Reference desk · A–Z

Glossary

The vocabulary of live sound spans acoustics, electronics, rigging, networking, and psychoacoustics. These definitions follow the archive’s historical context.

Microphone and acoustics terms are adapted, in our own words, from the DPA Microphones Mic Dictionary.

1

11.1.4Live sound: Format for immersive recording/reproduction, indicating 11 microphones/channels for the main layer, one channel for the low-frequency effect (LFE), and four upper layer channels for height information.
11.1.6Live sound: Format for immersive recording/reproduction, indicating 11 microphones/channels for the main layer, one channel for the low-frequency effect (LFE), and six upper layer channels for height information.
1st Order PatternLive sound: Standard microphone patterns like cardioid, supercardioid or figure-of-eight are known as first-order patterns.

3

3:1 RuleLive sound: Phase peaks and dips from the same sound source occur when panned to the same position at the same level, which will be the case using more than one microphone.
3D SoundLive sound: See Surround Sound.
3DoF/6DoFLive sound: Three or six Degrees of Freedom.

4

4FSKLive sound: Four Level Frequency Shift Keying.

5

5.1 Surround SoundLive sound: An audio format involving five channels of full bandwidth audio: center, left, right, left surround and right surround.

6

6.1Live sound: An alternative variation on 5.

7

7.1Live sound: An alternative variation on 5.
7.1.4Live sound: Format for immersive recording/reproduction, indicating seven microphones/channels for the main layer (Left, Center, Right, Left & Right Surround, Left & Right Rear Surround), one channel for the low-frequency effect (LFE), and four upper layer chann

9

9.1.4Live sound: Format for immersive recording/reproduction, indicating nine microphones/channels for the main layer (Left, Center, Right, Left & Right Wide Surround, Left & Right Surround, and Left & Right Rear Surround), one channel for the low-frequency effect (L

A

A-B testingLive sound: A comparative process where two different audio signals or setups are evaluated to see which one performs better.
A-DLive sound: The conversion of continuous analog audio waves into a series of digital data points.
A-filterLive sound: See A-weighting.
A-FormatLive sound: A four-channel raw output from a tetrahedral microphone array used in immersive audio recording.
A-weighted Sound Pressure LevelLive sound: Sound pressure level measured with an A-weighting function involved.
A-WeightingLive sound: A frequency filter that adjusts sound measurements to mimic the sensitivity of human hearing at lower volume levels.
A1, A2Live sound: In production for theatre: A1 is the person that makes the audio mix.
AACLive sound: Advanced Audio Coding.
ABC stereoLive sound: Term used for a three-microphone setup like the Decca tree (see this).
AbsorptionLive sound: The process by which a material captures sound energy and prevents it from reflecting back into a room.
Absorption CoefficientLive sound: (symbol: α) The practical unit between 0 (no absorption) and 1 (full absorption) expressing the absorbing properties of a material.
ABXLive sound: A method of comparing two versions – A and B.
AC-3Live sound: A multi-channel digital audio compression standard commonly used in cinema and DVD production.
AccelerometerLive sound: A transducer designed to pick up vibrations in solid constructions.
Acceptance AngleLive sound: The angle between points on a microphone’s polar response curve where the sound level drops by 3 dB compared to the on-axis level is called the acceptance angle of the microphone.
AccuracyLive sound: When measuring microphone data to be published, the standards specify an accuracy for the measurements to ensure trustworthy and comparable results.
Acousmatic (music)Live sound: The term acousmatic was adopted by French composer and musician Pierre Schaeffer, derived from the Greek word akousma/akousmatikoi, meaning “hearing” or “thing heard.
Acousmatic (sound)Live sound: The word acousmatic comes from the Greek word akousma/akousmatikoi, which referred to students of the philosopher Pythagoras who, according to the legend, had to listen to him give lectures from behind a veil or screen to help them focus better on hi
Acoustic BaffleLive sound: See Baffle .
Acoustic capacityLive sound: An expression that calculates the maximum number of people to have a conversation across tables (in a restaurant or similar place) without needing to raise their voices to be able to hear each other and perceive the speech: Room volume [m∧3] divided
Acoustic ecologyLive sound: Ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment.
Acoustic EqualizerLive sound: Acoustic equalizers or acoustic pressure equalizers (APEs) are sphere-shaped accessories designed for use with omnidirectional microphones.
Acoustic spaceLive sound: The profile of a sound over the landscape.
AcousticsLive sound: The branch of physics that studies sound waves and their behavior in physical spaces.
Acousto-mechanical pattern changingLive sound: A principle of controlling the directivity of a microphone by changing the admittance of sound to the back of a microphone diaphragm, for instance, switching from omnidirectional (only frontal sound, no sound entering the rear) to a cardioid (some so
Active AntennaLive sound: A wireless receiver antenna equipped with a built-in amplifier to compensate for cable signal loss.
Active DriveLive sound: Active drive is a technology implemented in microphone preamplifiers.
ActuatorLive sound: Electrostatic actuators are used to simulate the pressure response of condenser microphones.
ADCLive sound: An electronic device that translates analog sound voltages into digital signals for processing.
ADPCMLive sound: Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (see this).
AESLive sound: Audio Engineering Society (see this).
AES/EBULive sound: A standard professional interface for transmitting two channels of digital audio over a single balanced cable.
AES67Live sound: AES67 is a technical standard for audio over IP (AoIP) and audio over Ethernet (AoE) interoperability.
AFMLive sound: Audio FM (see this).
AgingLive sound: Aging is a process that microphones or microphone materials may undergo to stabilize or release mechanical tensions that else might influence the performance over time.
AIFFLive sound: A high-quality, uncompressed audio file format originally developed by Apple.
Alias (theatre console)Live sound: A reusable, updatable set of processing settings, such as the EQ for a character's hat, that can be recalled in any cue; refinements made in one cue carry over to every other use.
AmbienceLive sound: Spatial effect, notably mixing of remotely placed microphones in order to include the atmosphere of the room on the recording.
Ambient NoiseLive sound: The noise level associated with a location in the absence of foreign excitation.
AmbisonicsLive sound: A surround sound technique that captures audio from all directions to create a full sphere of sound.
AmpereLive sound: A unit for electrical current.
AmplitudeLive sound: The physical magnitude of a sound wave, which determines its perceived loudness.
Amplitude Modulation (AM)Live sound: Transfer of information by the variation of the amplitude of a carrier wave.
AnalogLive sound: An audio signal represented by a continuous electrical voltage that varies in sync with sound pressure.
Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)Live sound: A circuit that converts an analog signal to a digital signal.
Analysis Of Variance, ANOVALive sound: A test for data, such as listening test results, assesses whether the means of two or more groups are equal by comparing the variance between group means to the variance within groups.
Anchor ElementLive sound: The perceptual loudness reference point or element around which other elements are balanced in producing the final mix of the content.
Anechoic ChamberLive sound: A specialized room designed to absorb all sound reflections, creating a completely echo-free environment.
Antenna DiversityLive sound: A system using multiple antennas to improve the reliability of wireless audio signals and prevent dropouts.
Antenna LengthLive sound: In wireless audio: The physical length of an antenna is strongly related to the wavelength of the radio wave.
AnthrophonyLive sound: A term used in the soundscape definition of sound sources.
Anti-aliasingLive sound: In digital audio: Low-pass filter for the removal of frequencies that otherwise would create "alias" frequencies that were not present in the signal originally.
AoIPLive sound: Audio over Internet Protocol - term for Audio in IP-based networks.
APT-XLive sound: Proprietary audio codec, provides bitcompression scheme often applied to Digital Cinema, Bluetooth and other wireless applications, like wireless microphones.
Array MicrophonesLive sound: Multiple microphones (from two to hundreds) arranged to obtain directionality, either by direct summing of all microphone's signals or by adding signal processing to the summation process.
Artificial mouthLive sound: An acoustic device, containing a small loudspeaker and a cavity to simulate the oral organ.
ASIOLive sound: A driver protocol that enables audio software to communicate directly with hardware for minimal latency.
ASKLive sound: Amplitude Shift Keying.
Asynchronous Sample Rate ConverterLive sound: When two (digital) devices cannot be synchronized (for example, a CD player with a mixer) even a small deviation between the clock frequencies of the two devices will cause occasional glitches due to the accumulation of shortages or excesses.
ATRLive sound: Audio Tape Recorder.
ATRACLive sound: Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding.
ATSCLive sound: Advanced Television Systems Committee.
AttackLive sound: The initial portion of a sound wave or the time a processor takes to react to a signal.
AttenuateLive sound: To reduce the strength or volume level of an electronic audio signal.
AttenuatorLive sound: A device used to control the level of an electrical signal.
Audibility ThresholdLive sound: The sound pressure level, for a specified frequency, at which people with normal hearing begin to respond.
AudioLive sound: That part of sound technology that concerns itself with the recording and reproduction of sound.
Audio BridgeLive sound: Dialogue or sound effects in one scene that continues over into a new shot.
Audio Engineering SocietyLive sound: A society for audio professionals.
Audio FM (AFM)Live sound: Designation for a video recorder's frequency-modulated sound track.
Audio FrequencyLive sound: The range of sound vibrations detectable by the human ear, typically from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF)Live sound: An uncompressed audio format developed by Apple.
Audio objectLive sound: A signal accompanied by metadata describing how it should be positioned or rendered, rather than assigned only to a fixed output channel.
Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO)Live sound: ASIO is a PC sound card driver protocol for digital audio.
Auditory FatigueLive sound: A reduction in the sensitivity of the human auditory system caused by prolonged exposure to sound.
Augmented Reality (AR)Live sound: An additional layer on top of reality; the physical world mixed with virtual elements.
Aural spaceLive sound: The space on any graph that results from a plotting of the various dimensions of sound against one another.
AutolocateLive sound: Facility on a tape unit's transport system.
Automatic Gain Control (AGC)Live sound: Method by which the amplification in a circuit is controlled by the input voltage or another parameter.
AUXLive sound: An auxiliary signal path on a mixer used to send audio to external effects or monitor mixes.
AVBLive sound: Audio Video Bridging.
AzimuthLive sound: The horizontal angle of a sound source relative to a listener or the alignment of a magnetic tape head.

