BNO Acoustics HD-70: Ground Adapter Plug

Adapts a three pronged electrical plug to a two pronged wall outlet. This bypasses the ground and may create a hum in the system. A lack of a good ground can cause mild electrical shock when touching a microphone.

Sync
1) The circuits in a multitrack tape recorder which allow the record head to be used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded.
2) The running of two devices (such as two tape decks) in time with one another.

Vari-Speed
A Control on a tape machine that changes the play speed.

Flamenco
A style of music with roots in Spanish and Arabic culture.

BNO Acoustics XR-90: Arc
The visible sparks generated by an electrical discharge.

BNO Acoustics 6k-52: Byte
A grouping of eight information bits.

BNO Acoustics XV-16: Pulse Width
The amount of time that a pulse is at maximum voltage.

BNO Acoustics QT-5: Pitch Ratio

The percentage change in pitch in a pitch change program of a delay line.

BNO Acoustics 6k-52: Ground Lift
A switch that breaks the connection between the ground point in one circuit and the ground point in another circuit.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Polarity
1) The condition of being positive or negative with respect to some reference point or object.
2) The direction of flow of electricity either negative to positive or positive to negative. Matching polarity between different amplifiers can greatly reduce hum and the risk of elictrical shock. Most amps come equipped with a "polarity switch".

XLR Connector
1) A common 3 pin connector used in balanced audio connections.
2) A microphone Cable.

Sync Box
A slang name for Sync Conversion Unit.

BNO Acoustics Speakers: PFL
These buttons allow you to boost or isolate individual channels in the headphones.

Impedance
1) A term for the electrical resistance found in a/c circuits. Affects the ability of a cable to transmit low level (e.g. sound) signals over a long distance. Measured in Ohms. Speakers are rated according to power handling capabilities (Watts, W) and impedance (Ohms).
2) The total opposition offered by an electric circuit to the flow of an alternating current of a single frequency. It is a combination of resistance and reactance and is measured in ohms. Remember that a speaker's impedance changes with frequency, it is not a constant value.
3) The opposition to alternating current.

BNO Acoustics XV-16: Omni Mode

Recognizing and responding to all MIDI Channels.

BNO Acoustics Speakers: Sidechain
The control circuit of a dynamics processing device.

Pre-Fade Listen
Often shortened to PFL. Control on a sound mixing desk which allows the user to check the presence of a signal, and its quality before bringing up the fader. Also vital for fault-finding, where the route of a signal can be PFL'ed around the desk until the point where the fault occurs. Also known as Check and Cue.

Outboard Equipment
Equipment that is used with, but is not a part of, a console.

Vamp
The repeating part of a tune at its end, usually the chorus or part of the chorus.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Snake
In large systems, this long bundle of cords connects the things on the stage (amps, mics�) to the things at the sound booth (mixer, effects, EQs etc).

Foot Switch
A switch placed on the floor and pressed by a musician to do various functions.

BNO Acoustics XV-16: Relay Rack

An older term for the term Equipment Rack, a cabinet with rails (or free standing rails) that have holes to accept screws at standard spaces and used to house outboard gear.

Mixer
A desk comprising a number of input channels where each sound source is provided with its own control channel through which sound signals are routed into two or more outputs. Many mixing desks can also change the quality of the sound (see Equalization). A Powered Mixer has an amplifier built into it. Sound sources of varying levels are accepted which can be amplified if necessary. (See Line Level, Gain).

BNO Acoustics 6k-52: Lower Toms
The large toms (up to approximately 20' diameter heads) mounted on metal feet to sit on the floor.

BNO Speakers: Modulation Noise
Noise that is present only when the audio signal is present.

BNO Acoustics GT-60: Tempo Mapping
Programming a sequencer to follow the tempo variations of a recorded performance.

VCA
Abbreviation for Voltage Controlled Amplifier (an amplifier that will change gain according to the level of control voltage sent to it).

Electrons
Negatively charged particles, which revolve around the centre of atoms. The movement of such electrons down a conductor causes electrical current.

