Glossary
AC POWER SUPPLY
Local electrical supply
ASSIGN
To switch or route a signal to a specific signal path.
ATTENUATE
To reduce or make quieter.
AUX/AUXILIARY
An additional means of sending a signal to external equipment
generally without affecting what is going on in the main mix.
BALANCE
The relative levels of signals. Also refers to the left/right position in
a stereo mix.
BALANCED
A 3 wire system for connecting audio which has 2 wires for the
audio (HOT and COLD) and a totally seperate connection for the
screen. Balanced circuitry is widely used in audio equipment from
inexpensive dynamic microphones to top quality studio devices.
The balanced system is used as it cancels interference in the
connecting cables resulting in a cleaner signal
BANDWIDTH
In audio terms the bandwidth is the range of frequencies that will
pass through a piece of equipment.
BOOTH
A seperate area or enclosure typically used by DJs. Depending on
the type of venue, the sound mix may be different to that in the
dance area, so the booth helps to isolate what the DJ and audience
hear.
BUS
A common conductor that carries a signal, or number of signals,
through a mixing console.
COLD
The negative phase of a signal. With a simple unbalanced two wire
signal one wire is positive (HOT) and the other is negative (COLD).
COMPRESSOR
An electronic device used to stop the level of a sound from
increasing above a set threshold point. A compressor can also be
used to keep signal levels from overloading the input of a piece of
equipment.
CLIPPING
Distortion caused by a signal exceeding the maximum level that the
equipment can accommodate.
CUE
A button that allows the operator to monitor signals within the unit
independently of the main mix.
CUEING
Makes it possible to hear the sound from an input before adding it
to the mix.
D.I.
Direct Injection. Often a small ‘D.I. box’ is used to send a signal
directly from a guitar or bass into the mixer to avoid the need for a
microphone to capture the sound.
DECIBEL (dB)
A logarithmic ratio used to represent voltage or power gain. The
reference to which the ratio is made is usually stated. 0dB means
that the input and outputs are at the same level.
DECIBEL (dBA)
A logarithmic measure of sound intensity. In this case 0dB is the
threshold of human hearing. 100+ dBA is ‘loud’. Long term
exposure to high level sound can ultimately cause hearing damage.
Normal speech, such as in a quiet office is typically around 60dBA.
120dBA is normally quoted as the threshold of pain.
DELAY
Nowadays a delay or DDL (Digital Delay Line) is an electronic
effects processor which samples a short sound and replays it back
a short time later to give an echo effect.
DETENT
A soft ‘click’ in the travel of a rotary control usually indicating the
centre point.
DRY
A signal which has not been processed by an effects unit.
EFFECTS SENDS
Any outputs from a channel or console that can be connected to
external equipment for extra sound processing. Usually effects
sends are post fade so any level changes to the main signal also
adjust the signal sent for processing.
ECHO
The effect produced when sound is reflected off hard surfaces.
Often reproduced artificially using electronic equipment (See
DELAY).
E.I.N.
Equivalent Input Noise. A technical specification used to measure
the noise of a gain stage, typically a microphone pre amplifier.
EFFECTS
Any device that alters a sound. Can be anything from a simple foot
pedal to a sophisticated professional studio effects processor
EQUALISATION (EQ)
Tone controls. Also in the case of analogue tape recording and vinyl
records, frequency dependent gain used to correct limitations of the
recording/playback process.
FADER
Volume control, often a linear or slider type volume control.
FEEDBACK
The deafening squealing sound produced when a microphone picks
up its own amplified sound from a loudspeaker.
F.O.H.
Front of House. The speaker system which is used to project the
sound from the stage to the audience. It is also used to describe
the position, in front of the stage, where the main mixing console is
situated.
FLAT (EQ)
When the signal has not been adjusted using the equaliser (EQ)
controls.
FOLDBACK
Sound which is sent from the main mixing position back to the
stage so the performers can hear it. Often with a large sound
system an entirely separate foldback (or monitor) system with a
dedicated console is located on one side of the stage so the
performers can communicate easily with the operator.
GRAPHIC
Graphic equaliser. An equaliser that uses rows of slider controls to
adjust the sound. Each of the sliders will adjust one part of the
frequency spectrum giving a visual display of which areas have
been cut or boosted.
GROUND
Earth
HIGH PASS FILTER (HPF)
A filter that cuts the sound below a pre-determined frequency.
Usually used where the only contribution that sound below that
point will make is rumble or hum.
HOT
The positive phase of a signal. With a simple unbalanced two wire
signal one wire is positive (HOT) and the other is negative (COLD).
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