B

B-format (microphones)Live sound: A recording format virtually based on three orthogonally-oriented figure 8 microphones (X, Y, Z) and one omnidirectional microphone (W).
Back Lobe (Back Lobe Shape)Live sound: An expression related to the directivity pattern of antennas and microphones.
Background SoundsLive sound: Sounds at a level that is low, relative to the foreground sounds, which are incidental, or which are not required for understanding or appreciation of the program.
BacklineLive sound: In sound reinforcement, usually an expression for the audio equipment (behind the artists) on a concert stage.
BaffleLive sound: 1. A movable barrier used in the recording studio to achieve separation of signals from different sources (sometimes called “gobo”).
BalanceLive sound: A spatial descriptor in audio assessment.
Balanced and Unbalanced LinesLive sound: Balanced line is a transmission line consisting of two conductors of the same type and equal impedance to ground and other circuits.
Balanced lineLive sound: A two-conductor signal connection that rejects noise common to both conductors at the receiving input.
Band-pass FilterLive sound: See Filter, Band-pass.
Bandwidth (-3 dB)Live sound: The spacing between the frequencies at which a response attenuates by 3 dB.
BASLive sound: Abbreviation for Broadcast Auxiliary Service.
Bass DepthLive sound: A timbre descriptor (bass range) in audio assessment.
Bass ManagementLive sound: A circuit that utilizes the subwoofer in a 5.
Bass PrecisionLive sound: A dynamics descriptor, a parameter for listening tests.
Bass StrengthLive sound: A timbre descriptor (bass range) in audio assessment.
BatchLive sound: The number of sound or video media produced in the same fabrication process.
BCDLive sound: Binary Coded Decimal.
Beam steeringLive sound: Electronic control of an array’s radiation direction through calculated phase, delay, and amplitude differences among elements.
BeamformingLive sound: Generating specific directional characteristics based on the combination of signals for microphones in a microphone array (see this).
BedLive sound: An expression used with immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos: A multichannel mix bus or audio stream with a fixed channel configuration (unlike objects, which are not created from a fixed number of channels).
Bel, BLive sound: Relative logarithmic unit for the measurement of sound levels.
Belt PackLive sound: A compact wireless transmitter for lavalier microphones.
BFLLive sound: Abbreviation for Broadcast Fiber Link.
BiasLive sound: 1: In magnetic recording: A high-frequency, alternating current (typically 100 kHz) that is added to the recording head in a tape recorder together with the sound signal.
Bidirectional MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone with a polar pattern like the figure-of-eight.
Bimorph ElementLive sound: Piezoelectric microphones are built on the principle of voltage generated by the flexing of piezo crystals.
BinaryLive sound: Number system that only contains two digits.
Binaural RecordingLive sound: Stereo recording using either an artificial head with built-in microphones or a real person with small microphones in – or close to – the ear canals.
BiophonyLive sound: A term used in the soundscape definition of sound sources.
Biphase ModulationLive sound: A form of modulation that, among other things, is used by the AES/ EBU interface and time code.
BitLive sound: Smallest unit in digital technology, with a value of either 0 or 1.
Bit CompandingLive sound: A technique for digital audio via which greater contrast can be obtained for a given number of bits.
Bit rateLive sound: A measurement of how many bits of data are recorded or streamed per second.
Bit ReductionLive sound: As linear quantization can result in a larger number of bits per second than there is room for in a transmission channel or on a storage medium, the number of bits is reduced, preferably in a manner so that it cannot be heard in the audio signal.
Bit resolutionLive sound: The number of bits per sample, sometimes called word length.
Bit Stream ConverterLive sound: See Delta-Sigma Converter.
Blast ShieldLive sound: Protective tool to place in front of a microphone to avoid excessive air blows to reach the microphone diaphragm.
BlimpLive sound: Due to its shape, a windshield for long microphones like shotguns is often called blimp or zeppelin.
BLMLive sound: See Boundary Layer Microphone.
Blu-RayLive sound: An optical disc with the exact dimensions of a CD and DVD.
BluetoothLive sound: A wireless data network (WPAN, Wireless Personal Area Network).
BlumleinLive sound: Microphone configuration named after the inventor Alan Dower Blumlein (1903-1942).
BNCLive sound: The BNC connector is a bayonet-locking type for two-conductor coaxial cable, introduced in the late 1940s.
Body PackLive sound: See Belt Pack.
BoomLive sound: A long handheld pole for microphones, often used in film production.
BoomyLive sound: A timbre descriptor (bass range) in audio assessment.
BounceLive sound: Transfer of several audio tracks to a new one (typically mono or stereo).
Boundary Layer MicrophonesLive sound: Microphones placed directly on the surface of a large boundary (like a table- or wall surface).
BoxyLive sound: A timbre descriptor (bass range) in audio assessment.
Breathy VoiceLive sound: The result of a widened glottis with excessive airflow that produces air turbulence.
BrillianceLive sound: A timbre descriptor (treble range) in audio equipment assessment: Treble or high frequency extension.
BroadbandLive sound: See Wideband.
BS.1770Live sound: Formally ITU-R BS.
BubblingLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment: Sound or noise with fast (<1 sec.
BusLive sound: A common set of conductors where many signals are gathered, for example in a mixer console.
BuzzingLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment: A zzz-like, undesirable sound typically in the low and midrange frequencies.
ByteLive sound: Data word, consisting of a number of bits, normally 8.

C

c/nLive sound: In wireless transmission: Carrier to Noise Ratio.
CalibrationLive sound: The process of measuring to determine the accuracy of the measurement chain.
Calibrator, AcousticLive sound: A device that produces a known sound pressure on a microphone in a sound level measurement system.
CamcorderLive sound: A contraction of the words camera and recorder; the recording medium and the camera are built together as a unit.
CannyLive sound: A timbre descriptor (bass range) in audio assessment.
CapacitanceLive sound: Capacitance is the ability of a component or circuit to collect and store energy in the form of an electrical charge.
CapacitorLive sound: A capacitor is an energy-storing device.
Capacitor MicrophoneLive sound: See Condenser Microphone.
Carbon MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone element that consists of two metal plates separated by granules of carbon.
Cardioid MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone with a unidirectional characteristic that picks up sound in the front.
CarrierLive sound: A waveform (typically a sine wave) whose frequency or amplitude is modulated by a signal.
CartridgeLive sound: Special tape cassette with 1/4-inch tape earlier used for jingles, ads, etc.
Cat #Live sound: Category of cables for Ethernet.
Cavity couplerLive sound: To determine the pressure sensitivity of a microphone, a rigid cavity is used to couple the sound source to the microphone.
CCIRLive sound: Comité Consultatif International pour la Radio (Consultative Committee on International Radio).
CD qualityLive sound: A term used to describe 16-bit digital audio recorded at 44.
CELPLive sound: Abbreviation for Code-Excited Linear Prediction.
Center FrequencyLive sound: The arithmetic center of a constant bandwidth filter or the geometric center (midpoint on a logarithmic scale) of a constant percentage bandwidth filter.
Ceramic microphoneLive sound: See crystal microphone.
Channel LayoutLive sound: Channel layout is how the tracks/stems/groups/objects are organized in the mixing console, the DAW, or the media used for storage or reproduction.
Channel PackingLive sound: In wireless transmission: Methods to maximize the number of channels available within a given bandwidth of the radio wave spectrum, for instance, within the bandwidth of one designated tv-channel.
Channel SeparationLive sound: The attenuation of one channel appearing in neighboring channels.
Channel SpacingLive sound: In wireless transmission: The distance in frequency between each channel in a group of channels in a frequency band.
Channel WidthLive sound: In wireless transmission: The RF-frequency span for a modulated channel.
Charge (Microphones)Live sound: An electric potential between back electrode and diaphragm that makes condenser microphones work.
Chest VoiceLive sound: A term used within vocal music, especially in classical singing.
ClarityLive sound: A transparency descriptor in audio assessment.
CleanLive sound: A transparency descriptor in audio assessment.
Clean SoundLive sound: Atmospheric sound.
ClippedLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment.
ClippingLive sound: Audio distortion that occurs when a signal level exceeds the maximum capacity of an amplifier or digital system.
Close-mikingLive sound: Placement of a microphone near a sound source, thus effectively eliminating all but the direct sound from the source.
Close-talking microphoneLive sound: Microphone for use at a distance of approximately 25 mm from the source of sound.
Close-talking sensitivityLive sound: The sensitivity of a microphone when measured in a short distance from the sound source, which in this case is an artificial mouth.
Cocktail party effectLive sound: The cocktail party effect refers to people's ability to focus on a single talking person or conversation in noisy environments.
Code-Excited Linear Prediction, CELPLive sound: This is a linear predictive speech coding algorithm, developed in 1985.
CoherenceLive sound: A statistical indicator of confidence in a transfer-function measurement at each frequency.
Coincidence StereoLive sound: Stereo techniques that use microphone capsules placed close together, in principle at the same point, i.
Coincident MicrophoneLive sound: Microphones are said to be coincident when two (or more) capsules are configured or mounted to receive the sound simultaneously.
ColorationLive sound: Non-uniformity in off-axis frequency responses resulting in a distortion of the tonal quality of the source.
Comb FilterLive sound: A distortion produced by combining an electrical or acoustical signal with a delayed replica of itself.
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)Live sound: When using balanced lines, the induced electromagnetic noise is rejected due to the common mode, the fact that the impedance is exactly the same between each leader and ground (pin 2 to 1 and 3 to 1 in a 3-pin XLR connector).
Compact Cassette, CCLive sound: Registered name for the cassette developed by Philips with a 3.
CompanderLive sound: A contraction of compressor and expander.
Complex toneLive sound: A tone that consists of more than a single frequency.
Component FrequencyLive sound: Another term for harmonic or partial.
CompressedLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment.
CompressionLive sound: Reduction of the dynamic range of recorded audio.
Compression driverLive sound: A high-efficiency driver whose diaphragm feeds a smaller exit through a phase plug before entering a horn.
CompressorLive sound: A device or a plug-in that provides reduction of the dynamic range of recorded audio.
Condenser MicrophoneLive sound: A type of microphone that uses a capacitor to convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.
Conductance (G)Live sound: The ability of a material to conduct electricity.
ConsonantLive sound: 1. In phonetics, a speech sound that is articulated with a complete or partial closure of the vocal tract (contrary to vowels).
Constant-voltage lineLive sound: A transformer-coupled distribution method—commonly 70 V or 100 V—that carries audio to many distant loudspeakers.
Contact MicrophoneLive sound: A transducer that is mounted directly on the body of the musical instrument and picks up the mechanical vibrations of that instrument instead of the acoustical sound.
Convolution ReverbLive sound: Convolution reverb is a software-based process used for digitally simulating the reverberation of a physical or virtual space.
Core AudioLive sound: Core Audio is a driver protocol for digital audio in Apple's Mac OS X and IOS operating systems.
Corner FrequencyLive sound: Transition frequency of a filter.
CoulombLive sound: The unit of a coulomb is electric charge, and it is the standard unit for this quantity in the International System of Units (SI).
Creaky VoiceLive sound: A perceptual result of subharmonic or chaotic patterns in the glottal waveform; if a subharmonic is below about 70 Hz, creaky voice may be perceived as pulse register.
Crest FactorLive sound: The term used to represent the ratio of the peak (crest) value to the RMS value of a waveform.
Critical BandLive sound: In human hearing, only those frequency components within a narrow band, called the critical band, will mask a given tone.
Critical DistanceLive sound: The distance from a sound source in a room at which the direct sound and the diffuse, reflected sound has the same level.
Cross FadeLive sound: The process of gradually fading from one audio source to another.
CrossoverLive sound: A filter network that divides the audio spectrum into bands for different loudspeaker sections.
Crossover FrequencyLive sound: In a loudspeaker with multiple radiators, the crossover frequency is the -3 dB point of the network dividing the signal energy.
CrosstalkLive sound: Unwanted signal leakage between adjacent channels in a piece of audio equipment.
Crystal MicrophoneLive sound: Crystals which exhibit the piezoelectric effect (see this) create voltages when they are deformed.
CueLive sound: Audio or visual information that concerns timing or synchronization.
Cue WheelLive sound: Control button for use with slow forwards and backwards winding with cueing.
CuppingLive sound: Holding one or two hands around the grid of a vocal microphone.
CurbingLive sound: Term used in CVT (Complete Vocal Technique): Curbing is the half-metallic mode, meaning there is some metal in the notes.
CutoffLive sound: The cutoff frequency of a filter.
Cycles per Second (CPS or C/S)Live sound: Formerly used for the quantification of frequency, Hz.

