Vocab 2

Question 1

Attack

Answer 1

The first part of a sound envelope consisting of the amount of time it takes the sound to reach its peak volume from the time the key is pressed.

Question 2

MIDI

Answer 2

An acronym for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”. A protocol that allows the transfer and manipulation of musical data parameters among different capable devices. Some of these parameters include: velocity, pitch, tempo, panning, vibrato, and many more.

Question 3

MIDI controller

Answer 3

Hardware that can send and manipulate MIDI parameters of a performance by means of a physical key, knobs, sliders, and other input methods.

Question 4

ADC

Answer 4

Analog to Digital Converter

Question 5

Audio Interface

Answer 5

Hardware that converts a signal from analog to digital and digital to analog and transfers this digital information between a computer and the analog endpoint(s).

Question 6

Bounce

Answer 6

In digital, a verb meaning to combine audio from different tracks into one.

Question 7

Bit

Answer 7

A bit is the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. A bit can have only one of two values, and may therefore be physically implemented with a two-state device. These values are most commonly represented as either a 0 or 1.

Question 8

Bit Depth

Answer 8

A certain value for describing the resolution of the sound data (samples) that is to be captured and stored in an audio file.

Question 9

Bit Rate

Answer 9

1. In digital audio, a synonym for bit depth.

2. Describes the rate of data transfer.

Question 10

Codec

Answer 10

A computer program implementing an algorithm that compresses and decompresses digital audio data according to a given audio file or streaming media audio coding format.

Question 11

DAC

Answer 11

Digital to Analog Converter

Question 12

Decay

Answer 12

How quickly the sound drops to the sustain level after the initial peak.

Question 13

Delay

Answer 13

An audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.

Question 14

Dither

Answer 14

An intentionally applied form of noise used to randomize quantization error, preventing large-scale patterns such as color banding in images. Dither is routinely used in processing of both digital audio and video data, and is often one of the last stage of “mastering” audio to a CD.

Question 15

Envelope

Answer 15

This is made up of the attack, decay, sustain, and release of a sound. Especially in electronic sound design and synthesis.

Question 16

LFO

Answer 16

Low frequency oscillator.

Question 17

Oscillator

Answer 17

In synthesizer, oscillators produce the original sound, which is then fed through the rest of the signal path.

Question 18

Pop Filter

Answer 18

They reduce or eliminate sounds caused by the mechanical impact of fast moving air on the microphone during recorded speech and singing.

Question 19

Phantom Power

Answer 19

A means of distributing a DC current through audio cables to provide power for microphones and other equipment. The supplied voltage is usually between 12 and 48 Volts, with 48V being the most common.

Question 20

Release

Answer 20

The time it takes for a sound to fade after the key or input device is released. It is part of the sound envelope.

Question 21

Sample Rate

Answer 21

The number of samples of a sound that are taken per second to represent the event digitally.

Question 22

Signal Processing

Answer 22

The intentional alteration of auditory signals, or sound often through an audio effect or effects unit. As audio signal may be electronically represented in either digital or analog format, signal processing may occur in either.

Question 23

SM-57

Answer 23

A popular dynamic microphone made by Shure commonly used to record or reinforce loud instrumental sources like guitar amps and drums.

Question 24

SM-58

Answer 24

A popular dynamic microphone made by Shure commonly used for vocals because of the included pop filter.

Question 25

Sustain

Answer 25

The part of a sound envelope that begins when the attack and decay portions have run their course, and continues until the key is released. The sustain control is used to determine the level at which the envelope will remain. While the attack, decay, and release controls are rate or time controls, the sustain control is a level control.

Question 26

Synthesizer

Answer 26

An electronic musical instrument, typically operated by a keyboard, producing a wide variety of sounds by generating and combining signals of different frequencies.

Question 27

Track

Answer 27

An audio signal communications channel in a storage device.

Question 28

Tremelo

Answer 28

A wavering effect in a musical tone, typically produced by rapid reiteration of a note.

Question 29

TRS cable

Answer 29

TRS cables have two conductors plus a ground (shield). They are commonly used to connect balanced equipment.

Question 30

XLR cable

Answer 30

A style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins. They are most commonly associated with balanced audio interconnection.