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Explanatory words list
Amplitude: The amplitude is the size, the strength of a vibration. This can be a mechanical vibration,
for example a snare of a guitar, or the, from that arisen, sound wave or from any other cyclical varying
appearance in time. Because any waveform always varies in size, the value of the wave will also vary.
The amplitude is the value from zero to the maximum hit out or strength of the wave.
Analogue signal: (synonym: analog signal) An analogue signal is any time continuous signal. The
amplitude of the signal varies continiously in function of time. Human-ears can only hear analogue
signals (sounds). Digital sounds must always be converted to analogue signals to make them audible.
Asymmetrical (synonym: unbalanced): An unbalanced line is a transmission line, usually coaxial cable,
whose conductors have unequal impedances with respect to ground.
Balance: Balance means the amount of signal from each channel reproduced in a stereo audio
recording. Typically, a balance control will have 0dB of gain in the center position for both channels,
and attenuate one channel as the control is turned, leaving the other channel at 0dB.
Binary: The binary numeral system, or base-2 number system, is a numeral system that represents
numeric values using two symbols, usually 0 and 1.
Bit: A bit is a binary digit, taking a value of either 0 or 1.
CD: Abbreviation for Compact Disc. It is an optical disc used to store digital data, originally developed
for storing digital audio. The CD, available on the market since late 1982, remains the standard
playback medium for commercial audio recordings to the present day. An audio CD consists of one or
more stereo tracks stored using 16-bit PCM coding at a sampling rate of 44.1kHz. Standard CDs have
a diameter of 120mm and can hold approximately 80 minutes of audio.
Crossfader (synonyms: CF, X-fader or XF): A crossfader essentially functions like two faders
connected side-by-side, but in opposite directions. It allows a DJ to fade one source out while fading
another source in at the same time with one knob.
DAB: Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), is a technology for broadcasting of audio using digital radio
transmission.
DAT: Digital Audio Tape is a signal recording and playback medium. The audio data is stored on a
magnetic tape. It uses 48, 44.1 or 32kHz sampling rate and 16 bits quantization.
dB: Abbreviation for decibel (1/10 of a Bel). dB is a logarithmic unit of measurement that expresses the
size of a physical quantity relative to a reference level. Its logarithmic nature allows very large or very
small ratios to be represented by a convenient number. The decibel is commonly used in acoustics to
quantify sound levels relative to some 0dB reference. The reference level is typically set at the
threshold of human perception. A reason for using the decibel is that the ear is capable of detecting a
very large range of sound pressures.
Digital signal: A digital signal is one that uses discrete values (electrical voltages), rather than a
continuous spectrum of values (ie, as in an analogue signal).
DJ: Abbreviation for Disc Jockey. A DJ is a person who plays pre-recorded (not live) music, either or
not in front of an audience.
Dry signal: Opposite of “Wet signal”. This is the signal as it is, without added deformation, effects,
tone-manipulation, etc.