D

D-ALive sound: Digital-Analog (digital to analog).
D-subLive sound: A plug type that can be used, among other things, for the transfer of digital signals.
DACLive sound: See Digital-to-Analog Converter.
Damped wavesLive sound: A wave in which the amplitude decreases over time (contrary to continuous wave).
DampingLive sound: The reduction of vibrations or resonance in a physical system or acoustic space.
Damping materialLive sound: A material that absorbs, reduces or disperses sound waves to control reverberation.
Dante®Live sound: Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet / AoE / AoIP.
Dark - BrightLive sound: A timbral balance descriptor in audio assessment.
DATLive sound: Digital Audio Tape (-recorder).
DAWLive sound: Digital Audio Workstation, see this.
dB(A) or dBALive sound: An acoustic measurement where an A-weighting band-pass filter is inserted in the measurement chain.
dB(C) or dBCLive sound: An acoustic measurement where a C-weighting band-pass filter is inserted in the measurement chain.
dBFSLive sound: Decibels, relative to full-scale sine wave (per AES17).
dBmLive sound: Logarithmic relation with a reference of 1 mW/600 Ω.
dBrLive sound: An abbreviation for decibels, relative.
dBTPLive sound: Decibels, true-peak relative to full scale (per ITU-R BS.
dBuLive sound: Logarithmic ratio with a reference of 0.
dBVLive sound: Logarithmic ratio with a reference of 1 V.
DC CouplingLive sound: The connection of a signal from one circuit to another in a manner that allows both AC and DC components to pass.
DC OffsetLive sound: The change in input voltage required to produce zero output voltage when no signal is applied to a device.
De-clippingLive sound: An algorithm designed to reconstruct audio signals which exhibit clipped waveforms.
De-esserLive sound: Signal processing to reduce excess sibilance, typically in vocal recordings.
DecadeLive sound: Ten times any quantity or frequency range.
Decay RateLive sound: A measure of the decay of acoustical signals, expressed as a slope in dB/second.
Decca treeLive sound: A stereo microphone technique developed by Roy Wallace and Arthur Haddy at Decca Studios in London in the 1950s, most used for orchestral recordings.
Decibel (dB)Live sound: A logarithmic unit used to measure the relative intensity or power of an audio signal.
Decibel ScaleLive sound: A linear numbering scale used to define a logarithmic amplitude scale, thereby compressing a wide range of amplitude values to a small set of numbers.
DecimationLive sound: Suitable restructuring of data, for example swapping bandwidth (sampling frequency) for bit depth.
DECTLive sound: Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.
DelayLive sound: An audio effect that records an input signal and plays it back after a specified period.
Delay towerLive sound: A remote loudspeaker position time-aligned to the main system so distant listeners receive clearer sound at lower overall level.
Delta-Sigma ConverterLive sound: Serial conversion at a high sampling frequency, where each bit specifies whether the current value of the signal is higher or lower than the prior one.
DepthLive sound: A spatial descriptor in audio assessment.
DetailedLive sound: A transparency descriptor in audio assessment.
DHCPLive sound: See Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
Dialog LevelLive sound: 1: In audio/AV production: The loudness, in LKFS units, of the anchor element (see this).
DialogueLive sound: Recording of the spoken voice for film.
Dialogue MatchingLive sound: In film, dialogue matching is a process to make secondary recordings of dialog (from lavaliers, plant mics, a dubbing studio, etc.
DiaphragmLive sound: The thin membrane in a microphone or speaker that vibrates in response to sound waves.
Difference Frequency DistortionLive sound: Difference frequency distortion considers only the difference terms of intermodulation distortion.
DiffractionLive sound: The distortion of a wave front caused by the presence of an obstacle in the sound field.
Diffuse Field ResponseLive sound: The diffuse field response is significantly different from the on-axis response and shows the microphone's tonal qualities when placed in a highly-reverberant environment with a large distance to the sound sources.
Diffuse SoundLive sound: Sound that is completely random in phase; sound which appears to have no single source or direction.
DiffuserLive sound: A device that provides scattering when sound hits the surface.
DigitalLive sound: Concerning a state wherein an electrical signal has been converted to a series of impulses according to a specific code.
Digital Audio Workstation, DAWLive sound: The DAW was initially a dedicated computer-based system for recording, editing, and mixing audio.
Digital eXtreme Definition (DXD)Live sound: Most DSD (Direct Stream Digital, - for Super Audio CD) content is generated from a DXD master.
Digital Multiplex (DMX)Live sound: A standard protocol for digital communication to remotely control intelligent lighting fixtures.
Digital snakeLive sound: For PA/SR systems, the bus cable carrying digital audio signals between stage microphones and the mixer in the concert hall/venue.
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)Live sound: The device that recreates an analog signal after being represented by digital values.
DIOLive sound: Digital In/Out; digital input and output
Dipole MicrophoneLive sound: See Bidirectional Microphone.
Direct radiatorLive sound: A loudspeaker where the sound shoots directly from the front of the cabinet, as the vast majority of studio monitors.
Direct SoundLive sound: In acoustics, sound radiated from a sound source and not affected by reflections.
Direct Stream Digital (DSD)Live sound: DSD is a digital format that provides a high-resolution signal but works differently from the Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) system.
Direction of Arrival, DOALive sound: Direction of Arrival applies predominantly to array microphones, where the DOA parameter is derived from the output of multiple microphones to estimate the direction of the sound source, for instance, to control the direction of a camera.
Directional CharacteristicsLive sound: Measure of the response of a microphone to sound incident from various angles or of the radiation pattern of a loudspeaker.
Directional PatternLive sound: See Directional Characteristics.
Directivity Factor (DF)Live sound: The directivity factor (DF or Q) refers to the ratio of the energy picked up on-axis to the energy picked up in all directions.
Directivity Index (DI)Live sound: Directivity factor expressed in dB (10*log(directivity factor)).
Directivity PatternLive sound: See Directional Characteristics.
DissolveLive sound: Mixing (of images).
DistanceLive sound: A localization descriptor in audio assessment.
Distance Double LawLive sound: When you double the distance from a point source, the sound pressure is halved (reduced by 6 dB).
Distance Factor (DSF)Live sound: A microphone's distance factor (DSF or Q) roughly describes how far away one can position a directional microphone compared to an omnidirectional microphone to maintain the direct-to-diffuse field ratio.
DistortedLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment.
DistortionLive sound: Any unwanted change in the original waveform of an audio signal.
Distortion FactorLive sound: Percentage measure for harmonic distortion, for example, k3 = 3% means that the third harmonic overtone is 3% of the fundamental tone.
Distortion, HarmonicLive sound: Changing the harmonic content of a signal by passing it through a non-linear device.
Distribution AmplifierLive sound: Amplifier that can distribute a signal to multiple inputs without the signal source becoming overloaded.
DitherLive sound: Noise added to a signal in the digital domain when reducing bit depth.
DiversityLive sound: True Diversity or Receiver Switching: In wireless microphone transmission, the principle that one receiver contains two separate antennas and two separate receiver circuits.
DMELive sound: Abbreviation for Dialog, Music and Effects, the three main components (stems) applied in audio for film.
DMXLive sound: Abbreviation for Digital Multiplex.
Dolby ELive sound: An audio data-rate reduction technology designed for use in contribution and distribution that also conveys Dolby E metadata.
Dolby® Digital TMLive sound: A lossy encoding scheme developed by Dolby Laboratories which greatly reduces the size of digital audio data by discarding information that, in theory, cannot be perceived.
Doppler Effect (Doppler Shift)Live sound: The apparent upward shift in frequency of a sound as a noise source approaches the listener or the apparent downward shift when the noise source recedes (e.
Double MS recordingLive sound: Where standard MS recording involves one cardioid microphone (pointing forward) and one figure-of-eight (pointing sideward), the double MS recording also includes a cardioid microphone pointing backward.
DownmixLive sound: To automatically extract a stereo or mono mix from a higher-order immersive format system like 5.
DRCLive sound: Dynamic range control.
DRC ProfileLive sound: A collection of parameters that describe how dynamic range control metadata is calculated.
Drop-outLive sound: Short-duration loss of the signal on a tape due to faults in the tape's magnetic coating.
DSBLive sound: Digital satellite broadcasting.
DSDLive sound: See Direct Stream Digital.
DSPLive sound: Digital signal processor.
DTSLive sound: Digital Theater Systems.
DTS HD Master AudioLive sound: DTS-HD MA (known as DTS++ before 2004) is a multi-channel, lossless audio codec developed by DTS as an extension of the lossy DTS Coherent Acoustics codec (DTS CA; usually itself referred to as just DTS).
DTS:X / DTS:X ProLive sound: DTS:X is an object-based surround sound technology that is a successor to DTS HD and a rival to Dolby Atmos.
DuckingLive sound: Automatic compression, for example when a speaker's insert dims the music signal.
Durability FactorsLive sound: Important set of features for microphones.
DVDLive sound: Abbreviation for digital versatile disc or digital video disc.
DVD-AudioLive sound: A specialized type of DVD where most of the available storage space is dedicated to digital audio (as opposed to digital video) data, allowing for very high-fidelity sound.
DVD-VideoLive sound: The most common type of DVD.
DXDLive sound: See Digital eXtreme Definition.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)Live sound: Dynamic Microphone Dynamic Range
Dynamic MicrophoneLive sound: A rugged microphone that uses electromagnetic induction to convert sound into electricity.
Dynamic RangeLive sound: Range between the quietest and loudest levels a device can produce or detect.

E

EarconographyLive sound: A word created as an audio parallel to the visually based icon/iconography.
Early Decay Time (EDT)Live sound: In room acoustics, the first 10 dB of the decay after the sound has stopped.
EarthLive sound: Another term for Ground (see this).
EarwitnessLive sound: One who testifies or can testify to what he or she has heard.
EBSLive sound: A microphone setup developed by Eberhard Sengpiel of the Berlin University of the Arts.
EBULive sound: European Broadcasting Union.
EchoLive sound: Sound impulse arising from a reflection with such a strength and time delay after the direct sound that it is perceived as a repetition of it.
Edge TrackLive sound: Designation for the longitudinal (sound) tracks of a video tape, since these are located on the edge of the tape.
EDTLive sound: Early Decay Time (see this).
Effective Frequency RangeLive sound: The frequency range at which the microphone does not deviate by more than a specific amount from the ideal/tailored response curve, i.
EFMLive sound: Eight-to-fourteen modulation.
EFPLive sound: Electronic Field Production.
EIAJLive sound: Electronic Industry Association of Japan.
Eigen MikeLive sound: An array microphone that Meyer and Agnello developed in 2003.
EigentoneLive sound: (From German). 1.
EINLive sound: Abbreviation for Equivalent Input Noise.
Electret MicrophoneLive sound: A condenser microphone with a permanently charged membrane/back electrode.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)Live sound: An electronic or electrical product like a microphone must work as intended in its environment.
EMCLive sound: Electromagnetic Compatibility (see this).
EmphasisLive sound: A technique often used in analog transmission systems (wireless microphones, FM broadcast, etc.
EncodeLive sound: The process of converting information (signal) into a coded form.
EncryptionLive sound: A method used to encode signals (i.
End-Addressed MicrophoneLive sound: If placing the microphone capsule at one end of a tube-shaped housing, the on-axis direction is in line with the tube.
EnvelopmentLive sound: A spatial descriptor in audio assessment.
Equal Loudness ContourLive sound: A contour representing a constant loudness for all audible frequencies.
Equalizer, GraphicLive sound: Electronic equipment for "equalizing.
Equalizer, ParametricLive sound: Electronic equipment for "equalizing".
EqualizingLive sound: 1. The process that consists of modifying the frequency balance in the amplifier chain for the purpose of obtaining a flat frequency response, minimizing noise or achieving an artistic effect.
Equivalent Input Noise, EINLive sound: In a microphone preamp, it is the noise at the output minus the gain.
Equivalent Noise LevelLive sound: The equivalent noise level states the self-noise of the microphone either as an A-weighted RMS-level or as an ITU-weighted peak-level.
EthernetLive sound: A computer network technology used in Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN).
ETSILive sound: European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
ExpanderLive sound: 1. Electronic equipment in which the output signal's dynamic range is increased in relation to that of the input signal.

