SoundCraft Spirit SX, Manual To Mixing

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FILTER
A filter is a device or network for separating waves on the basis of
their frequencies.
FOH
An acronym for Front Of House. In the entertainment world
"House" is a collective term for the audience at a theatre, cinema,
etc. Hence an FOH console will be situated "audience-side" of the
stage. A "house" PA system refers to the main audio system
responsible for the principal sound in the venue.
FOLDBACK
A feed sent back to the artistes via loudspeakers or headphones to
enable them to monitor the sounds they are producing.
FOLDBACK SEND
A pre-fade auxiliary output used to set up an independent monitor
mix for the performers.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
The variation in gain of a device with frequency.
FSK (Frequency Shift Keying)
A method of synchronisation which generates a series of electronic
tones related to the tempo of the music. These tones may then be
record on a spare track of the multitrack recorder.
FX UNIT
Slang term for Effects Unit. Typical effects units are delays, reverbs,
pitch shifters, and chorus units.
GAIN
Gain is the factor of how much the level of a signal is increased or
amplified. Normally expressed in decibels.
GATE
A user-adjustable electronic device that switches off the signal path
when the signal falls below a certain predetermined level or
threshold.
Typically used to ensure silence between pauses in the signal during
vocal passages or to prevent ‘spill’ between the close-proximity,
multiple mics on a drum kit.
GRAPHIC EQUALISER
Device incorporating multiple narrow-band circuits allowing boost
and cut of predetermined frequencies. Vertical fader controls are
used which provide a ‘graphic’ representation of the adjustments
across the frequency range.
GROUND COMPENSATION
A technique used to cancel out the effect of ground loops caused by
connections to external equipment.
GROUND
Ground and Earth are often assumed to be the same thing, but
they are not. Earth is for electrical safety, while Ground is the point
of zero voltage in a circuit or system.
GROUND LOOP
A ground loop occurs when there are too many ground points,
allowing small electrical currents to flow.
GROUP
An output into which a group of signals can be mixed.
HEADROOM
The available signal range above the nominal level before clipping
occurs.
HERTZ (Hz)
Cycles (or vibrations) per second.
HIGH PASS FILTER
A filter that rejects low frequencies below a set frequency, typically
100Hz.
IMPEDANCE
The AC resistance of a circuit which has both resistive and reactive
components.
IMPEDANCE BALANCING
A technique used to minimise the effect of hum and interference
when connecting to external balanced inputs.
INDUCTOR
Reactive component that presents an increasing impedance with
frequency. A coil in a loudspeaker crossover is an inductor.
INSERT POINT
A break point in the signal path to allow the connection of external
devices, for example signal processors or to another mixer.
K OHM, K
Ω
or kHz
x 1000 ohms, x 1000 ohms and x 1000Hz respectively.
LINE LEVEL
Signals at a nominal level of -10dBV to +4dBu, usually coming
from a low impedance source such as keyboards, drum
machines,etc.
mA (milliampere)
One thousandth of an ampere, a measure for small electrical
currents.
MIC SPLITTER
A device which divides the output from a microphone in order to
supply two signals, for example; FOH console and recording mixer
or monitor console.
MIDBAND
The range of frequencies to which the human ear is most sensitive.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
MIXDOWN
The process of taking the outputs from a multitrack recorder,
processing as required and combining all elements to create a stereo
‘master’.
MONITOR LOUDSPEAKER
Any high quality loudspeaker which is used to check the quality or
status of the signal.
MTC (MIDI Time Code)
An interpretation of SMPTE allowing the time code to come in as
part of the MIDI data stream.
MULTICORE
A cable with multiple cores allowing signals to be carried
independently but within the same physical outer casing.
SECTION 8: Glossary
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