Glossary
1/4" Jack: also known as phone plug. Unbalanced connection using a phone-patching cord connector. The most basic connection in audio
Amplitude: the strength of an audio signal, measured in dB, at a given point in time
Attenuation: the loss or reduction of amplitude of a signal
Auxiliary Bus or Aux Bus: a bus dedicated to transmitting audio signals separately from the main bus. See also Bus
Balanced: an audio circuit with two shielded conductors with reverse polarity and equal at ground. Balanced wiring provides noise-free transfer of audio in areas susceptible to noise, like recording studios and live sound venues. Requires balanced I/O and balanced cables
Band: portion of the frequency spectrum
Biamplification or Biamped: the practice of using separate power amplifiers to drive a woofer and a tweeter in a loudspeaker. Often combined with active amplification, where the amplifier is built into the speaker cabinet
Board: slang for mixing console
Bus: an electrical circuit that transmits audio signals from one or more sources to one or more other sources. The path an audio signal travels in a mixer
Cardioid: heart-shaped microphone polar response pattern ideal for live sound
Channel: a single path of audio through a mixer, processor array, recording channel, or computer interface
Clipping: when the peaks of the signal's sound wave are cut off due to the inability of an electronic device to accommodate the current or voltage, causing distortion
Compression: a reduction in gain or dynamic range of a signal by a compressor. Compression can be used to even out an erratic signal, fatten up sounds, extend sustain of a guitar, sweeten vocals, or push certain sounds forward in the mix of a song by increasing the overall level
Compressor: a unit that applies compression to an audio signal, usually with controls for sculpting exactly when and how much compression is applied to the signal
Continuous program power handling: the level of long-term average power the speaker will handle. A worst-case spec that represents maximum heating that the speaker's voice coils can withstand
dB/Decibel: a logarithm that describes the ratio of two powers (1/10th of a Bel). Some approximate reference points: a normal conversation has a decibel level of 60dB, a ringing telephone is 80dB, shouting in the ear is 110dB, and a jet engine during takeoff is 150dB
Delay: one or more distinct echoes that have a more distinctly audible space between the initiation of the original sound and its reflection and an eventual diminishing of volume over time
Dynamic range: the difference between the loudest and softest parts in a song (usually measured in dB). See also SPL (Sound Pressure Level)
Enhancer: also called an exciter. A signal processor that uses frequency analysis, compression, EQ, and filters to add sparkle to audio. Used frequently to bring certain aspects of a song forward in the mix
EQ: short for equalization. Usually refers to an equalizer circuit that provides control over the frequency response of an audio signal that passes through it. Can be used to shape sounds to be more desirable or cut out undesirable sounds within an audio signal
Exciter: also called an enhancer. A signal processor that uses frequency analysis, compression, EQ, and filters to add sparkle to audio. Used frequently to bring certain aspects of a song forward in the mix, especially during mastering
Fader: a sliding lever that typically adjusts levels. Has the same function as knob-based controls but provides a smoother response, more fine-tuned control, and visual feedback for quickly determining level
Filter: an audio circuit that reduces the level of frequencies outside a preset range
Frequency: the rate of variation of a wave or signal
Frequency range: the set of frequencies a piece of audio gear is capable of handling with accuracy. Uses a specification such as 20Hz-20kHz
Frequency response: refers to the range of frequencies gear will accurately reproduce from input to output. The average person can hear frequencies from about 20Hz-20kHz. When reading frequency responses, the spec may refer to the tolerance—the maximum level the output will differ from the input. If not specified, the tolerance is probably a standard ±3dB. The spec (20Hz-20kHz ±3 dB) means that for a given input signal, the listed range of frequencies (20Hz-2 kHz) will produce output within the specified range of levels (±3dB). As an example, the frequency response of a Shure SM57 microphone is a vocal-tailored from 50Hz to 15kHz
Gain: amplification
Gain-before-feedback: the total amount of volume possible before feedback occurs
Headroom: the difference between the highest signal possible without distortion and the average signal level through a system
Hertz (Hz): frequency in cycles per second
Hi-Z: short for high impedance. Z is a popular abbreviation for impedance, hi is simply a shortened version of high. Usually refers to a 1/4" line input with high impedance, typically several thousand ohms or more. Often provided as an input on a mixer, multitrack, or computer audio interface for a guitar or bass
Hypercardioid: even narrower polar pattern mic than supercardioid for the greatest side-to-side rejection of stray, unwanted sound sources
I/O: short for inputs/outputs
