Audio

Question 1

Signal Flow

Answer 1

The process by which or steps that audio (sound waves) take

Question 2

Powered Speaker

Answer 2

(aka ACTIVE, SELF-POWERED)
Speakers that have amplifiers built into them

Question 3

Passive Speaker

Answer 3

Speakers that DO NOT have amplifiers built into them, and as such, need to be connected to a separate amplifier to be used

Question 4

Amplifiers

Answer 4

(AKA “Amps”)
Devices that amplifies or increases the power, current or voltage of a signal to better allow it to be heard

Question 5

Phantom Power

Answer 5

Designated as +48V or P48

Electrical power supplied by a mixer or audio interface to the microphone. Used with condenser microphones, which are also known as “capacitor microphones” in the UK.

Question 6

Sub / Subwoofer

Answer 6

A speaker that produces low frequencies that allow it to provide a “fuller” sound and make the audio more immersive

Frequency range is usually 20-200Hz

Question 7

DI Box / DI Unit / Direct Box

Answer 7

(“Direct Injection”) Used to convert unbalanced or high-impedance signals from instruments into a signal that is low-impedance/“mic level”

Allows you to run a long cable from an instrument (such as an electric guitar or bass guitar) without adding noise to the signal or compromising the quality of the signal

Question 8

Preamp / Preamplifier

Answer 8

An electronic amplifier that converts a weak electrical signal into an output signal strong enough for processing and to be noise-tolerant

Question 9

Amp / Amplifier

Answer 9

A device or electrical circuit designed to increase the current or voltage of a signal

Question 10

Amplitude

Answer 10

The relative magnitude of a signal

Question 11

Audio Frequency

Answer 11

Acoustic spectrum of human hearing, generally regarded to be between 20Hz and 20kHz

Question 12

Baffle

Answer 12

Board or planar surface used to mount a loudspeaker

Question 13

Bandwidth

Answer 13

Range of frequencies reproduced by an amplifier or transducer

Question 14

Circuit

Answer 14

A complete path that allows an electrical current from one terminal of a voltage source to another

Question 15

Clipping

Answer 15

A form of distortion caused by cutting off the peaks of audio signals.

Clipping in an amp usually occurs when the input is too big or when the voltage rails of the power supply cannot deliver necessary voltage to the power amp.

Question 16

Cone

Answer 16

Conical diaphragm of a speaker that produces pulsations of air that the ear translates into sound

Question 17

Current (I)

Answer 17

Flow of electrical charge measured in amps

Question 18

Distortion

Answer 18

Undesirable change or error in the reproduction of sound that alters the original signal

Question 19

Crossover

Answer 19

Takes an unfiltered audio signal and it divides it according to a predefined upper and lower threshold

Question 20

Monitor

Answer 20

A speaker used specifically to aid in the production and quality of a sound for the purpose of mixing, usually with a “flatter” response