Glossary

A device which converts the digital representation of an audio signal back to the analogue domain. (Cf. A-D Converter.)

An arrangement of sharing a common data signal between multiple devices. A ‘daisy chain’ is created by connecting the appropriate output (or through) port of one device to the input of the next. This configuration is often used for connecting multiple MIDI instruments together: the MIDI Out of the master device is connected to the MIDI In of the first slave, then the MIDI Thru of the first slave is connected to the MIDI In of the second slave, and so on... A similar arrangement is often used to share a master word clock sample synchronising signal between digital devices.

See Star Mains Distribution 

The control of a resonant device. In the context of reverberation, damping refers to the rate at which the reverberant energy is absorbed by the various surfaces in the environment. In the context of a loudspeaker it relates to the cabinet design and internal acoustic absorbers.

A form of audio-over-IP (layer 3) created by Australian company Audinate in 2006. DANTE is an abbreviation of 'Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet'.

Digital Audio Reference Signal -- see AES11

An abbreviation of Digital Audio Tape, but often used to refer to DAT recorders (more correctly known as R-DAT because they use a rotating head similar to a video recorder). Digital recorders using fixed or stationary heads (such as DCC) are known as S-DAT machines.

Information stored and used by a computer.

A term first used in the 1980s to describe early ‘tapeless’ recording/sampling machines like the Fairlight and Synclavier. Nowadays, DAW is more commonly used to describe Audio+MIDI ‘virtual studio’ software programs such as Cubase, Logic Pro, Digital Performer, Studio One and such-like. Essentially elaborate software running on a bespoke or generic computer platform which is designed to replicate the processes involved in recording, replaying, mixing and processing real or virtual audio signals. Many modern DAWs incorporate MIDI sequencing facilities as well as audio manipulation, a range of effects and sound generation.

The deciBel (dB) is a method of expressing the ratio between two quantities in a logarithmic fashion. Used when describing audio signal amplitudes because the logarithmic nature matches the logarithmic character of the human sense of hearing. (Detailed explanation available when title link clicked)

A means of measuring the slope or steepness of a filter. The gentlest audio filter is typically 6dB/Octave (also called a first-order slope). Higher values indicate sharper filter slopes. 24dB/octave (fourth order) is the steepest normally found in analogue audio applications.

A manufacturer of audio processing equipment, most notably compressors and tape noise reduction systems. The DBX NR systems were commercial encode/decode analogue noise-reduction processors intended for consumer and semi-pro tape recording. Different models varied in complexity, but essentially DBX compressed the audio signals during recording and expanded them by an identical amount on playback.

Direct Current (cf. AC). The form of electrical current supplied by batteries and the power supplies inside electrical equipment. The current flows in one direction only.

DC Coupling (sometimes also known as AC-Blocking) is an electronic engineering arrangement that allows both AC (eg. audio) and DC (eg. control voltages) to pass into or out of an amplifier or other circuit. 

AC-coupled equipment effectively has high-pass filters at each connection, and these affect the phase response slightly, so some designers prefer to omit those and provide DC-coupled connections instead. The danger, though, is that any DC present on the connections can potentially cause damage and incorrect operation of connected equipment, as well as loud clicks or pops when making or breaking connections. An increasing mumber of audio interfaces now provide DC-coupled inputs and outputs to enable them to be used with synthesizer control voltages, which are effectively DC signals.

Most Capacitor microphones work by storing a static charge within the capacitive capsule. The traditional way of building up that static charge is by applying an external DC voltage, and this is known as a DC-Bias. Typically, the voltage is around 60VDC, but greater voltages permit more headroom, and altering the voltage can also vary the sensitivity of the capsule which is useful in configuring multi-pattern mics. The most common alternative to DC-Bias is the Electret design where the static charge is provided by a dielectric material built into the mic itself. A third alternative is the RF-bias technique which works on a different principle altogether.

Audio signals are conveyed electrically as an 'alternating current' or 'AC' signal. This might typically result in a signal voltage that varies, for example, between +3 Volts and -3 Volts, with a waveform that is more or less symmetrical about the 0V line. However, there are circumstances — often, but not always, as the result of a fault condition — where instead of alternating equally above and below zero volts, the signal voltage is offset, so it might now vary between, say, +4V and -2V. In this example it would have a DC-Offset of +1 Volt.

DC-Offsets are generally considered a bad thing, as they can result in audible clicks when editing the audio material, they can result in premature asymmetrical clipping (eg, postive peaks clipping before negative peaks), they can confuse level metering systems, and they can even cause damage to loudspeakers and headphones in some specific circumstances. 

As the DC-offset 'signal' effectively has a frequency of 0Hz, a DC-Offset can be removed with a high-pass filter set to a few Hertz (typically 3 or 5Hz, but anything with a turnover below 20Hz would get the job done).

Digitally Controlled Amplifier. The digital equivalent of a VCA often found in digital synthesisers and mixing consoles.

See VCA Group

A stationary-head digital recorder format developed by Philips, using a bespoke cassette medium similar in size and format to Compact Cassettes. It used an MPEG data reduction system to reduce the amount of data that needs to be stored.

Digitally Controlled Oscillator. Used in digitally-controlled synthesizers.

The form of electrical current supplied by batteries and the power supplies inside electrical equipment. The current flows in one direction only.

An abbreviation of Digital Delay Line, used to create simple delay-based audio effects.

Disc Description Protocol. A data description format used for specifying the content of optical discs including CD, and used almost universally now for the delivery of disc masters to duplication houses. A DDP file contains four elements: the Audio image (.DAT); the DDP identifier (DDPID), the DDP Stream Descriptor (DDPMS); and a subcode descriptor (PQDESCR). Often an extra text file is also included with track titles and timing data. Many DAWs and audio editing programs can now create DDP files.

A system which restores the spectral balance to correct for pre-emphasis.

A device for reducing the effect of sibilance in vocal signals.

A substance formulated to remove oxides from electrical contacts. (cf. Contact Cleaner)

The progressive reduction in amplitude of a sound or electrical signal over time, eg. The reverb decay of a room. In the context of an ADSR envelope shaper, the Decay phase starts as soon as the Attack phase has reached its maximum level.

A form of ‘spaced microphone’ arrangement in which three microphone capsules (usually, but not always, with omnidirectional polar patterns) are placed in a large triangular array roughly two metres wide, with the central microphone one metre further forward. Sounds approaching from different directions arrive at each capsule at different times and with slightly different levels, and these timing and level differences are used to convey the directional information in the recording. The timing differences between channels can result in unwanted colouration if they are combined to produce a mono mix.

— see dB

A device intended to prevent the transmission of physical vibration over a specific frequency range, such as a rubber or foam block.

The process of rearranging the files on a hard disk so that all the files are as contiguous as possible, and that the remaining free space is also contiguous.

The time between a sound or control signal being generated and it auditioned or taking effect, measured in seconds. Often referred to as latency in the context of computer audio interfaces.

An alternative term for mixer (See also console).

One or more physical click-stops which can be felt when a rotary control is moved. Typically used to identify the centre of a control such as a pan or EQ cut/boost knob, or to give the impression of preset positions on a gain control.

DFA — If you need to ask, you don't need to know!  (more)

An abbreviation for ‘Direct Instrument’ or ‘Direct Inject’ - the two terms being used interchangeably. Used when an electrical sound source (eg electric guitar, bass or keyboard) is connected directly into an audio chain, rather than captured with a microphone in front of a amp/loudspeaker.