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Glossar
Glossar
Glossar
Glossar
Glossary
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AFL (After Fade Listen)
a function that allows the operator to monitor the post-fade signal
in a channel independently of the main mix.
auxiliary send
an output from the console comprising a mix of signals from
channels and groups derived independently of the main stereo
mixes.
balance
the relative levels of the left and right channels of a stereo signal.
balanced
a method of audio connection which ‘balances’ the wanted signal
between two wires and a screen which carries no signal. Any
interference is picked up equally by the two wires, which results
in cancellation of the unwanted signal. In this guide, the term
can refer to various circuit architectures. Connection details are
given in relevant sections.
clipping
the onset of severe distortion in the signal path, usually caused
by the peak signal voltage being limited by the circuit’s power
supply voltage.
DAT
Digital Audio Tape, a cassette-based digital recording format.
dB (decibel)
a ratio of two voltages or signal levels, expressed by the equation
dB=20Log10 (V1/V2). Adding the suffix ‘u’ denotes the ratio is
relative to 0.775V RMS.
DI(direct injection)/DI Box the practice of connecting an electric musical instrument directly
to the input of the mixing console, rather than to an amplifier and
loudspeaker which is covered by a microphone feeding the
console.
equaliser
a device that allows the boosting or cutting of selected bands of
frequencies in the signal path.
fader
a linear control providing level adjustment.
feedback
the `howling’ sound caused by bringing a microphone too close
to a loudspeaker driven from its amplified signal.
foldback
a feed sent back to the artistes via loudspeakers or headphones
to enable them to monitor the sounds they are producing.
frequency response
the variation in gain of a device with frequency.
gain
the amount of amplication in level of the signal.
headroom
the available signal range above the nominal level before clipping
occurs.
impedance balancing
a technique used on unbalanced outputs to minimise the effect
of hum and interference when connecting to external balanced
inputs.
insert
a break point in the signal path to allow the connection of
external devices, for instance signal processors or other mixers at
line level signals. Nominal levels can be anywhere between
-0dBu to +6dBu, usually coming from a low impedance source.
pan (pot)
abbreviation of ‘panorama’: controls levels sent to left and right
outputs.
peaking
the point at which a signal rises to its maximum instantaneous
level, before falling back down again. It can also describe an
equaliser response curve affecting only a band of frequencies,
(like on a graphic equaliser), “peaking” at the centre of that band.
peak LED
a visual indication of the signal peaking just before the onset of
clipping, which will distort the signal.
SOLO
a function that allows the operator to monitor the pre-fade signal
in a channel independently of the main mix.
