Classroom 1 Test Flashcards
Signal
the electrical representation of a sound, whether analog or digital
Signal Flow
the flow of information from source to destination
Output
Where the signal comes out, it becomes the input for the next stage when connected to another input
Mono
One signal
Stereo
Two signals
Input/Record Signal Path
Source, Microphone, Preamp, EQ/Comp, AD Converters, DAW/Recording Location
Output/Playback/Monitor Signal Path
DAW/Recording Location, DA Converters, EQ/Comp, Monitor Channel, Speakers
Mixing Console
The console has a signal running through it
DAW Controller
The controller controls a separate computer
Mixing In The Box
instant recall, automation recall, can be portable, often cheaper
Mixing with a Console
can sound better, faster to mix, impressive to clientele, remix requires engineer exclusively mixes
Automated Mixing
Writing settings into a DAW to change faders, move pan pots, alter plug-ins, mute/unmute, etc. that can be instantly and precisely recallable each time the user opens the session
Manual Mixing
The engineer moves every fader, pan pots, adjusts outboard gear, and mutes/unmutes, etc. by hand. The mix is never identical for each mixing session.
Channels (on a mixing board)
Rows of knobs and faders, where each row represents one signal path. Each channel usually contains a pre-amp, busses, aux sends, mute and solo buttons, and oftentimes an EQ. Can be a record and/or monitor path
Buss
a wire or path that carries combined signals to another location. Oftentimes summing busses/subs or submixers. Echo, stereo, solo, etc. are also all busses
Purposes of Summing Buss
used to combine signals (has a switch, it either goes or it doesn’t)
Purposes of Aux Sends
sending out to headphones (pre-fader) or effects (post-fader) - has a pot (knob) so you can alter how much is sent
Pre-Fader Aux Send
Oftentimes used as a headphone cue. When engaged as PFL, the output of the channel is not changed if the engineer changes a fader or solo/mute on their side of the monitor path.
Post-Fader Aux Send
Used for effects.the track level, adjustments, and solos/mutes will all be sent to the aux send, thereby altering the information sent to the effect
Serial Processing
affects the entire signal of a channel, typically using an insert (send/return) for EQ, and compression.
Daisy Chain
Run through more than one effect in a series
Parallel Processing
dry and effected signals are separate. Typically fed by post-fader aux sends/busses. Can be from multiple channels. Returns either through a spare channel or echo return function on console. Often used for time-based effects and compression
PFL (solo mode)
pre-fader listen. Listen to the signal before the fader. used to set gain structure or audition. mono
AFL (solo mode)
After fader listen. listen to the signal after the faders. used to hear the track at the level in the mix. mono
SIP (solo mode)
Solo In Place. mutes everything else while maintaining pan settings within the mix. stereo
Solo Safe
will leave track on regardless of other solos taking place. often used for FX/aux sends
Destructive Solo
SIP (mutes non soloed tracks)
Non-destructive solo
pass soloed tracks to a separate buss, preserving the mix in the main output path (PFL, AFL)
Pot
Potentiometer - a rotary knob
Fader
Linear adjustments
Monitor Cut
Mutes monitors
Monitor Dim
Turns down monitors
Latching Switch
stays on when you push it
Momentary Switch
only active while being pushed down
Transducer
a device that converts one form of energy to another
Amplifier
Boosts signal
Attenuator
decreases signal.
- pad = switch
- trim = pot, cuts
How are consoles identified?
40 x 24 x 4 x 32
Input x Subs x Outputs x Monitor Channels
Modular Console
made up of individual modules rather than all one unit, easier to repair because you can replace and fix parts separately.
Patch Bay Mults
a patch that allows you to wire parallel copies of the same signal to different locations
Oscillator
oftentimes a sine wav used for signal flow troubleshooting and linking and calibrating pro tools rigs. they are also oftentimes found in synths
Mute Group
a master switch that mutes all channels in a group
Channel Direct output
output of the channel fader
Track
an individual recording
Stem
the combination of tracks (all drums, all keys, all guitars, etc.)
Console Channel Signal Flow
- Mic/DI
- Preamp (can send to headphones/monitors PFL)
- EQ/Compressor (optional) and/or Insert Send/Return to outboard gear
- Fader (can also aux send to FX AFL)
- AD Converters
- DAW
- DA Converters
- EQ/Compressor (optional)
- Console Monitor Path (can also output buss routing)
- Speakers
Audio Pre-Production
Composition, arranging, planning, rehearsal, budgeting, etc.
Audio Production
micing, playing/improvising, recording, overdubbing, sampling, MIDI, processing, editing
Audio Post-Production
editing, mixing, choosing song order, mastering, stem creation, vinyl, archiving/backup
Distribution
physical and virtual release & sharing to market/audience, promotion, marketing, playlisting
Reproduction/Perception
Playback, room acoustics, hearing, listening
Half-Normaled
connection in a patch bay where a signal is automatically (internally) routed to a destination without patching cables, if that output is manually patched elsewhere, it does not disrupt the original destination, but sends a duplicate copy as the input to the next location
Full Normaled
connection in a patch bay where a signal is automatically (internally) routed to a destination without patching cables, if that output is manually patched elsewhere, it disrupts the original destination and only sends the output as the input to the next location
Non Normaled
all connections in a patch bay must be manually routed, nothing is automatic
Record Producer
&
Mastering Engineer
RP: guides and manages the creation of a record
&
ME: pro ears - puts final polish on a mix
