Glossary » Roland UK

Home » Glossary

Glossary of Terms

If you are unfamiliar with any of the technical jargon contained within this website, see below for a full explanation. If you need further help, contact our customer services team by logging your enquiry through your My Roland account. Your enquiry will be logged and placed in a queue where we aim to respond to your enquiry within one working day.

Customer Service is available Monday through Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm.

0-9A-DE-JK-NO-RS-UV-Z

0-9

1U, 2U

The height of a rack-mounted device measured in "rack spaces." 1U is one rack space in height. 2U is twice as tall, at a height of two rack spaces.

24-bit

24-bit recording is the current industry standard for pro-quality digital audio in which audio is captured and played back as binary computer data in a 24-bit word length. 24-bit recording and playback precisely captures and reproduces the most subtle audio nuances.

Top of Page

ADC

For "Analog-to-Digital Converter," a device that receives analog audio and converts it into digital data, such as analog audio coming into a V-Studio, sampler or digital mixer.

ADSR

Abbreviation for "Attack/Decay/Sustain/Release," the four settings of a traditional envelope.

ADVANCED Mode

Found on EDIROL audio interfaces, this switch changes the driver operation mode for use with audio editing software that uses ASIO drivers. ADVANCED mode is typically used when transferring audio to a computer at a bit depth of 24 bit and sample rates of 44.1/48/96kHz. ADVANCED mode is required for MIDI functionality with EDIROL products.

AES/EBU

For "Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcast Union," a format for sending and receiving digital audio data; typically uses an XLR connection.

AIFF

For "Apple Audio Interchange File Format." A commonly used type of disk file that contains audio, developed by Apple. Also called ".aif" files.

Aftertouch

A realtime control produced by pushing a key down further than the point at which the key's note sounds. Channel aftertouch affects all currently sounding notes; polyphonic aftertouch affects only the pressed note.

Ambience

The resonating of the real or imaginary space in which a sound occurs.

Amplifier envelope

A device that changes the Time Variant Amplifier's settings over a period of time.

Amplitude

The technical term for a signal's volume or loudness.

Analog audio

Voltage-based representations of sound.

Analog-to-digital

The conversion, using an ADC, of analog audio to digital data.

Arpeggiator

A device that plays a pre-programmed series of notes. An arpeggio can be any kind of musical phrase, including simulations of guitar strumming.

ASIO

ASIO stands for Audio Streaming Input/Output. It was originally developed by Steinberg as a low latency driver for handling multiple streams of audio data. ASIO drivers are going to work best with Cubase and Nuendo. Numerous other software makers also work well with this driver including the Emagic programs.

Attack

A parameter that sets the speed at which an envelope or dynamics processor starts. With an envelope, Attack sets the speed at which the enveloped setting travels from 0 to its nominal value. In a dynamics processor, it sets the speed at which the processor starts working.

Attenuate

To reduce in volume.

Audio

A general word for sound.

Automation

The memorization and playback of changes you make to mixer settings.

Automix, Auto-Mix

Automix is the automated mixing system in a V-Studio or VM mixer.

Auto Punch

A feature on V-Studios that automatically starts and stops recording for you when you're punching at locations you've set beforehand.

Aux

Short for "Auxiliary"; a designation for extra busses typically used for sending signal to effects, headphone amps and other destinations.

Aux return

An extra input; typically used for receiving a signal from the output of an internal or external effect processor.

Aux send

An extra bus that can be used for sending signal anywhere; typically used for sending signal into an effect.

Top of Page

Back up

To make a copy of data and to store the copy on an external medium -- such as a CD-R or CD-RW disk -- for safekeeping. This copy is called a "backup." Backing up is extremely important to safeguard against unexpected events. To play or work on a song or project that's been backed up, it must be "recovered."

Balanced

A type of audio connection that uses the three leads in a cable, connector and jack as part of a phase-cancellation scheme to boost signal and reduce noise.

Band

In EQ, a range of frequencies.

Band pass filter

A type of filter that allows only the band of frequencies surrounding the cutoff frequency to pass through unaffected.

Bandwidth

In EQ, the width of a band; the number of frequencies that are boosted or cut above and below a selected center frequency.

Bank

In MIDI instruments, a group of patches. Each bank can contains up to 128 patches, numbered from 0-127 or 1-128. In favorite lists, a group of patches.

Bank Select

A type of MIDI message that typically corresponds to a specific bank of patches. When an instrument receives a Bank Select message, the corresponding patch bank is selected. Typically, a Bank Select message is followed by a Program Change message that selects a patch within the selected bank. A Bank Select message may contain two components, an MSB ("Most Significant Byte") and/or an LSB ("Least Significant Byte") value.

Bass

The lower frequency range of a sound, usually from about 200 Hz down.

Bend range

The maximum pitch change that can be applied by moving a pitch bend control.

Bit depth

Digital recording can capture audio using number strings of varying lengths -- a longer string allows more detail in the description of level changes in the signal. The size of a string is referred to as its "bit depth." Most often, digital devices record and play audio using bit depths of 16 or 24 bits. Audio CDs use 16 bits.

Boost

To increase in level.

Bouncing

Bouncing is the copying of tracks onto other tracks. Typically, this is done to combine a greater number of tracks into a fewer tracks, though there are other reasons to bounce. Some people call bouncing "ping-ponging."