F

F/XLive sound: See Special Effects.
FadeLive sound: A gradual change in the intensity of a sound.
Far End AudioLive sound: A term usually applied to networked audio.
Far FieldLive sound: A region in free space at a much greater distance from a sound source than the linear dimensions of the source itself where the sound pressure decreases according to the inverse-square law (the sound pressure level decreases 6 dB with each doubling o
Far-field microphoneLive sound: Microphone for use mainly at a distance of 1 m or more from the source of sound.
Farad, FLive sound: Farad is the SI-derived unit of electrical capacitance; the ability of a body to store an electrical charge.
FFTLive sound: Fast Fourier Transform.
File-based Scaling DeviceLive sound: A device used to apply an overall gain correction to audio content stored as files.
FilterLive sound: An electronic circuit or software process that removes specific frequencies from an audio signal.
Filter, Band PassLive sound: A filter that passes all frequencies between a low-frequency cut-off point and a high-frequency cut-off point.
Filter, High-boostLive sound: A filter that amplifies frequencies above a specific frequency.
Filter, High-cutLive sound: A filter that attenuates frequencies above a specific cutoff frequency.
Filter, High-passLive sound: A filter that passes all frequencies above a cutoff frequency but attenuates low-frequency components.
Filter, Low-cutLive sound: A filter that cuts off low-frequency signals below the cutoff frequency with a certain attenuation (roll off).
Filter, Low-passLive sound: A filter that passes all frequencies below a cut-off frequency.
Filter, NotchLive sound: Narrow-band filter with very strong attenuation in a very narrow frequency range.
Filter, OctaveLive sound: Filter with a bandwidth of an octave.
Filter, ShelvingLive sound: A type of filter that gives constant amplification or attenuation from the corner frequency.
Filter, Third-octaveLive sound: A filter whose upper-to-lower pass band limits bear a ratio of 2 1/3, which corresponds to 23% of the center frequency.
FireWireLive sound: FireWire is a digital interface connection standard intended for peripheral devices.
First-Order PatternLive sound: See 1st Order Pattern.
FlangingLive sound: Sound effect based upon the direct signal mixed together with itself using varying time delays.
Floating Point recordingLive sound: A technology where the converter's dynamic range automatically adapts to the level of the input signal.
Fluctuating / IntermittentLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment.
Fold BackLive sound: The musicians on the scene have a need to be able to hear themselves and the others musicians in a quite specific manner.
Fold downLive sound: See Downmix.
Foreground SoundsLive sound: Sounds that are required or appreciation of the program.
FormantLive sound: Voice: A resonance in the vocal tract.
Formant BandwidthLive sound: The difference in frequency between the two half-power points (i.
Formant TuningLive sound: In talking/singing: A boosting of vocal intensity when F0 (the fundamental frequency of the voice) or one of its harmonics coincides precisely with the formant frequency.
Forwarding and Queuing for Time-Sensitive Streams (FQTSS)Live sound: A term that applies to the AVB (Audio Video Bridging) interface standard.
Free FieldLive sound: An environment in which there are no reflective surfaces within the frequency region of interest and the sound is isotropic and homogenous.
Free-field Voltage SensitivityLive sound: The ratio of the output open-circuit voltage of a microphone to the free-field sound pressure in an undisturbed plane progressive wave.
FrequencyLive sound: The number of cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz) or 1000 Hz=kHz.
Frequency BandLive sound: A limited frequency range.
Frequency RangeLive sound: The frequency range is also called the microphone "bandwidth".
Frequency ResponseLive sound: The frequency response of a microphone is the characteristic graph obtained by recording the level in dB of the output signal of the microphone, while the microphone is exposed to a certain acoustic field of pure sinusoidal tones with equal intensity
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)Live sound: In digital (radio) transmission, a method for modulating a digital signal onto an analog carrier.
Frequency WeightingLive sound: Modification of the frequency spectrum of a signal by means of a filter with a conventional characteristic known as A, B, C or D, RLB, CCIR/ITU, etc.
FricativeLive sound: A fricative is a consonant sound that is made when you squeeze air through a small hole or gap in your mouth.
FricativesLive sound: Speech sounds produced by turbulence in a constriction of the vocal tract, such as an "s" produced with the teeth.
FSKLive sound: Frequency Shift Keying (see this).
Fukada TreeLive sound: The Fukada Tree is designed by the Japanese audio engineer Akira Fukada in 1997.
FullLive sound: A timbral balance descriptor in audio assessment.
Fundamental FrequencyLive sound: The lowest frequency of a vibrating system.

G

GafferLive sound: In film production: The chief or head electrician or supervisory lighting technician in the film/photography crew on a movie set.
GainLive sound: The amount of amplification applied to a signal at the input stage of a device.
Gain before feedbackLive sound: The maximum useful system gain available before an acoustic feedback loop becomes unstable.
Gain StructureLive sound: The signal levels at different stages of a mixing console or a chain of audio devices.
GateLive sound: See Noise Gate.
GatewayLive sound: A gateway is a piece of networking hardware or software used, for instance, in networks for wireless microphone transmission, allowing data to flow from one discrete network to another.
GearLive sound: Encompasses all equipment.
GeophonyLive sound: A term used in the soundscape definition of sound sources.
Giga (G)Live sound: SI prefix giga (10^9) like in Ω (gigaohms).
GlitchLive sound: When a bit is skipped, it can lead to a little "crack" in the sound.
Glottal StopLive sound: A transient sound caused by the sudden onset or offset of phonation.
GlottisLive sound: The airspace between the vocal folds.
GooseneckLive sound: A flexible boom for microphones.
GPILive sound: General Purpose Interface.
Gradient MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone where the directivity is determined by the difference (gradient) between frontal and rear input to the membrane.
Granular SynthesisLive sound: A technique of assembling (small) segments of recorded sounds – called grains – into new sounds.
Graphic EqualizerLive sound: See Equalizer, Graphic.
GroundLive sound: In electrical engineering (and audio engineering), “ground” or “earth” is the reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured, a common return path for electric current or a direct physical connection to the earth (via a con
Groundplane AntennaLive sound: A antenna with one director, vertical quarter-wave element, and three reflectors at 120°.
Group delayLive sound: Digital processing takes time.

H

Haas EffectLive sound: Also called the precedence effect or principle of first arrival.
Half-power FrequenciesLive sound: The two frequencies on opposite sides of a resonant peak (or pass-band) where the power transmitted by a filter is half of its value at the peak (-3 dB re the top of the resonant peak).
Hamasaki SquareLive sound: Microphone array designed by the Japanese sound engineer Kimio Hamasaki.
Handling NoiseLive sound: The sensitivity of a microphone to movement and shock.
HarmonicLive sound: A discrete sinusoidal (pure-tone) component whose frequency is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency of the wave.
Harmonic DistortionLive sound: Changing the harmonic content of a signal by passing it through a non-linear device.
Harmonic OvertonesLive sound: Tones with the frequency of an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency.
HDBaseTLive sound: A standard for transmitting ultra-high-definition video and audio, Ethernet, control signals, USB and up to 100 watts of electrical power over one long-distance cable (Cat 6 or higher).
HDMILive sound: Abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.
Head Related StereoLive sound: Stereo techniques using human interaural geometry as a model for the microphone set-up.
Head VoiceLive sound: A term used within vocal music, especially in classical singing.
HeadroomLive sound: The safety margin between a signal’s normal operating level and the point where it begins to distort.
Hearing LevelLive sound: A measured threshold of hearing at a specified frequency expressed in decibels relative to a specified standard of normal hearing.
Hemispheric microphoneLive sound: A microphone mounted at a plane surface, accepting sound from a 180° angle.
Hertz, HzLive sound: A unit of frequency measurement representing cycles per second.
HexaphonieLive sound: A 6-channel format for picking up a sound sphere; developed by Madeleine Sola and Daniel Torsière at Radio France in the 1970s.
High Fidelity (Hi-Fi)Live sound: As the name indicates, this designation has applied to good-sounding audio equipment for consumer use, i.
High-boost FilterLive sound: A filter that amplifies frequencies above a specific frequency.
High-cut FilterLive sound: A filter that attenuates frequencies above a specific cut-off frequency.
High-Pass FilterLive sound: A filter that passes all frequencies above a cutoff frequency but attenuates low-frequency components.
Higher-Order Ambisonics (HOA)Live sound: The Higher-Order Ambisonics is a further development from Ambisonics, a recording format based on the soundfield microphone providing A-format or B-format signals .
HissingLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment.
HOALive sound: Higher Order Ambisonics (see this).
HomogeneousLive sound: A timbral balance descriptor in audio assessment.
Horn loadingLive sound: Using a flared acoustic path to improve the coupling between a driver diaphragm and the surrounding air.
House SyncLive sound: Sync signal that is distributed (in-house) so all digital devices can run at the same speed.
Hum BuckingLive sound: Hum bucking is a method to reduce induced electromagnetic noise (hum) in a dynamic microphone.
HummingLive sound: A signal-related descriptor in audio assessment.
HVAC noiseLive sound: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning noise.
HybridLive sound: In audio, hybrid is a mixture of two technologies.
Hypercardioid MicrophoneLive sound: Normally regarded as a microphone with a directional characteristic between supercardioid and figure 8.
Hypocardioid microphoneLive sound: Another expression for wide cardioid (or subcardioid).

I

iCheckLive sound: Integrity check.
IECLive sound: International Electrotechnical Commission.
IEMLive sound: Abbreviation for In-Ear Monitor.
IFBLive sound: The term is an abbreviation for interruptible foldback.
IGMPLive sound: Internet Group Management Protocol.
ILDLive sound: Abbreviation for Inter-aural Level Difference IM IM Intermodulation (see this).
Immersive AudioLive sound: Immersive means totally surrounded by something – water, i.
ImpedanceLive sound: The total resistance to the flow of alternating current in an audio circuit.
Impedance MatchingLive sound: Matching the impedance of an input with the impedance of an input.
Impulse ResponseLive sound: The response of a system to a unit impulse.
In-Band pink noiseLive sound: Filtered noise used for test purposes, which could be 20 Hz to 80 Hz for a subwoofer, or 250 Hz to 2.
In-PhaseLive sound: Two periodic waves reaching peaks and going through zero at the same instant are said to be in phase.
INA-3 or Ideal Cardioid Arrangement (ICA)Live sound: This microphone technique was developed by Günther Theile.
InfrasoundLive sound: Sound at frequencies below the audible range, i.
Ingress Protection Code (IPxxyz)Live sound: This code clarifies and rates the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact and water.
Inherent NoiseLive sound: Noise that is internally generated in a system in the absence of any excitation.
Initial Time Delay Gap (ITDG)Live sound: The time gap between the arrival of the direct sound and the first sound reflected from the room's surfaces.
InsertLive sound: 1. Insertion of a clip (scene) in an existing recording.
IntensityLive sound: A measure of power per unit area [W/m^2].
Inter-aural Level Difference, ILDLive sound: The level difference between SPL at the left and right ear for a specific sound source position.
Inter-aural Time Difference, ITDLive sound: The difference in arrival time at the left and right ears for a sound source at a specific position.
Inter-channel Cross-correlation, ICCLive sound: Inter-channel Cross-correlation measures the similarity between signals in different channels, often by comparing a reference signal with a time-delayed version of another signal.
Interference TubeLive sound: An acoustically semi-transparent tube placed in front of a microphone capsule in order to achieve higher directivity.
IntermodulationLive sound: See Intermodulation Distortion (IMD).
Intermodulation Distortion (IMD)Live sound: This occurs when two or more frequencies are supplied to a non-linear system.
InternalityLive sound: An environment descriptor in audio assessment.
InterpolationLive sound: Computation of intermediate values in relation to fixed values (for example, values between two samples).
Inverse Square LawLive sound: A description of the acoustic wave behavior in which the mean-square pressure varies inversely with the square of the distance from the source.
IPv4Live sound: Present standard for Internet Protocol.
IPv6Live sound: A revised standard that provides far more unique IP-addresses compared to IPv4.
IsolationLive sound: Resistance to the transmission of sound by materials and structures.
ISRCLive sound: International Standard Recording Code.
ITDGLive sound: Initial Time Delay Gap (see this).
ITULive sound: International Telecommunication Union.

