as the term Rhythm Track. 3) The recording of the rhythm instruments in a music production. Brooks GT 845 LFO Low-Frequency Oscillator (an oscillator that puts out an AC signal between .1 Hz and 10Hz used for a control signal). Linear The condition of obtaining a change at the output of the device which is proportional to the change occurr...

An electrical network built into some microphones to reduce the amount of output at bass frequencies when close-micing. Crossover, Passive Used inside of full range speaker cabinets to separate highs, mids, and lows and send them to their respective speakers within the each cabinet. These are not as efficient as active crossovers because they require all frequencies to draw from the same source of amplification. Brooks SS 81 AES An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. Gain Structure The way in which the gain varies in the stages or sections of an audio system. Brooks KM 77 Capo A clamp-like device that is placed vertically across the guitar neck. It is used to change the pitch of the guitar, acting as a moveable nut. Hall A large building designed for concerts; also called a concert hall. Axis A line around which a device operates. Example: In a microphone, this would be an imaginary line coming out from the front of the microphone in the dir...

1) The signal fed back to the musicians through headphones. 2) To set the tape or disc so that the intended selection will immediately play when the tape machine or player is started. 3) A location point entered into a computer controlling the playback or recording of a track or tape. 4) In MCI brand tape machines, a term meaning the same thing as Sync Playback (where the record head is used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded). IM Distortion An abbreviation of the term Intermodulation Distortion (Distortion caused by one signal beating with another signal and producing frequencies that are both the sum and the difference of the original frequencies present). Brooks Cinema xm 808 Formant An element in the sound of a voice or instrument that does not change frequency as different pitches are sounded. Gate A dynamic processing device that turns a channel off or down when the signal drops below a certain level. Brooks Cinema Projectors Electr...

A making smaller: reduction of electrical or acoustic signal strength. Electrons Negatively charged particles, which revolve around the centre of atoms. The movement of such electrons down a conductor causes electrical current. Brooks BA 71 FOH (Front of House) Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Keynote Number A number assigned to each key of a synthesizer or controller keyboard that is transmitted in the MIDI signal. Brooks KM 77 Compression Ratio How many dB the input signal has to rise above the threshold for every one dB more output of a compressor or limiter. Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. Ground Lifter An adapter that takes a three prong power cord and plugs into a two prong outlet, used to disconnect the third (ground) pin of the power outlet. WARNING: It can be VERY DANGEROUS to have no ground connection to the case by using a ground li...

1) A gradual reduction of the level of the audio signal. 2) A gradual change of level from one pre-set level to another. Cardioid Pattern A microphone pick up pattern, which has maximum pick up from the front, less pick up from the sides, and least pick up from the back of the diaphragm. Brooks RM 80 Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. Binary A numbering system based on two. In binary there are two symbols used ("l" and "0"). Brooks M 44 Formant An element in the sound of a voice or instrument that does not change frequency as different pitches are sounded. Auxiliary Output or Send An additional output from a sound desk that can be used for foldback or monitoring without tying up the main outputs. Each input channel will have a path to the Aux buss. Also used for feeding a signal to an effects processor. See Auxiliary Return. Cut-Off Frequency (Turnover Frequency) 1) The highest ...

The bits in the digital signal that make up actual values or commands being communicated as opposed to bits that are used for checking & correcting data or other purposes. Compact Disc, Read Only Memory CDROM A Compact Disc used to store digital data, such as large programs, that can be read by a computer. Brooks SS 81 Clipping Distortion of a signal by its being chopped off. An overload problem caused by pushing an amplifier beyond its capabilities. The flat-topped signal has high levels of harmonic distortion which creates heat in a loudspeaker and is the major cause of loudspeaker component failure. Fundamental The tuned frequency and (almost always) the lowest frequency that is present in the sounding of a pitch by a musical instrument. Brooks TM-22 Folded Horn A speaker design where the speaker points back into the cabinet and bounces around finally coming out large ports in the front. It is intended to maximize low frequencies in a relatively small c...

A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing. Jack Bay A series of jacks which have connections for most of the inputs and outputs of the equipment in the control room. Brooks Cinema ZL 44 Fade 1) A gradual reduction of the level of the audio signal. 2) A gradual change of level from one pre-set level to another. In-Line Console A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Brooks SS 81 Byte A grouping of eight information bits. Hall Program A setting of a digital delay/reverb effects unit that approximates concert halls. Hall programs are characterized by pre-delay of up to 25 ms. Foot (Foot Drum) Another name for Bass Drum (the largest drum in the Drum Kit which puts out bass frequencies and is played with a foot pedal). Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level.

The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes. Amplification An increasing of signal strength. Brooks Cinema TX 509 Attenuator (Pot) The electronic dohickey under the knobs that increases or reduces the strength of the signal running through it. When these get old and dirty, they can make popping noises or rumbles in your PA (As in "my pots are dirty"). Assign Tochoose to which place an output is going to be sent. Guitar Processor A unit that will add effects to a direct guitar signal, including a simulated instrument amplifier sound and (often) delay and reverb effects. Brooks Speakers Electret Condenser A condenser microphone that has a permanently polarized (charged) variable capacitor as its sound pressure level sensor. Clip The action of deforming a waveform during overload. Automatic Gain Control (Automatic Volume Control) A compressor with a very long...

1) The frequency response achieved by mixing a direct signal with a delayed signal of equal strength especially at short delays. 2) Loosely used to also describe effects that can be achieved with comb filtering as part of the processing. Critical Distance The point a distance away from the sound source where the direct sound and the reverberant sound are equal in volume. Brooks BA 71 Echo Send The output of a console used to send a signal to an echo chamber or delay effects device. Equipment Rack A cabinet with rails (or free standing rails) that have holes to accept screws at standard spaces and used to house outboard gear. Brooks KS-55 File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Action In guitar playing, action refers to how far the strings sit off of the guitar neck. When strings are close to the neck, it is referred to as "Low Action". When the string sit far above the neck, it is called ...

A microphone pick up pattern, which has maximum pick up from the front, less pick up from the sides, and least pick up from the back of the diaphragm. Line 1) Short for line level. 2) A cable. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Harmonics Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overtone the second harmonic, etc. Attributing to instruments, voices, etc. their distinctive timbre. Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Brooks Speakers Auxiliary Output or Send An additional output from a sound desk that can be used for foldback or monitoring without tying up the main outputs. Each input channel will have a path to the Aux buss. Also used for feeding a signal to an effects processor. See Auxiliary Return. Echo Send Control A control to send the signal from the input module to the echo chamber or effects device via the echo buss. Crossover, Active A rack mountable unit used to separate frequencies ...