Brooks Audio Design

The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal. Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. Brooks Gt 44 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. Full A quality of the sound of having all frequencies present, especially the low frequencies. BROOKS HI fi 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

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. 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. Brooks Gt 44 Front Loaded A speaker cabinet where the speaker faces out toward the front. Field 1) In video, one half of a frame. 2) In computer-controlled devices a window display with functions and choices that the operator can make Brooks KM 22 Cable, XLR A balanced cable used for low impedance microphones and sometimes for connections bet

A slide control used to send out a control voltage to several VCA faders in individual channels, thus controlling the gain of several channels. 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 KM 22 Group Faders 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). Insulator A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity. Brooks Cinema Projectors Integrated Circuit (IC) A miniature circuit of many components in a small, sealed housing with prongs to co

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). ID An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD. Brooks Cinema DESIGN ZL 44 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 cabinet. Frequency Response How sensitive an electronic device (mic, amplifier, speaker, etc.) is to various frequencies; often communicated with a graph. Brooks GT 845 Assistant Engineer 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. Far Field The area from 3 feet away from the sound source

Feeding the output of an electric instrument (like an electric guitar) to the recording console or tape recorder without using a microphone. Assistant Engineer 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. Brooks GT 845 kHz An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. Cycles Per Second A unit used in the measure of frequency, equivalent to Hertz. Cycles Per Second is an outdated term replaced by Hertz in 1948. BROOKS HI fi Line 1) Short for line level. 2) A cable. CD-ROM An abbreviation of the term Compact Disc, Read Only Memory (A Compact Disc used to store digital data, such as large programs, that can be read by a computer). Absorption Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Gain Control A device that changes the gain of an

The action of deforming a waveform during overload. Bi A prefix meaning two. Broom RM 909 Line In (Input, return) Where a signal enters the board or component. House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Brooks KM 22 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. Icon A visual picture or symbol on a computer screen that represents a file, program or disc that can be used. DC Abbreviation for direct current. Electric Current A more formal term meaning the same as the term Current (the amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor per unit of time).

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. Linearity The extent to which any signal handling process is accomplished without amplitude distortion. Brooks XM 204 Gain 1) Knob usually found at the top of each input channel on the soundboard. Used to set input levels of the separate channels to relatively equal positions. 2) The amount of increase in audio signal strength, often expressed in dB. 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 HI fi Arc The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge. Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/meter (dB/w/m). ESL �" Abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker. Expander A device that causes expansion

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. 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 Cinema QS - 95 Driver See transducer. Dynamic Range �" The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds a device can handle (often quoted in dB). File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Brooks Cinema ZL 44 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 capabi

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. 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 Hi Fi reviews Line In (Input, return) Where a signal enters the board or component. 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 AUDIO DESIGN B

1) Relative measurement for the volume (loudness) of sound. Also used to measure the difference between two voltages, or two currents. See Zero dB. 2) A numerical expression of the relative loudness of a sound. The difference in decibels between two sounds is ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of their power levels. Amplifier (Power amp, Head) It's the part of the sound system that actually magnifies or "amplifies" the sound. In other words, it makes stuff louder. Brooks Speakers High Impedance Cord (High Z) A big word for instrument cable. These cords generally have quarter inch male ends. they tend to loose signal strength at lengths longer than 25 feet. Echo Send Control A control to send the signal from the input module to the echo chamber or effects device via the echo buss. Brooks GT 845 Balance Control A control on a stereo amplifier that when moved clockwise will make the right channel louder (and the left channel softer) and

1) High-frequency variations in pitch of a recorded waveform due to fast speed variations in a recorder or playback machine. 2) Originally, and more formally, any variations (fast or slow) in pitch of a recorded tone due to speed fluctuations in a recorder or playback unit. Contact Microphone A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal proportional to the vibrations. Brooks GT 845 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). 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 AUDIO DESIGN Frequency The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second. Horn 1) The part of the speaker that emits midrange and higher range frequ

