A/D Converter: an electrical circuit that converts electrical signals into binary codes which are easier for any digital device to understand for example mac mini. It is called an A/D converter as it converts one waveform into another, analogue into digital. It is useful for converting audio sound of an instrument into a digital so it is easier for the mac to recognise.
Analogue: voltage/ current form of signals which determine change using the voltage/ current. This could be in a form of an analogue mixing desk etc.
Amplifier: it is the process of increasing sound via an electrical signal. This is usually used for bass, microphones and guitar.
ASIO: a sound driver which is also referred to as an ‘Audi Steam Input/Output. This allows the software and hardware to communicate to one another via the software interface.
(Audio: to ‘hear’, Stream: a sense of flow for example water, flowing stream, Input: something being fed/driven into the computer, Output: something being taken out/ given away from the computer or other device)
Audio: a digital format of sound. Instruments are an audio form i.e. Guitar.
Audio Interface: another form of an A/D converter as it transforms acoustic signals into digital. ‘Interface’ as in a sense of connection between two things.
Auxiliary sent/return: this permits signal/s to send out for the purpose of monitoring or processing. A sense of support system or acting as a form of support, Latin meaning. This can come in the form of a mixing desk, as used on the midi/audio work station.
Bit Depths: to produce better sound quality a high ‘bit depth’ is used via an A/D converter to digitise and analogue form into digital. Depth as in length; the higher the ‘bit depth’ the better the quality of the conversion.
Clipping: when the recorded sounds’ signals are being distorted due to the fact that the level has reached red. This cuts out the high waves to a point the recording software, in this case Logic Pro, thinks is best. The work ‘Clipping’ can be referred to as ‘to cut’.
Compressor: when compressing something you are automatically making it smaller in order to make it easier to use. In this case the compressor controls the signal gain via a dynamic processor. This involves the following considerations when using one in a mixing desk, Threshold, Attack, Release, Compression ratio, Make-up gain.
Continuous Controller: it can come in many forms i.e. control device or pedal. It is used as a type of MIDI message to interpret nonstop modification. It is an on-going thing over a period.
Controller Keyboard: ‘controller’ as in a mechanism that operates the main system for the machine. Its sound is provided by software, in this case Logic Pro, as it has no sound of its own. But it can control other devices.
DAW: a ‘Digital Audio Workstation’, this involves editing, recording and mastering. ‘Workstation’ meaning a place for many things to happen together, very effective as more than one action can take place. The audio/MIDI workstation is a reference to a DAW.
Delay: this is a type of effect that can be added to instruments as well as voice; add to create echoes etc. this is known as a pause in the original sound wave. ‘Delay’ meaning to ‘inactivate’ to some extent, in this case to a desired amount to make better use of the sound. This is usually added to voices via Logic Pro software.
DI: direct inject; is a process carried to obtain better results when referring to quality of sound. The meaning of ‘direct’ is ‘to take command of it’ which is a sense of taking action to make it better and a sense of getting ‘straight’ into things. It is usually used to connect the guitar and/or bass to gain better quality than obtained by connecting it directly to the mixing desk.
DSP: Digital signal Processor; comes in the form of a microchip which overlooks/ processes digital signals. It is referred to as a ‘processor’ as it carried out most of the ‘data processing’.
Effects: this is a change made to the original sound to make more use of it in a more creative attempt. This could be done by adding things like echo or backing voice mirror. This can be applied to voice as well as instruments via the software Logic Pro.
EQ: ranging sequencing in an audio file which can be changed via an EQ processor. This could modify the keys; bass or treble. It is mostly used in lead sheets, where bass and treble clefs are referred to.
Expression: this is used to expand intensity via creating de/crescendos. The meaning of expression is ‘to squeeze’ as in to make quieter when referred to this context.
Fade: to ‘fade’ is the action of ‘gradually disappearing to cease to exist’. This is when the sound slowly vanishes, a better effect than a sudden stop, depending on the context. This could be used at the end of a song/ music sequence to make it more creative and let it flow better.
Firewire: a device used to communicate data a continuous signal without drop outs. It is usually used to connect the audio interface to the mac mini.
Frequency Response: the process of dealing with or measuring different frequency range via an electrical equipment or loud speaker. The meaning of ‘response’, as in a reaction to a given stimulus, so this could be created due to frequency being fed into something.
Gate (noise): an electrical device used to rid of the noise when there are pauses present in a recording via low-level mute signals. When referring to gate it is a form of ‘blocking’, so the high-level of noise can be blocked or removed from the recording.
General MIDI: the action of saving or opening a MIDI file from a sequencing application. When referring to the word ‘general’ it is meant as an everyday ‘simple action’ which is taken, so it is the ‘basics’ that can be applied to a software like Logic Pro.
Hiss and Hum: as in noises. Both are caused due to frequency; hiss by high frequency and hum by low frequency. Hiss is electrically generated and all audio devices create some for of hissing. Whereas, humming is connected to the main power. These are generated around the workstation as there is a lot of frequency present.