J

Jack PlugLive sound: One-legged connector with two or three contacts.
Jack-bayLive sound: A patch panel with jacks that are used to make connections between different devices easy to establish.
Jam SyncLive sound: Method for recording new time codes from a source tape.
JitterLive sound: Expresses that the sample timing in a digital stream deviates from the fixed rate.

K

K-weightingLive sound: The K-weighting applies to the loudness measurement of program material.
kbps or kb/sLive sound: Kilobits per second.
Keynote soundLive sound: In music, a keynote identifies the key or tonality of a particular composition.
kiloLive sound: SI prefix kilo (10^3) like in kΩ (kiloohms).

L

L-CutLive sound: A digital film editing term, also known as a split edit, J-cut or delayed edit.
Lapel MicLive sound: Another name for Lavalier Microphone (see this).
Larsen EffectLive sound: Acoustic feedback in electroacoustic systems, and also known as howl or just feed.
Laser MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone based on the optical reflections of a laser beam when hitting a vibrating object, like a loudspeaker membrane or window glass.
LatencyLive sound: Elapsed time between an input event and its corresponding output, including conversion, buffering, processing, and propagation.
Lav MicLive sound: Short for Lavalier Microphone (see this).
Lavalier MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone for speech that is attached to the clothing or worn around the neck.
Law of the First Wave FrontLive sound: The first wave front falling on the ear determines the perceived direction of the sound.
LaybackLive sound: A post-production technique where audio is rejoined with the associated video after editing, mixing or "sweetening".
LDCLive sound: Large Diaphragm Condenser (microphone).
LDRLive sound: Abbreviation for Loudness to dialog ratio (see this).
LeqLive sound: Equivalent continuous sound pressure level.
Leslie EffectLive sound: The Leslie Effect is based on the sound of a loudspeaker cabinet containing a rotary reflector above a fixed loudspeaker unit and a rotating horn assembly that together creates a swirling and pitch-shifting sound.
LF Equalizing Tube/VentLive sound: A pressure microphone, in principle, consists of a diaphragm in front of a closed chamber.
LFELive sound: Low Frequency Effects, see this.
LimiterLive sound: A dynamics processor that prevents an audio signal from exceeding a specific maximum level.
Line arrayLive sound: A vertically arranged set of closely spaced loudspeaker elements designed to couple over part of their operating range.
Line DriverLive sound: A unit used to transform high impedance (and eventually unbalanced) source lines (e.
Line LevelLive sound: The standard signal strength used for connecting professional audio equipment, higher than mic level.
Line SpectrumLive sound: A spectrum that contains discrete (line) frequencies only.
Line-by-line mixingLive sound: Theatre mixing in which the operator opens each performer's microphone only for their lines and closes it immediately afterwards, to limit spill and comb filtering from many open omni mics.
Linear conversionLive sound: In digital audio: When each quantization step has the same size and the sampling frequency is constant.
Linear Phase ResponseLive sound: The phase is constant with frequency through the device or circuit.
Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM)Live sound: A method for the modulation of audio into a digital and lossless (linear) format.
Linear QuantizationLive sound: In digital recording: Equal-sized steps used for the definition of the individual samples.
LKFSLive sound: LKFS is an acronym that stands for "Loudness, K-weighted, relative to Full Scale.
LoadLive sound: The input of a microphone amplifier, mixer, etc.
LocalizabilityLive sound: An environment descriptor in audio assessment.
LocateLive sound: To find a specific position, for example on a track, digital or analog.
Location SoundLive sound: Background sound on location, usually recorded separately for later adding to the final mix.
Lombard EffectLive sound: The Lombard effect is an involuntary tendency for a speaker to increase his or her vocal effort to enhance audibility when speaking in a loud, noisy environment.
LoopingLive sound: 1. Infinite repeating of an (audio) sequence.
LoRoLive sound: Abbreviation for Left Only, Right Only.
Lossless compressionLive sound: A bit-compression format that recovers all the original data from the compressed version.
Lossy CompressionLive sound: A digital format that applies bit-compression and that cannot recover all of its original data from the compressed version.
Loudness LevelLive sound: 1. In acoustics: measured in phons it is numerically equal to the median sound pressure level (dB) of a free progressive 1000 Hz wave presented to listeners facing the source, which in a number of trials is judged by the listeners to be equally loud.
Loudness to dialog ratio, LDRLive sound: In cinematic content, defined as the difference between Program and Dialog Loudness (LDR = PL − DL).
Low Fidelity (Lo-Fi)Live sound: Applies to soundscape studies, where it expresses an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio.
Low-Cut FilterLive sound: A filter that cuts off low frequency signals below the cut-off frequency with a certain attenuation (roll off).
Low-Frequency EffectsLive sound: It is a particular recording channel containing 5 Hz to 120 Hz information primarily intended for special effects such as movie explosions.
Low-Pass FilterLive sound: A filter that passes signals below the cut-off frequency and attenuates the signal above that frequency.
Lower Limiting Frequency (-3dB point)Live sound: The lower frequency at which the frequency response of a pressure microphone has fallen by 3dB.
LPCMLive sound: Linear Pulse Code Modulation (see this).
LTCLive sound: Longitudinal Time Code.
LtRtLive sound: Abbreviation for Left Total and Right Total.
LU / LUFSLive sound: Loudness Unit / Loudness Unit re Full Scale.

M

MACLive sound: 1 Media Access Control is a unique address for a unit applied in a (digital) network.
MADILive sound: Multichannel Audio Digital Interface also known as AES10.
MagnitudeLive sound: The size of a signal.
Main LobeLive sound: An expression related to the directivity pattern of antennas and microphones.
MarkLive sound: Clapping the sticks to synchronize the sound and the picture.
MaskingLive sound: The process by which the threshold of audibility of one sound is raised by the presence of another (masking) sound.
Matching (of Microphones)Live sound: Ensuring that all microphones in a stereo or a surround microphone kit perform to the exact same specifications.
MatrixLive sound: A device that can mix and distribute signals.
Max SPLLive sound: A specification of microphones.
Mbps or Mb/sLive sound: Megabits per second.
Measured LoudnessLive sound: The magnitude of an audio signal when measured with equipment that implements the algorithm specified by ITU-R BS.
MEMS MicrophoneLive sound: MEMS is an abbreviation for Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems.
Meridian Lossless Packing, MLPLive sound: This data compression technique is designed especially for high-quality (96 kHz/24 bit) audio data.
META dataLive sound: Additional data that goes with the core data of a file.
MetallicLive sound: In audio, sound production: Often, the perception of a metallic sound relates to comb filtering, where the signal is slightly delayed (ms) and added to itself.
MetaverseLive sound: The Metaverse is a digital copy of the real universe.
MeterLive sound: Designation for a measurement instrument for the control of signal levels.
Micro (µ)Live sound: SI prefix micro (Greek letter µ) for a factor of one millionth, 10^-6, like in µm (micrometer).
MicroDotLive sound: A connector (coaxial, unbalanced) that applies to miniature microphones.
MicroLock®Live sound: A connector (coaxial, unbalanced) that applies to miniature microphones.
Microphone ArrayLive sound: See Array Microphones.
Microphone LevelLive sound: The voltage output range of microphones with normal sensitivity, usually 1 mV – 50 mV.
Microsoft Multimedia Environment, MMELive sound: MME is a native Windows audio driver protocol.
Middle (or Mixed) VoiceLive sound: The mixture between chest voice and falsetto; another term for "Head Voice" in singing.
Midfield monitorsLive sound: Full-range studio speakers that are designed to be used free-standing.
MIDILive sound: Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
Midrange StrengthLive sound: A timbre descriptor in audio equipment or recording assessment.
Milli (m)Live sound: SI prefix m (10^-3) like in mV (millivolt).
MIPSLive sound: Million Instructions per Second.
Mix (Mixing)Live sound: The electrical combination of different audio sources.
MixerLive sound: A device used to combine, route, and adjust the levels of multiple audio signals.
Mixing LevelLive sound: Indication of the absolute sound pressure level calibration of the mixing studio that produced the content.
MKVLive sound: MKV files are multimedia container formats.
MLPLive sound: Meridian Lossless Packing, see this.
MMADLive sound: Multichannel Microphone Array Design, see this.
MMELive sound: Microsoft Multimedia Environment (see this).
ModeLive sound: 1. A room resonance.
ModulationLive sound: An analog process by which the characteristic properties of a wave (the modulating wave) are mixed into another wave (the carrier wave).
Modulation NoiseLive sound: Noise in the signal chain that varies with the signal strength.
MOLLive sound: Maximum Output Level.
MonitorLive sound: A control or monitoring device; in this context, a loudspeaker for the assessment of recording quality.
MonoLive sound: A single channel of audio where all sound is reproduced through one signal path.
Mono CompatibleLive sound: A stereo signal, if no significant loss of level and no coloration (comb filtering) occur when summing the channels to one mono signal.
MoozakLive sound: Term applying to all kinds of schizophonic musical drool, especially in public places.
MouseLive sound: A nickname for a Boundary Layer Microphone (see this).
MPEGLive sound: Motion Picture Experts Group.
MPXLive sound: Multiplex filter for removing an FM radio's stereo pilot tone.
MS RecordingLive sound: A stereo recording technique that uses M (mid) and S (side) signals from one cardioid and one bi-directional (figure-of-8) microphone.
MSBLive sound: Most Significant Bit.
Multiband Transmitter/ReceiverLive sound: In wireless transmission, a system that operates across two or more (UHF) frequency bands (8 MHz in Europe / 6 MHz in North America).
Multicell hornLive sound: A high-frequency horn divided into multiple flared cells to broaden horizontal or vertical coverage.
Multichannel Microphone Array Design, MMADLive sound: Procedures to define microphone arrays for immersive recordings depending on mrecording space and microphone characteristics.
MVPDLive sound: Multichannel Video Programming Distributor.