Buffer

An audio buffer is a driver setting usually found in audio recording software. Reducing the buffer size can help reduce the amount of latency while recording and monitoring audio. Increasing the buffer size can help reduce pops and clicks while recording.

Bulk dump

The transmission of a chunk of SysEx data from one MIDI device to another. The sending device doesn't need to understand the data -- it merely needs to be able to receive, store and re-transmit it.

Burn

"Burn" is music industry slang for writing data onto a CD.

Bus

A pathway down which one or more signals can travel to a common destination.

Bus Powered

Found on some EDIROL products, the power for the product is obtained from the FireWire or USB connection, no AC adapter is necessary.

Top of Page

Middle C in most MIDI devices.

CC number (Control Change Number)

A numbered MIDI message that's permanently assigned to a particular parameter. A MIDI Control Change number is followed by a value that sets the parameter in the MIDI device that receives it.

CD-RW drive

A CD-RW drive -- short for "CD-ReWritable" -- is a device that can burn audio onto CD-R ("CD-Recordable") or CD-RW ("CD-ReWritable") discs. You can write unerasable, permanent data onto a CD-R one time. A CD-RW disk can be reused: You can erase a CD-RW and write new data onto the disk.

COSM

An abbreviation for Roland's "Composite Object Sound Modeling" technology that shapes audio by applying the sonic characteristics of popular or classic microphones, guitars, guitar amplifiers and studio reference speakers.

Cannon connector

Another name for an XLR connector.

Channel

A set of tools for the control and shaping of a single audio signal.

Channel strip

A row of controls on a mixer allocated to the shaping of a single audio signal.

Chorus

An effect in which multiple copies of a signal are played together slightly out of time to create a shimmering effect.

Clipping

The unpleasant thumping or clicking noise made when a digital signal exceeds the capacity of an audio device.

Clock

A timing reference that provides the basis for synchronization of different elements in a single device, or between multiple devices.

Coarse tune

The adjustment of pitch in semitone steps.

Compression ratio

The amount of gain reduction applied to a signal exceeding a compressor's threshold level setting.

Compressor

A dynamics processor that reduces the level of any signal exceeding a specified threshold volume.

Core Audio

This is an ultra-low latency, high quality MAC-compatible audio driver that is built directly in to the OSX operating system.

Cue bus

A bus -- sometimes a stereo pair of busses -- dedicated to the providing of signal to performers so they can hear what they're doing.

Cut

To reduce in level.

Cutoff

The frequency at which a filter starts to work.

Cycle

In a sound wave, the repeating movement from the greatest amount of air pressure to the least; the pitch of sound waves is measures in cycles; each cycle equals one "Hertz."

Top of Page

DAC

For "Digital-to-Analog Converter," a device that converts digital data to analog audio, such as the audio leaving a digital mixer on its way to an analog device.

DAT

Abbreviation for "Digital Audio Tape"; used in reference to this type of tape as well as the recorders that use it.

Abbreviation for "decibel," a unit of measurement for the loudness of audio.

DSP

For "digital signal processing," the means by which digital audio is mixed, filtered, equalized, or by which effects are added.

Damper Pedal

Pedal that, when pressed, causes sustaining notes to continue to play until the pedal is released.

D-Beam

A realtime controller found on many Roland instruments. You can manipulate or trigger sounds by moving your hand above the D-Beam.

Decay

In a traditional envelope, the time it takes for the enveloped setting to reach its sustain level after the Attack envelope stage.

De-esser

A device that detects and reduces sibilance in vocal signals.

Defrag, Defragment

The process by which the empty space on a hard drive or in a device's RAM is made continuous -- instead of being broken into small, scattered pieces -- to help ensure smooth operation.

Delay

An effect in which a copy of a signal is played back later than the original.

Detent

A notch that you can feel as you move a fader up or down; signifies the point at which no level boost or cut is applied by the fader.

Digi-Score

A visual interface that displays a music score from any MIDI file. This virtual score constantly displays the exact location in the music file in several notation sizes

Digital audio

Sound represented as binary computer data.

Digital music file

Music that is digitally recorded as a computer file. Common types of digital music files are .mid files -- the smallest and only really interactive type, also called a "Standard MIDI Files" -- .wav files -- very large, medium-resolution files, and MP3 files -- a highly compressed, high resolution file suitable for recording and playback

Digital-to-analog

The conversion, using a DAC, of digital data to analog audio.

Dim

A switch that allows you to quickly reduce your monitoring volume.

Direct box

A mic-level box that converts a phone connector to an XLR connector.

Direct Monitoring

Found on EDIROL products, this adjusts the balance between the monitor volume and the audio volume playback from the computer. Using the Direct Monitor volume control to adjust the volume will not affect the recording level.

Distortion

Fuzz or roughness added to a sound.

Dither

A process that deliberately adds a tiny amount of noise to a signal in order to mask unwanted sounds introduced when the signal's original bit depth is reduced. Dithering is recommended when transferring audio to a device that uses a lower bit depth.

Doubling

The artificial simulation of a second unison performance by using a delay with a short delay time.

Driver

In order for audio or MIDI interfaces to communicate (transfer data) to and from a computer, the use of software drivers is required. For use with a Windows machine, many products can use a standard 16 bit windows driver- these are already a part of a full install of Windows XP. Other interfaces require one or more special drivers to be installed. EDIROL products have an ADVANCED option or switch, which allows for a choice between the standard Windows driver, or in the ADVANCED mode, the specialized drivers. Deciding which driver to use will depend on the application being used and the USB/FIREWIRE hardware being used.

