chapters 9-16 Flashcards
click track
series of regular audio pulses used to keep separately recorded parts synchronized
click source
sample or synthesized sound used in the clicktrack pulse
count in or count off
initial clicks on a clicktrack that gives performers the tempo and beat
pre roll
setting that plays back previous music just prior to the point of recording
mixdown
reduce multiple audio tracks into few tracks by adjusting individual track levels and processing prior to combining them
multitrack
(adj) - type of recording device
(verb) - to record multiple tracks for later mixdown
overdub
recording a different audio track (with different harmonies, melody) to complement an existing audio track
double track
record a second audio track with the same audio performance as the first track
bounce or render
process track so that it is converted to an audio file (ie. as a .aif or .wav format file)
monophonic
single channel sound system (often with a single speaker)
PA system
public address system (common to use monophonic for these)
stereophonic
two channel sound system with different audio channels for each speaker
- speakers attempt to replicate the continuous audio horizon
point source
a single speaker location
sweet spot
area in a listening environment with the best balance of sound
- listening position located equidistant from the speakers and directly in line with their axes of diffusion
multichannel system
audio system diffusing more than one channel on more than one speaker
- diffuse more than channels
quadraphonic
four channel audio system
- placed in corners of square
LFE
low frequency effects channel
5.1
five channel audio system with a subwoofer
7.1
seven channel audio system with a subwoofer
Octophonic
eight channel audio system
foley
natural sounds added to audio tracks in film/video to provide a more realistic experience
- presentation of speech, music, sound effects
file format
protocol for a file
protocol
manner and order in which data is saved to a file
- agreed upon method of efficiently communicating information so that errors and misunderstandings are avoided
raw audio
audio file containing only the audio samples and no file header
- no other info about the file other than the specific values needed to replicate the waveform
header
first part of a file containing information about compression, # of channels, bit depth, sample rate, format
- solves problem of confusion as to how many channels and what type of compression is used in a file
block
predetermined and specific amount of audio data in an audio file
.wav
suffix for WAVE format - uncompressed audio file
.aif
suffix for AIFF format - uncompressed audio file
compression
reduce the size of a file so that it takes up less storage space
decompression
expand a file that has been compressed
codec
compressor-decompressor algorithm
- audio file is decompressed according to the same protocol it was compressed
lossless
adjective indicating no data is lost in the compression stage of storage (can recreate all the data in the file)
- removing redundant data (ie silence)
lossy
adjective indicating that some data is lost in the compression stage of storage
- these formats reduce size of audio file by stripping out info that our ears won’t notice (for the most part)
- finds tones we don;t or hardly hear and excludes them
.mp3
common lossy codec
- strips out frequencies from original sound that may not be perceived by a user
AAC
advanced audio coding - lossy compression method (used for iTunes)
.m4a
lossless audio format
.wma
lossless audio format
Kilobit
1024 bits (of data)
bitrate
number of kilobits per second
VBR
variable bit rate
- provides a balance between high quality audio and small size files
- used to achieve improved quality in comparison to file size ratio
artifact
a distortion (not present in the og sound) caused by processing, compression or any other action of editing, storage or retrieval
- unwanted noise/distortion in the resulting sound file
tweeker
speaker that handles high frequencies
squawker
speaker that handles midrange frequencies
woofer
speaker that handles low frequencies
subwoofer
speaker that handles the lowest frequencies heard by humans
driver
cone, magnet and coil that make up/form a dynamic speaker
sound system configuration
physical presentation of audio channels when they are played back/diffused in a listening area
diffuser
controlling the balance and movement of sound in the space
Suffix (of a file name)
one way of recognizing file formats
What is a good trade off for encoding
good sound quality versus file size
automation
ability to have the computer control and change various parameters that are accessible through the interface or in plug ins
timeline
area above the DAW tracks that can display time divisions in different formats
plugin
small software program that works inside of another program
format
protocols that the plugin follows to be able to operate
VST
virtual studio technology
- had to run effects as separate application (crash and timing problems etc)
VSTi
virtual studio technology synthetic instrument
- plugins that can act as standalone instruments (samplers or synths)
VST3
64-bit plug-in
- have audio inputs and multiple MIDI inputs/outputs
- recognize how many input and output channels your system has (and adjust accordingly)
AU
Audio unit (apple)
AAX
Avid audio extension
wrapper
small plugin that allows non compatible plugins to work in a particular DAW
- software interface
Bridge
software that allows 32-bit plugins to work in 64-bit systems
plugin host
software program that allows you to use plugins outside of a DAW for realtime/live performance
control tracks
give us the ability to program and edit parameters so that they are used as we wish at the appropriate time in a piece
- access to every parameter including plugins (not just the regular volume, pan etc)
Music representation
music information that is being conveyed, such as pitch, articulation, dynamics etc.