N

NAB or NARTBLive sound: National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters.
NAGLive sound: Needed Acoustic Gain.
NanotechnologyLive sound: Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, about 1 to 100 nanometers.
Narrow-Band SpectraLive sound: Spectra that have been measured using a narrow frequency bandwidth.
NasalLive sound: A timbre descriptor (midrange) in audio equipment or recording assessment.
NativeLive sound: 1: Software that runs on a computer operating system that does not require additional hardware or software.
NaturalLive sound: A transparency descriptor in audio assessment.
Natural FrequencyLive sound: The frequency at which a system will vibrate when set into free vibration.
NBCLive sound: Non-backward compatible.
Near FieldLive sound: That part of a sound field, usually within about two wavelengths from a noise source, where there is no simple relationship between sound level and distance.
Near-field microphoneLive sound: Microphone for use by an individual performer at a distance of approximately 30 cm.
Ni-MHLive sound: Nickel-metal hydride.
NodesLive sound: The valleys in a standing wave pattern, where pressure or displacement is minimum.
NoiseLive sound: Etymologically the word can be traced back to Old French (noyse) and to eleventh-century Provencal (noysa, nosa, nausa), but its origin is uncertain.
Noise FloorLive sound: The level of inherent background noise present in an audio system when no signal is being played.
Noise GateLive sound: Special signal processing unit whose output signal is 0 until the input signal exceeds a specific, preset value.
Noise ShapingLive sound: A special technique providing frequency weighting of dither used in connection with reducing high resolution digital audio to a lower bit format.
NOSLive sound: Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (Dutch Broadcasting Foundation).
Notch FilterLive sound: A filter to reduce a very narrow frequency band by a steep dip.

O

OBALive sound: Object Based Audio.
Object, AtmosLive sound: A discrete audio element that can be placed anywhere in the three-dimensional sound field, stationary or moving.
Object, gamingLive sound: In gaming, the objects are different from objects in audio.
OCTLive sound: OCT-3D Octaphony Octave Octave Filter Off-axis Response Ohm On-axis Response One-Bit Converter Open Sound Control (OSC) Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Opening angle Operator Optical sound Optimized Cardioid Triangle, OCT ORTF OSC Oscillator OTA O
OCT-3DLive sound: An immersive audio recording microphone array based on OCT, with extra microphones for capturing depth and height.
OctaphonyLive sound: A recording and reproduction format involving eight microphones distributed at equal distances on a horizontal circle.
OctaveLive sound: A range of frequencies whose upper frequency limit is twice that of its lower frequency limit.
Octave FilterLive sound: A filter whose upper-to-lower pass band limit bears a ratio of 2.
Off-axis ResponseLive sound: Off-axis responses are normally submitted for directional microphones only.
OhmLive sound: Unit for electrical resistance.
On-axis ResponseLive sound: The on-axis response is normally just referred to as the microphone's frequency response and will give information about the product's tonal behavior when placed close to the sound source.
One-Bit ConverterLive sound: See Delta-Sigma Converter.
Open Sound Control (OSC)Live sound: A protocol for networking sound synthesizers, computers and other multimedia devices for purposes such as musical performance or show control.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)Live sound: A standardized model with seven steps that determines the communication in, for example, computer systems, regardless of their underlying internal structures and technologies.
OperatorLive sound: A broadcast network, broadcast station, DBS service, local cable system or cable multiple system operator (MSO).
Optical soundLive sound: The sound is printed using a photographic process on 35- or 16-mm film.
Optimized Cardioid Triangle, OCTLive sound: OCT is a surround sound microphone technique developed by Günther Theile and Helmut Wittek for the front microphone array.
ORTFLive sound: Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (French Radio and Television Office).
OSCLive sound: Abbreviation for Open Sound Control.
OscillatorLive sound: Signal generator for the generation of, for example, pure sinusoidal tones with constant amplitude for use in measurements.
OTALive sound: Abbreviation for Over The AIR.
OTTLive sound: Over The Top: The means to deliver video content via streaming, Video On Demand (VOD), Pay TV, IPTV and download via IP mechanisms.
Output ImpedanceLive sound: The alternating current resistance a circuit's output represents.
OuvertureLive sound: The opening music of an opera presents small excerpts of the music that the orchestra and the singers will perform later in the performance.
OverdriveLive sound: 1. An audio effect basically applied with guitar sound.
OverdubLive sound: A process whereby a track is recorded while listening to already recorded material on the same or a different tape recorder.
Overhead MicrophonesLive sound: Placing microphones above the sound source in order to pick up more ambience with the instrument.
OversamplingLive sound: The use of a sampling frequency that is a number of times higher than is necessary.
OvertoneLive sound: A harmonic frequency component of a complex tone at a frequency higher than the fundamental.

P

P48Live sound: Phantom power see this providing 48-volt DC for the microphones through the XLR connection.
PACLive sound: Perceptual Audio Coding.
Packet TransmissionLive sound: Transmission of standardized data packets over transmission lines or networks of high-speed switching computers.
PadLive sound: Circuit in the input module (for example, in a mixer) with the purpose of preattenuating the signal.
Pan-PotLive sound: Potentiometer in the mixer for "moving" the signal between the left and right channel.
Parabolic MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone element positioned at the focus point of a parabolic screen, which provides amplification of distant sources.
Parallel PortLive sound: Digital input or output port with multiple lines, allowing multiple bits of data to be transferred simultaneously.
PartialLive sound: One of a group of frequencies, not necessarily harmonically related to the fundamental, which appears in a complex tone.
Pascal PaLive sound: A unit of pressure corresponding to a force of 1 Newton acting uniformly upon an area of 1 square meter.
Pascal's LawLive sound: Pressure is transmitted rapidly and uniformly throughout an enclosed fluid at rest.
Passaggi (Italian)Live sound: Passages on a pitch scale where the voice tends to change register involuntarily.
PassbandLive sound: Passband is the description of the frequency range that an electrical filter passes.
PatchLive sound: Connection of circuits via external connections.
PCMLive sound: Pulse-code Modulation.
PDMLive sound: Pulse Density Modulation.
PeakLive sound: The maximum positive or negative dynamic excursion from zero of any time waveform.
Peak-HoldLive sound: Circuit that for a shorter or longer period of time is in a position to maintain a peak value display on an instrument.
PEAQLive sound: Perceptual Evaluation of Audio Quality.
Pencil MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone form-factor in which a tube-shaped housing contains a microphone element in one end and a connector in the other.
Perceived LoudnessLive sound: A loudness descriptor in audio assessment.
Perceptual CodingLive sound: A principle for low bit rate coding based on the ear's masking abilities.
Periodic SignalLive sound: A signal is periodic if it repeats the same pattern over time.
Phantom PoweringLive sound: A technique for supplying the preamplifier supply voltage to condenser microphones whereby half of the d.
PhaseLive sound: The relative timing of two sound waves, which can cause cancellation if they are out of sync.
Phase SpectrumLive sound: A display of the relative phases versus frequency of a waveform component.
Phase-Shift Keying, PSKLive sound: In digital (radio) transmission, a method for modulating a digital signal onto an analog carrier.
PhonLive sound: The loudness level of a sound.
Phono Plug/JackLive sound: Plug and jack for one conductor and shielding.
Piezoelectric microphoneLive sound: See crystal microphone.
Pink NoiseLive sound: A random sound signal containing equal energy per octave, often used for acoustic testing.
PitchLive sound: The attribute of auditory sensation that orders sounds on a scale extending from low to high.
Plane waveLive sound: A plane wave is a constant-frequency wave of which the wavefronts (surfaces of constant phase) are infinite parallel flat planes perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
Plant MicLive sound: A small microphone for hiding in a fixed place on set.
PLLLive sound: Phase-locked Loop.
PlosiveLive sound: A transient speech sound generated by a sudden onset or offset of air movement in the vocal tract.
PlosivesLive sound: A plosive speech sound.
PoELive sound: Power over Ethernet.
Point SourceLive sound: A source whose dimensions are small compared to the propagation distances described in reference to it.
Polar patternLive sound: A map of a microphone or loudspeaker’s sensitivity or output as a function of angle.
Polar PlotLive sound: The graphical representation of the microphones directional behavior at different frequencies.
PolarityLive sound: Referring to the positive or negative direction of a signal.
Polarization VoltageLive sound: The (normally high) DC voltage applied to the backplate-diaphragm capacitor of a condenser microphone via a high resistance, thus setting up a fixed charge condition.
PoppingLive sound: Noise associated with the vocally-induced distortion in a microphone due to consonant sounding, "p", "b", "t" etc.
PotentiometerLive sound: Adjustable resistance used, for example, in controlling levels.
PowerLive sound: Source of energy.
Power Spectral Density (PSD)Live sound: PSD is the total signal power in a specified spectral bandwidth divided by the bandwidth (watts/hertz).
PowerfulLive sound: A dynamics descriptor in audio assessment.
PPMLive sound: Peak Program Meter.
Pre-conditioningLive sound: Microphones are pre-conditioned by being switched on/connected for a period of time before using them.
Pre-delayLive sound: Pre-delay is a parameter found in reverb processors.
Precedence EffectLive sound: See Haas Effect.
PrefixLive sound: A word, letter or number placed before another.
PrepolarizationLive sound: A technique of depositing a fixed charge-carrying layer on either the diaphragm or backplate of a condenser microphone, thus eliminating the need for an external polarisation voltage.
PresenceLive sound: The frequency range around 2-5 kHz.
Pressure MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone in which only one side of the diaphragm is exposed to the impinging sound.
Pressure ZoneLive sound: As sound waves strike a solid surface, the particle velocity is zero at the surface and the pressure is high, thus creating a high-pressure layer near the surface.
Pressure-Gradient MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone in which both sides of the diaphragm are exposed to the incident sound and the microphone is therefore responsive to the pressure differential (gradient) between the two sides of the membrane.
Primo Passagio (Italian)Live sound: "The first passage"; the first register change perceived in a voice.
Program loudness (PL)Live sound: The integrated loudness over the duration of a program; Program Loudness Level is the value (in LUFS) of Program Loudness and is measured with a loudness meter compliant with ITU R BS.
Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE)Live sound: A term related to wireless transmission and the occupation of RF spectrum.
ProsceniumLive sound: The part of a stage in front of the curtain; the framework around a traditional theatre's stage opening.
Proximity EffectLive sound: An increase in low-frequency response that occurs when a directional mic is placed very close to a source.
PSDLive sound: See Power Spectral Density.
PSELive sound: Power Sourced Device.
PSKLive sound: Phase-Shift Keying (see this).
PsychoacousticsLive sound: The study of the interaction of the human auditory system and acoustics.
PTPLive sound: Precision Time Protocol, used to synchronize clocks across a network with high accuracy.
PunchLive sound: A dynamics descriptor.
Punch-InLive sound: A rerecording of a short sequence in an already recorded program.
PZM - Pressure Zone MicrophoneLive sound: PZM(TM) microphones or boundary layer microphones are taking advantage of special acoustic phenomenons occurring at the surface of a boundary.

Q

Q factorLive sound: Measure for the slope of a resonance top.
QoSLive sound: Quality of System.
QPSKLive sound: Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (see Phase-Shift Keying).
QuantizationLive sound: Digitalization of a signal.
QuasiperiodicLive sound: An imprecise term which is sometimes used to suggest a small deviation from periodicity.

