Glossary of Terms
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Photo-electric cell (“photo-cell”) -
A
light sensitive device whose electrical resistance changes
depending upon the intensity of light to which it is subjected.
Program dependent -
Refers to a parameter that varies according to the characteristics of the
incoming signal. The LA-610 compressor and limiter ratio, as well as the attack time and release
time, are all program dependent.
Release time -
The time it takes for a signal to return to its initial (pre-compressed) level. If the
release time is too short, "pumping" and "breathing" artifacts can occur, due to the rapid rise of
background noise as the gain is restored. If the release time is too long, however, a loud section of
the program may cause gain reduction that persists through a soft section, making the soft section
inaudible. The LA-610 (and LA-2A) compressor features a dual-stage release, where it takes
approximately 60 milliseconds for the first 50% of release, then from 1 to 15 seconds for the final
release which minimizes artifacts.
Ribbon microphone
- A type of microphone that works by loosely suspending a small element (usually
a corrugated strip of metal) in a strong magnetic field. This "ribbon" is moved by the motion of air
molecules and in doing so it cuts across the magnetic lines of flux, causing an electrical signal to be
generated. Ribbon microphones tend to be delicate and somewhat expensive, but often have very flat
frequency response.
Threshold -
A
term used to describe the level at which a compressor starts to work. Below the
threshold point, the volume of a signal is unchanged; above it, the volume is reduced.
Transformer
- An electronic component consisting of two or more coils of wire wound on a common
core of magnetically permeable material. Audio transformers operate on audible signal and are
designed to step voltages up and down and to send signal between microphones and line-level
devices such as mixing consoles, recorders, and DAWs.
Transient
- A relatively high volume pitchless sound impulse of extremely brief duration, such as a
pop. Consonants in singing and speech, and the attacks of musical instruments, particularly
percussive instruments, are examples of transients.
XLR
– (eXtra Long Run) A standard three-pin connector used by many audio devices, with pin 1
typically connected to the shield of the cabling, thus providing ground. Pins 2 and 3 are used to carry
audio signal, normally in a balanced (out of phase) configuration.
