APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY
This Glossary contains brief definitions ofbandwidth
many of the audio and electronic terms used inThe band of frequencies that pass through a
discussions of sound mixing and recording. Manydevice with a loss of less than 3dB, expressed
of the terms have other meanings or nuances orin Hertz or in musical octaves. Also see Q.
very rigorous technical definitions which we havebus
sidestepped here because we figure you alreadyAn electrical connection common to three
have a lot on your mind. If youOd like to get moreor more circuits. In mixer design, a bus usually
information, you can call Mix Bookshelf atcarries signals from a number of inputs to a
1-800-233-9604. We recommend the followingmixing amplifier, just like a city bus carries
titles: The Audio Dictionary, by Glenn White;people from a number of neighborhoods to
Tech Terms, by Peterson & Oppenheimer;their jobs.
Handbook for Sound Engineers, by Glen Ballou,Cannon
Mackie Mixer Book by Rudy Trubitt and SoundA manufacturer of electrical connectors
Reinforcement Handbook, by Gary Davis.who first popularized the three-pin connector
AFLnow used universally for balanced microphone
An acronym for After Fade Listen, which isconnections. In sound work, a Cannon connec-
another way of saying post-fader solo function.tor is taken to mean a Cannon XLR-3 mic
assignconnector or any compatible connector.
In sound mixers, assign means to switch orcardioid
route a signal to a particular signal path orMeans heart-shaped. In sound work, car-
combination of signal paths.dioid refers to the shape of the sensitivity
attenuatepattern of some directional microphones.
To reduce or make quieter.channel
auxA functional path in an audio circuit: an
See next entry.input channel, an output channel, a recording
auxiliarychannel, the left channel and so on.
In sound mixers, supplemental equipmentchannel strip
or features that provide additional capabilitiesThe physical representation of an audio
to the basic system. Examples of auxiliarychannel on the front panel of a mixer; usually
equipment include: serial processors (equaliz-a long, vertical strip of controls.
ers, compressors, limiters, gates) and parallelchorusing
devices (reverberation and delay). Most mix-An effect available in some digital delay
ers have aux send buses and aux return inputseffects units and reverbs. Chorusing involves a
to accommodate auxiliary equipment.number of moving delays and pitch shifting,
balancedusually panned across a stereo field. Depend-
In a classic balanced audio circuit, the twoing on how used, it can be lovely or grotesque.
legs of the circuit (+ and �) are isolated fromclipping
the circuit ground by exactly the same imped-A cause of severe audio distortion that is
ance. Additionally, each leg may carry the signalthe result of excessive gain requiring the peaks
at exactly the same level but with opposite po-of the audio signal to rise above the capabili-
larity with respect to ground. In some balancedties of the amplifier circuit. Seen on an
circuits, only one leg actually carries the signaloscilloscope, the audio peaks appear clipped
but both legs exhibit the same impedance char-off. To avoid distortion, reduce the system gain
acteristics with respect to ground. Balancedin or before the gain stage in which the clip-
input circuits can offer excellent rejection ofping occurs. See also headroom.
common-mode noise induced into the line and
also make proper (no ground loops) system
grounding easier. Usually terminated with 1�4"
TRS or XLR connectors.
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ACEC
MACKIE