Dry

A signal to which an effect has not been added.

Dynamics

Volume changes that occur in audio.

The process of altering the levels of frequencies that comprise a signal. Also called "equalization."

Top of Page

Echo

A delay-based effect in which copies of a signal are heard trailing off to silence; similar to shouting from a mountaintop and hearing your voice repeat.

Effects

Any of a variety of audio processes that can be applied to a signal to modify it, including reverb, delay, flanging, phasing.

Effect loop

The process of adding an effect to a signal by sending a copy of the signal to an effect and mixing the effect's output with the original signal.

Effect processor

A built-in or external device that produces effects.

Effect return

An input that receives signal from the output of an internal or external effect.

Encode

The process by which sampled audio is prepared for VariPhrase manipulation.

Envelope

A device that changes a basic setting by the desired amount at specified time intervals. Envelopes are commonly used to alter basic waveform pitch settings, as well as basic TVF and TVA settings.

The process of altering the levels of frequencies that comprise a signal. Also called "equalization."

Equalizer

A device that boost or cuts the volume of specific frequencies in a signal.

Equal temperament

Standard Western tuning that divides each octave into twelve mathematically equal parts.

Expander

A device that reduces the level of a signal when it falls below a specified threshold to exaggerate its dynamic range.

Expansion board

An optional circuit board that can be installed in a device to add additional sounds or effect processing.

EZ Routing

A re-usable template containing mixer routings and other settings. In some V-Studios, walks you through the creation of a setup using displayed questions.

Top of Page

F button

A multi-use button whose function is defined by software.

Abbreviation for "effects."

Fade In

A change in level over time increasing upward from silence.

Fade Out

A change in level over time falling gradually to silence.

Fader

A slider-type device used for the precise manipulation of levels. In some devices, can also be used for the setting of parameter values.

Feedback

The delaying of a delay so that multiple images of the original signal are heard; also, the loud squeal that's heard when a channel is receiving its own output.

Filter

A device that removes specified frequencies from a signal.

Filter envelope

A device that changes the Time Variant Filter's settings over a period of time.

Finalize

The last stage of CD-R/RW writing in which the disk's table of contents (TOC) is written onto the disk.

Fine tune

The adjustment of pitch in the smallest of increments, typically 100ths of a semitone, or "cents."

FireWire Audio Interface

A FireWire interface allows the transfer of audio to and from a computer via a FireWire connection, the use of software drivers is required. EDIROL FireWire interfaces do not require the installation of driver software when being used with MAC OSX.

Flanger

An effect that generates a swirling sound by adding a slightly delayed copy of the signal in which the copy's delay time fluctuates.

Flex Bus

A powerful all-purpose bus available on Roland digital mixers.

Flip

On an in-line mixer, the act of allocating a channel's tools to the control of an input signal or to the control of a multitrack tape return.

Flipping

When working with two signals 180 degrees out of phase, delaying one of the signals so that its phase lines up with the other.

Flying fader

A motorized fader that automatically moves to its current setting.

Formant

Harmonic content of a sound that determine the sound's character, especially important in human vocal sounds, where formants are produced by mouth shape and vocal cord length.

Fragmentation

The breaking up of a large space -- a hard drive or onboard RAM memory -- into smaller, disconnected chunks of space that prevent data from being stored in one continuous area. Fragmentation can cause operational problems.

Frame

In SMPTE and MTC time codes, seconds are divided into frames as determined by the current frame rate.

Frequency

Refers to the number of times per second that a sound wave's cycle repeats, with a greater frequency resulting in a higher perceived pitch; also used as shorthand for describing sound waves in audio by their pitch.

Top of Page

GM, GM2

Abbreviation for "General MIDI" and "General MIDI 2," respectively.

GPI

GPI is short for "General Purpose Interface," a control jack found on some video editing devices.

Roland's extension of General MIDI. GS adds features such as chorus, reverb and panning for more realistic sound, and expands beyond the original 128 sounds of General MIDI to 16,000-plus sounds. This open-ended convention has been licensed by Apple for QuickTime 3.0, 4.0 & 5.0, by Microsoft for their GS synthesizer, and by Nintendo for their sound applications.

Gain

Another term for level.

Gate

A device that turns audio off or down when it falls below a specified threshold.

General MIDI

General MIDI -- or "GM" -- is a music industry standard ratified in 1991. It established a set of 128 synth, orchestral and percussion sounds so that GM files and Standard MIDI Files play back on any GM-compatible instrument with predictable results.

General MIDI 2

General MIDI 2 -- or "GM2" -- is an update to the General MIDI standard. It was ratified in 1991. GM2 was adopted by Roland and Yamaha to extend the set of GM sounds, expressive musical parameters and other features in order to provide for more consistent playback of GM2-compliant files on different instruments.

Graphic equalizer

An equalizer with pre-determined editable frequencies, arranged from left to right to visually depict the EQ shape of a signal.

Ground

A common zero voltage reference in a system of connected audio devices; when devices have different zero voltage references, ground hum may occur.

Grouping

A process by which multiple channels are joined together under a single level control.

Top of Page

Abbreviation for "hertz."

