GLOSSARY
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
D/A – Abbreviation of the term Digital To Analog Converter, a device that changes digital data numbers (digital audio signal) into discrete voltage level.
Daisy Chain – A hook up of several devices where the audio signal has to pass through one device to reach the second device and through the second device to reach the third device.
D-Sub, D-Connector – Connectors: used to describe a type of multipin connector often used in audio and computer applications. Originally designed by ITT-Cannon, and given the "D" designation, they are available in different pin-outs and pin-types. The DB-25 connector is often used as a serial and/or parallel port connection; DA-9 connectors are often used as VGA monitor siganls, etc., etc., etc. "D-Sub" is the common tag given to the connector by other manufacturers.
D/A Converter – Sshort for Digital-Analog Converter and also abbreviated DAC, this is an electronic device which converts a digital binary data stream into an analog audio signal-- doing exactly the opposite of an A/D Converter.
Damping – Physics: refers to loss of energy in a vibrating system, usually lost through friction.
Damping Factor – A measure of an audio power amplifier's ability to control the back-emf motion of the loudspeaker once the signal dissipates.
DAT – An abbreviation of Digital Audio Tape and a standard format for recording digital audio on specially designed small cassette tapes.
Data – 1) Information, usually letters, words and commands. 2) An analog signal in early console automation systems made from the control voltages feeding VCA's (voltage controlled amplifiers).
DAW – An abbreviation of Digital Audio Workstation (a dedicated device that is both a recorder and mixer for Digital Audio).
dB – An abbreviation of the term Decibel, a unit used in comparing signal strengths.
dBm – 1) Decibels of audio power present compared to one milliwatt of power in a 600 ohm load. 2) Very incorrectly and too commonly used to designate the reference voltage of .775 volts of audio signal strength regardless of impedance.
dBSPL – The sound pressure level present compared in dB to the standard sound pressure reference level representing "no" sound (a sound pressure level that about 50% of the people would say there was no sound present).
dBu – The audio voltage present compared in dB to the level of .775 volts of audio voltage in any impedance.
dBx – A manufacturer’s brand of noise reduction systems, dynamic processing equipment and other audio gear.
DC – Abbreviation of the term Direct Current (electric current flowing in one direction only).
Dead – Refers to an acoustically absorbent area or space.
Decay – The rate of reduction of the audio signal generated in synthesizers from the peak level.
Decibel – Ratio of two Levels according to a scale where a certain percentage change is one unit.
De-esser - 1) An audio compressor or limiter with its control, circuit made more sensitive to the sounds made by a person pronouncing "s." 2) Any device that will reduce the high frequency energy when "s" is loudly pronounced.
Definition – The quality of a sound that allows it to be distinguished from other sounds.
Degauss – A term with the same meaning as Demagnetize, or to remove the magnetism from.
Delay – A signal which comes from a source and then is delayed by a tape machine or delay device and can be mixed with the original (non-delayed) signal to make it sound fuller, create echo effects, etc.
Delay Effects – Any signal processing that uses delay as its basis for processing such as echo, reverb delay and special effects like flanging and chorusing.
Demo – An inexpensively made recording which gives an idea of some of the musical performances that could be used in a final music production.
Detune – To tune slightly flat, especially when double tracking, usually to give a fuller sound.
D.I. – An abbreviation of the term Direct Injection or Direct Input.
Dialogue – The spoken word recorded in film/video sound, commercials and instructional recordings.
Diaphragm – The part of the microphone, which moves because the pressure changes of the sound pressure wave, move it.
Digital Controls – Controls that have changing number displays when the control is changed.
Digital Delay– A delay line or delay effects unit that converts the audio signal into a digital audio signal, delays it, and converts it back to an analog audio signal before sending it out of the unit.
Digital Domain – In a state of being binary numbers or binary number signals rather than analog or analog signals.
Digital Error – Lost bit information used in the digital words of the digital audio signal.
Digital Interface Format (DIF) – A specification of the number of bits, what the individual bits mean, the voltage, and type of connector for digital audio connections.
Digital Multimeter – A small hand-held, battery operated, testing device that will test voltage, current, and resistance levels as well as continuity, giving a digital display.
Digital Recording – The process of convening audio signals into numbers that represent the waveform and storing these numbers.
Digital Signal Processing - Any signal processing done after an analog audio signal has been converted into digital audio.
Digital To Analog Converter - A device to change digital data numbers that make up the digital audio into discrete voltage levels that approximate the original analog audio waveform.
Digital Word – Information bits that will communicate one value; each word being a standard length.
DIN Stereo – A stereo microphone placement technique. Two cardioid microphones are placed approximately 20cm apart with the capsules angled at 90¡ to each other in order to replicate the stereo image. Used at close ranges, it can be a very effective recording technique.
Diode – An electrical circuit component that allows easy electrical current flow in one direction only.
Dip – To reduce the level of signals in a specific band of audio frequencies.
Direct Box – A small device, usually in the form of a small box, used to convert an unbalanced, high-impedance speaker or instrument-level output to a balanced, low-impedance mic-level output.
Direct Current – Electrical current that flows in one direction only; the opposite of Alternating Current (AC), which flows in alternating directions according to its frequency (an audio signal is an example of alternating current). Direct Current is often used to provide power to electrical components.
