Square Wave
A symmetrical rectangular waveform. Square waves contain a series of odd harmonics.
Search
Found 25728 results
To find the exact phrase, put the words in quotes or join them together with a plus sign e.g. live+recording or "live recording".
To find, say, all live recording articles that mention Avid, enter: live+recording +avid - and use sidebar filters to narrow down searches further.
SRA
see Stereo Recording Angle
SSD
see Solid-state Drive.
Standard Midi File
A standard file format that allows MIDI files to be transferred between different sequencers and MIDI file players.
Standing Waves
Resonant low frequency sound waves bouncing between opposite surfaces such that each reflected wave aligns perfectly with previous waves to create static areas of maximum and minimum sound pressure within the room. (See also Modes and Modal Frequencies)
Stage Box
A connection box terminating a multicore cable (see Snake) which is usually placed on a stage for the easy connection of individual microphone cables.
Stems
When mixing complex audio material it is often useful to divide the tracks into related sections and mix those sections separately before combining the whole. In mixing film soundtracks, the material would often be grouped as a dialogue stem, a music stem, and an effects stem. Each stem might be mono, stereo or multichannel, as appropriate to the situation. In music mixing, stems might be used for the rhythm section, backline instruments, frontline instruments, backing vocals, lead vocals and effects - or any other combination that suited the particular project.
Step Time
A system for programming a sequencer in non-real time.
Stereo
By convention, two channels of related audio which can create the impression of separate sound source positions when auditioned on a pair of loudspeakers or headphones.
Stereo Recording Angle
The angle over which sound sources can be captured by a microphone array. For a stereo array with a stereo recording angle of 90 degrees, sound sources can be placed ±45 degree relative to the array’s centre front axis, with a source at the extreme angle appearing fully left or right in the stereo image.
Sticky Shed Syndrome
A problem affecting some brands of analogue tape after a long time in storage. A breakdown of the binder causes the oxide to shed, and the tape tends to adhere to the tape heads and guides when played. A short term cure can be affected by baking the affected tape.
Stripe
The practice of recording a time code signal onto one track of a multitrack tape machine to facilitate subsequent synchronisation.
Sub-bass
Frequencies below the range of typical monitor loudspeakers. Some define sub-bass as frequencies that can be felt rather than heard.
Subcode
Hidden data within the CD and DAT format that includes such information as the absolute time location, number of tracks, total running time and so on.
Subtractive Synthesis
The process of creating a new sound by filtering and shaping a raw, harmonically complex waveform.
Subwoofer
A specific type of efficient loudspeaker system intended to reproduce only the lowest frequencies (typically below 120Hz).
Surge
A sudden increase in mains voltage.
Surround
The use of multiple loudspeakers placed around the listening position with the aim of reproducing a sense of envelopment within a soundstage. Numerous surround formats exist, but the most common currently is the 5.1 configuration in which three loudspeakers are placed in front of the listener (at ±30 degrees and straight ahead), with two behind (at ±120 degrees or thereabouts), supplemented with a separate subwoofer.
Sustain
Part of the ADSR envelope which determines the level to which the sound will settle if a key is held down. Once the key is released, the sound decays at a rate set by the Release parameter. Also refers to a guitar's ability to hold notes which decay very slowly.
Swan Neck
See Gooseneck.