This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings

Translation glossary: Acoustics, Sound, Audio Engineering Glossary

Creator:
K. Isaac
K. Isaac
Filter
Reset
Showing entries 401-450 of 671
« Prev Next »
 
MonophonicOne note at a time. 
English
MotherboardThe main circuit board within a computer into which all the other components plug or connect. 
English
Moving Coil MicrophoneA dynamic microphone where the diaphragm supports a coil of wire which moves within a magnetic field. When sound causes the diaphragm to vibrate a small electrical current is generated within the coil. The same technology is used in reverse for a moving coil loudspeaker, in which a powerful current is passed through the coil, causing the diaphragm (cone) to move in response. 
English
MTCMIDI Time code 
English
MultAn abbreviation of \'multiple output\' (also known as a \'parallel-strip\' in BBC parlance). Refers to a line-level signal splitting or distribution facility typically found on patchbays in which three or more sockets are wired together to allow an input signal to be shared with multiple destinations. As an entirely passive facility the operation relies on a very low source impedance and high destination (bridging) impedances to minimise the loss 
English
MultAn abbreviation of \'multiple output\' (also known as a \'parallel-strip\' in BBC parlance). Refers to a line-level signal splitting or distribution facility typically found on patchbays in which three or more sockets are wired together to allow an input signal to be shared with multiple destinations. As an entirely passive facility the operation relies on a very low source impedance and high destination (bridging) impedances to minimise the loss 
English
Multi-sampleThe creation of several samples, each covering a limited musical range, the idea being to produce a more natural range of sounds across the range of the instrument being sampled. For example, a piano may need to be sampled every two or three semitones in order to sound convincing. 
English
Multi-timbralA synthesizer, sampler or module that can play several parts or different sounds at the same time, each under the control of a different MIDI channel. 
English
MultitrackA recording device capable of recording several \'parallel\' parts or tracks which may then be mixed or re-recorded independently. 
English
Mutual Anglethe physical angle between two microphones, used to specify various microphone array configurations (eg. 90 degrees for a Blumlein pair, or 110 degrees for an ORTF array). 
English
Near FieldThe acoustic zone close to a sound source or microphone. Often used to describes a loudspeaker system designed to be used close to the listener – although some people prefer the term \'close field\'. The advantage is that the listener hears more of the direct sound from the speakers and less of the reflected sound from the room. 
English
Near-coincidentA means of arranging two or more directional microphone capsules such that they receive sound waves from the directions or interest at slightly different times due to their physical spacing. Information about the directions of sound sources is captured in the form of both level differences between the capsule outputs, generated by aiming directional polar patterns in different directions, and the timing differences caused by their physical spacin 
English
Near-coincidentA means of arranging two or more directional microphone capsules such that they receive sound waves from the directions or interest at slightly different times due to their physical spacing. Information about the directions of sound sources is captured in the form of both level differences between the capsule outputs, generated by aiming directional polar patterns in different directions, and the timing differences caused by their physical spacin 
English
Noise ReductionA system for reducing analogue tape noise or for reducing the level of hiss present in a recording. (See DBX and Dolby). 
English
Noise-shapingA system using spectrally-shaped dither to improve the perceived signal-to-noise performance of a digital audio system. 
English
Non-linear RecordingA term which describes digital recording systems that allow any parts of the recording to be played back in any order with no gaps. Conventional tape is referred to as linear, because the material can only play back in the order in which it was recorded. 
English
Non-registered parameter NumberAn addition to the basic MIDI spec that allows Controllers 98 and 99 to be used to control non-standard parameters relating to particular models of synthesizer. This is an alternative to using System Exclusive data to achieve the same ends, though NRPNs tend to be used mainly by Yamaha and Roland instruments. 
English
NormaliseA socket is said to be normalised when it is wired such that the original signal path is maintained unless a plug is inserted into the socket. The most common examples of normalised connectors are the insert points on a mixing console. 
English
NOSA specific form of near-coincident microphone array devised by the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), the Dutch national broadcaster. The technique employs a pair of small-diaphragm cardioid microphones mounted with a mutual angle of 90 degrees and spaced apart by 30cm. The theoretical stereo recording angle is 81°. 
English
NutA slotted plastic or bone component at the headstock end of a guitar neck used to guide the strings over the fingerboard, and to space the strings above the frets. 
English
Nyquist TheorumThe rule which states that a digital sampling system must have a sample rate at least twice as high as that of the highest 
English
OctaveWhen a frequency or pitch is transposed up by one octave, its frequency is doubled. 
English