Hi-Speed USB

Hi-speed USB is another name for USB 2.0. Some EDIROL products will have a switch that allows the choice between USB 2.0 and 1.0 (full-speed.)

Hi-Z

Abbreviation for "high impedance."

Hard drive

A device that uses magnetism to store data on a rigid platter mounted inside its case.

Hash mark

A horizontal line along the path of a fader to help identify its up/down position.

Headroom

The number of dBs above the point at which a clipping warning appears before clipping actually occurs.

Hertz (Hz)

A unit of measurement equal to a sound wave's single cycle.

High impedance

High-impedance devices include electric guitars and basses, and some semi-pro microphones.

High pass filter

A filter that allows all frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency to pass through unaffected.

Hold pedal

Pedal that, when pressed, causes sustaining notes to continue to play until the pedal is released.

Hum

An undesirable low-frequency tone present in a signal as a result of grounding problems or proximity to a power source, typically a 60Hz noise in USA.

Top of Page

IDE

Short for "Integrated Device and Electronics." A set of data transmission standards employed by high-speed disk drives.

I/O

Abbreviation for "in/out," as in "inputs and outputs."

i-format

Music data file format used on MT, KR, HP-G, AT- and V-MT-series products. Files created on any of these instruments are cross-compatible. The Visual MT (V-MT1) can convert any i-format song into the Standard MIDI File (SMF) format.

Impedance

The amount of force with which voltage leaves a connector and the amount of resistance to that force in the jack receiving it -- they should be equal.

In-line

A synonym for "insert effect". Also, a mixer whose input and multitrack tape return controls are contained in each of its channel strips.

Input

A jack that receives audio.

Input level

The level of signal coming into an input jack or input channel.

Insert

A point in a signal flow at which an insert, or in-line, effect can be employed.

Insert effect

An effect routing that interrupts a channel's signal flow, diverting its signal into the effect and then out of the effect back into the channel. An insert effect completely replaces the original signal with an effected version. Commonly used with dynamics processing and modeling effects.

Interactive song files

Since MIDI files contain individual note information, users can interact with their contents, most frequently by changing the files' tempo, key, or number of tracks.

Top of Page

kHz

For "kiloHertz," a thousand Hertz.

Keyfollow

A feature in which the amount of change applied to a sound is based on the played note's distance above or below Middle C.

Top of Page

Latency

Latency is the delay experienced when monitoring audio through software. This delay is the amount of time it takes the computer to process the sound and output it.

LCD

For "Liquid Crystal Diode," a plasma-based display used in most digital mixers.

LED

For "Light Emitting Diode," a small, sometimes colored, light bulb.

LFO ("Low Frequency Oscillator")

An inaudible low-frequency waveform that alters a basic setting -- a waveform's pitch, a tone's filter or panning settings -- in a cyclic manner according to the shape of the LFO's waveform. An LFO is typically used as a means of adding vibrato, tremolo or auto-panning.

LSB

For "Least Significant Byte." The LSB value is the second half of a full MIDI Bank Select message (the first half is the MSB value). Control Change Number 32 is the LSB Bank Select Control Change number.

Level

A general term for volume or amplitude.

Limiter

A compressor set to a ratio of 10:1 or greater. This has the effect of preventing all but the fastest signals from exceeding the threshold volume, thus forcing them into the desired level range.

Line level

The high-level signal produced at the outputs of audio equipment such as synths, samplers, beatboxes, turntable preamps, CD players, mixers, recorders and playback devices.

Locator

An bookmark for a time location. Locators are fast and easy to recall, and are ideal for navigating a song or project.

Loop

As a verb, the act of playing the same section over and over. As a noun, a chunk of audio that's played over and over. Also an effect routing that adds an effect to a signal by sending a copy of the signal to an effect, and mixing the effect's output with the original signal.

Loop effect

An effect routing that adds an effect to a signal by sending a copy of the signal to an effect, and mixing the effect's output with the original signal. Commonly used for reverbs and delay-based effects. Also called a "send-and-return effect."

Loudness

Another term for volume.

Low impedance

Low-impedance devices include pro-quality mics, as well as synths, samplers, beat boxes, effect processors and so on.

Low pass filter

A filter that allows all frequencies lower than the cutoff frequency to pass through unaffected.

Top of Page

MIDI

For "Musical Instrument Digital Interface," the wiring and message protocol that allows musical instruments and other devices to communicate.

MIDI Connector

A five-pin DIN connector found at either end of a MIDI cable.

MIDI file

A computer music file created by a MIDI instrument or MIDI sequencer. These files have a ".mid," (pronounced "dot mid") suffix.

MIDI message

An instruction transmitted from one MIDI device to another. Each MIDI message contains at least two numbers: one that identifies the type of message being sent, and one that represents a value for the selected type of message.

MIDI clock

A form of MIDI-based synchronization that transmits a rhythmic pulse from one MIDI instrument to another to keep the devices synchronized.

MIDI Control Change message

A type of MIDI message assigned to a particular parameter. When you send a value for a MIDI Control Change number, it sets the corresponding parameter in the MIDI device that receives it.

MIDI control surface

A hardware device that transmits MIDI messages, and whose purpose is the control of a second MIDI device.

MMC

For "MIDI Machine Control," the MIDI-based protocol that allows the controls of one MMC-compliant device to affect the transport mechanism of another.

