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WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN!
GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
AC or a.c.
Alternating current.
AC POWER SUPPLY
Local electrical supply
ASSIGN
To switch or route a signal to a specific signal path.
ATTENUATE
To reduce or make quieter.
BALANCED
Balanced 3 connection circuitry is widely used in audio equipment
from cheap dynamic microphones to top quality studio devices.
The balanced system is used as it cancels outside interference in
the connecting cables resulting in a cleaner signal.
BANDWIDTH
The bandwidth is the range of frequencies that will pass through
a piece of equipment.
BUS
A common conductor that carries a signal, or number of signals,
through a mixing console.
CLIPPING
Distortion caused by a signal exceeding the maximum level that
an input can accommodate.
COLD
The negative phase of a signal. Usually the black wire in a
balanced cable. For an unbalanced signal the SCREEN is used
for the COLD connection.
COMPRESSOR
An electronic device used to stop the level of a sound from
increasing above a set threshold point. They can be used to help
fit signals onto a media with a limited dynamic range such as
analogue and digital tape. A compressor can also be used to
keep signal levels from overloading the input of a piece of
equipment.
CUEING
Another word for monitoring, usually when a signal source is
prepared to be played at a specific time during a performance. It
may be a sound effect for a stage production or an MP3, CD or
MD track ready to play so that the music is ready to start
immediately.
dBA
The most commonly used unit for measuring sound pressure
levels. The 'A weighting' takes account of the ear's varying
sensitivity to different frequencies, which is most pronounced at
low volumes.
dBu
A standard reference voltage = 0.775V rms. Derived from the
earlier dBm which was used to the power in 600ohm circuits.
dBV
A standard reference voltage = 1V rms.
DECIBEL (dB)
A logarithmic method of measurement for acoustics and
electronics. One decibel (1/10th of a Bel) is the 'standard' change
in loudness perceptible by the human ear, although 'trained ears'
can detect smaller changes. 0dB (acoustic) is the threshold of
human hearing at mid range frequencies.
DELAY
Nowadays a delay or DDL (digital delay line) is an electronic
effects processor which samples a short sound and replays it back
a short time later to give an echo effect. Delays are also used in
radio to 'vet' live phone calls and in live sound to ensure that sound
from different speaker stacks arrive at the listeners ears at the
same time.
D.I.
Direct Injection. Often a small 'D.I. box' is used to send a signal
directly from a guitar or bass into the console without first putting it
through an amplifier and speaker and capturing the sound with a
microphone.
ECHO
The effect produced when sound is reflected off hard surfaces
often reproduced artificially using electronic equipment (see
DELAY).
EFFECTS (FX) SENDS
Any outputs from a channel or console that can be connected to
external equipment for extra sound processing. Usually effects
sends are post fade so any level changes to the main signal also
adjust the signal sent for processing.
EQUALISATION (EQ)
Tone Controls
FADER
Volume control, often a linear or slider type volume control.
FEEDBACK
The deafening squealing sound produced when a microphone
picks up it's own amplified sound from a loudspeaker.
F.O.H.
Front of House. The speaker system which is used to project the
sound from the stage to the audience. It is also used to describe
the position, in front of the stage, where the main mixing console is
situated.
FOLDBACK
Sound which is sent from the main mixing position back to the
stage so the performers can hear it. Often, with a large sound
system an entirely separate foldback (or monitor) system with a
dedicated console is located on one side of the stage so the
performers can communicate easily with the operator.
GRAPHIC / GRAPHIC EQUALISER
An equaliser that uses rows of slider controls to adjust the sound.
Each of the sliders will adjust one part of the frequency spectrum
giving a visual display of which areas have been cut or boosted.
GROUND
Earth
HERTZ (Hz)
A measurement of frequency. 1Hz = 1 cycle per second.
Summary of Contents for Powerhouse 1000X-10
Page 1: ...USER GUIDE...
