Jackfield
A system of panel-mounted connectors used to bring inputs and outputs to a central point from where they can be routed using plug-in patch cords. Also called a patchbay.
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Jack Plug
A commonly used audio connector, usually ¼ inch in diameter and with either two terminals (tip and sleeve known as TS) or three (tip, ring, sleeve called TRS). The TS version can only carry unbalanced mono signals, and is often used for electric instruments (guitars, keyboards, etc). The TRS version is used for unbalanced stereo signals (eg for headphones) or balanced mono signals.
Jargon
Specialised words associated with a specialist subject.
Jog Wheel
A hardware controller in the form of a rotary encoder which is often used to enable audio scrubbing in a DAW or audio editing platform.
k
(lower-case k) The standard abbreviation for kilo, meaning a multiplier of 1000 (one thousand). Used as a prefix to other values to indicate magnitude, eg. 1kHz = 1000Hz, 1kOhm = 1000 Ohms.
K-Metering
An audio level metering format developed by mastering engineer Bob Katz which must be used with a monitoring system set up to a calibrated acoustic reference level. Three VU-like meter scales are provided, differing only in the displayed headroom margin. The K-20 scale is used for source recording and wide dynamic-range mixing/mastering, and affords a 20dB headroom margin. The K-14 scale allows 14dB of headroom and is intended for most pop music mixing/mastering, while the K-12 scale is intended for material with a more heavily restricted dynamic range, such as for broadcasting. In all cases, the meter's zero mark is aligned with the acoustic reference level.
Lay Length
The distance along the length of a cable over which the twisted core wires complete one complete turn. Shorter lay lengths provide better rejection of electromagnetic interference, but make the cable less flexible and more expensive.
LED
Light Emitting Diode. A form of solid state lamp.
LCD
Liquid Crystal Display.
LFO
Low Frequency Oscillator, often found in synths or effects using modulation.
Lightpipe
see ADAT Lightpipe.
Limiter
An automatic gain-control device used to restrict the dynamic range of an audio signal. A Limiter is a form of compressor optimised to control brief, high level transients with a ratio greater than 10:1.
Linear
A device where the output is a direct multiple of the input with no unwanted distortions.
Line-level
A nominal signal level which is around -10dBV for semi-pro equipment and +4dBu for professional equipment.
LKFS
see LUFS.
Load
An electrical load is a circuit that draws power from another circuit or power supply. The term also describes reading data into a computer system.
Local On/Off
A function to allow the keyboard and sound generating section of a keyboard synthesizer to be used independently of each other.
Logic
A type of electronic circuitry used for processing binary signals comprising two discrete voltage levels.
Loom
A number of separate cables bound together for neatness and convenience.
Side-chain
A part of an audio circuit that splits off a proportion of the main signal to be processed in some way. Compressors use a side-chain process to derive a control signals to adjust the main path attenuation.