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 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 HI fi Fidelity The recording or reproduction quality. Field 1) In video, one half of a frame. 2) In computer-controlled devices a window display with functions and choices that the operator can make Brooks Cinema XB 33 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. Compressor A signal processing device that does not allow as much fluctuation in the level of the signal above a certain adjustable or fixed level. Compr

An unbalanced cable most often used for instruments and patch cords. Commonly referred to as "guitar cords". 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. Brooks Cinema Projectors In Short For "in the circuit," in other words "active." Line Input An input designed to take a line level signal. Brooks QS - 95 Echo Send The output of a console used to send a signal to an echo chamber or delay effects device. kHz An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. 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. IC Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniat

A Compact Disc, usually containing audio, video, and text, which the user can interact with in that the display or playback changes after the user performs some action. Error Message A prompt on a computer screen telling the operator that an error has occurred. BROOKS AUDIO reviews Hard Disk (Hard Disc) A storage unit for digital data that has rigid disks coated with magnetic material in a housing that includes the drive mechanism. Buss (Bus) A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources. Brooks XS - 45 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). Fat Having more than a normal amount of signal strength at low frequencies or having more sound than normal (by use of compression or delay). Bit The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. First Generation A descriptive term meaning original (as

1) The level difference (in dB) between normal operating level and clipping level in an amplifier or audio device. 2) A similar level difference between normal tape operating level and the level where the distortion would be 3%. 3) The difference, in decibels, between the peak and RMS levels in program material. Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder. Brooks XB 33 Electret Mic A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. 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 VT-50 IC Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). ADAT A trademark of Alesis Corporat

Short For "in the circuit," in other words "active." Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder. Brooks Gt 44 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. 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. Brooks GT 845 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. Jam Sync A generation of new SMPTE according to the input SMPTE signal Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the s

Any musical instrument that puts out an electrical signal rather than an acoustic sound. Headroom 1) The level difference (in dB) between normal operating level and clipping level in an amplifier or audio device. 2) A similar level difference between normal tape operating level and the level where the distortion would be 3%. 3) The difference, in decibels, between the peak and RMS levels in program material. BROOKS AUDIO reviews Crossover, Active A rack mountable unit used to separate frequencies leaving the soundboard into high's, mids, and lows with different outputs for each. kHz An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. Brooks Speakers Grouping 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. Comb Filter 1) The frequency response achieved by mixing a direct signal with a delayed

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. Level The amount of signal strength; the amplitude, especially the average amplitude. Brooks GT 845 Fundamental The tuned frequency and (almost always) the lowest frequency that is present in the sounding of a pitch by a musical instrument. Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Brooks QS - 95 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. Haas Effect Simply stated, a factor in human hearing where delay has a much bigger effect

The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. 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. Brooks KM 22 Headroom 1) The level difference (in dB) between normal operating level and clipping level in an amplifier or audio device. 2) A similar level difference between normal tape operating level and the level where the distortion would be 3%. 3) The difference, in decibels, between the peak and RMS levels in program material. Foldback A European term for the signal sent to the stage monitors in a live performance. Brooks Cinema XB 33 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 conso

A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Linearity The extent to which any signal handling process is accomplished without amplitude distortion. Brooks Cinema QS - 95 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. Integrated Circuit (IC) A miniature circuit of many components in a small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment. Brooks Gt 44 Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve. 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. Effects Electronic boxes (usually rack mounted) added to

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. Electric Instrument Any musical instrument that puts out an electrical signal rather than an acoustic sound. Brooks QS - 95 Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Brooks XS - 45 Active Crossover Uses active devices (transistors, IC's, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve. 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 fou

The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second. Consumer Format (Consumer DIF) A standard adopted by IEC for sending and receiving digital audio based on The AES Professional Interface. Brooks Cinema DESIGN ZL 44 Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Analog Recording A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. Brooks Hi Fi reviews 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. Basic Session The First session in recording an audio production to record the Basic Tracks. Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. Flat 1) Lower in musical pitch. 2) A slang term used to describe the sensitivity to frequency of a microphone, amplifier, etc., as being even at all frequencies, usually with