R

Radio WaveLive sound: Electromagnetic waves in the frequency range of 3 kHz – 300 GHz.
Random Access Memory (RAM)Live sound: Digital storage where data can be arbitrarily stored and retrieved.
Rated conditionsLive sound: When testing a microphone according to IEC standard, the microphone should be brought under rated conditions.
Rated impedanceLive sound: It is the impedance that is specified by the manufacturer.
Rated minimum load impedanceLive sound: It is usually an impedance specified by the manufacturer.
Rated sensitivityLive sound: In the IEC standard, the rated sensitivity is the free-field, diffuse-field, close-talking, or pressure sensitivity of the microphone assigned by the manufacturer.
Reach (of a microphone)Live sound: The distance at which the microphone no longer picks up the sound of a sound source due to the masking effect of the self-noise.
Reciprocity CalibrationLive sound: A method for the primary calibration of condenser pressure microphones, 1 inch and ½ inch measurement microphones, in particular.
Recording AngleLive sound: In stereo recording, the angle subtended by the sound source required for a speaker-to-speaker stereo spread.
Red BookLive sound: The official audio CD (CD-DA) specification, which includes definitions of sample rate (44.
Reference pointLive sound: When measuring a microphone the microphone’s reference point is defined.
RefractionLive sound: The bending of a sound wave from its original path, either because it is passing from one medium to another with different velocities or due to changes in the physical properties of the medium, for example, a temperature or wind gradient in the air.
RegistersLive sound: Perceptually distinct regions of vocal quality as pitch or loudness are changed.
Remote MikingLive sound: Placement of a microphone at a distance from the source, thereby picking up a larger proportion of the reflected sound.
RendererLive sound: A processor that converts object positions and system geometry into signals for physical loudspeakers.
RepurposingLive sound: A term used to describe the reformatting of existing recorded music; i.
ResolutionLive sound: Regarding a digitized signal: The number of bits per sample.
ReverberanceLive sound: An environmental descriptor in audio assessment.
ReverberationLive sound: The persistence of sound in a space after the original source has stopped, caused by multiple reflections.
Reverberation TimeLive sound: The time, in seconds, required for sound pressure at a specific frequency to decay a specified amount after a sound source is stopped.
RF PowerLive sound: The power radiated from a transmitter.
RFILive sound: Radio Frequency Interference.
RFoFLive sound: Abbreviation for Radio Frequency over Fiber.
RIAALive sound: Abbreviation for Radio Industry Association of America.
Ribbon MicrophoneLive sound: A dynamic microphone in which the diaphraghm is a conductive ribbon in a magnet slit.
RIFFLive sound: The wave file format (*.
Rifle MicrophoneLive sound: Previously, the term used for Shotgun Microphones / Interference Tube microphones.
RigLive sound: Touring shorthand for the complete loudspeaker, amplification, processing, cabling, and support system.
RiggerLive sound: A production person on a music stage or film set, who sets up lighting equipment, loudspeakers, scaffolding, etc.
RMSLive sound: A measurement of the average power level of an audio signal.
Roll OffLive sound: The attenuation of a high-pass or low-pass filter is called roll off.
Room ModeLive sound: The normal mode of vibration of an enclosed space.
Root Mean Square (RMS)Live sound: The square root of the arithmetic average of a set of squared instantaneous values.
RoughLive sound: A signal related descriptor in audio assessment.
Routing SwitchLive sound: A switch for the routing of signals.
RT60Live sound: Reverberation time based on the 60 dB attenuation of the sound after the sound source has stopped.
RubbingLive sound: A signal related descriptor in audio assessment.

S

S/NLive sound: See Signal-to-noise Ratio.
SACDLive sound: Abbreviation for Super Audio Compact Disc.
Sample RateLive sound: The number of times per second that an analog signal is measured to create a digital representation.
Sample Rate ConverterLive sound: Converts digital signals with the same reference from one sampling frequency to another.
SamplingLive sound: In digital technology: Entry of the signal into discrete values in a table.
Sampling FrequencyLive sound: The number of samples that are extracted per second.
Satellite speakersLive sound: A term used by some consumer electronics systems to describe the small speakers in 5.
Schroeder DiffuserLive sound: This is a sound-diffusing panel based on a square residual value sequence for scattering sound reflections, usually in one or two dimensions (horizontal/vertical).
SCSILive sound: Small Computer System Interface.
SDCLive sound: Small Diaphragm Condenser (microphone).
SDDSLive sound: Sony Dynamic Digital System.
SECAMLive sound: Systeme En Couleur Avec Memoire.
Second-Unit AudioLive sound: In larger film and video productions, this refers to the less critical scenes (large crowd scenes, foreign location backgrounds, various inserts, etc.
Secondo Passagio (Italian)Live sound: "The second passage", the second register change perceived in a voice.
SeDACLive sound: Sennheiser Digital Audio Codec, a codec invented for wireless long-range transmission systems.
Self-noiseLive sound: The internal electrical noise generated by a microphone’s own circuitry.
Self-sustained OscillationLive sound: An oscillation that continues indefinitely without an external driving force; since the net energy loss per cycle must be zero, self-oscillation requires an internal energy source.
SensitivityLive sound: Acoustic output produced for a stated electrical input, normally measured at a specified distance.
SeparationLive sound: Degree of signal-related separation between tracks, channels, etc.
SequencerLive sound: A device on which information about sequences can be recorded, but not the sequence itself.
Shelving FilterLive sound: A type of filter that gives constant amplification or attenuation from the corner frequency.
ShimmerLive sound: Short-term (period to period) variability in amplitude.
Shock MountingLive sound: Any system mounting or suspension which mechanically isolates equipment from unwanted vibration.
ShotgunLive sound: A directional microphone utilizing an interference tube.
Show fileLive sound: The saved console session holding a production's channel names, cue list and processing, often prepared offline and updated daily during rehearsals.
ShrillLive sound: A signal related descriptor in audio assessment.
Shuttle ModeLive sound: As related to tape transport or DAW track handling: The running of the recording back and forth between two points.
SI UnitsLive sound: International System of Units (Système international d’unités).
SibilanceLive sound: Noise associated with vocal sounding of words with characteristically "s", "sch", or "ch" syllables.
Side addressed microphoneLive sound: A microphone that picks up sound from the side, rather than the end (given the microphone has a cylindrical shape).
Side LobeLive sound: 1. Off-axis coloration components often seen (or rather heard) on shotgun mics.
Side LobesLive sound: An expression related to the directivity pattern of antennas and microphones.
SidefillLive sound: A stage-monitor loudspeaker covering performers across the width of the stage.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N or SNR)Live sound: The ratio of the maximum signal that a system can record or reproduce to the inherent noise of that system.
SineLive sound: In audio, sine is a tone containing only one frequency.
Sinusoidal ToneLive sound: The most simple harmonic tone, consisting of only one frequency.
Slap BackLive sound: A discrete reflection from a nearby surface.
SlatingLive sound: Marking on a recording before a take.
SlopeLive sound: In audio, the slope describes: 1.
SnakeLive sound: For PA systems, the bus cable between stage microphones and the mixer in the concert hall.
SNRLive sound: Signal-to-Noise Ratio (see this).
SOLLive sound: Saturation Output Level.
Sonic CharacterLive sound: 1. Characteristics of sound as defined from attributes like “cold/warm,” “dark/light,” “cloudy/detailed,” “closed/open,” “skewed/balanced”, etc.
Soniferous gardenLive sound: A garden, and by analogy any place, of acoustic delights.
SonographyLive sound: The art of soundscape notation.
SORLive sound: Source Oriented Reinforcement (see this)
SoundLive sound: Energy that is transmitted by pressure waves in air or other materials and is the objective cause of the sensation of hearing.
Sound Absorption CoefficientLive sound: The practical unit between 0 (no absorption) and 1 (full absorption) expressing the absorbing properties of a material.
Sound CardLive sound: A sound card is an interface between an audio source – like a microphone – and a computer.
Sound Field MicrophoneLive sound: A single unit microphone with four cardioid condenser microphone capsules shaped like a tetrahedron.
Sound Level MeterLive sound: An electronic instrument for measuring the RMS level of sound, usually in accordance with an accepted national or international standard.
Sound objectLive sound: 1: Sound object: Pierre Schaeffer, the inventor of this term, describes it as an acoustic "object for human perception” and not a mathematical or electro-acoustical object for synthesis.
Sound PressureLive sound: The instantaneous difference between the actual pressure produced by a sound wave and the average barometric pressure at a given point in space.
Sound Pressure Level (SPL)Live sound: A physical measurement of the intensity of sound waves in the air, expressed in decibels.
Sound PropagationLive sound: The sound's spread in space.
Sound WheelLive sound: The Sound Wheel has been developed by SenseLab (of FORCE, Denmark) for the purpose of listening tests.
SoundstageLive sound: For film and TV: A large, soundproof area in a studio that allows greater control over the acoustics, lighting, air conditioning and audiences.
SoundtrackLive sound: In music recording: One or more synchronized tracks on tape or disc that form the full recording when mixed.
Source-filter TheoryLive sound: In voice science: A theory that assumes the time-varying glottal airflow to be the primary sound source and the vocal tract to be an acoustic filter of the glottal source.
Spatial AudioLive sound: The expression has slightly different meanings depending on the format: The listener is enveloped by sound and can easily and accurately localize it.
Speaking RegistersLive sound: In voice science, it refers to pulse, modal and falsetto.
Special EffectsLive sound: A broad, wide-ranging term used by the film industry, meaning to create fantastic visual and audio illusions that cannot be accomplished by normal means, such as travel into space.
Spectral SlopeLive sound: A measure of how rapidly energy decreases with increasing frequency or, for periodic waveforms, with increasing harmonic number.
Spectral Slope TransitionLive sound: An abrupt voice-quality change that results from an abrupt acoustic change, specifically from sudden loss or gain of high-frequency sound energy at the source.
SpectrumLive sound: In audio, usually understood as the spectrum of frequencies, a display of relative magnitudes of phases of the component frequencies of a waveform.
Speed of SoundLive sound: The table shows the difference in the speed of sound between air and water, different temperatures and between fresh and salt water.
Spherical WaveLive sound: A sound wave in which the surfaces of constant phase are concentric spheres.
Splay angleLive sound: The physical angle between adjacent loudspeaker cabinets or horn axes.
SplitboxLive sound: A unit that distributes the signal from a microphone to multiple mixers or tape recorders.
Sprocket holeLive sound: Small rectangular holes located on both sides of a photographic film (or one side on a 16 mm or 8 mm film).
Square WaveLive sound: Waveform for acoustic or electrical signals that, in terms of frequency, contain a fundamental tone and all the odd-numbered harmonics.
SquelchLive sound: In a receiver for analog wireless transmission: A function to mute the audio if the signal is too noisy.
Stacked ConvertersLive sound: In digital technology, the principle to apply two converters to cover a dynamic range that is too high for one converter.
Standard DeviationLive sound: If the instantaneous distances from an equilibrium position of a vibrating body are squared and averaged, the result is called the variance of the vibration.
Standard Deviation (SD)Live sound: In mathematics, the standard deviation (or σ) is a measure of how dispersed the data is in relation to the mean.
Standing WaveLive sound: A periodic wave having a fixed distribution in space which is the result of interference of progressive waves of the same frequency and kind.
StemsLive sound: In music production, stems are sub-mixes of a more extensive mix that will recreate the full mix when played together at an equal level.
StereoLive sound: A two-channel audio system that creates a sense of spatial width and direction.
STILive sound: Speech Transmission Index.
StopbandLive sound: A band of frequencies rejected by a filter.
Streaming AudioLive sound: Sound that can be played back immediately in (almost) real time from the Internet.
Sub HarmonicLive sound: Sub harmonics are synchronous components in a spectrum that are multiples of 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 of the frequency of the primary fundamental.
Subcardioid MicrophoneLive sound: Another word for a wide cardioid microphone.
SubnetLive sound: A subnetwork, or subnet, is a logical subdivision of an IP network.
Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD)Live sound: Optical media for storage of stereo and surround sound.
Supercardioid MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone with a frontal opening angle of 57 degrees, a dead angle at 126 degrees and some sensitivity to the rear.
SupersonicLive sound: See Ultrasound.
Surround SoundLive sound: A sound production format including multiple channels and loudspeakers to be placed around the listener.
Sweet SpotLive sound: The optimum listening position in front of the stereo or surround speakers.
Symmetry AttenuationLive sound: The attenuation of induced electrical noise signals that is attained in a balanced connection.
SynchronizerLive sound: A unit that, by the use of a time code, can deliver control signals for the time-related locking of, for example, tape units.
Synchronous SoundLive sound: In film: The sound from a source that is visible in the image's frame.
System controllerLive sound: Dedicated processing that applies crossover, equalization, delay, and protection for a loudspeaker system.

