Engineering,
Mastering,
Mixing,
Production,
Recording,
Studio -
Audio Engineering Terms - Glossary
- Amplifier: A device that increases the amplitude of an audio signal.
- Analog: A signal or device that uses continuous physical quantities to represent information.
- Attenuation: The process of reducing the amplitude of a signal.
- Bit depth: The number of bits used to represent each sample of an audio signal.
- Channel: A path through which an audio signal is transmitted.
- Clipping: Distortion that occurs when the amplitude of a signal exceeds the maximum level that a system can handle.
- Compression: The process of reducing the dynamic range of an audio signal.
- Condenser microphone: A type of microphone that uses a capacitor to convert sound waves into an electrical signal.
- Crossfade: A gradual transition between two audio signals.
- Cut: To remove a section of an audio signal.
- DAC: Digital-to-Analog Converter, a device that converts digital audio signals to analog signals.
- Decibel (dB): A logarithmic unit used to measure the relative intensity of a sound.
- Delay: A time-based effect that produces an echo or repetition of an audio signal.
- Distortion: An alteration of the original waveform of an audio signal.
- Dither: A low-level noise added to an audio signal to reduce quantization error.
- Dynamic microphone: A type of microphone that uses a diaphragm and a coil to convert sound waves into an electrical signal.
- EQ: Equalizer, a device that adjusts the balance between different frequencies in an audio signal.
- Fader: A device that controls the level of an audio signal.
- Feedback: A phenomenon in which an audio signal is fed back into a system, creating a loop that can cause distortion or other unwanted effects.
- Frequency: The number of cycles per second of an audio signal.
- Gain: The amount by which an audio signal is amplified.
- Harmonic distortion: Distortion that adds harmonics to the original waveform of an audio signal.
- High-pass filter: A filter that attenuates frequencies below a certain cutoff frequency.
- Impedance: The resistance of a circuit to the flow of an electrical current.
- In-phase: Two signals that have the same polarity and are aligned in time.
- Limiter: A device that prevents an audio signal from exceeding a certain level.
- Line level: The standard level for a balanced audio signal.
- Low-pass filter: A filter that attenuates frequencies above a certain cutoff frequency.
- Mastering: The final stage of audio production, in which a mix is prepared for distribution.
- MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a protocol for transmitting musical information between devices.
- Mix: The process of combining multiple audio signals into a single signal.
- Mixing console: A device used to combine and control multiple audio signals.
- Monaural: A single-channel audio signal.
- Noise: Unwanted sound that is added to an audio signal.
- Octave: A musical interval that spans eight notes.
- Overdubbing: The process of adding a new track to an existing recording.
- Pan: The process of placing an audio signal in a specific location within the stereo field.
- Phase: The relationship in time between two signals.
- Phaser: A time-based effect that produces a sweeping or rotating sound.
- Pitch: The perceived frequency of an audio signal.
- Pop filter: A device used to reduce popping sounds caused by plosive consonants.
- Preamp: A device that amplifies a weak audio signal before it is processed or recorded.
- Quantization: The process of converting a continuous signal into a digital signal by rounding
