Brooks Audio Design

A miniature circuit of many components in a small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment. 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 through audio lines are AC). Brooks SS 81 Fret Buzz A buzzing sound made when a note is not properly fretted. Common with cheap guitars or beginning guitar players. 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. Se

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. Analog Recording A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. Brooks Cinema KM 22 Balance Control 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. Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Brooks GT 845 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. 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 reco

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. 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). Brooks Cinema Projectors Group 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). Bit The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Interface Any device that allows one unit to work, drive or communicate with another unit when they cannot do so by just feeding each other often because the units are manufactured by different companies. Direct box Used in line to convert a high impedance signal into a low impedance signal. Amplifier (Power amp, Head) It's the part of the

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). Head Amp British name for Preamplifier (A low-noise amplifier designed to take a low-level signal, such as the output of a tape head, and bring it up to normal line level). Brooks Cinema Projectors Compact Disc CD A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it. Board 1) Another, less formal, term for Console. 2) A set of controls and their housing which control all signals necessary for recording and for mixing. 3) A slang shortening of the term Keyboard Instrument. Brooks Audio Design TM-22 Attenuation A making smaller: reduction of electrical or acoustic signal strength. 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 device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electric circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. Attack The rate the sound begins and increases in volume. Brooks Cinema xm 808 Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. Bit The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. Brooks Audio Design TM-22 Consumer Format (Consumer DIF) A standard adopted by IEC for sending and receiving digital audio based on The AES Professional Interface. Frequency Range The range of frequencies over which an electronic device is useful or over which a sound source will put out substantial energy. 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. Engineer 1) A technician in charge of a recordin

A term meaning the same thing as the term Measure (the grouping of a number of beats in music, most-often four beats). Full A quality of the sound of having all frequencies present, especially the low frequencies. Brooks QS - 95 IC Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). Delay Outboard sound equipment that can momentarily stores a signal being sent to part of a P.A. system so that delayed reinforced sound reaches the audience at the same time as live sound from the stage. Brooks Cinema Projectors Auxiliary Equipment Effects devices separate from but working with the recording console. 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 d

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. 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 d

The property of an electric circuit by which a varying current in it produces a varying magnetic field that introduces voltages in the same circuit or in a nearby circuit. It is measured in henrys. 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 SS 81 Balanced 1) Having a pleasing amount of low frequencies compared to mid-range frequencies and high frequencies. 2) Having a pleasing mixture of the various instrument levels in an audio recording. 3) Having a fairly equal level in each of the stereo channels. 4) A method of interconnecting electronic gear using three-conductor cables. 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

The First session in recording an audio production to record the Basic Tracks. 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. Brooks Speakers Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. Hum The 60 Hz power line current accidentally induced or fed into electronic equipment. Brooks Cinema KM 22 Hi-Z An abbreviation of the term High Impedance (Impedance of 5000 or more ohms). Bass Roll Off An electrical network built into some microphones to reduce the amount of output at bass frequencies when close-micing. 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 whic

Where a signal leaves the board or component. CD (Compact Disc) : 1) Digital sound storage medium. Provides a high quality source of music, sound effects etc. Also used as a playback medium for sound effects etc. by large theatres with long running shows, although CDR (Recordable CD) is becoming more affordable by the day. 2) An abbreviation of the term Compact Disc (a small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it). Brooks XS - 45 Attenuation A making smaller: reduction of electrical or acoustic signal strength. Corner Frequency Same as Cut-Off Frequency (the highest or lowest frequency in the pass band of a filter). (NOUN) Brooks Cinema NZ 60 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 bass frequency reverb time is in effect rather than the mid frequency reverb time. Inverse Square Law Simply stated, the fac

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. Chorus Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. Brooks Audio Design SS 81 Echo Chamber 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. Bottom The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). Brooks VT-50 House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Isolation Booth/ Isolation Room A room that prevents loud sounds from other instruments from leaking in: an isolation booth is usually a smaller r

