Audio Glossary S-Z
This is the simple, no-frills version. An enhanced hyperGlossary, where many of the terms have images, expanded definitions, cross-referencing and additional explanatory sections, is available in the members only zone. You can try the hyperGlossary demo here.
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If you would like to suggest a term that does not appear here, or to suggest other improvements, email me. *A reminder about the spelling used on this site and in this glossary. |
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S
Saturation
(Tape): The distortion caused by magnetic recording media being unable
to store as much high frequency information as low frequency information.
Scrubbing: The process of moving within an audio file or tape to
audibly locate a particular section. The term originally comes from the
days of reel-to-reel players, when rocking a reel would give the impression
of scrubbing tape across the head. Many audio scrub tools today allow
the user to drag a cursor across the wave form to audition different sections
of the audio file.
Sibilance: The distortion of sibilants by recording and reinforcement
systems incapable of handling the high frequencies present in such sounds.
See also "Saturation".
Sibilants: High frequency sounds in speech, such as "S", "F" &
"T".
Sidefill: Foldback speakers placed at sides of stage providing
general coverage for performers when monitor wedges are insufficient.
See also'drumfill'.
Signal processors: Electronic devices which alter sound either
to achieve a particular effect or to solve a problem with that sound (e.g.
delays, compressors, reverbs, noise gates, equalisers).
Slap-Back Echo: See 'Echo'
Snake: See Multicore
Sonority: See Timbre
Sound Check; Soundcheck: The process of establishing the appropriate
balance between the various instruments and vocals for both the FOH and
monitor system prior to performing. Usually carried out by the engineer
having the band play through several songs at the venue after the 'Room
EQ' but before the gig.
Sound engineer: Person responsible for sound production.
Sound reinforcement: The use of amplification to project and reinforce
sound for an audience. Speakers: Devices that convert electrical
signals into variations in sound pressure.
Stack: A group or cluster of loudspeakers placed in close proximity
to one another so they function more as a single unit due to acoustic
coupling and other factors. Examples: PA stack; Marshall Stack.
Stage Box: A junction box at the stage end of a multicore equipped
with female XLR connectors used for microphone signals destined for a
mixing console at the other end. May also contain several male XLR connectors
for signals sent back up the multicore from the console.
Streaming: A technique for transferring data such that it can be
processed as a steady and continuous stream. Streaming technologies are
often used on the Internet because most users do not have fast enough
access to download large multimedia files quickly, so the client browser
or plug-in can start displaying the data before the entire file has been
transmitted.
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T
Tablature
or TAB: Notation commonly used by guitarists which indicates fingerboard
position by numbers, symbols and diagrams.
Three Phase: A five-pin power supply system consisting of 3 legs/phases
of active power with one earth and one neutral.
Timbre: The combination of harmonic frequencies in voices or instruments
which give them their characteristic quality. Synonyms: 'Quality', 'Sonority',
'Tone Colour'.
Tone Colour: See Timbre
Transducer: A device designed to convert one form of energy into
another. An example of a transducer that converts acoustic sound energy
to electrical energy is a microphone; examples of a transducer that convert
electrical energy to acoustic sound energy are speakers and headphones.
Tremolo: 1. A fluctuation of amplitude applied to a sound of constant
frequency. Often incorrectly used, as in 'tremolo arm' on a guitar which
actually produces vibrato. 2. For stringed instruments such as a mandolin,
fast up and down strokes of equal strength of the plectrum or index finger
on the strings.
Tremolo arm: a lever which alters string tension on an electric
guitar, used to produce a tremolo or vibrato-like effect.
Truss: Section of steel or aluminium box, or triangularly-braced
metal work used for suspending lighting or audio equipment.
Tuning: Adjustment of pitch of musical instruments to correct values.
Tuner: Electronic device used to tune acoustic or electronic instruments
to standard pitch.
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U
V
VCA (Voltage
Controlled Amplifier): An amplifier whose output is controlled by
varying its voltage rather than by direct resistance (as with a potentiometer).
VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator): An oscillator whose frequency
output is controlled by varying its voltage rather than with a potentiometer.
VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter): An audio filter whose effective
frequency band is controlled by varying its voltage rather than with a
potentiometer.
Vibrato: Expressive effect which producers a fluctuation of pitch.
A rapid, slight variation in pitch in singing or playing some musical
instruments, producing a stronger or richer tone. It is often used as
an expressive device.
Volume: Loudness of sound; a subjective sensation dependent on
the amplitude of a sound wave or electrical signal, but not linearly related
to it.
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W
WAV:
The format for sound files developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM, and
built into Windows 95 which made it the de facto standard for sound on
PCs. WAV sound files end with a.wav extension and can be played by nearly
all Windows applications that support sound.
Waveform: A graphical representation of a signal as a plot of amplitude
versus time, i.e. the shape of a wave.
Wave Table Synthesis: A technique for generating sounds from digital
signals. Wave table synthesis stores digital samples of sound from various
instruments, which can then be combined, edited, and enhanced to reproduce
sound defined by a digital input signal. Wave table synthesis reproduces
the sound of musical instruments better than Frequency Modulation (FM)
synthesis.
Wedge: Foldback speaker placed on the floor at the feet of stage
vocalists to deliver the monitor mix for performers.
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X
XLR: Multipoint plug used for professional audio equipment
Y
Z
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So if some words don't look quite right to you, relax. We're not dyslexic, we just use Standard Oxford Dictionary spelling, not Websters.
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