Off-lineA process carried out while a recording is not playing. For example, some computer-based processes have to be carried out off-line as the computer isn\'t fast enough to carry out the process in real time. Also used to refer to a remote-controlled machine which is not currently active. 
English
Off/On-axisDirectional microphones are inherently more sensitive to sound from one direction, and the direction of greatest sensitivity is referred to as the principle axis. Sound sources placed on this axis are said to be ‘on-axis’, while sound sources elsewhere are said to be ‘off-axis’ 
English
OhmThe unit of electrical resistance. 
English
OmnidirectionalA microphone or loudspeaker polar pattern with equal sensitivity in all directions (often abbreviated to Omni). Also the MIDI mode where data on all channels is recognised. 
English
Open CircuitA break in an electrical circuit that prevents current from flowing. (see Short Circuit) 
English
Open ReelA tape machine where the tape is wound on spools rather than housed within a cassette. 
English
Open Sound ControlA high-resolution networked communication protocol for computers, synthesizers and other audio devices. 
English
Operating SystemThe basic software that enables a computer to load and run other programs. 
English
Optimisation (of computer)The concept of configuring a computer in such as way as to maximise its performance for certain tasks. In the context of a machine being used as a DAW, optimisation might involve disabling sub-programs that access the internet regularly or intermittently, such as email hosts, automatic program update checkers and so on. It might also include the structure of the hard drive, or the separation of program data to a system drive and audio data to a s 
English
Optimisation (of computer)The concept of configuring a computer in such as way as to maximise its performance for certain tasks. In the context of a machine being used as a DAW, optimisation might involve disabling sub-programs that access the internet regularly or intermittently, such as email hosts, automatic program update checkers and so on. It might also include the structure of the hard drive, or the separation of program data to a system drive and audio data to a s 
English
ORTFA specific form of near-coincident microphone array devised by the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF) at Radio France, the French national broadcaster. The technique employs a pair of small-diaphragm cardioid microphones mounted with a mutual angle of 110 degrees and spaced apart by 17cm. The theoretical stereo recording angle is 96 degrees. 
English
OSCAn abbreviation for \'oscillator\' or \'Open Sound Control\'. 
English
OscillatorA circuit designed to generate a periodic electrical waveform. 
English
Out-of-Phasesee Polarity 
English
Output ImpedanceThe effective internal impedance (resistance which many change with signal frequency) of an electronic device. In modern audio equipment the output impedance is normally very low. Microphones are normally specified with an output impedance of 150 or 200 ohms, although some vintage designs might be as low as 30 Ohms. 
English
Output SensitivityThe nominal output voltage generated by a microphone for a known reference acoustic sound pressure level. Output sensitivity is normally specified for a sound pressure level of one Pascal (94dB SPL), and may range from about 0.5mV/Pa for a ribbon microphone, to 1.5mV/Pa for a moving coil, and up to 20 or 30mV/Pa for a capacitor microphone. 
English
OverdriveThe intentional use of overloaded analogue circuitry as a musical effect. 
English
OverdubbingRecording new material to separate tracks while auditioning and playing in synchronism with previously recorded material. 
English
OverloadTo exceed the maximum acceptable signal amplitude of an electronic or electrical circuit. Overloading a device results in a noticeable increase in distortion but this may be deemed musically beneficial and desirable, or completely unacceptable and inappropriate, depending on context and intent. Overloading an analogue device typically results in the waveform peaks becoming flattened (so tending towards a square wave) and a consequent rapid increa 
English
OverloadTo exceed the maximum acceptable signal amplitude of an electronic or electrical circuit. Overloading a device results in a noticeable increase in distortion but this may be deemed musically beneficial and desirable, or completely unacceptable and inappropriate, depending on context and intent. Overloading an analogue device typically results in the waveform peaks becoming flattened (so tending towards a square wave) and a consequent rapid increa 
English
Overtonea component of a complex sound which has a higher frequency than the fundamental frequency, but which is not necessarily related by a simple integer multiple (cf. harmonics) 
English
PadA resistive circuit for reducing signal level. 
English
Pan-potA control found on mixers to move the signal to any point in the stereo soundstage by varying the relative levels fed to the left and right stereo outputs. 
English
ParallelA means of connecting two or more circuits together so that their inputs are connected together, and their outputs are all connected together. 
English
ParameterA variable value that affects some aspect of a device\'s performance. 
English
Parameteric EQAn equaliser with separate controls for frequency, bandwidth and cut/boost. 
English
ParaphonicOften used to descibe a multi-oscillator mono-synth which can be configured to allow the oscillators to be controlled independently from the keyboard, allowing two or more notes to be played simultaneously. 
English
PartialsThe combination of fundamental and overtones together are called particals. (cf. harmonic) 
English
« Prev Next »

Public glossaries

My glossaries

Close search
All of ProZ.com
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search