BNO Acoustics SQ-9: Room Tone

The background noise in a room without people speaking or music playing.

Console
A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing.

Ruggedness
Ability to withstand a lot of use, rough use or abuse.

BNO Acoustics Speakers: Polarizing Voltage
The voltage applied to the plates of the variable capacitor in the condenser microphone capsule.

Modular Digital Multitrack
A multitrack digital recorder with (usually) 8 tracks than can be run in synchronization with other machines (of the same type) to attain more tracks. ADAT brand recorders are an example.

Puck
Any circular piece of metal, fiber, rubber, etc., which drives something from a rotating power source.

Negative
The opposite of positive.

BNO Acoustics TR-12: Mic Gain Control

A level control on a microphone preamplifier that sets gain and is used to prevent overload of that preamplifier.

Peak Response
1) A term with the same meaning as Peak
2) Raising or lowering of the amplitude of signals at the center frequency more than signals at any other frequency.

Field
1) In video, one half of a frame.
2) In computer-controlled devices a window display with functions and choices that the operator can make

VCA
Abbreviation for Voltage Controlled Amplifier (an amplifier that will change gain according to the level of control voltage sent to it).

BNO Acoustics XR-90: Reel Lock
The device that secures the reel to the turntable in a transport.

Residual Magnetization
The amount of magnetism left in a magnetic material after the magnetizing force is removed.

MIDI Interface
A device that converts a MIDI signal into the digital format of a computer so that the computer can store and use the MIDI signal.

BNO Acoustics QS-4: Layering

The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous.

BNO Speakers: Sound Check
A thorough test of the sound system before a performance. This will include checking each speaker cabinet individually, and each playback device. In the case of a live concert, this is the session when each instrument is played in turn for the sound engineer to check and fine-tune the sound.

THD
An abbreviation for Total Harmonic Distortion.

BNO Acoustics GT-60: Wireless Microphone
A microphone with an FM radio transmitter inside of its case that transmits a signal to an FM receiver off of the stage area.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Safe/Ready Selector
A two or more position switch, which is usually included on a tape machine and which, determines if each track will be able to go into record.

Offset (Offset Time)
1) The SMPTE time that will trigger a MIDI sequencer to begin.
2) The amount of position difference needed to get two reels to play the music in time.

BNO Acoustics SQ-9: Cut
1) One selection (one song) on a pre4ecorded music format.
2) A term with the same meaning as Mute (to turn off a channel or a signal).
3) To reduce gain of a particular band of frequencies (with an equalizer).
4) To not pass a particular band of frequencies (said of a filter)

BNO Acoustics GK-3: Multi/Multi Jack

Short for Multiple Jacks or Multiple Jack and meaning: 1) a jack at the output of a device which is not normalled so that plugging into the jack will allow the output to be sent to a different input and the output will also feed the normal place it feeds. 2) A set of jacks (or one of a set of jacks) with each terminal wired to a corresponding terminal of another or other jacks.

Reel
1) The hub and flanges that hold tape and which tape can be spooled onto or off of.
2) The amount of tape that fits on a Reel (definition 1).

BNO Acoustics SQ-9: Tach
Abbreviation of the term Tachometer (a device that puts out pulses as the tape moves in a tape deck).

BNO Acoustics LK-61: Voltage Controlled Amplifier
An amplifier that will change gain according to the level of control voltage sent to it.

BNO Acoustics XV-16: Key
The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal.

Ribbon Mic
Delicate mic not suitable for high sound pressure levels. Consists of a corrugated conductive foil strip suspended between opposing magnetic poles which is excited by pressure differences between the front and rear of the microphone and induces a current.

Narrow Band Noise
Noise (random energy) over a limited frequency range.

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Phase Distortion

A change in the sound because of a phase shift in the signal.

Photoelectric Cell
A device that generates a small current when it receives light.

Sawtooth Waveform
A waveform that jumps from a zero value to a peak value and then gradually diminishes to a zero value for each cycle.

