Brooks Audio Design

The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Chorus Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. Brooks Speakers Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Chamber 1) An Echo Chamber (a room designed with very hard, non-parallel surfaces equipped with a speaker and microphone so that when dry signals from the console are fed to the speaker, the microphone will have a reverberation of these signals that can be mixed in with the dry signals at the console). 2) A program in a delay/reverb effects device that simulates the sound of an Echo Chamber. Brooks Cinema Projectors High-Pass Filter A device that rejects signals that are below a certain frequency (called the cut-off frequency) and passes signals with frequencies that are higher. Coax Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Foot Switch A switch placed on the

1) In film production audio, a recording of the mixdown of all the sound effects for the film ready to be mixed with the dialogue and music. 2) In music recording, one track with a recording of effects to be added to another track of a multitrack recording. Front Loaded A speaker cabinet where the speaker faces out toward the front. Brooks TM-22 Acoustic Echo Chamber A room designed with very hard, non-parallel surfaces and equipped with a speaker and microphone; dry signals from the console are fed to the speaker and the microphone will have a reverberation of these signals that can be mixed in with the dry signals at the console. Channel 1) In multitrack tape machines, this term means the same thing as the term Track (one audio recording made on a portion of the width of a multitrack tape). 2) A single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device from an input to an output. Brooks KS-55 Inverse Square Law Simply stated, the fact that

1) A room designed with very hard, non-parallel surfaces and equipped with a speaker and microphone. 2) Any artificial or electronic device that simulates the reverberation created in a room. 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 KP 30 Hz (Hertz) 1) An abbreviation for the term Hertz (the unit of frequency). 2) Unit of frequency equivalent to the number of cycles per second. Infinite Baffle A baffle so large that the sounds coming from one side do not reach the other side. Brooks Cinema Series 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. 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 no

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. Line Level 1) An amplified signal level put out by an amplifier and used as the normal level that runs through the interconnecting cables in a control room. 2) A low level signal such as the signal in a guitar cord. Most parts of a PA require a line level signal. Remember, however, that speaker outputs are not line level. Plugging speaker outs into line ins will result in damage to the equipment Brooks TM-22 Distorted The way your PA sounds just before it blows up. Fuzzy and scratchy. If you hear this, it either means you have something hooked up wrong, or something in the system is going bad. It could be anything from your super expensive soundboard to a five dollar patch cord. Bi A prefix meaning two. Brooks SS 81 Chamber 1) An Echo Chamber (a room designed with very hard, no

1) A number of channels or faders that can be controlled by one Master VCA slide. 2) A shortening of the term Recording Group (a buss or the signal present on a buss). Engineer 1) A technician in charge of a recording session; Also called Recording Engineer. 2) A person with an engineering degree. 3) A person with sufficient experience in the field to be equivalent to the education one would receive earning an engineering degree. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Analog (Analogue) Representative, continuous changes that relate to another quantity that has a continuous change. 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 TM-22 Icon A visual picture or symbol on a computer screen that represents a file, program or disc that can be used. Early Reflections T

A ratio of height to width to length of a room to achieve "good acoustics" and first recommended by the ancient Greeks. The ratio is approximately the width 1.6 times the height and the length 2.6 times the height Frets Vertical metal wires which sit vertically on the guitar neck. Brooks BA 71 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. Layering The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous. Brooks TA 60 Chord Three or more musical pitches sung or played together. Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Input/Output Module A set of controls, on one housing, for an in-lin

A storage unit for digital data that has rigid disks coated with magnetic material in a housing that includes the drive mechanism. Effects Track 1) In film production audio, a recording of the mixdown of all the sound effects for the film ready to be mixed with the dialogue and music. 2) In music recording, one track with a recording of effects to be added to another track of a multitrack recording. Brooks Cinema ZL 44 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. Level The amount of signal strength; the amplitude, especially the average amplitude. Brooks XT 20 Auxiliary Input or Return A route back into the sound desk for a signal sent to a piece of outboard equipment via an auxiliary send. Group Faders The VCA faders of individual channels that are all controlled by a Group Master Fader (a slide control used to send o