music notation
typeface and layout used to present the music information
common practice period (CPP)
Baroque, Classical, Romantic eras of music
Justification
adjusting the layout and spacing of materials
graphics-based
refers to a notation system where the notation has no associated attributes of pitch, duration etc
rule-based
notation system where each symbol is identified as having specific attributes such as pitch or duration
- software is aware of musical structures
method
for score input - the type of interface that allows information to be entered
- software is not necessarily aware of musical structures such as a timeline, and/or need not be constrained by them
mode
for software, the manner of operation and the actions allowable
real time entry
entry of musical data through performance
- notation program in much the same manner as a sequencer
step time entry
the entry of musical data in non real time
- user enters a note and the entry cursor moves forward the correct rhythmic duration to the location of the next entry point
QWERTY keyboard
traditionally laid out computer or typewriter keyboard
Clavier keyboard
a music keyboard such as found on piano, harpsichord, organ, or clavichord
MusicXML
a protocol for the exchange of music notation information between notation programs
- allows different notation programs to exchange files without losing info (like slurs, articulations, crescendo)
Open score format
protocol for the exchange of files containing music notation, audio and video, html code, and MIDI data
- makes use of MusicXML
ETF (enigma transportable file)
text based file exchange format that allows for the exchange of Finale files via email without being corrupted
Scorch
limited online editor viewer designed to support commercial distribution of music scores
Finale Viewer
a limited online editor viewer designed to support commercial distribution of music scores
Music notation software
programs that allow a user to display symbols in a meaningful manner so that they can be interpreted as performance instructions by musicians
Common Practice Period (CPP) notation
staves, pitches, rhythms, performance markings
Cost/benefit ratio
amount of work it takes to develop and market software and the expected return (benefit) that the developer receives
hardware and operating system
place restrictions on what is or isn’t possible for a user
Mouse entry
select a note duration from a menu and then click on the staff in the desired pitch location
MIDI files
common method of exchanging music data between programs
Scorch & Finale Viewer
free downloadable program that runs in a web browser, allowing users to view and make minor changes
Open score
printed scores where each part has its own staff
score order
how instruments are organized on a staff (for a score)
MIDI
musical instrument digital interface
Protocol
an agreed upon manner or method of communicating
Controller
device for generating data to trigger or alter settings on another MIDI device
- equipment that generates MIDI messages
MIDI message
information sent from one MIDI device to another containing instructions
Master
primary controller in a MIDI setup
Slave
MIDI device that receives data from a master controller
Note on
MIDI message indicating that a specific note is to be turned on (1001)
Note off
MIDI message indicating that a specific note is to be turned off (1000)
Velocity
measure of how fast a key has been pressed (volume measurement for that particular note)
Patch
synthesized or sampled instrument or timbre
- predefined virtual instrument
Program change
instruction that will change the patch being played on a channel
Sequencer
Hardware/software that can record and play back MIDI messages
General MIDI (GM)
standardized specification for MIDI devices defining available timbres and channels
General MIDI sound set
standardized collection of 128 timbres for use in general MIDI
reserved
restricting the use of particular MIDI key numbers or channels to specific patches
Mapped
assigning a specific response or patch to specific MIDI key numbers
Aftertouch
MIDI messages caused by changes or pressure to a clavier key after it has been depressed
- info about how hard we continue to press down on the key
Virtual instrument
instrument that exists in a software form only, controlled by hardware or software interfaces or controllers
- act like hardware synthesizers (can be controlled by MIDI signals sent from sequencers, live performance or various software programs)
Clavier keyboard
keyboard resembling a piano or organ keyboard (as opposed to a keyboard on a computer)
MIDI-IN
receives data
MIDI-OUT
transmits data generated by the synthesizer
MIDI-THRU
passes data on that is received from other synthesizers
DIN plug
dive contact connector for MIDI
Piano roll notation
music notation that uses the length of line segments to indicate duration, and height above x axis to indicate pitch
event list
list of musical events for midid playback, containing note ons and offs, velocity, patch changes and continuous controller data such as volume and pitchbend
Common practice music notation
symbols and protocols generally used to present music based on western music pitch, harmonic and rhythmic practices
MIDI import
to bring in MIDI data to a program
MIDI export
to save data in a standard MIDI format that can be read by other programs
Tick
smallest unit of time in a MIDI record mode (often set to 960 ticks per quarter note)
Tuplet
division of a beat into equal subdivisions not usually permitted by the time signature
Quantization
changing note/MIDI event onsets and/or durations to fit specific beats, subbeats and note values
- forcing note onsets, durations and releases to line up with a grid
Click track
digital metronome that plays during recording (but is not recorded) to assist in keeping time
step time recording
use a connected clavier or other MIDI input device or an on-screen clavier to enter your music data
INDEX in event list
indicates order of data (each line is a MIDI message)
POSITION in event list
gives measure.beat.tick position
LENGTH in event list
duration in measure.beat.ticks
CHANNEL in event list
which of the 16 channels the MIDI message will be sent on
TYPE in event list
kind of MIDI message (ie. note)
PARAMETER in event list
ie. pitch class and octave (ie. C4)
VALUE in event list
velocity (loudness) of the note
Ticks
division of quarter note (how many ticks into the beat the onset of the note occurs)
