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- 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.
A
- 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.
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.
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.
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B
- 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
centre 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."
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.
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C
- C4
- 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
modelling" 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.
Condenser Microphone
- A
type of high-quality mic
that requires power.
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."
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D
- 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.
dB
- 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.
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.
Dry
- A
signal to which an effect
has not been added.
Dynamics
- Volume
changes that occur in audio.
EQ
- The
process of altering the
levels of frequencies that
comprise a signal. Also
called "equalization."
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E
- 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.
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.
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.
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F
- F
button
- A
multi-use button whose function
is defined by software.
FX
- 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."
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.
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G
- 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.
GS
- 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.
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H
- Hz
- Abbreviation
for "hertz."
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.
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I
- 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 modelling 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.
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K
- 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.
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L
- 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.
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M
- 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.
modelling
- A
process that imitates the
sonic characteristics of
another instrument or device.
Roland analog modelling
recreates the sound of synth
waveforms, while tone wheel
modelling captures the sound
of classic organs. Roland's
advanced COSM modelling
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.
modelling
- A
process by which the characteristics
of one signal are applied
to another. Roland's advanced
COSM modelling 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.
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N
- 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
centre of a playlist that
represents your current
position in the playlist.
Also called a "timeline."
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O
- 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.
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P
- 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."
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Q
- Q
- 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.
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R
- 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.
RF
- 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.
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S
- 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
- 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 "loop
effect."
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.
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.
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.
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T
- 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.
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U
- 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.
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V
- 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.
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W
- 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.
WG ("Wave Generator")
- The
component within a tone
that selects the desired
waveform and sets its basic
behavior.
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."
Wet
- A
signal to which an effect
has been applied.
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.
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X
- XLR
connector
- A
high-quality three-pin audio
connector; also called a
"cannon connector"; also
used for AES-EBU-format
digital audio connections.
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Y
- Y
cable
- An
audio cable with one jack
on one end, and two on the
other.
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