Brooks Audio Design

Devices that can be worn on the head with small speakers that fit over the ears (or sometimes into the ears). Close Micing A technique of placing a microphone close to the sound source (within one foot) in order to pick up mainly the direct sound and to avoid picking up leakage or ambience. Brooks RM 909 reviews Linear The condition of obtaining a change at the output of the device which is proportional to the change occurring at the input. 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). Brooks Hi Fi reviews 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. 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 (be...

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. Frequency Response How sensitive an electronic device (mic, amplifier, speaker, etc.) is to various frequencies; often communicated with a graph. Brooks Hi Fi speakers 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). Fidelity The recording or reproduction quality. Brooks RM 909 IC Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). High Frequencies The audio frequencies from 6000 Hz and above. Hum The 60 H...

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...