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console
A term for a sound mixer, usually a large
desk-like mixer.
cueing
In broadcast, stage and post-production
work, to “cue up” a sound source (a record, a
sound effect on a CD, a song on a tape) means
to get it ready for playback by making sure you
are in the right position on the “cue,” making
sure the level and EQ are all set properly. This
requires a special monitoring circuit that only
the mixing engineer hears. It does not go out
on the air or to the main mixing buses. This
“cueing” circuit is the same as pre-fader (PFL)
solo on a Mackie mixer, and often the terms
are interchangeable.
dB
See decibel.
dBm
A unit of measurement of audio signal level
in an electrical circuit, expressed in decibels
referenced to 1 milliwatt. The “m” in dBm
stands for “milliwatt.” In a circuit with an im-
pedance of 600 ohms, this reference (0dBm)
corresponds to a signal voltage of 0.775 VRMS
(because 0.775 V across 600 ohms equals 1mw).
dBu
A unit of measurement of audio signal level
in an electrical circuit, expressed in decibels
referenced to 0.775 VRMS into any impedance.
Commonly used to describe signal levels
within a modern audio system.
dBv
A unit of measurement equal to the dBu but
no longer in use. It was too easy to confuse a
dBv with a dBV, to which it is not equivalent.
dBV
A unit of measurement of audio signal
level in an electrical circuit, expressed in
decibels referenced to 1 VRMS across any im-
pedance. Commonly used to describe signal
levels in consumer equipment. To convert
dBV to dBu, add 2.2dB.
decibel (dB)
The dB is a ratio of quantities measured in
similar terms using a logarithmic scale. Many
audio system parameters measure over such a
large range of values that the dB is used to
simplify the numbers. A ratio of 1000V:1V=60dB.
When one of the terms in the ratio is an
agreed upon standard value such as 0.775V, 1V
or 1mw, the ratio becomes an absolute value,
i.e., +4dBu, –10dBV or 0dBm.
delay
In sound work, delay usually refers to an
electronic circuit or effects unit whose purpose
it is to delay the audio signal for some short pe-
riod of time. Delay can refer to one short repeat,
a series of repeats or the complex interactions
of delay used in chorusing or reverb. When de-
layed signals are mixed back with the original
sound, a great number of audio effects can be
generated, including phasing and flanging, dou-
bling, Haas-effect positioning, slap or slapback,
echo, regenerative echo, chorusing and hall-like
reverberation. Signal time delay is central to
many audio effects units.
detent
A point of slight physical resistance (a
click-stop) in the travel of a knob or slide con-
trol, used in Mackie mixers to indicate unity
gain.
dipping
The opposite of peaking, of course. A dip is
an EQ curve that looks like a valley, or a dip.
Dipping with an equalizer reduces a band of
frequencies. (See guacamole.)
doubling
A delay effect, where the original signal is
mixed with a medium (20 to 50 msec) delay.
When used carefully, this effect can simulate
double-tracking (recording a voice or instru-
ment twice).
dry
Usually means without reverberation, or
without some other applied effect like delay or
chorusing. Dry is not wet, i.e. totally
unaffected.
dynamic
In sound work, dynamic refers to the class
of microphones that generate electrical signals
by the movement of a coil in a magnetic field.
Dynamic microphones are rugged, relatively
inexpensive, capable of very good performance
and do not require external power.
dynamic range
The range between the maximum and mini-
mum sound levels that a sound system can
handle. It is usually expressed in decibels as
the difference between the level at peak
clipping and the level of the noise floor.