1) The depth and thickness of a sound, usually on the bottom end of the EQ (as in "needs more balls"). 2) The strength of the voice on the mic (as in "check it like you have some balls"). 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 Cinema GT 845 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). Arc The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge. Brooks Cinema Projectors Linearity The extent to which any signal handling process is accomplished without amplitude distortion. Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/mete

The musical instrument that plays the melody of the tune, including the vocal. Blending 1) A condition where two signals mix together to form one sound or to give the sound of one sound source or one performance. 2) Mixing the left and right signal together slightly which makes the instruments sound closer to the center of the performance stage. 3) A method of panning during mixing where instruments are not panned extremely left or right. Brooks Audio Design TM-22 Bank 1) A collection of sound patches (data as to the sequence and operating parameters of the synthesizer generators and modifiers) in memory. 2) A group of sound modules as a unit. 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. Brooks QS - 95 Chip 1) A slang term with the same meaning as the term IC (a miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed hou

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. Echo Chamber 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. Brooks Audio Design Review SS 81 Hypercardioid Pattern A microphone pick up sensitivity pattern where the least sensitive pick up point is more than 90 degrees but less than 150 degrees off axis (usually 120 degrees). 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. Brooks XS - 45 Humbucker Pickups that are coupled together to get a certain sound. Gain 1) Knob usually found at t

In electronics, a place (terminal) that has zero volts. Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Brooks Cinema ZL 44 Isolation A containing of the sound wave in a certain area so that it will not leak into other areas and/or unintended mics. Foot Switch A switch placed on the floor and pressed by a musician to do various functions. Brooks Cinema Projectors Inductance The property of an electric circuit by which a varying current in it produces a varying magnetic field that introduces voltages in the same circuit or in a nearby circuit. It is measured in henrys. Driver See transducer. Dynamic Range �" The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds a device can handle (often quoted in dB). 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. Grouping

The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). Frequency Shift Key / FSK The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape). Brooks SS 81 Electromagnetic Theory A statement of the principles behind electromagnetic induction: When a conductor cuts magnetic lines of force, current is induced in that conductor. Compressor 1) Effect used to squash the sound together. Used properly, it can take the edge off or your sound. Used improperly, it can take the life right out of your system and make it sound like an MTV mix. 2) A piece of sound processing equipment that ensures all wanted signals are suitably placed between the noise and distortion levels of the recording medium. It evens out the unwanted changes in volume you get with close-miking, and in doing so, adds punch to the sound mix. A Limiter is used to stop a signal from exceeding a preset limit. Beyond this limit, the signal level will no

The squaring of the waveform that happens in the conversion of digital audio bits into analog signals. Boost To increase gain, especially to increase gain at specific frequencies with an equalizer. Brooks QS 70 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 Flamenco A style of music with roots in Spanish and Arabic culture. Brooks QS-70 Compressor 1) Effect used to squash the sound together. Used properly, it can take the edge off or your sound. Used improperly, it can take the life right out of your system and make it sound like an MTV mix. 2) A piece of sound processing equipment that ensures all wanted signa

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 sound). 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. Brooks Cinema Projectors Group 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). Jam Sync A generation of new SMPTE according to the input SMPTE signal Brooks KM 77 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. Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Electromagneti

A quality of the sound of having all frequencies present, especially the low frequencies. Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. Brooks Audio Design GT 845 Bottom The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). ADAT A trademark of Alesis Corporation designating its modular digital multitrack recording system released in early 1993. Brooks KM 22 Foot Pedal 1) An effects device where the amount of the effect can be controlled by a musician with his foot. 2) The beater mechanism of a foot drum that is activated by the drummer's foot to play the drum. 3) Any device, like a volume control, that can be operated by the foot. Echo Return An input of the console, which brings back the echo (reverberation) signal from the echo chamber or other echo effects device. Hertz The unit of frequency. Equivalent to cycles per second. Abbreviation: Hz. Basic Session The

The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. 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 Audio Design Review TM-22 Frequency The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second. Guitar Controller An electric guitar or device played like an electric guitar that puts out MIDI signals that can be used to control synthesizers and sound modules. Brooks Audio Design GT 845 Baffles Sound absorbing panels used to prevent sound waves fro

