Monophonic
One note at a time.
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Monosynth
A synthesizer that can play only one note at a time (see also Polysynth and Paraphonic)
Motherboard
The main circuit board within a computer into which all the other components plug or connect.
Moving Coil Microphone
A dynamic microphone where the diaphragm supports a coil of wire which moves within a magnetic field. When sound causes the diaphragm to vibrate a small electrical current is generated within the coil. The same technology is used in reverse for a moving coil loudspeaker, in which a powerful current is passed through the coil, causing the diaphragm (cone) to move in response.
M-S (Mid-Side)
– A specialist form of coincident microphone array which, when decoded to left-right stereo, creates an equivalent XY configuration. In the MS array one microphone is pointed directly forward (Mid) while the second is arranged at 90 degrees to point sideways (Side). The Mid microphone can employ any desired polar pattern, the choice strongly influencing the decoded stereo acceptance angle. The Side microphone must have a figure-eight response and be aligned such that the lobe with the same polarity as the Mid microphone faces towards the left of the sound stage. Adjusting the relative sensitivity of the Mid and Side microphones affects the decoded stereo acceptance angle and the polar patterns of the equivalent XY microphones.
MTC (MIDI Time Code)
A format used for transmitting synchronisation instructions between electronic devices within the MIDI protocol.
Mult
An abbreviation of 'multiple output' (also known as a 'parallel-strip' in BBC parlance). Refers to a line-level signal splitting or distribution facility typically found on patchbays in which three or more sockets are wired together to allow an input signal to be shared with multiple destinations. As an entirely passive facility the operation relies on a very low source impedance and high destination (bridging) impedances to minimise the loss of signal level. Microphone 'mults' tend either to use transformers with multiple secondary windings or active buffer or distribution circuitry.
Multi-sample
The creation of several samples, each covering a limited musical range, the idea being to produce a more natural range of sounds across the range of the instrument being sampled. For example, a piano may need to be sampled every two or three semitones in order to sound convincing.
Multi-timbral
A synthesizer, sampler or module that can play several parts or different sounds at the same time, each under the control of a different MIDI channel.
Multitrack
A recording device capable of recording several 'parallel' parts or tracks which may then be mixed or re-recorded independently.
Mutual Angle
the physical angle between two microphones, used to specify various microphone array configurations (eg. 90 degrees for a Blumlein pair, or 110 degrees for an ORTF array).
Near-coincident
A means of arranging two or more directional microphone capsules such that they receive sound waves from the directions or interest at slightly different times due to their physical spacing. Information about the directions of sound sources is captured in the form of both level differences between the capsule outputs, generated by aiming directional polar patterns in different directions, and the timing differences caused by their physical spacing. Specific forms of near-coincident microphones include the ORTF and NOS arrangements.
Near Field
(Nearfield) The acoustic zone close to a sound source or microphone. Often used to describe a loudspeaker system designed to be used close to the listener – although some people prefer the term 'close field'. The advantage is that the listener hears more of the direct sound from the speakers and less of the reflected sound from the room.
Noise Reduction
A system for reducing analogue tape noise or for reducing the level of hiss present in a recording. (See DBX and Dolby).
Noise-shaping
A system using spectrally-shaped dither to improve the perceived signal-to-noise performance of a digital audio system.
NRPN (Non-registered Parameter Number)
An addition to the basic MIDI spec that allows Controllers 98 and 99 to be used to control non-standard parameters relating to particular models of synthesizer. This is an alternative to using System Exclusive data to achieve the same ends, though NRPNs tend to be used mostly by Yamaha and Roland instruments.
Non-linear Recording
A term which describes digital recording systems that allow any parts of the recording to be played back in any order with no gaps. Conventional tape is referred to as linear, because the material can only play back in the order in which it was recorded.
Normalise
A socket is said to be normalised when it is wired such that the original signal path is maintained unless a plug is inserted into the socket. The most common examples of normalised connectors are the insert points on a mixing console.
NOS
A specific form of near-coincident microphone array devised by the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), the Dutch national broadcaster. The technique employs a pair of small-diaphragm cardioid microphones mounted with a mutual angle of 90 degrees and spaced apart by 30cm. The theoretical stereo recording angle is 81°.
Nyquist Theorem
The rule which states that a digital sampling system must have a sample rate at least twice as high as that of the highest audio frequency being sampled, in order to avoid aliasing and thus reproduce the wanted audio perfectly. Because anti-aliasing filters aren't perfect, the sampling frequency has usually to be made slightly more than twice that of the maximum input frequency - which is why the standard audio rate of 44.1kHz was chosen for a nominally 20kHz audio bandwidth.