SOUND ON SOUND

[Hugh Robjohns]

:lol:

[wireman]

I am pleased to report that the SOS Technical Glossary has been found in the back of a cupboard, dusted off, and slotted back into the online archives.
...
There are plans to develop this resource substantially in the future, too... but in the meantime, we welcome any suggestions for other terms to be added.

Belatedly and hurried (as I just noticed this interesting post) here are some comments...

• Algorithm
  
  First definition is not correct.
  
  An algorthm is a sequence of instructions describing how to perform a task, often implemented in a computer language and compiled into a computer program. For example Quicksort is an algorithm for sorting data.
• Computer
  I think it is much more than the definition provided.
• Data Reduction
  The text describes compression (of data) rather than any other data reduction techniques. So perhaps move it to a compression (data) entry.
• File
  A container for stored digital data that usually has a meaningful name which it can be accessed by. ...
• Initialize
  I don't think so, this could just return a device to a startup state with new settings that were not a factory default.
• K
  should be lower case
• MB
  10- (SI units) or 2-based depending on context, MiB is a more recent tern to help disambiguate this in computing contexts.
• Moving Coil
  Also the moving coil phono cartridge.
• Near Field
  Also used to describe the distance from a sound source or a device to be used at that position (for example a microphone)
• Nyquist Theorem]
  Why concentrate on aliasing, isn't the point that this frequency is what is required to reproduce the original signal?
• Reverberation Time
  Add a definition for this.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Thanks -- useful feedback. I'll take a look at incorporating these ideas tomorrow.

H

[Watchmaker]

Brilliant.

Under Audio Interface perhaps an update for Thunderbolt, AVB and Dante protocols is warranted?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Belatedly and hurried (as I just noticed this interesting post) here are some comments...

Thanks again -- I've updated the Glossary.

Nyquist Theorem
Why concentrate on aliasing, isn't the point that this frequency is what is required to reproduce the original signal?

Yes... but the reason it is necessary to sample at (at least) twice the wanted signal bandwidth is to ensure the modulation images don't overlay the wanted audio -- which is aliasing. Only in this way can the original audio be perfectly reconstructed.

H

[Hugh Robjohns]

Under Audio Interface perhaps an update for Thunderbolt, AVB and Dante protocols is warranted?

Good point -- done!

H

[wireman]

I have a final set of suggestions.

An alternative definition:

• Room Modes
  Resonances of a room occuring at particular frequencies due to patterns of sound waves caused by surface reflections. Particularly evident at low frequencies.

Possible new definitions:

• Pot
  A rotary control usually used in mixers and other processors. Derived from potentiometer.
• Snake
  A multi-core cable providing connections at both ends used as an alternative to using many individual leads.
• Loom
  A set of leads bound together for convenience.
• Gooseneck
  Used to describe a curved (and possibly flexible) part of a support or microphone.
• Isolation Room
  A room or large enclosure that provides sound isolation, used for practice rooms and recording studios.

[Hugh Robjohns]

:thumbup: Good suggestions. I'll implement them over the weekend. Thanks.

H

[Hugh Robjohns]

Done.

[John Willett]

I have a final set of suggestions.

An alternative definition:

• Gooseneck
  Used to describe a curved (and possibly flexible) part of a support or microphone.

This definition is incorrect.

A Gooseneck (sometimes calles swan neck) is always flexible - that's why it's called a goose neck.

A non-flexible extension is called an "extension tube"

So - the correct definition would be:-

• Gooseneck
  Used to describe a curved and flexible part of a support for a microphone.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes... I did wonder about that as I typed it and was going to consult with my colleagues about it tomorrow. But what the heck, let's just go with 'flexible'! I've updated the entry.

H

[wireman]

A Gooseneck (sometimes calles swan neck) is always flexible - that's why it's called a goose neck.

I thought this as well but I did a quick check for exceptions and came up with this microphone which is described as having a fixed-placement gooseneck.
Looking further, I see that this does not mean what I thought it did at the time.

[John Willett]

A Gooseneck (sometimes calles swan neck) is always flexible - that's why it's called a goose neck.

I thought this as well but I did a quick check for exceptions and came up with this microphone which is described as having a fixed-placement gooseneck.
Looking further, I see that this does not mean what I thought it did at the time.

This microphone *is* flexible - it just has a solid bit in the middle, but it's flexible at both ends. So can really be called a gooseneck.

If it was fixed angles, like the AKG VR1, then it would not be a gooseneck.

[Eddy Deegan]

That's a comprehensive glossary Hugh :)

While browsing it I noted the lack of an entry for Overtone. At first I thought it was just another word for Harmonic but something in the back of my head tickled and I googled it a bit and found a definition of Overtone is defined as any frequency having a larger value than the fundamental frequency of the system. When an overtone is combined with the fundamental frequency, it is known as a partial. A harmonic is such a partial having an integer multiplication of the fundamental.

Overtones featured in my early piano education but I'd lost the definition over the years - basically, they are the mess from which harmonics can be picked. Or something!

(May be too trivial for the glossary but I figured I'd mention it)

[Hugh Robjohns]

Thanks Eddy, I'll add that one in. EDIT: Done!

I remember getting horribly confused way back with the different numbers of overtones and harmonics...

H

[Folderol]

Thanks for that Eddy. It greatly clarifies some aspects of my synth of choice - especially as the original designer is not a native English speaker!

[ef37a]

Thanks Eddy, I'll add that one in. EDIT: Done!

I remember getting horribly confused way back with the different numbers of overtones and harmonics...

H

I dimly remember being told that 2kHz is the FIRST Overtone of 1kHz but the SECOND Harmonic?

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Quite so! :D

[wireman]

Since I just sent my old cassette tape deck (AIWA AD-F660) away to see if it can be repaired I realise the glossary is missing some tape-related definitions:

• Wow
• Flutter
• Dropout (tape)

Also for the Dolby entry describing noise reduction and surround technologies there was also Dolby HX which I think just optimised the use of bias on recording for high signal levels.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I realise the glossary is missing some tape-related definitions:

Good call. I'll add those tomorrow.

Also for the Dolby entry describing noise reduction and surround technologies there was also Dolby HX which I think just optimised the use of bias on recording for high signal levels.

Yes, as I recall, it reduced the bias level when there was strong HF content in the audio signal to avoid unnecessary overbiasing. I'll check the detail and add it to the glossary. Thanks.

H