T

Tailored frequency responseLive sound: A frequency response that is shaped (non-flat) on purpose to enhance the sound for a particular application.
Tails outLive sound: A method of winding audio recording tape before storage.
TakeLive sound: A single, continuously-recorded version of a film scene or music sequence.
Talkback microphoneLive sound: A microphone used in a talkback system that allows the engineer or producer in the studio control room to communicate with musicians in the studio.
TalkiesLive sound: The common popular term used for films with sound, (beginning in 1923 with engineers Petersen and Poulsen) as opposed to silent films.
Tape DelayLive sound: A delay created by using a tape recorder to produce what is called a slapback echo or slapback delay.
Tape SpeedLive sound: The speed at which a magnetic tape passes the magnetic heads in a sound or video tape recorder.
TapingLive sound: Outlet from mixer channel, for example aux-send.
Target LoudnessLive sound: A specified value for the anchor element (in some systems dialog level), established to facilitate content exchange from a supplier to an operator.
TDIFLive sound: Tascam Digital Interface.
TelemetryLive sound: Operational data returned by system devices, such as temperature, load, faults, or limiter activity.
Telephone HybridLive sound: Unit that adapts a telephone to a mixer console.
Tessitura (Italian)Live sound: Texture; the average pitch level of a song or a part of a song in relation to the overall range of the instrument.
TetraMicLive sound: A microphone that is basically similar to the soundfield microphone.
THD+NLive sound: Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise.
Third-Octave BandLive sound: A frequency band whose cut-off frequencies have a ratio of 2 1/3, which is approximately 1.
ThunderboltLive sound: Thunderbolt is a digital interface connection standard intended for peripheral devices.
Tie-LineLive sound: Connection line for signals (for example, between editing rooms).
TIMLive sound: Transient Inter Modulation distortion.
TimbreLive sound: The quality of a sound related to its harmonic structure.
Time Code (TC)Live sound: Digital code that marks time with information on frames, seconds, minutes, hours, etc.
Time ConstantsLive sound: In electronics (and therefore in audio), a time constant τ is defined by the time it takes to charge a condenser C to approximately 63% of its full value by a feeding resistor R.
Time Difference StereoLive sound: A spaced microphone stereo recording technique which uses left versus right time and phase differences of the acoustic signals to give cues which project to the listener a vivid stereo image.
TinnitusLive sound: Ringing in the ear or noise sensed in the head typically caused by excessive exposure to high sound levels.
TinnyLive sound: A timbre descriptor (treble range) for the assessment of audio equipment.
TonmeisterLive sound: A German title for an academically-educated sound engineer.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)Live sound: Distortion in non-linear systems where harmonic components (integer multiples of a fundamental frequency) are produced.
TrackabilityLive sound: The comparative phase response of a microphone pair.
TransducerLive sound: A device that converts energy from one form to another; microphones and loudspeakers are reciprocal examples.
Transfer functionLive sound: A comparison of a known reference signal with the measured system output, showing changes in magnitude and phase.
TransformerLive sound: An electronic device consisting of two or more coils used to couple one circuit to another.
TransientLive sound: A short, high-energy peak at the beginning of a sound, such as a drum hit.
Treble StrengthLive sound: A timbre descriptor for the assessment of audio equipment.
TrimLive sound: In audio: To adapt the incoming signal to the sensitivity of the input circuitry, for instance, adjusting the signal from a microphone to a mixer input.
True Peak, TPLive sound: The maximum absolute level of the signal waveform in the continuous time domain, measured per ITU-R BS.
TruncationLive sound: Cutting off of superfluous bits without weighing their value.
Tube MicrophoneLive sound: 1. A (condenser) microphone that uses a built-in electronic tube for impedance conversion and amplification.
TurbulenceLive sound: Irregular movement of air.
TV channelLive sound: The UHF frequency range is split into a number of bandlimited frequency ranges, each containing one TV channel.
Twisted PairLive sound: A way to ensure balancing in cables.
Two-Way MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone that includes two capsules to pick-up low and high frequencies, respectively.

U

UHFLive sound: Ultra High Frequencies.
UltrasoundLive sound: Sound at frequencies above the audible range, that is, above about 20 kHz.
UnbalancedLive sound: A connection where the chassis/ground is a part of the circuit carrying between electro acoustic devices.
UnidyneLive sound: A name given to a specific single-capsule, dynamic, directional microphone from Shure (Model 55).
Universal playersLive sound: Devices that can play CDs as well as SACDs and the two kinds of DVDs, DVD-Audio and DVD-Video.
UnwrappingLive sound: A commonly used term to describe the use of a digital processor or computer program to automatically upmix a stereo signal to 5.
UpmixLive sound: A technique for the automatic creation of a higher number of audio channels for immersive reproduction of recordings initially recorded in a format with a lower number of channels.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)Live sound: In computer networking, the UDP is one of the core communication protocols to send messages transported as datagrams in packets to other hosts on an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
UTPLive sound: Unshielded Twisted Pair.

V

V2MALive sound: V2MA" most commonly refers to the ReSpeaker Mic Array v2.
Variable-D®Live sound: A unique design of a cardioid microphone implementing Variable Distance to the diaphragm's rear.
VarispeedLive sound: Variable speed, generally in playback systems.
VBAPLive sound: Abbreviation for Vector Based Amplitude Panning
VCALive sound: Voltage-Controlled Amplifier.
VCRLive sound: Video Cassette Recorder.
Vector-Based Amplitude Panning, VBAPLive sound: A methodology applied to immersive audio reproduction.
VHFLive sound: Very High Frequency.
Virtual Reality (VR)Live sound: VR is a computer-generated artificial environment experienced through sensory stimuli, usually presented in VR headsets containing glasses/screens and headphones.
Virtual Sound Check (VSC)Live sound: Recording the live multitrack files from a band either during a performance or during soundcheck and then playing those recorded files back through the console and down their respective channels.
Virtual Studio Technology (VST)Live sound: VST is a plug-in format introduced in 1996 by Steinberg for integrating plug-ins with digital audio workstations (DAWs).
Vocal FoldsLive sound: A paired system of tissue layers in the larynx that can vibrate to produce sound.
Vocal Tract ResonanceLive sound: Constructive interference (reinforcement) of waves experiencing multiple reflections in the vocal tract.
Voice Range ProfileLive sound: A visual display of vocal intensity range versus fundamental frequency.
VoiceoverLive sound: 1. Recorded dialogue, usually narration, that comes from an unseen, off-screen voice, character or narrator.
Volt (V)Live sound: Unit for voltage measurements.
Volumetric audioLive sound: A method for manipulating spatial sound to provide information on the sound sources’ position.
VowelLive sound: 1. A speech sound produced by vibrating vocal cords.
VppLive sound: Measure of the magnitude of an electrical voltage from peak to peak.
VSCLive sound: Virtual Sound Check (see this).
VSTLive sound: Virtual Studio Technology (see this).
VSTiLive sound: VST Instruments, a VST format to generate audio using virtual synthesizers or samplers.
VTRLive sound: Video Tape Recorder.

W

WAMLive sound: Abbreviation for Women’s Audio Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of women/girls/gender-expansive individuals in music production and the recording arts.
WASAPILive sound: Windows Audio Session Application Programming Interface (see this).
Watt (W)Live sound: The unit of electrical or acoustical power.
WAVLive sound: Waveform Audio File Format.
Wave Impedance (acoustic)Live sound: In a sound propagating medium, the ratio of acoustic pressure to the speed of air particles is driven by this pressure.
WaveformLive sound: A plot of any variable (e.
WavefrontLive sound: The initial disturbance in a propagating wave.
WavelengthLive sound: The distance measured perpendicular to the wavefront in the direction of propagation between two successive points in the wave separated by one period.
WaveRTLive sound: (Wave Real-Time).
WeightingLive sound: Adjustment of the time or frequency response of a measuring device to achieve a desired prescribed filtering.
Weighting NetworkLive sound: An electronic filter which gives different weighting to signals at different frequencies, commonly to approximate the frequency response of the human ear under defined conditions.
Wente microphoneLive sound: This condenser microphone was invented in 1914 and patented in 1916 by E.
Whip antennaLive sound: An antenna, typically used for wireless transmitters (beltpacks).
WhisperLive sound: Sound created by turbulent glottal airflow in the absence of vocal fold vibration.
White NoiseLive sound: A random sound signal with equal energy at all frequencies across the audio spectrum.
Whoop-WhoopsLive sound: When editing sound effects, this refers to the extra noises added to a sound, to increase interest or excitement.
Wide Cardioid MicrophoneLive sound: A microphone that has a directional pattern between an omnidirectional and a cardioid.
WidebandLive sound: Describing frequency range.
WidthLive sound: A spatial descriptor in audio assessment.
WILMLive sound: Abbreviation for Women In Live Music, a European platform and online community for women working backstage in live music; this includes Sound Engineers, Tour Managers, Lighting Designers, Riggers, Backliners, Stage Managers, Stagehands, Truck Drivers
Windows Audio Session Application Programming Interface, WASAPILive sound: WASAPI is a driver that enables DAWs and other audio applications to manage the flow of audio data between the application and a device for Windows 7 and higher.
WMASLive sound: Wireless Multi-Channel Audio Systems is a wireless broadband audio technology that can combine wireless microphones, instruments, in-ear monitors (IEM) and remote controls into one broadband RF channel.
Word lengthLive sound: See Bit resolution.
Working LevelLive sound: The signal level at which a circuit is nominally modulated.
WowLive sound: In audio recorders or reproducers: Variation in speed, audible if >± 0.
WPANLive sound: Abbreviation for Wireless Personal Area Network.
WRMSLive sound: Weighted RMS value.

X

X curveLive sound: This is the name for an equalization curve for the cinematic B-chain (amplifier, loudspeakers and room).
XLRLive sound: A professional three-pin connector commonly used for balanced microphone and line-level signals.

Y

Y-splitLive sound: Typically a physical cable with one female XLR and two male XLRs connected in parallel.

Z

Zoom MicrophoneLive sound: The zoom microphone design is developed to be used with cameras to follow the zoom of the lens.
Zwicker loudnessLive sound: A method for expressing the loudness of complex sounds.

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1876–1915Origins of electrical sound 1915–1945The public-address age 1945–1965Postwar fidelity goes portable 1965–1975The rock-concert revolution 1975–1990The modular touring machine 1990–2005Digital control and the line array 2005–2018The networked system 2018–presentImmersive and intelligent systems

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