A less common balanced cable that has 3 different contacts on its 1/4 inch connectors. Most headphone jacks are a good example of a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connector. These are sometimes used instead of the more common XLR connection. 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. Brooks QS 70 Expander A device that causes expansion of the audio signal. Electret Condenser A condenser microphone that has a permanently polarized (charged) variable capacitor as its sound pressure level sensor. Brooks GT 845 Inverse Square Law Simply stated, the fact that in an un-obstructed area (like an open field) the sound pressure level will drop to half-pressure (-6 dB) every time the distance to the sound source is doubled. Bank 1) A collection of sound patches (data as to the sequence and operating parameters of the synthesizer genera

The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape). 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. Brooks GT 44 Equalization 1) The process of adjusting the tonal quality of a sound. A graphic equalizer provides adjustment for a wide range of frequency bands, and is normally inserted in the signal path after the mixing desk, before the amplifier. See Feedback. 2) Any time the amplitude of audio signals at specific set of frequencies are increased or decreased more than the signals at other audio frequencies. Ambient Field A term with the same meaning as the term Reverberant Field (the area away from the sound source where the reverberation is louder than the direct soun

1) The relative level of two or more instruments in a mix, or the relative level of audio signals in the channels of a stereo recording. 2) To make the relative levels of audio signals in the channels of a stereo recording even. Diaphragm A thin flexible membrane or cone that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves. Distortion is usually referred to in terms of total harmonic distortion (THD) which is the percentage of unwanted harmonics of the drive signal present with the wanted signal. Generally used to mean any unwanted change introduced by the device under question. Brooks Cinema KP 30 Cable, XLR A balanced cable used for low impedance microphones and sometimes for connections between some parts of the PA. Commonly referred to as a "mic cord". AC 1) Abbreviation for alternating current. 2) An abbreviation of the term Alternating Current (electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit; all studio signals running

Short for the term Auxiliary Send (a control to adjust the level of the signal sent from the console input channel to the auxiliary equipment through the aux buss. Amplification An increasing of signal strength. Brooks QS 70 Final Mix The two track stereo master tape which was mixed from the multitrack master. In-Line Console A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Brooks GT 44 Basic Session The First session in recording an audio production to record the Basic Tracks. Cascade 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. Input 1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal. 2) The signal being received by a device. 3) The action of receiving a signal by a device. In Port A jack on a MIDI device or computer that will accept an incoming data signal.

1) In multitrack tape machines, this term means the same thing as the term Track (one audio recording made on a portion of the width of a multitrack tape). 2) A single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device from an input to an output. Inductor A device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electric circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. Brooks GS 15 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). 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 fo

Three or more musical pitches sung or played together. Basic Session The First session in recording an audio production to record the Basic Tracks. Brooks M 44 Amplitude The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Key The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal. Brooks Cinema NZ 60 Head 1) In tape recording, the transducer (energy converter) that changes the audio energy from electrical energy to magnetic energy and back; also the devices that apply magnetism to the recording tape for other purposes such as in the erase head. 2) The part of a device that immediately includes the transducer to change sound or audio signals from one energy form to another. Joystick 1) A quad pan pot which distributes what percentage of on signal is sent to each of 4 outputs. 2) A control that is separately controlling two functions at one time. Feedback 1) The delayed signal sent back to the input o

Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Condenser Mic (Capacitor Mic) A microphone that uses the varying capacitance between two plates with a voltage applied across them to convert sound to electrical pulses. Condenser microphones need a power supply to provide the voltage across the plates, which may be provided by a battery within the case of the microphone, or it may be provided from an external phantom power supply. A condenser mic is more sensitive and has a faster reaction to percussive sounds than a Dynamic mic and produces a more even response. See Electret Mic. Brooks Cinema XR 607 Fletcher Munson Effect A hearing limitation shown by Fletcher Munson Equal Loudness Contours (as music is lowered in volume, it is much more difficult to hear bass frequencies and somewhat harder to hear very high frequencies). Harmonics Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overto