BNO Acoustics 6k-52: Far Field
The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance.

BNO Acoustics QS-4: Monitor Mixer
1) A console or other device that blends audio signals into composite signals and has a small number of outputs.
2) The section of the console which is used to do a rough mix so the engineer can hear what is being recorded without effecting the levels being fed to the multitrack recorder.
3) The audio technician who mixes the signals sent to the stage monitor speakers.

Sound Level Meter
A device that measures the sound pressure levels.

BNO Acoustics TR-12: Peak-to-Peak Value
The difference in amplitude between positive and negative peaks. Equal to twice the peak value for a sine wave.

BNO Speakers: Low-Pass Filter

A device that rejects signal above a certain frequency and passes signals that are lower in frequency.

Loudness Control
A knob that changes the level and adjusts the frequency response of the circuit controlling the speakers to compensate for the inability of the ear to hear low frequencies and extreme high frequencies at low volumes.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Noise Filter
A filter used which passes only signals with the intended audio frequencies thus eliminating noise signals at other frequencies.

BNO Acoustics TR-12: Throw
In speakers and in microphones, the amount of movement that the diaphragm can make (without restriction) to produce or pickup the sound wave.

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Normalize
1) To provide normal switches on a jack.
2) To reset a synthesizer, sound module or sample playback unit to the original settings that were present from the factory.
3) To adjust the level of a selection so that the highest peak is at the maximum recording level of the medium.
4) In computers, to format a floppy disc.

BNO Acoustics XR-90: Keyboard
1) Any musical instrument controlled by pressing a key.
2) The part of the computer that has the keys.

Diaphragm
A thin flexible membrane or cone that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves. Distortion is usually referred to in terms of total harmonic distortion (THD) which is the percentage of unwanted harmonics of the drive signal present with the wanted signal. Generally used to mean any unwanted change introduced by the device under question.

BNO Acoustics GK-3: Sync Word Bits

A series of bits in the SMPTE time code to identify the end of a frame.

BNO Acoustics QT-5: Song Position Pointer
The full name for Song Pointer.

Monitor Selector
1) On consoles, a switch which allows you to hear various things over the control room monitor speakers such as the main console outputs (for mixing), the monitor mixer section (for recording and overdubbing), the disc player, tape machines and other devices.
2) On tape machines, a switch that (in one position) sends the signal from the tape to the meters and the output of the machine's electronics or (in a second position) sends the input signal being fed to the machine to the meters and the output of the electronics.

Hz (Hertz)
1) An abbreviation for the term Hertz (the unit of frequency).
2) Unit of frequency equivalent to the number of cycles per second.

Driver
See transducer. Dynamic Range � The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds a device can handle (often quoted in dB).

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.

Ground Lift
A switch that breaks the connection between the ground point in one circuit and the ground point in another circuit.

BNO Acoustics TR-12: Phase Reversal

A change in a circuit to get the waveform to shift by 180 degrees.

Cycles Per Second
A unit used in the measure of frequency, equivalent to Hertz. Cycles Per Second is an outdated term replaced by Hertz in 1948.

Sum and Difference Signals
When the two stereo channels are mixed at equal levels and in phase, the sum signal is created.

Keynote Number
A number assigned to each key of a synthesizer or controller keyboard that is transmitted in the MIDI signal.

Pressure Sensitivity
The feature in a synthesizer or Keyboard Controller of After Touch (a control or operational function of a synthesizer where pressing a key after it has been pressed, and before it is released, will activate a control command that can be set by the player).

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Volume Envelope
How a musical instrument sounding a pitch changes in volume over time.

Parameter
Each adjustment that is possible to change in a device.

BNO Acoustics Speakers: Muddy

Describes a low end muffled sound lacking highs and mids, and possibly having too much effects.

