Glossary

ACOUSTIC FEEDBACK (HOWLROUND)

A whistling or howling noise caused by an amplified signal ‘feeding back’ into the amplification chain via a microphone or guitar pick-up.

ACTIVE DI BOX

A device which permits Direct Injection of signals from guitars, etc, into the console. Incorporates circuitry to adjust gain and provide impedance matching. Requires power and may be battery driven or sometimes ‘phantom powered’ from a console.

AFL (AFTER FADE LISTEN)

A function that allows the operator to monitor a post-fade signal. Used with Aux Masters.

AMPLIFIER

Device that increases the level of an electrical signal.

AMPLITUDE

Signal level, usually in volts.

ANALOGUE

Analogy (n.): correspondence or partial similarity, using physical variables. For example; an analogue tape recorder stores sound on tape in the form of a magnetic pattern which is a replica of the original musical waveform.

ASSIGN

On a mixing console, to switch or route a signal to a particular signal path or combination of signal paths.

ATTENUATE

To decrease the level of a signal.

AUXILIARY SEND

Level control feeding a dedicated bus for driving external effects or a foldback monitoring system. An output from the console comprising a mix of signals from channels derived independently of the main stereo/group mixes. Typically the feeds to the mix are implemented on rotary level controls.

BACK-LINE

Stage parlance for the row of instrument amplifiers and loudspeaker cabinets behind the performers, e.g. guitar amps.

BALANCE

Relative level of the left and right channels of a stereo signal.

BALANCED

A method of audio connection which ‘balances’ the signal between two wires and a screen which carries no signal. Any interference is picked up equally by the two wires, through common mode rejection at the destination differential balanced input resulting in cancellation of the interference signal. For balancing to be effective, both the sending and receiving device must have balanced output and input stages respectively.

BANDWIDTH

A means of specifying the range of frequencies passed by an electronic device such as an amplifier, mixer or filter.

BARGRAPH

A row of LEDs calibrated to indicate signal level.




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Learning Zone : Soundcraft Guide to Mixing : Section 8 - Glossary