Ducking
A system for controlling the level of one audio signal with another. For example, in a broadcast radio context a music track can be made to 'duck' or reduce in volume whenever there's a voice over.
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Dump
To transfer digital data from one device to another. A SysEx dump is a means of transmitting information about a particular instrument or module over MIDI, and may be used to store sound patches, parameter settings and so on.
DVS
'Digital Vinyl System' is a way of controlling and manipulating the playback of digital audio files in a computer by using conventional analogue turntables as the interface, thus maintaining a traditional 'disk-jockey' style of hands-on 'turntablism' control, including scratching. The system is based upon using special vinyl discs which carry standard timecode signals. The output of the vinyl replay chain is routed into the computer via an audio interface in the usual way, and the software is then able to analyse the timecode to determine changes in playback speed, direction, and position of the pickup on the vinyl disc, and apply that timing and speed information to the reproduction of a digital audio file. Some latency is inevitable in such a system, but it is usually very short.
Dynamics
A way of describing the relative levels within a piece of music.
E-PROM
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. Similar to ROM, but the information on the chip can be erased and replaced using special equipment. (See ROM)
Equivalent Input Noise
A means of describing the intrinsic electronic noise at the output of an amplifier in terms of an equivalent input noise, taking into account the amplifier’s gain.
Erase
To remove recorded material from an analogue tape, or to remove digital data from any form of storage media.
EuCon
A control protocol developed by Euphonix which operates at high-speed over an Ethernet connection. It is used between control surfaces and DAW computers to convey information about the positions of faders, knobs, and buttons and to carry display information.
Event
In MIDI terms, an event is a single unit of MIDI data, such as a note being turned on or off, a piece of controller information, a program change, and so on.
Exciter (cf. Enhancer)
An audio processor that works by synthesizing new high frequency harmonics.
Expander Module
A synthesizer with no keyboard, often rack mountable or in some other compact format.
FET
Field Effect Transistor. A solid-state semiconductor device in which the current flowing between source and drain terminals is controlled by the voltage on the gate terminal. The FET is a very high impedance device, which makes it highly suited for use in impedance converter stages in capacitor and electret microphones.
File
A container for stored digital data that usually has a meaningful name. For example, a Standard MIDI File is a specific type of file designed to allow sequence information to be interchanged between different types of sequencer.
Filter Frequency
The ‘turnover’ or ‘corner’ frequency of a high- or low-pass filter. Technically, the frequency at which the signal amplitude has been attenuated by 3dB.
FireWire
A serial computer interface format based upon the IEEE 1394 standard and named FireWire by Apple (Sony’s i.Link format is also the same interface). FireWire is used for high speed isochronous data transfer, including audio and video. FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394-1995 and IEEE 1394a-2000) or S400 interface transfers data at up to 400Mb/s and can operate over cables up to 4.5metres in length. The standard ‘alpha’ connector is available in four and six-connector versions, the latter able to provide power (up to 25V and 8 watts). The FireWire 800 format (IEEE 1394b-2002) or S800 interface uses a 9-wire ‘beta’ connector and can convey data at up to 800Mb/s.
Flanging
An effect which combines a modulated delay with the original signal, using feedback to create a dramatic, sweeping sound.
Flash Drive (see 'Solid-state Drive')
A large capacity solid-state memory configured to work like a conventional hard drive. Used in digital cameras and audio recorders in formats such as SD and CF2 cards, as well as in ‘pen drives’ or ‘USB memory sticks’. Some computers are now available with solid-state flash drives instead of normal internal hard drives.
Floppy Disk
An obsolete computer disk format using a flexible magnetic medium encased in a protective plastic sleeve.
Flutter
A high-speed variation in replay speed causing rapid 'fluttering' pitch variations. See Wow and Flutter or Scrape Flutter
Flutter Echoes
Short time-span sound echoes which can be created when sound waves bounce between opposite walls in a small or moderately sized room. A shorter version of the ‘slapback’ echo whch can be experienced in a larger hall when sound from a stage is reflected strongly from the rear wall.