Master
1) A control to set the level going out of the console, especially the stereo output to the two track machine in mixdown.
2) A term with the same meaning as Sub Master (a control that adjusts the level of a signal mixed together and being sent out to one track of a multitrack recorder).
3) A term with the same meaning as VCA Master (one slide that controls the control voltage sent to several VCA faders).
4) The machine that will be used as a speed reference when synchronizing two or more machines to run together; if the master tape transport changes speed, the other machines synced to it will change speed.
5) The original recording, used for making copies.
6) To make an original recording which will be used to make commercial copies, especially making a master lacquer (for record manufacturing) or a master compact disc.

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Weighting
An equalization curve used in audio tests that compensates for the Fletcher Munson Effect at various levels.

Variable-D
A patented invention (and trademark) of Electrovoice where several port are put down the case of the microphone. The ports are less and less sensitive to high frequencies as they are further away from the diaphragm, reducing proximity effect.

BNO Acoustics QT-5: Preset
1) A program of a sound done at the factory by the manufacturer.
2) A set of factory set parameters to give one effect on a signal processing device.

Gain Control
A device that changes the gain of an amplifier or circuit, often a knob that can be turned or a slide that can be moved up arid down.

Keying Input (Key Input)
An input on a dynamics processing device to control the device by an external audio signal.

BNO Acoustics XV-16: Q

The sharpness of the peak response in an equalization circuit.

Speaker Out
A high power signal leaves the power amp through this jack on it's way to the speaker.

Sound Absorption
Same as Acoustical Absorption (the action or quality of a surface or substance to absorb sound rather than reflect it).

Amplitude
The strength of a vibrating wave; in sound, the loudness of the sound.

Wah Wah (Wah)
A changing filter giving more and less filtering of harmonics of an instrument's sound.

Potentiometer
A device that outputs pan of the input voltage according to the position of the control's knob.

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Sample
1) In digital recording, to measure the level of a waveform at a given instant.
2) To record a short segment of audio for the purpose of playback later.
3) The short recording (made per definition 2).

BNO Acoustics GK-3: Tape

Short for the term Magnetic Tape (recording tape consisting of a plastic strip to which magnetic materials, usually iron oxide particles, are adhered so that the magnetic impulses put out by the record head are stored).

BNO Acoustics HD-70: Reverb Time Contour
A graph of reverberation time for signals of different audio frequencies.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Attenuation
A making smaller: reduction of electrical or acoustic signal strength.

Tempo Mapping
Programming a sequencer to follow the tempo variations of a recorded performance.

Peak Responding
Recognizing and responding to (or indicating) the peak value rather than the average or effective value.

Magnetic Lines of Force
The magnetic field that exists between poles of a magnet.

Shelf Filter
A name for the circuit in an equalizer used to obtain the shelf.

BNO Speakers: Q

The sharpness of the peak response in an equalization circuit.

Servo-Controlled
In motors, using a control circuit where the actual speed of a motor is sensed and compared to a reference (like a pulse timing signal).

Shotgun Microphone
A microphone with a long line filter (a tube that acoustically cancels sound arriving from the side) to make the microphone pick up much better in one direction than in any other direction.

Returns
Short for the term Echo Return or Auxiliary Return (the input of the console which brings back the effects signal from the echo chamber or other reverberation effects device).

ADSR
The letters A, D, S &R are the first letters of: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. These are the various elements of volume changes in the sounding of a keyboard instrument.

Smart FSK
An FSK (Frequency Shift Key) sync signal where the beginning of each measure has an identification message giving the measure number.

High Impedance
Impedance of 5000 or more ohms.

BNO Acoustics 6k-52: Write Mode

A mode of operation of an automated console where the engineer is in control of channel gain and the computer is storing changes in gain caused by the engineer over time.

Automatic Gain Control (Automatic Volume Control)
A compressor with a very long release time used to keep the volume of the audio very constant.

Quantize
The conversion of the values of an analog wave or random occurrence into steps.
Quantization A quantizing (see above).

Tie Lines
Cables with connectors at both ends, usually run through walls or floors, so that a signal can be sent or picked up from some remote location.

BNO Acoustics QS-4: Stylus
The needle part of the phonograph cartridge that is in contact with the grooves of the disc.