MME

MultiMedia Extension drivers are slower than ASIO or WDM as they are controlled by the Windows O/S. Because of this, it’s best to use ASIO or WDM if supported by the software application.

Modeling

A process that imitates the sonic characteristics of another instrument or device. Roland analog modeling recreates the sound of synth waveforms, while tone wheel modeling captures the sound of classic organs. Roland's advanced COSM modeling creates realistic emulations of popular and classic microphones, guitars, guitar amplifiers and studio reference speakers.

MSB

For "Most Significant Byte." The MSB value is one half of a full MIDI Bank Select message (the second half is the LSB value). Control Change Number 00 is the MSB Bank Select.

MTC

For "MIDI Time Code," a form of SMPTE used for the timing synchronization of two or more MIDI devices.

Multitimbral

word that describes a device that can play more than one instrument or patch at a time.

Macro

A shortcut that performs a multi-step operation as a single action.

Marker

A bookmark for a specific time location used by V-Studios and CD-R/RW recorders.

Master device

One device controls the timing of synchronized devices. That device is the master. Any device controlled by the master is a slave device.

Mastering

The final step in the process of preparing a mix for publication and/or mass-duplication.

Mastering tracks

The pair of V-Tracks onto which the final mix is recorded. Mastering tracks can be burned onto an audio CD.

Mastering Tool Kit

A suite of professional-quality effects that prepares audio for transfer to an audio CD.

Memory Card

A credit-card-sized card that can store patch or other kinds of data.

Meter

A device that shows the level of a signal.

Meter bridge

A separate piece of mixer hardware that provides an additional array of meters.

Mic

A common nickname for "microphone."

Mic level

The low-level signal produced by microphones and electric instruments such as electric guitar or bass.

Microphone

A device that converts sound waves into audio signals.

Mix

As a noun, a signal that contains one or more other signals -- typically a mix is a pair of stereo signals that contains numerous mono and stereo signals, along with effects, combined together. As a verb, the act of creating such a combined signal, or of using a mixer in general.

Mixdown

A common synonym for the noun "mix."

Mixer

A device in which audio signals can be manipulated, enhanced and directed to other destinations, singly or together; also, someone who operates a mixer.

Modeling

A process by which the characteristics of one signal are applied to another. Roland's advanced COSM modeling creates realistic emulations of popular and classic microphones, guitars, guitar amplifiers and studio reference speakers.

Modulation

A technical word for "change." In synths, a modulator changes a pre-programmed value. Common modulators include mod wheels, D Beams, envelopes, LFOs, keyboard velocity and aftertouch.

Mod wheel, Modulation wheel

A wheel located to the left of a keyboard that allows you to change parameter values in realtime.

Monitor

As a noun, a speaker, or set of speakers, for the purpose of listening to a mix; as a verb, to listen.

Mono

A single signal.

Mono Mode

An operating mode in which a synth or sampler sounds only a single note at a time no matter how many notes are played. When a new note is played, the previous note is stopped.

Multi-Partial Patch

In the XV-5080, a patch comprised of up to 88 partials.

Multitimbral

A device that can play more than one patch at a time, typically through the use of a performance or multitimbre.

Music Tutor interactive

A feature on some Roland instruments that adds a helpful, "human" personality to an easy-to-use 5-track sequencer (expandable to 16 tracks), a GS sound section and a floppy disk drive. The Music Tutor acts as a powerful, practical learning assistant, and is helpful for learning a tune or studying a keyboard method.

Mute

As a noun, a switch that allows you to silence a channel's signal. As a verb, to silence an audio signal.

Top of Page

Normalize

The process by which the gain of digital audio is increased to its maximum allowable volume.

Notation program

A notation program allows one to play music into a computer via a MIDI keyboard and have the notes instantly appear on the screen, immediately available for printing. More advanced programs feature additional editing, note-entry and printing options.

Notching

A form of EQ in which a selected frequency and a specified number of frequencies above and below it -- called a "band" -- are affected.

Now line

The dark vertical line at the center of a playlist that represents your current position in the playlist. Also called a "timeline."

Top of Page

Optical connector

A connector that transmits digital data as light using fiber-optic technology.

Oscillator

In a synth, internal hardware that generates sound.

Out of phase

A situation in which the soundwave cycles in one signal reach their greatest amount of air pressure as the cycles in a similar signal reach their least; the two signals will cancel each other out.

Outboard

External, as in an "external device."

Output

A jack that sends out a signal from a device.

Overload

What occurs when a signal is so loud that it exceeds the capabilities of the device through which it's passing.

Top of Page

PCM

For "Pulse Code Modulation," the method used for recording and storing samples in many synths.

PS/2

PS/2 is a wiring standard for computer peripheral devices developed by IBM.

Pad

A device that lowers the level of a signal. Also an oversize button you can strike to play a sound.

Panning

The left/right positioning of a signal within a stereo image.

Parameter

A setting whose value can be changed.

Parametric

A type of EQ that can be adjusted to boost or cut any frequency within its overall range; may also have a user-definable bandwidth.

Part

An object within a performance or multitimbre that plays a patch. Each part has its own set of parameters, including MIDI channel, key range (or "zone"), and offsets to the selected patch's own settings.