Direct Injection (DI) – A sound system interconnection process in which an electrical audio signal is taken from a musical instrument to the mixing desk via a direct box. Used instead of acoustically micing an instrument amplifier.
Direct Out – A feature found on some mixing desks whereby a separate output is fed directly from the preamplifier stage of the input, independent of fader level and equalization, which can be sent to a monitor mixer or recording desk.
Direct – 1) Using a direct pickup. 2) Using a direct output. 3) Recording all musicians to the final two track master without using a multitrack tape.
Direct Box – An electronic device utilizing a transformer or amplifier to change the electrical output of an electric instrument (for example, an electric guitar) to the impedance and level usually obtained from a microphone.
Direct Current – Electric current flowing in one direction only. Abbreviated DC.
Direct Input – A term meaning the same thing as the term Direct Pick Up (feeding the signal from an electrical output of an electric instrument to the recording console or tape recorder without using a microphone but by changing the electrical output of the instrument to the impedance and level of a microphone).
Direct Injection – Same as the term Direct Pick Up (feeding the signal from an electric instrument to the recording console or tape recorder without using a microphone but by changing the electrical output of the instrument to the impedance and level of a microphone).
Direct Output – 1) On most consoles, an output of the console activated by the direct output switch, which connects a numbered input module to the same numbered track (for example. the direct output on input module one feeds to track one of the tape recorder). 2) On some consoles, a jack that is the output of a console input module and can be used to patch the signal from this module to any tack input of a tape machine.
Direct Pick Up – Feeding the signal from an electric instrument to the recording console or tape recorder without using a microphone.
Direct Sound – The sound which reaches a microphone or listener without hitting or bouncing off any obstacles.
Directional Pattern – 1) In microphones, a term meaning the same thing as the term Pick Up Pattern (a description or graphic display of the level that a microphone puts out because of sounds arriving from different directions). 2) In speakers, the pattern of dispersion (the area that the sound from a speaker will evenly cover in a listening area).
Disk (Disc) – 1) A round flat object (usually housed in a protective sleeve) coated with material that can be magnetized in a similar manner to tape. 2) Any round flat object capable of storing audio signals (digital or analog) or digital data, including phonograph records and compact discs.
Disk Operating System – DOS, the function of storage and handling of data by the computer.
Distant Micing – The technique of placing a mic far from a sound source so that reflected sound is picked up with the direct sound.
Dispersion/Dispersion Angle – The angle of effective coverage for sound radiated from a loudspeaker, defined as the included angle bounded by the points at which the loudspeaker's SPL level drops six decibels from its on-axis response. Loudspeaker specifications will provide two components, horizontal dispersional angle, and vertical dispersion angle. Similar to "Polar Pattern."
Distortion – Refers to a measure of the difference between the output and input signals in a linear component, such as an amplifier. Audio garble that can be heard when an audio waveform has been altered, usually by overload of an audio device like an amplifier.
Diversity – A system in wireless microphone receivers that switches between two or more antennas to prevent dropouts in the audio.
Dolby – The brand name of a manufacturer of noise reduction systems and other audio systems, to improve performance and fidelity of audio recording, playback, and transmission.
Doppler Effect – A change in frequency of a delayed signal caused by the delay time changing while the cycle is being formed. Noticeable for instance as an ambulance gets closer, passes you, then moves further away.
DOS – Disk Operating System, which is the function of storage and handling of data by a computer.
Double – 1) To record a second performance, double tracking (recording a second track with a second performance, closely marching the first performance). 2) To use a delay line with medium delay to simulate this.
Drive – 1) To control something else, especially mechanical movement of a recording or playback device. 2) The mechanical mechanism used to Drive (definition 1). 3) To feed a signal to. 4) Short for Disc Drive, the mechanism that writes and reads digital data to and from a floppy disk.
Driver – The unit that feeds a sound pressure wave into the throat of a horn (in a horn loudspeaker).
Dropout – A very short absence of signal in magnetic recording usually caused by dirt or defects in the magnetic coating of tapes and discs or any very short loss of an audio signal.
Drum Booth/Drum Room – An isolation booth/room setup for recording a drum set.
Drum Machine – A sample playback unit, or sound module with synthesized sounds, with drum sounds that can be sequenced by an internal sequencer to play drum patterns.
Drum Pattern – A sequence of drum soundings during a tune played by a drummer or sequenced into a drum machine; especially a short pan used in part of a song.
Dry – Having no reverberation or ambience, and also used to describe an audio signal without any signal processing.
DSP – Digital Signal Processing, any signal processing done after an analog audio signal has been convened into digital audio.
Dub – To copy a recording or a copy of a recording. Also can mean a recording made in time with another recording so the final result is a mix of the first recording and second recording.
Dynamic Microphone – 1) A microphone in which the diaphragm moves a coil suspended in a magnetic field to generate an output voltage proportional to the sound pressure level.
Dynamic Processing/Dynamic Signal Processing – An automatic change in level (or gain) to change the level relationship of the loudest audio to the softest audio.
Dynamic Range – 1) The level difference (in dB) between the loudest peak and the softest level of a tune recording etc. 2) The level difference between the level of clipping and the noise level in an audio device or channel.
Dynamics – 1) The amount of fluctuation in level of an audio signal. 2) In music, the playing of instruments loudly or softly at different times.
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