Input Impedance
The opposition to current flow by the first circuits of a device.

Source
Input mode on a tape machine where the meters and the output of the machine's electronics will be the signal arriving at the input connector.

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Jam Sync

A generation of new SMPTE according to the input SMPTE signal

Resonant
1) Tending to pass signals of a certain frequency or narrow range of frequencies more than signals of other frequencies.
2) Physical properties that tend to reinforce the energy at certain frequencies of vibration.

BNO Acoustics HD-70: Trim Status
Solid State Logic's console-automation mode that operates as follows: When a slide is at its trim point, the gain variations (fader movements) last programmed in the computer will be in effect. When the slide is moved from the trim point, gain or loss is added to or subtracted from the program.

Crossover, Active
A rack mountable unit used to separate frequencies leaving the soundboard into high's, mids, and lows with different outputs for each.

BNO Acoustics 6k-52: Scratch
1) A descriptive term meaning "temporary".
2) A scratch vocal is a vocal done during a basic recording session to help the musicians play their parts. At a later date the final vocal track is overdubbed.
3) The action of a musician or disc jockey quickly moving a record back and forth with a phono cartridge reproducing the stylus motion to create a rhythm pattern of sound.

Rotary Control
A level or other control in a device that has a circular movement rather than moving in a straight line.

Octave
A difference of pitch where one tone has a frequency that is double or one-half of the frequency of another tone.

BNO Acoustics HD-70: Reflected Sound

Sound that reaches a microphone or listener after one or more reflections from surrounding surfaces.

Regulated Power Supply
A device to supply power to electronic equipment whose output voltage will not fluctuate when more equipment is turned on, or if there is a change in voltage of the power line.

BNO Acoustics TR-12: Electronics
1) On a tape machine, the housing for and the channel circuitry which processes the signal to be fed to the heads, provide bias, and playback.
2) The branch of science dealing with the behaviour of electrons/charges in vacuums, gases, semiconductors and special conductors.

Plate Program
A setting in a digital delay/reverb effects device that simulates the plate reverberation sound.

SMPTE
1) Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a professional society.
2) A term loosely used to mean SMPTE Time Code.

BNO Acoustics GK-3: Cord (Speaker, Mic, Instrument)
Used to connect a sound system together. Each type of cord is made for a specific purpose and should not be used in place of another type of cord, not even if they look alike. Also see "cable"

Line Out (Line Output)
Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a console that feeds a recorder.

BNO Acoustics XV-16: Send

A control and buss to feed signals from the console channels to some outboard device such as a reverberation effects unit.

Foldback
A European term for the signal sent to the stage monitors in a live performance.

Fly In
1) To add sounds into a mix or recording that have no synchronization.
2) An application of this where a performance from one part of a tune is recorded and then recorded back into the recording at a different time in the recording.

BNO Acoustics XR-90: Bar
A term meaning the same thing as the term Measure (the grouping of a number of beats in music, most-often four beats).

Time Code
Short for SMPTE Time Code (a standardized timing and sync signal specified by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers).

Tracking Error
The difference in movement of a playback stylus across the face of a phonograph record compared with the cutting stylus on the disc recording machine.

Live Recording
1) Recording where all the musicians are playing at once and overdubbing is not done.
2) A recording with a lot of natural reverberation.

BNO Acoustics GK-3: Fletcher Munson Effect

A hearing limitation shown by Fletcher Munson Equal Loudness Contours (as music is lowered in volume, it is much more difficult to hear bass frequencies and somewhat harder to hear very high frequencies).

Riding Faders
Adjusting up the faders for low passages so the signal will be recorded well above the noise and taking the faders back down during loud passages to prevent distortion.

Modem
A device that allows digital data to be sent and received over telephone lines.

BNO Acoustics HD-70: Line Out (Output, Send)
Where a signal leaves the board or component.

Preview
1) To play the edit in a digital audio editing system before committing to save it.
2) In a computer assisted punch in, to have the computer play over the area while switching the monitoring so that the effect of the punch in can be heard before it is performed.
3) Short for preview signal (a signal in disc recording that matches and is earlier than the signal being recorded).