Jack: it comes in two forms: mono and stereo. It is a cable, audio connector, which connects many things together i.e. the mixing desk to the audio interface.
Latency: this is the effect of a small time delay which occurs in the sounds; the sound comes a fraction of a second later than when the key, I.e. on a MIDI keyboard, is pressed. This could be due to the type of connection made i.e. to connect the audio interface into the mac it should be connected directly rather than via a USB hub as that introduces latency/ the small time delay. When something is ‘late’ it does not arrive on time.
Limiter: when something is ‘limited’ there is a set amount it can/will take. In this case it works as a form of protection which is used in live sounds. It comes in the form of a dynamic processor and it helps by stopping signals from overflowing to the pre-determined limit. It works like a compressor, as mentioned above, and has similar extreme, fast settings. It reacts fast to sudden things like spikes in the signals and averts devices from being damaged.
Master Fader: there are many things going out and into the mixing desk, this is a control that is in charge and determines the amount of this input and output as a whole; it controls the signal in/output for every fader, control and channel.
MIDI Interface: this comes in two forms: Mono, single audio channel, and Stereo, more than one audio channel. It lets two or one midi device to be connected to each other at the same time. This would usually be used to connect a midi keyboard directly to the mac mini.
Overdub/ Multimedia Track: a process of editing or adding to an existing track. When referring to ‘overdub’ is means to edit it higher than its exceeding level, so it is a form of refining tracks to better than the recording.
Pad: signal withstanding is achievable and this is that resistive circuit that helps ensure that that level of signal is endured.
Patch: it is a sound that can be controlled/changed using an application and is ordinated in a synthesiser.
Phantom power: this voltage is sent via a balanced power cable, as it cannot be sent any other way, and allows the microphone to be connected as a condenser. This is directly connected to the mixing desk.
Phono: comes in stereo form and is an unbalanced connector. This is usually used to connect the speaker monitor to the audio interface and has coloured cables; white and red. It can also be used to connect audio and video equipment.
Plug-in: this is an application that works in combination with the main computer. However when this is connected it brings extra features to the system, which are useful, for example a software synthesiser.
Portamento: it is a form of gliding effect which permits steady modification in the rate of when a midi key is being pressed. This also stops sudden change and makes it run more smoothly. A sense of sliding from one note to another, which is usually used in a synthesiser.
Program change: a midi message which alters the unit patches or changes to instruments. When referring to the word ‘program’ it means that there are steps that need to be taken to create a change and to achieve the desired thing.
Punch in/out (drop in/out): this is a form of recording something in a multitrack. This allows the performer to re-record to get rid of mistakes and can be done by punching or dropping into and out of the recording; but the machine is still in playback mode. This could be used when recording into software’s like Logic Pro.
Quantise: this is a form of defining and perfecting a midi sequence, that in recorded in, via a midi sequencer. This is used to correct timing errors and line them up. Sometimes over-quantisation is caused which rids of the realistic factor. This is another thing that applies when using software’s like Logic Pro.
Sample: a digitised form of sound source which can be used in a synthesiser or sampler. As mentioned this can be used on an audio instrument like the synthesiser.
Sample frequency: comes in a digital form and is created by a sample.
Scrub: an effective tool which helps locate sound from any part of the track in any speed as desired. This can be used to find a specific part of a track on Logic Pro rather than having to listen to the whole thing to locate it.
Sequences: this allows complicated compositions to as occur as desired via recording and replaying midi data, which is usually used for a multitrack. This is created using software’s like Logic Pro, sound editing/recording.
Software Instrument: this involves real instrument sounds i.e. guitar or bass but is generated via a computer system/software. This is yet another function that is available on sound editing/recording software’s like Logic Pro.
Synthesiser: this is an electronic instrument which can create a ranging of sounds and it an audio form of connection.
Transport bar: a pop-up window with all the control buttons that apply to the software being used at the time. The word ‘transport’ is referring to something that takes you somewhere you want to go, hence its name.
Velocity: the amount of presser applied to the keys determines the loudness and length of the sound. This concerned with a synthesiser. The word ‘velocity’ referring to the ‘distance’ travelled or length covered.
WAV: a format of which a file can be in. This version is specifically used and created for window-based devises; is similar to the AIFF file format which was created by and for apple. Used mostly in Pc’s but can be used occasionally in apple Macs.
MP3: this is a form of reducing the amount of space need to store the information being fed into it. When a format is turned into MP3 format it is being reduced to one-tenth of its original size. The word ‘music player’ is referred to a device that outputs music that has been fed into it.
XLR: used as a connection cable; has three pins and can be used to connect devices like the DI box directly to the mixing desk as an audio connection.
Music Midi Sequencing Revised Concepts Glossary, by Kevin Hughes’.
Afsheen Butt
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