Partial

In the XV Series, a collection of up to four samples mapped to an area on the keyboard. Each partial contains several components that play and shape its samples. These are the SMT (Sample Mix Table), TVF (time variant filter), TVA (time variant amplifier), envelope and LFO. In pre-JV/XP-Series synths, the basic building block of a patch. A partial contains several components that play and shape a waveform.

Patch

In a synth, a set of tones -- or partials in pre-JV/XP-Series synths -- along with parameters that determine their behavior. In recording, a temporary connection made between two audio devices, or within one. In the XV 5080, a multi-partial patch can contains up to 88 partials.

Pattern

A short musical passage recorded as MIDI data.

Peak

A sudden high-volume burst of signal.

Performance

An object that contains 16 parts, each of which plays a patch. Performances allow you to use multiple patches together as splits or layers, and when working with a multitrack sequencer in some synths. In some synths, performances also incorporate an arpeggiator and rhythm patterns.

Phantom power

The power required for the operation of a condenser microphone when it's not supplied by internal batteries or a separate power supply.

Phasing

The synchronization -- or lack thereof -- of the sound waves in two similar signals. Also an effect in which a swirling sound is added to a signal by creating a very slightly delayed copy of the signal and in which the copy's delay time fluctuates, similar to flanging.

Phase cancellation

The complete cancellation of audio that occurs when two signals are 180 degrees out of phase.

Phone connector

A 1/4" connector used for the transmission of mic or line-level audio.

Phono connector

A small audio connector used for the connection of line-level signals and S/PDIF-format digital audio connections.

Phrase

In a V-Studio, a set of pointers that instructs the V-Studio when and how to play a take.

Pitch bend paddle, Pitch bend wheel

A device located to the left of a keyboard with which you can raise or lower the pitch of played notes by a pre-programmed amount in realtime.

Playlist

In a V-Studio, a list of all of the data to be played in a song or project, presented on a horizontal, left-to-right axis.

Polarity

Refers to whether or not the hot and ground leads in two audio cables are connected to their destinations in the same manner.

Poly mode

An operating mode in which a synth or sampler can play multiple notes at once, as in a chord.

Polyphony

The number of waveforms or oscillators a synth can simultaneously play.

Portamento

An operating mode in which one note glides to the next.

Post

The designation for accessing audio just after it leaves a particular channel component. For example, "post-fader" grabs audio just after it leaves a channel's main level control before it gets to its panning control.

Pre

The designation for the accessing of audio before a particular module; for example, "pre-EQ" grabs audio before it gets to a channel strip's EQ.

Program Change

A type of MIDI message that corresponds to a specific patch. When an instrument receives a Program Change message, the corresponding patch is selected for use.

Project

In a VS-2480, all of the audio and settings for a recorded work, stored as a project disk file on the VS-2480's hard drive.

Pumping

The undesirable sound of a compressor or expander switching on and off.

Punching

The process of re-recording sections of a previously recorded track. The act of starting a punch is called "punching in." Ending a punch is called "punching out."

Top of Page

A synonym for "bandwidth."

Quantizing

A sequencer operation that corrects the timing of recorded MIDI data. Quantizing moves notes -- and other MIDI data if desired -- to the nearest gridline on a user-selected rhythm grid.

Top of Page

RAM

For "Random Access Memory," the type of volatile memory used in a device for the storage of user data. If the device has battery-backed RAM, its contents are preserved at power-off. Otherwise, RAM memory is cleared when the device is turned off.

R-BUS

A Roland digital communication standard that allows the exchange of digital information between connected devices. The R-BUS standard includes R-BUS jacks and cables. Each connection can simultaneously carry eight channels of digital audio data in and out of a device, and can also carry synchronization and MIDI data.

RCA connector

Another name for a phono connector.

For "Radio Frequency," interference from local radio stations that's sometimes picked up and passed along audio cables.

RMDB-II

An early name for Roland's R-BUS standard.

ROM

For "Read-Only Memory," the type of memory in a device that can permanently store sounds and other data. The contents of ROM memory cannot be changed by a user.

RPS

For "Realtime Phrase Sequence," a feature that allows you to trigger a pattern by playing a single key. With RPS, each key can play its own pattern.

RSS

For "Roland Sound Space," and effect that produces a three-dimensional audio image in which sound seems to be coming from the front, side, above or below the listener.

Ratio

The amount of gain change to be applied to a signal that exceeds or falls below the threshold settings of a compressor or expander, respectively.

Realtime

A realtime process is one that occurs while you're recording or playing back without requiring you to stop either action since it takes place in "real time."

Recover

To reload a song or project you've backed up. When you recover backup data, the data returns to its original, playable, editable form.

Redo

You can reverse an undo by performing a "redo."

Region

On the VS-2480, a region is a section of time within a project, defined by the placement of IN and OUT edit points -- it's the portion of the project that falls between these two edit points.

Release

With an envelope, Release sets the speed at which the envelope returns to its zero setting. In a dynamics processor, it sets the speed at which the processor stops working.

Removable disk drive

A hard drive device whose disk platter resides on a cartridge that can be removed from the device and replaced with another cartridge.

Resonance

A gain control that raises the level of the cutoff frequency. This control can be manipulated manually using performance techniques such as velocity, or automatically using enveloping or LFOs.

Return

A bus or input jack that receives signal, typically from effect outputs.

Reverb

An effect in which the ambience of a physical space is simulated -- a signal is copied many times, and the copies are heard one after another at decreasing levels, so closely together that they are not perceived as individual events.