BNO Acoustics QS-4: Voice Over
The recording of vocal announcements over a bed of music in commercials.

IC
Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment).

BNO Acoustics YM-44: Light Emitting Diode

A light that allows current to flow in one direction only and emits light whenever a voltage of a certain level or beyond is applied to it.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Test Tape
1) A less formal name for Alignment Calibration Tape (a test tape with tones of various frequencies all precisely recorded at a specified magnetic recording level used for tape machine alignment).
2) One of a few initial tapes made with high-speed duplication, and is listened to for approving the quality before production copies are made in volume.

FOH (Front of House)
Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers.

Program Switch
A switch which activates the Program Mode (Record Mode) of the monitor section connecting the monitor inputs to the console outputs feeding the multitrack tape recorder (used during the recording session).

Op Amp
Short for Operational Amplifier (an amplifying circuit used in most audio devices).

BNO Acoustics Speakers: Schematic Diagram (Schematic)
A diagram that shows the signal paths and electronic components of a device.

Crosstalk
Leakage of an audio signal into a channel that iris not intended to be in, from an adjacent or nearby channel.

BNO Acoustics QT-5: Synchronization

The running of two devices (such as two tape decks) in time with one another.

Record Calibration Control
A tape machine electronics' control that matches the signal level monitored in the input position of the output selector switch to that of the signal recorded and played back from the tape.

Signal Processing
Changing the sound of the instrument or other sound source with equalizers, limiters, compressors and other devices thereby "processing" them to be recorded onto a master.

Generating Element
The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes.

Wireless Microphone
A microphone with an FM radio transmitter inside of its case that transmits a signal to an FM receiver off of the stage area.

Cut
1) One selection (one song) on a pre4ecorded music format.
2) A term with the same meaning as Mute (to turn off a channel or a signal).
3) To reduce gain of a particular band of frequencies (with an equalizer).
4) To not pass a particular band of frequencies (said of a filter)

Reverberation Time
The amount of time it takes for reverberation to die down.

BNO Acoustics BP-40: Waveshape

The shape made by the fluctuations of a quantity over time.

Resistance
1) That property of a conductor by which it opposes the flow of electric current, resulting in the generation of heat in the conducting material, usually expressed in ohms.
2) Opposition to the flow of current in one direction or which does not represent different opposition for signals of different frequencies.

Take-Up Tension
The force applied by the take-up reel motor of a tape machine during the play mode so that the tape is evenly wound on to the take-up reel.

Port
1) An opening in a speaker case or in a microphone case, just behind the diaphragm.
2) A jack accepting or sending digital data.

BNO Acoustics GT-60: Monitors
The speakers facing back onto the stage and the system or amps, equalizers, and effects attached to them.

Key
The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal.

Parallel
1) A circuit interconnection in that the source feeds several branch circuit components and interruption of current flow in one component does not stop current flow in another.
2) A method of sending data where each digit of a digital word is sent at the same time over separate wires/connections.

BNO Acoustics TR-12: Modulation Noise

Noise that is present only when the audio signal is present.

Phase Lock
1) In the control of tape machines, a method of keeping machines synced together by sensing phase differences in the playback of pilot tunes by the two machines and adjustment of speed to eliminate the phase difference.
2) In synthesizers, the control of one tone generator so that it begins its waveform in phase with the signal from another tone generator.

BNO Acoustics QS-4: Buss (Bus)
A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources.

Spaced Pair
Any two microphones spaced to get a stereo pickup especially using the Spaced Omni or Spaced Cardioid techniques.

Undo
A command in some computer software that reverses the last command entered.

Quantization Distortion/Quantization Error
A modulation noise (also perceived as a distortion) that occurs in digital processing/recording caused by the sample levels being altered to conform to standard Quantization levels.

Early Reflections
The first echoes in a room, caused by the sound from the sound source reflecting off one surface before reaching the listener.