Search
Found 26121 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.
Boom
A mechanical means of supporting a microphone above a sound source. Many microphone stands are supplied with a ‘boom arm’ affixed to the top of the stand’s main vertical mast. The term may also be applied to larger, remotely controlled microphone supports used in film and TV studios, or even to the handheld ‘fishpoles’ used by film and TV sound recordists.
Boost/Cut Control
A single gain control to adjust the level of a range of frequencies passing through a filter or equaliser to be amplified or attenuated. The centre position is usually the 'flat' or 'no effect' position. This kind of control is found on shelf, parametric and graphic qualisers (high- and low-pass do not have cut/boost controls).
Bouncing
The process of mixing two or more recorded tracks together and re-recording the result onto another track.
Boundary
A physical obstruction to sound waves, such as a wall, or a large solid object. When sound waves reach a boundary they create a high pressure area at the surface which is typically perceived as a build up in the level of low frequencies.
Boundary Layer Microphone
A specialised microphone where the diaphragm is placed very close to a boundary (eg. wall, floor or ceiling). In this position the direct and reflected sound adds constructively, giving a 6dB increase in sensitivity. It also avoids the comb-filtering that can occur when a conventionally placed microphone captures the direct sound along with strong first reflections from nearby boundaries. Also known as PZM or Pressure Zone Microphone.
BPM
Beats Per Minute.
Breath Controller
A device that converts breath pressure into MIDI controller data, allowing woodwind players to control synthesizers.
Buffer Memory
A buffer is essentially a short term data storage facility used to accommodate variable data read or write periods, temporarily storing data in sequence until it can be processed by, or transferred to, some other part of the system.
Bug
A term most commonly used in reference to a software fault or equipment design problem. In the context of sound recording a bug may also refer to a contact microphone.
Bus
(Also sometimes referred to as a buss) An electrical signal path along which multiple signals may travel. A typical audio mixer contains several (mix) buses which carry the stereo mix, subgroups, the PFL signal, the aux sends, and so on. Power supplies are also fed along buses.
Capsule
An alternative term for a transducer which converts acoustic sound waves into an electrical signal.
Carbon Microphone
(Also known as a Carbon Button Microphone). An obsolete form of microphone in which carbon granules are contained between two metal contact plates, one of which acts as the diaphragm and moves in response to sound waves. The microphone has to be biased with a DC voltage which causes a current to pass from one metal contact plate, through the carbon granules, to the other metal contact plate. The varying pressure exerted on the carbon granules by the moving diaphgram causes a varying resistance and thus a varying current which is analogous to the sound waves. Carbon Button Microphones were used in the very early days of sound recording and broadcasting, as well as in domestic telephones up until the 1980s when electret capsules became more commonplace.
Cardioid
A specific form of polar response of a unidirectional microphone or loudspeaker. It is an inverted heart-shape which has very low sensitivity at the back (180 degrees), but only slightly reduced sensitivity (typically between 3 and 6dB) at the sides (90/270 degrees).
CD-R
A recordable type of Compact Disc that can only be recorded once and it can't be erased or reused. The CD-R’s technical characteristics are defined in the ‘Orange Book’
CD-R Burner
A device capable of recording data onto blank CD-R discs.
Channel
A path carrying audio or data. In the context of a mixing console a channel is a single strip of controls relating to one input. In the context of MIDI, Channel refers to one of 16 possible data channels over which MIDI data may be sent. The organisation of data by channels means that up to 16 different MIDI instruments or parts may be addressed using a single cable.
Chase
A term describing the process whereby a follower device attempts to synchronise itself with a master device. In the context of a MIDI sequence, Chase may also involve chasing events - looking back to earlier positions in the song to see if there are any program change or other events that need to be acted upon.