Impedance: the resistance of a circuit to the flow of alternating current, measured in ohms. In audio, impedance is typically classified as low or high and often referred to as Lo-Z or Hi-Z
Inverse square law: the mathematical relationship of the signal strength and distance, where signal strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
Level: the amplitude/strength of a signal
Limiter: a signal processor that controls the dynamics of an audio signal. Works similarly to a compressor and often used in the same way, but a limiter establishes an absolute output level threshold and prevents any signal that enters from breaking that threshold
Mixing: the process of using a mixer, either hardware or software, to adjust levels and EQ of an audio performance or recorded audio in an effort to pleasingly enhance and balance the audio
Noise: undesirable or unwanted sound which is introduced to an audio signal by other electronic equipment or excessive gain. Includes hum, hiss, and interference
Ohm: one ohm is the measure of electrical resistance in a circuit when one amp of current is flowing with one volt being applied to the circuit
Omnidirectional: microphone polar pattern that picks up sound from every direction
Peak power handling: the maximum instantaneous, short-term power the loudspeaker can handle
Phantom power: DC voltage usually between 12 and 48 volts applied to an XLR mic input to power condenser microphones. Often mixers, preamps, and audio interfaces have phantom power built in. Outboard phantom power supplies are also available
Phone plug: also known as 1/4" jack. Unbalanced connection using a phone-patching cord connector. The most basic connection in audio
Pink noise generator: makes a sound like a rushing waterfall, meant to reproduce all the sounds that will go through your system during a show by exciting all the audio frequencies with equal energy per octave. Used to test a PA before the show, some mixers have a built in pink noise generator
Polar response pattern: graphical representations of a mic's pickup pattern
Power amp: a device that increases the power of an audio signal by matching the input to the output of a regulated power supply. In live sound, power amps are used to amplify the processed and mixed signal providing power the speakers
Power conditioner: an electronic device that sits between a wall outlet and electronic equipment, which provides protection against spikes and surges in power. Typically conditioners also provide some type of noise filtering against electronic signal interference
RCA connector: more correctly called a phono plug, this connection was developed and popularized by the RCA corporation in use with their audio equipment, resulting in it being called RCA. Most often used in stereo pairs and more common in consumer audio gear
Reverb: a series of multiple sound reflections that extend the impact of the original sound. In nature, this is caused by a sound that originates within a space enclosed by hard surfaces. Also refers to the electronic equipment developed to replicate this acoustic phenomenon
RMS or root mean square: the square root of the average (mean) of the squared values of all the instantaneous voltages on a waveform. Continuous power handling is sometimes—though technically incorrect—called RMS
Signal-to-noise ratio: the ratio of the desired signal's volume to the unwanted noise, usually measured in dB. Manufacturers measure this ratio in many different ways, but basically the higher the number, the better and cleaner the signal
Signal processor: generic term which loosely describes components such as compressors, limiters, EQ, microphone preamps, noise gates, reverbs, chorus, delays, modulation, filters, and enhancers/exciters. All are used in audio to process sound in order to achieve a desirable effect
Slew rate: the amplifier's ability to react to quick changes in signal voltage. For amps rated up to 100W continuous, the slew rate should be at least 10V per microseconds. For amps over 200W continuous, it should be at least 30V per microsecond
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): the level of acoustic sound waves, measured in dB. A typical SPL reading for a rock concert is 95dB
Stereo: 2 channels of audio, usually designed as left and right
Supercardioid: narrower microphone polar pattern for better sound isolation
Transients: the sporadic higher levels in your program (from a percussion or guitar attack, for example) that can result in overload distortion if not properly compressed
TRS: stands for Tip, Ring, Sleeve. TRS is a balanced circuit that uses a phone plug-style connection with three conductors (the tip, the ring, and the sleeve) instead of just two (the tip and the sleeve)
Unbalanced: an audio circuit whose two conductors are unequal at ground, usually because one conductor operates as ground. An unbalanced audio circuit is more susceptible to noise problems than balanced circuits. Noise can be combated by keeping lines as short as possible
Unidirectional microphone: mics that are most sensitive to sources directly in front of them, minimizing off-axis sound and background noise
XLR: balanced, circular 3-pin connector typically used for microphone and line-level signals. Each pin is a separate channel, but pin 1 is always ground. The connection was developed by Cannon and is sometimes called a Cannon connector.