Rhythm set

A type of sound that plays a different patch on each key.

Rhythm pattern

A musical passage that uses drum and percussion sounds.

Rhythm track

In some personal studios, an extra track that plays pre-recorded rhythm patterns.

Ribbon controller

A strip across which you can drag your finger back and forth to manipulate a sound in realtime.

Riding

The process of continually adjusting a signal's level.

Roll off

In EQ, the reduction of the level of lower-most or upper-most frequencies.

Routing

The connection of a component's output to the input of another component. For example, you can route input jacks to input channels, input channels to tracks, Aux busses to effects or to output jacks, and so on.

Top of Page

SCMS

For "Serial Copy Management System," the system used for write-protecting digital audio so that no unauthorized digital copies of the audio can be made.

SCSI

Short for "Small Computer System Interface." SCSI is a set of cabling and data standards for the passing of data between storage devices.

SCSI Bus

The data stream running through cabling connecting a series of SCSI devices.

SMF

Short for "Standard MIDI File."

SMF Library

The vast collection of interactive song files for keyboard instruction, instrumental and vocal accompaniments and contemporary and traditional church music. In addition, thousands of "play for fun" titles include lyrics and harmony for sing-alongs.

SMPTE

For "Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers"; synchronization technology used for coordinating the timing of audio and video equipment.

S/PDIF

For "Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format," a standard for the sending and receiving of digital audio data; typically uses phono connectors.

SPP

Short for "Song Position Pointer."

Sample

A recording of audio in a synth or sampler. In digital recording, one of thousands of recordings of audio captured each second.

Sample frequency

Another term for "sample rate."

Sample rate

The number of times per second a digital device captures an image of a signal. CDs use a 44.1kHz sample rate -- 44,100 samples per second.

Sampler

An instrument that digitally records audio. Playback of the recording can be triggered using a keyboard, pads or other mechanisms.

Scene

Mixer settings saved in the internal memory of a V-Studio or digital mixer. A scene can be quickly recalled, re-establishing all of its settings instantly.

Send

A bus or output jack that transmits signal.

Send-and-return effect

SENS

Shortened form of “Sensitivity knob”, this is a trim knob for the preamp level.

Sequencer

A MIDI recorder that captures MIDI data and can play it back in realtime.

Shelving

A type of EQ in which all frequencies above or below a selected frequency are affected; low shelving affects all frequencies below the selected frequency; high shelving all those above it.

Shielding

The electric or magnetic materials used in a cable that protect its signal from unwanted noise.

Signal

A general term for audio as it travels through audio cables and equipment.

Signal Flow

The journey a signal takes from one place to another.

Slapback

Type of reverb whose beginning is slightly delayed to simulate the reflection of sound off of a physical wall; also called- "pre-delay."

Slate

A spoken label recorded at the beginning of a take, such as "Remix, Take 1."

Slave device

One device controls the timing of synchronized devices. That device is the master. Any device controlled by the master is a slave device.

SmartMedia

A credit-card-sized memory card that can store patch and/or other kinds of data.

Snapshot

A captured group of mixer settings that reflect the state of the mixer at a particular moment within a song or project -- the mixer can recall the snapshot and re-instate its settings at the proper moment during the playback of the song or project.

Soft button, soft knob

A multi-use button or knob on a digital mixer whose function is defined by software.

Soft Control

Found on EDIROL audio interfaces, Soft Control is a part of Direct Monitoring. When Soft Control is switched off, the software settings in the input and output monitor control panels are bypassed. This provides a convenient way to temporarily ignore the software settings when you need to do things such as check connections.

Solo

When monitoring, the isolation of one signal by silencing all other signals.

Song

In some V-Studios, all of the audio and settings for a recorded work, saved as a song disk file on the V-Studio's storage device.

Song Position Pointer (SPP)

A type of MIDI message that communicates song/sequence/project location information by transmitting the number of 16th notes since the beginning of the song/sequence/project.

Sound Card

A common PC component with a D-to-A (digital to analog) converter and a set, or "wavetable," of sounds. Also a credit-card-sized storage device that holds synth and sampler patches and waveform data.

Sound module

A MIDI device whose sole purpose is to generate sounds. A sound module typically contains patches, and may contains its own effects as well.

Split

A mixer with a separate section for controlling multitrack tape returns.

Standard MIDI File (SMF)

A file that contains a MIDI recording of music in the Standard MIDI File format. Such as file can be played by any SMF-compatible sequencer or playback device. The most common SMF types are Type 0 files with multiple tracks combined into a single multi-channel track, and Type 1 files comprised of separate individual tracks.

Stereo

A two-dimensional image created by two signals, each of which is assigned to one of a pair of speakers arranged left and right of each other.

Stretch tuning

Traditional acoustic piano tuning that slightly sharpens the highest keys and slightly flattens the lowest keys for psychoacoustic purposes.

Strip

Short for "channel strip."

Style

A musical passage that can contain all of the elements of a musical arrangement and can be played as a single object.

Subframe

A subdivision of a SMPTE or MTC frame equaling 1/98th of a frame.

SuperNATURAL
SuperNATURAL pianos are equipped with technology, which brings together Roland V-Piano technology, 88-key stereo multi-sampling technology, organic tonal change and natural decay

Sustain pedal

Pedal that, when pressed, causes sustaining notes to continue to play until the pedal is released.