A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. Bottom The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). Brooks GT 845 Baffles Sound absorbing panels used to prevent sound waves from entering or leaving a certain space Contact Microphone A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal proportional to the vibrations. Brooks QS-70 Comb Filter 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. Infinite Repeat A function on some delay lines that establish enough feedback so that the repeat echo will last forever, but not so much as to cause a howling sound. Link (Said of compressors and dynamic processing units.) To combine the control input signals of two channels of a compressor (o Compact Disc, Read Only Memory CDROM A

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. Bouncing Alternate name for Ping-Ponging (playing several tacks with sync playback through a console to mix them together and record them on an open track). Brooks Cinema Series Effects 1) Various ways an audio signal can be modified by adding something to the signal to change the sound. 2) Short for the term Sound Effects (sounds other than dialogue, narration or music like door closings, wind, etc. added to film or video shots). Inverse Square Law Simply stated, the fact that in an un-obstructed area (like an open field) the sound pressure level will drop to half-pressure (-6 dB) every time the distance to the sound source is doubled. Brooks TA 60 Full Step A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys Input/Output Module A set of controls, on one housing, for an in-line console that has t

A storage unit for digital data that has rigid disks coated with magnetic material in a housing that includes the drive mechanism. Group Master A slide control used to send out a control voltage to several VCA faders in individual channels, thus controlling the gain of several channels. Brooks KM 77 Input Monitor A switch position and operational mode of the electronics of a tape machine where the signal at output of the electronics will be the same as the signal coming into the electronics. In this mode, the tape machine's meter will read the input signal. Haas Effect Simply stated, a factor in human hearing where delay has a much bigger effect on human perception of direction than level does. Brooks VT-50 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

Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Generating Element The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes. Brooks KS-55 Cancellation 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). 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. Brooks M 44 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 process. Different varieties are found from Dolby B on most personal cassette players, to Dolby SR and Digital, the current state of

Where a signal leaves the board or component. Binary A numbering system based on two. In binary there are two symbols used ("l" and "0"). Brooks TM-22 Amplifier Sound equipment that converts the low voltage, low current signal from a tape deck, mixer etc. into a higher current signal suitable for driving speakers. See Power Amplifier, Crossover. Frets Vertical metal wires which sit vertically on the guitar neck. Brooks BA 71 Hi-Z An abbreviation of the term High Impedance (Impedance of 5000 or more ohms). Baffles Sound absorbing panels used to prevent sound waves from entering or leaving a certain space Condenser An older term meaning the same thing as Capacitor (an electronic device which is composed of two plates separated by an insulator and can store charge) but sill in common use when referring to a microphone's active element. Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the micro

A numbering system based on two. In binary there are two symbols used ("l" and "0"). Digital Recording 1) ADAM : (Akai Digital Audio Multitrack). 12 track recording onto Video 8 tape. 16 bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz sampling rate. 2) DAT (Digital Audio Tape) Cassette-like system which has much higher quality than standard audio cassettes. Widely used in gathering sound effects, for news gathering, and for playback of music. 3) DCC (Digital Compact Cassette) Rival to DAT which also plays standard audio cassettes. 4) MiniDisc : Uses computer disk technology, rather than tape. A laser heats an area of magnetic disk which is then written to by a magnetic head. When cooled, the magnetic information is read from the disk by laser. Tracks can be named, and are instant start. Very theatre-friendly system. 5) Direct to Disk : Uses the hard disk present in most PCs as the recording medium. Brooks SS 81 Fundamental The tuned frequency and (almost always) the lowes

The large toms to the right of the drummer. Instrument Out Direct Feeding the output of an electric instrument (like an electric guitar) to the recording console or tape recorder without using a microphone. Brooks XB 22 Generating Element The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes. Gain Reduction The working of a limiter or compressor reducing gain during high-level passages. Brooks TM-22 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. Electrostatic Charge The excess or deficiency of electrons in a given area. Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. 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).

Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. 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 Hertz The unit of frequency. Equivalent to cycles per second. Abbreviation: Hz. Bottom The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). Brooks RM 80 Frame 1) A division of one second in synchronization and recording coming from definition two. 2) The amount of time that one still picture is shown in film or video. I/O Short for "Input/Output' and referring to: 1) An in-line console module that contains controls for the input section, output section and monitor section. 2) A module in electronic gear containing input and output amplifiers for the device. 3) A digital port (connector) able to both receive digital

Where a signal enters the board or component. Fly In 1) To add sounds into a mix or recording that have no synchronization. 2) An application of this where a performance from one part of a tune is recorded and then recorded back into the recording at a different time in the recording. Brooks Cinema RM 909 Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Clock Signal The signal put out by a circuit that generates steady even pulses or steady codes used for synchronization. Brooks Speakers Bouncing Alternate name for Ping-Ponging (playing several tacks with sync playback through a console to mix them together and record them on an open track). Electret Mic A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. Driver See transducer. Dynamic Range �" The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds

A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Ambience The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source. Brooks TA 60 Clicking Pressing and immediately releasing the switch on a computer's mouse. Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. Brooks Cinema TZ 505 Fly In 1) To add sounds into a mix or recording that have no synchronization. 2) An application of this where a performance from one part of a tune is recorded and then recorded back into the recording at a different time in the recording. Level Sets output volume of individual PA input channels. Usually positioned as sliders at the bottom of the soundboard. Byte A grouping of eight information bits. Images The squaring of the waveform that happens in the conversion of digital audio bits into analog signals.

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. 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 GS 15 Electromagnetic Induction or Pick Up The generation of electrical signal in a conductor moving in a magnetic field or being close to a changing magnetic field. 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. Brooks KM 77 Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback.

The area of the guitar at the end of the neck where the strings are tuned. Active/Inactive Microphones Scientific definitions aside, active microphones generally sound better than inactive ones, but they generally cost more. They also require the use of either a battery or phantom power while inactive mics need only be plugged into the mic cord in order to work. In most playing situations, the subtle improvement in sound quality from an active mic isn't worth the extra cost and hassle. One possible exception it the headset mic. Put simply, inactive headset mics just plain suck. Active headset mics put out a much stronger signal and feed back much less. Brooks GT 44 Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve. Arc The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge. Brooks RM 80 ID An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, t

Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Bass Roll Off An electrical network built into some microphones to reduce the amount of output at bass frequencies when close-micing. Brooks Cinema NZ 60 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. Hertz The unit of frequency. Equivalent to cycles per second. Abbreviation: Hz. Brooks QS-70 Images The squaring of the waveform that happens in the conversion of digital audio bits into analog signals. Distortion Usually undesirable result of overloading sound equipment. Reducing the levels can remedy the situation. Electromagnetic Field Magnetic energy put out because of current travelling through a conductor. House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all record

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. Horn 1) The part of the speaker that emits midrange and higher range frequencies. 2) A speaker or speaker enclosure where sound waves are put into a narrow opening (by a speaker cone or driver) and the narrow opening flairs out to a larger opening. Brooks XT 20 Hall A large building designed for concerts; also called a concert hall. Dry Describes a sound coming from the PA with no effects on it. Brooks KS-55 Bit The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. Input/Output Module 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. Comb Filter 1) The frequency response achieved by mixing a direct signal with a delayed signal of equal strength especially at short delays.

The device which does the conversion of a quantity that has continuous changes (usually of voltage) into numbers that approximate those changes. Fidelity The recording or reproduction quality. Brooks M 44 Jack Bay A series of jacks which have connections for most of the inputs and outputs of the equipment in the control room. Equalization 1) The process of adjusting the tonal quality of a sound. A graphic equalizer provides adjustment for a wide range of frequency bands, and is normally inserted in the signal path after the mixing desk, before the amplifier. See Feedback. 2) Any time the amplitude of audio signals at specific set of frequencies are increased or decreased more than the signals at other audio frequencies. Brooks XT 20 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 pres