Brooks Audio Design

A microphone which converts sound pressure changes into changes of capacitance. The capacitance changes are then converted into electrical voltage variations (an audio signal). 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 the art for cinema. Brooks HI FI projectors Initialize To prepare a digital storage medium (like a floppy disk) so that it will accept and store digital information bits. 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. Brooks Hi Fi reviews Frequency Shift Key / FSK The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer...

A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. Electric Instrument Any musical instrument that puts out an electrical signal rather than an acoustic sound. Brooks HI FI projectors 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). 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 Hi Fi speakers 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. Line Input An input designed to take a line level signal. Formant An...

The first echoes in a room, caused by the sound from the sound source reflecting off one surface before reaching the listener. 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). Brooks HI FI projectors 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 direction of motion of the diaphragm. Barrier Micing A method of placing the head of a microphone as close as possible to a reflective surface, preventing phase cancellation. Brooks Hi Fi reviews Half Step A pitch difference of the amount that is present between adjacent keys on a piano. 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...

The condition of obtaining a change at the output of the device which is proportional to the change occurring at the input. File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Brooks Hi Fi reviews Coax Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Ground Loop A double grounding of a line or electronic device at two different "ground" points of differing voltage. Brooks RM 909 reviews Initialize To prepare a digital storage medium (like a floppy disk) so that it will accept and store digital information bits. Equalizer (Parametric, Graphic) This is used to filter out and adjust specific frequencies in the PA. This is the part of the PA where you have the most control over the band's overall sound. It is also the number one weapon against feedback. Headphones Devices that can be worn on the head with small speakers that fit over the ears (or sometimes into the ears). ...

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. Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve. Brooks HI FI projectors Bottom The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). 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 RM 909 AES An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. Alternating Current Electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit. 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 "High Action...

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 not increase, no matter how loud the input becomes. A Limiter is often used to protect speaker systems (and human ears) by preventing a system from becoming too loud. 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 RM 909 High Hat A double cymbal on a stand which can be played with a foot pedal ...

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. Buss (Bus) A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources. Brooks HI FI projectors Front Loaded A speaker cabinet where the speaker faces out toward the front. 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 Hi Fi speakers Format 1) The number of tracks, their width, spacing and order for tape recording. 2) To prepare a digital storage medium so that it will accept and store digital information bits. Half Step A pitch difference of the amount ...