Sustain

In a traditional envelope, the level at which an enveloped setting remains after the Attack and Decay stages until the key is released.

Sweep

In EQ, to quickly listen to all of the frequencies in a signal one after another.

Synchronization

Or "sync"; the coordination of timing between audio and/or video devices.

Synth, Synthesizer

An instrument that synthesizes new sounds from raw audio materials such as waveforms. A synth may also generate its own completely original sounds using oscillators.

SysEx, System Exclusive

A type of MIDI message that contains instructions that can be understood only by a specific MIDI device identified by manufacturer, model and SysEx ID number.

Top of Page

TOC

For "Table of Contents," the directory on an audio CD that allows its player to find each selection on the CD.

TRS

Short for "Tip/Ring/Sleeve." A type of 1/4" audio cable connector that uses three wires for carrying audio signals and for grounding. The wires are attached to the connector's tip, ring and a second ring called a "sleeve."

TVA ("Time Variant Amplifier")

The component within a tone or partial that controls the level of its audio, and sets its stereo position, or "panning."

TVF ("Time Variant Filter")

The component within a tone or partial that controls the frequency content of its audio.

Take

In a V-Studio, a take is an audio file recorded on your hard drive. In general studio usage, "take" refers to an attempt to record a performance, successful or otherwise.

Tempo

Synonym for speed or rate.

Terminator

A separate device or internal drive mechanism that electrically terminates a SCSI chain of devices. Each SCSI chain must have a terminator at both ends. V-Studios and Roland sample-based devices provide termination for one end of a SCSI chain.

Tick

The smallest division of a quarter note.

Tone

The basic building block of a patch. A tone contains several components that play and shape a waveform. These are the WG (wave generator), TVF (time variant filter), TVA (time variant amplifier), envelope and LFO. One or more tones are the foundation of every patch.

Track

In a V-Studio, a set of V-Tracks, one of which can be active at a time. In editing on pre-VS-2480 V-Studios, a section of time within a song, defined by the placement of IN and OUT edit points -- it's the portion of the song that falls between these two edit points. In a sequencer, one stream of MIDI data on one or more MIDI channels.

Timeline

The dark vertical line at the center of a playlist that represents your current position in the playlist. Also called a "now line."

Threshold

A designated level that triggers an action in a compressor, gate or expander.

Track

A stream of recorded audio data.

Track Minutes

A method of expressing the available recording time by measuring the maximum length of a single monaural track of recorded data.

Transient

A very brief high-level signal.

Treble

The higher frequencies in a signal.

Tremolo

A rhythmic fluctuation in level.

Top of Page

USB Audio interface

A USB interfaces allows the transfer of audio to and from a computer via a USB connection, the use of software drivers is required.

USB MIDI interface

An interface for connecting a MIDI device to a computer using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. The industry-standard USB cable is convenient for users who frequently change between Mac and PC platforms.

Unbalanced

A type of connection that utilizes only two of the leads -- the high and ground -- of a cable, connector and jack.

Undo

A V-Studio's Undo feature allows you to reverse your most recent recording and editing actions. This is called "undoing" the action.

Top of Page

V knob

A multi-use knob whose function is defined by software.

VariPhrase

Roland sampling technology that allows you to manipulate sampled audio in realtime. VariPhrase allows you to change the pitch, tempo, formant content and groove of encoded sampled audio.

Virtual Track, V-Track

A Virtual Track -- or "V-Track" -- is a set of one or more recorded phrases arranged in the order in which they're to be played back. Each V-Studio track contains a set of V-Tracks, any one of which can be played back or recorded on at any given time.

Velocity

A realtime controller based on the force with which a MIDI device's keys or (pads, etc.) are struck.

Velocity Sensitivity

The amount by which changes in velocity affect a tone or patch.

Vibrato

A rhythmic fluctuation in pitch.

Virtual orchestra

A GS/General MIDI module effectively creates a multi-part ensemble for orchestral or combo accompaniments, with up to 16 distinct orchestral sounds or timbres.

Volume

A general term for a signal's loudness.

Top of Page

WAV

A commonly used type of hard disk file that contains audio, developed by Microsoft. Also called ".wav" or "WAVE" files. There are many professionally recorded drum and other instrumental loops available as .wav files for use in song construction.

Waveform

In a synth or sampler, the raw material from which a patch is constructed. A waveform is one or more samples of an instrument or other type of sound. Each tone or partial in a patch plays a waveform, as selected by the tone's or partial's wave generator. In a V-Studio, an audio signal displayed in a grid. The horizontal axis shows elapsed time, and the vertical axis shows volume, or "amplitude."

WDM

An acronym for Windows Driver Mode. This low latency driver allows software applications to stream audio directly without going through the Windows operating system.

Wet

A signal to which an effect has been applied.

WG ("Wave Generator")

The component within a tone that selects the desired waveform and sets its basic behavior.

Word clock

A type of timing information carried within a digital audio signal that keeps multiple digital recording devices precisely synchronized when exchanging digital audio.

Top of Page

XLR connector

A high-quality three-pin audio connector; also called a "cannon connector"; also used for AES-EBU-format digital audio connections.

Top of Page

Y cable

An audio cable with one jack on one end, and two on the other.

Top of Page

MyRoland

Glossary of Terms

Navigate Roland UK

Search Roland

Roland Information