The process of recording individual tracks to a multichannel recorder. Tracking is also often discussed in the context of MIDI guitar synthesizers or controllers where the MIDI output attempts to track the pitch of the guitar strings.

The term dates back to multitrack tape where the tracks are physical stripes of recorded material, located side by side along the length of the tape.

Shorthand for 'Toshiba Link', an optical audio connection. See S/PDIF.

Referring to the tones that can be created by a synthesizer (see multi-timbral and bi-timbral)

The tonal 'colour' of a sound.

A MIDI connector which passes on the signal received at the MIDI in socket.

Total Harmonic Distortion. A measure of the linearity of a device. The THD+N measurement includes the noise contribution as well and is an indication of the quality of an audio product.

– A steady, fixed level tone recorded onto a multitrack recording, or passed over a signal connection to test the signal path and act as a reference when matching levels.

The rate of the 'beat' of a piece of music measured in beats per minute.

The part of a tape machine that transfers magnetic energy to the tape during recording, or reads it during playback.