Session Tape
The original tape recording made during a recording session.
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Sequencer
A device for recording and replaying MIDI data, usually in a multitrack format, allowing complex compositions to be built up a part at a time.
Shockmount
a mechanical isolator intended to prevent the transfer of vibrations which may be transmitted through a microphone stand from reaching a microphone where they would otherwise produce unwanted low frequency sound.
Short-Circuit
A very low resistance path that allows electrical current to flow. The term is usually used to describe a current path that exists through a fault condition. (See Open Circuit)
Sibilance
A high-frequency whistling or lisping sound that affects vocal recordings, due either to poor mic technique or excessive HF equalisation.
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.
Signal
An electrical representation of an audio event.
Signal Chain
The route taken by a signal from the input of a system to the output.
Signal-to-noise Ratio
The ratio of nominal or maximum signal level to the residual noise floor, expressed in decibels and often written as S/N.
Sine Wave
The waveform of a pure sinusoidal tone which has a waveform defined by a mathematical function derived from a classic periodic oscillation, such as the movement of the tip of swinging pendulum. In a musical context, a sine wave contains only a single fundamental frequency, and no harmonics.
Single-ended Noise Reduction
A device for removing or attenuating the noise component of a recording or transmission system without pre-conditioning the signal. Most digital noise-reduction systems are of the Single-ended type.
Slate
The term 'slate' comes from the silent film practice of writing the scene, take and shot numbers with chalk on a slate and holding it up in front of the camera before the action starts, so that the film editor can identify the material. A role now replaced by the 'clapper-board' which adds an audio synchronisation marking facility as well. In an audio context, a slate is a verbal identification recorded just before each take to help identify it subsequently. This is normally achieved by using a talkback microphone routed to the main, group and/or direct outputs of a mixer. The console slate function often mixed a low frequency tone in with the microphone signal to help make locating the start of each take much easier when fast-winding the tape against the playback head. Each slate ident would be heard as a short, steady mid-frequency tone.
Slave
A device under the control of a master device. Often used to refer to synchronised recorders, or digital clocking devices.
SMPS
see Switching Power Supply
SMPTE
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (www.smpte.org) an American standards body. The term is also used to refer to a form of time code developed for the film industry but now extensively used in music and recording. SMPTE is a real-time digital code describing hours, minutes, seconds and film or video frames. Usually conveyed as an audible warble.
S/MUX
Sample Multiplexing (see ADAT ).
Snake
A term used to describe a cable used to carry multiple individual audio signals, typically between a stage and mixing console in live sound applications.
Sound Card
A dedicated interface to transfer audio signals in and out of a computer. A Sound Card can be installed internally, or connected externally via USB2 or FireWire, and they are available in a wide range of formats, accommodating multiple analogue or digital audio signals (or both) in and out, as well as MIDI data in and out.
Sound On Sound
An early recording technique pioneered by Les Paul and others which was a simple form of overdubbing to build up a mix of sources. Also, the world's best recording technology magazine (see www.soundonsound.com).
Soundproofing
The use of materials and construction techniques with the aim of preventing unwanted sound from entering or leaving a room.