The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. High Impedance Mic A microphone designed to be fed into an amplifier with input impedance greater than 20 k ohms. Brooks Hi Fi reviews Linearity The extent to which any signal handling process is accomplished without amplitude distortion. Hum The 60 Hz power line current accidentally induced or fed into electronic equipment. Brooks Cinema GT 845 Hearing Limitation An inability of the ear to hear important characteristics of sound under certain conditions. Characteristics that can be affected include pitch, level, clarity, presence and direction. Floppy Disk (Floppy Disc) A round flat object (usually housed in a protective sleeve) coated with material that can be magnetized in a similar manner to tape. 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 corr

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. Floor 1) An alternate tam meaning Range (a limit on the amount the signal is reduced when the input signal is low by an expander or gate). 2) A shortening of the term Noise Floor (the level of the noise). Brooks QS-70 Electrons Negatively charged particles, which revolve around the centre of atoms. The movement of such electrons down a conductor causes electrical current. Flange An effect caused by an approximately even mix of a modulated (varying) short delay with the direct signal. Brooks Hi Fi reviews Clock Signal The signal put out by a circuit that generates steady even pulses or steady codes used for synchronization. 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 dealin

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. 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. Brooks Cinema DESIGN ZL 44 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 Intermodulation Distortion Distortion caused by one signal beating with another signal and producing frequencies that are both the sum and the difference of

Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/meter (dB/w/m). ESL �" Abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker. Brooks Gt 44 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. Compressor A signal processing device that does not allow as much fluctuation in the level of the signal above a certain adjustable or fixed level. Brooks GT 845 Bass 1) The lower range of audio frequencies up to approximately 250 Hz. 2) Short for Bass Guitar. 3) Lower end of the musical scale. In acoustics, the range (below about 200 Hz) in which there are dif

Pickups that are coupled together to get a certain sound. Electret Mic A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. Brooks XS - 45 Channels These are divided into two separate categories. Input channels are those channels coming into the soundboard such as microphones and direct lines. Output channels are those leaving the board such as monitor and main outputs. 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. BROOKS HI fi Dry Describes a sound coming from the PA with no effects on it. Frequency Response How sensitive an electronic device (mic, amplifier, speaker, etc.) is to various frequencies; often communicated with a graph. Fr

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. 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. BROOKS AUDIO reviews 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. Compression Driver The unit that feeds a sound pressure wave into the throat of a horn (in a horn loudspeaker). Brooks XM 204 Grouping 1) Controlling the gain of several individual channels with a Group Fader. 2) The mixing together of several individual audio signals

1) One selection (one song) on a pre4ecorded music format. 2) A term with the same meaning as Mute (to turn off a channel or a signal). 3) To reduce gain of a particular band of frequencies (with an equalizer). 4) To not pass a particular band of frequencies (said of a filter) 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. Brooks Cinema Projectors Ground Loop A double grounding of a line or electronic device at two different "ground" points of differing voltage. Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. Brooks Cinema KM 22 Barrier Micing A method of placing the head of a microphone as close as possible to a reflective surface, pr

Impedance of 5000 or more ohms. Capacitance The property of being able to oppose a change in voltage or store an electrical charge. Brooks KM 22 CD-ROM An abbreviation of the term Compact Disc, Read Only Memory (A Compact Disc used to store digital data, such as large programs, that can be read by a computer). 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 XM 204 Crisp Describes a good clean high midrange sound. It can be good or bad depending on the look on the face of the guy who said it. 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.

A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. 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 KM 22 FOH (Front of House) Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Link (Said of compressors and dynamic processing units.) To combine the control input signals of two channels of a compressor (o Brooks Gt 44 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. Humbucker Pickups that are coupled together to get a certain sound. In Port A jack on a MIDI device or computer that will accept an incoming data signal. Acoustic Amplifier The portion of the instrument which makes the vibrating source move