Master
A device which controls slave devices. Often used to refer to synchronised recorders, or digital clocking devices.
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Mastering
Traditionally the sequencing of individual recordings to form a cohesive album of material, and to apply corrective equalisation and dynamics processing to ensure a consistent sound character and to optimise playback on the widest possible range of sound systems. Appropriate signal processing may also be applied to make the mastered material suitable for its intended medium (such as controlling transient peaks and dynamics and mono-ing the bass for vinyl records, etc).
Matrix
A facility found mostly in live-sound mixing consoles used to create separate mixes which can be sent to many different output destinations. Essentially, a Matrix creates 'a mix of mixes' since derived from pre-mixed output signals such as subgroups, auxes or main outputs. This is in contrast to the normal console mixing facilities which are derived from input channel signals. A matrix can be any size, and is usually described in terms of numbers of inputs and outputs, such as 2x2 or 8x8, or 8x6 etc with a level control at each junction of the matrix so that the desired amount of any source can be sent to any output - and it is this feature that makes a Matrix more versatile than a conventional subgrouping system. Matrix sends might be used to create appropriate feeds for disparate destinations like PA front fills, green-room foldback, camera recorders, and so on.
Maximum SPL
The loudest sound pressure level that a device can generate or tolerate.
MB
Megabyte. Nominally 1,000,000 (one million) bytes of data, but in fact, because computer memory works in with binary, the actual value is 1,048,576 bytes (220).
Machine Head
A term describing the tuning mechanism of a guitar.
MDM
Modular Digital Multitrack. An obsolete term for hardware digital recorders that can be used in multiples to provide a greater number of synchronized tracks than a single machine.
Memory
A computer's memory (RAM) used to store programs and data. This data is lost when the computer is switched off and so must be stored to disk or other suitable archive media.
Menu
A list of choices presented by a computer program or a device with a display window.
Metering
A display intended to indicate the level of a sound signal. It could indicate peak levels (eg. PPMs or digital sample meters), average levels (VU or RMS meters), or perceived loudness (LUFS meters).
Mic Level
The nominal signal level generated by a microphone. Typically around -50dBu. Mic level signals must be amplified to raise them to line-level.
Microphone
A device used to convert an acoustic sound wave into an electrical signal.
Microprocessor
A specialised IC at the heart of a computer which performs calculations and other data manipulations, following software instructions.
Mid-range (mid, mids)
The middle portion of the audible frequency spectrum, typically denoting frequencies between about 300Hz and 3kHz.
MIDI Analyser
A device that gives a visual readout of MIDI activity when connected between two pieces of MIDI equipment.
MIDI Bank Change
A type of controller message used to select alternate banks of MIDI Programs where access to more than 128 programs is required.
MIDI Control Change
Also known as MIDI Controllers or Controller Data, these messages convey positional information relating to performance controls such as wheels, pedals, switches and other devices. This information can be used to control functions such as vibrato depth, brightness, portamento, effects levels, and many other parameters.
MIDI File
A standard file format for storing song data recorded on a MIDI sequencer in such a way as to allow it to be read by other makes or model of MIDI sequencer.
MIDI Implementation Chart
A chart, usually found in MIDI product manuals, which provides information as to which MIDI features are supported. Supported features are marked with a 0 while unsupported feature are marked with a X. Additional information may be provided, such as the exact form of the Bank Change message.
MIDI Merge
A device or sequencer function that enables two or more streams of MIDI data to be combined.