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 Input Overload Sending too high of a signal level into a device so that the first amplifier of the device overloads. Brooks XB 33 Floor Toms The large toms to the right of the drummer. Analog Recording A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. BROOKS AUDIO DESIGN Line 1) Short for line level. 2) A cable. Editing 1) Changing the sequence of a recording by cutting the recording tape and putting the pieces together in the new sequence with splicing tape. 2) Punching in and then punching out on one or more tracks of a multitrack tape recorder to replace

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 data and output digital data. 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 Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve. 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. Brooks QS - 95 In-Line Conso

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. Current The amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor per unit of time. Brooks Cinema Projectors 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. Amp

The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous. Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve. Brooks Cinema ZL 44 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). 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 term Depth (the amount of change in the controlled signal by the control signal). Brooks Cinema XS - 45 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). Ambience The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source. Compact Dis

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. 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. Brooks QS - 95 Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Absorption Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Brooks Cinema xm 808 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. Condenser Microphone A microphone which converts sound pressure changes into changes of capacitance. The capacitance changes are then converted into electrical voltage variations (an audio signal). Chip 1) A slang term

A switch placed on the floor and pressed by a musician to do various functions. Link (Said of compressors and dynamic processing units.) To combine the control input signals of two channels of a compressor (o Brooks TM-22 Instrument Amplifier A device that has a power amplifier and speaker in a case (or in separate cases) to reproduce the signal put out by an electric instrument (such as an electric guitar) and to allow the instrument to be heard. Line Out (Line Output) Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a console that feeds a recorder. Brooks Cinema Series Line 1) Short for line level. 2) A cable. Keynote Number A number assigned to each key of a synthesizer or controller keyboard that is transmitted in the MIDI signal. Initialize To prepare a digital storage medium (like a floppy disk) so that it will accept and store digital information bits. Central Processing Unit 1) The main "brain" chip of

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. Chord Three or more musical pitches sung or played together. Brooks Audio Design QS 70 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. Echo Return An input of the console, which brings back the echo (reverberation) signal from the echo chamber or other echo effects device. Brooks Audio Design SS 81 Condenser Microphone A microphone which converts sound pressure changes into changes of capacitance. The capacitance changes are then converted into electrical voltage variations (an audio signal).

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. 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 Cinema Projectors 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. Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Brooks Cinema QS - 95 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. Electricity Electrical current (the amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor pe

A term used to describe the number of times that the recorded audio signal has been copied. Jam Sync A generation of new SMPTE according to the input SMPTE signal Brooks Cinema xm 808 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. Error Message A prompt on a computer screen telling the operator that an error has occurred. Brooks Audio Design TM-22 Input Impedance The opposition to current flow by the first circuits of a device. ID An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD. 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. Bar A term meani

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. Fidelity The recording or reproduction quality. Brooks Cinema Series Chord Three or more musical pitches sung or played together. Figure Eight Pattern Another name for Bi-directional Pattern (microphone pickup pattern picking up best from the front and back of the diaphragm and not picking up from the side of the diaphragm). 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. Hertz The unit of frequency. Equivalent to cycles per second. Abbreviation: Hz. 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. Gain Control A device tha

1) The part of The song that is repeated and has the same music and lyrics each time; the chorus will usually give the point of the song. 2) A musical singing group that has many singers. 3) A delay effect that simulates a vocal chorus by adding several delays with a mild amount of feedback and a medium amount of depth. 4) A similar effect created in some synthesizers by detuning (reducing the pitch of, slightly) and mixing it with the signal that has regular tuning and with a slight delay. In-Line Console A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Brooks Cinema GT 845 Crossover 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

A cabinet with rails (or free standing rails) that have holes to accept screws at standard spaces and used to house outboard gear. 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 term Depth (the amount of change in the controlled signal by the control signal). Brooks KM 77 Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder. Error Concealment Putting replacement information bits into a digital audio signal to replace lost bits when the digital recording or processing system cannot verify whether the lost bits were l's or 0's but can make a good guess by comparing the known bits that were close in position to the lost bits. Brooks GT 845 Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Automation In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer program control changes (