Devices that can be worn on the head with small speakers that fit over the ears (or sometimes into the ears).
Line Input
An input designed to take a line level signal.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Compact Disc CD
A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it.
Highs
Short for the term High Frequencies (the audio frequencies from 6000 Hz and above).
Brooks HI FI projectors Frame
1) A division of one second in synchronization and recording coming from definition two.
2) The amount of time that one still picture is shown in film or video.
Crossover (Crossover Network)
A set of filters that "split" the audio signal into two or more bands (two or more signals, each of which have only some of the frequencies present).
Compression Ratio
How many dB the input signal has to rise above the threshold for every one dB more output of a compressor or limiter.
Linear
The condition of obtaining a change at the output of the device which is proportional to the change occurring at the input.
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Monday, August 28, 2023
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Audio
Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy.
Alternating Current
Electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit.
Brooks RM 909 reviews Boom Stand
A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone.
Amplitude
The height of a waveform above or below the zero line.
Brooks HI FI projectors Harmonics
Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overtone the second harmonic, etc. Attributing to instruments, voices, etc. their distinctive timbre.
Balanced input/output
A "balanced" connection is one that has three wires to move the signal. One is a ground, and the other two (called conductors) carry signals of equal value. This is why they are called balanced. Low Z cables and connections are the most common example.
Cycles Per Second
A unit used in the measure of frequency, equivalent to Hertz. Cycles Per Second is an outdated term replaced by Hertz in 1948.
Expander
A device that causes expansion of the audio signal.
Alternating Current
Electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit.
Brooks RM 909 reviews Boom Stand
A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone.
Amplitude
The height of a waveform above or below the zero line.
Brooks HI FI projectors Harmonics
Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overtone the second harmonic, etc. Attributing to instruments, voices, etc. their distinctive timbre.
Balanced input/output
A "balanced" connection is one that has three wires to move the signal. One is a ground, and the other two (called conductors) carry signals of equal value. This is why they are called balanced. Low Z cables and connections are the most common example.
Cycles Per Second
A unit used in the measure of frequency, equivalent to Hertz. Cycles Per Second is an outdated term replaced by Hertz in 1948.
Expander
A device that causes expansion of the audio signal.
Friday, August 25, 2023
Brooks RM 909 Diaphragm
A thin flexible membrane or cone that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves. Distortion is usually referred to in terms of total harmonic distortion (THD) which is the percentage of unwanted harmonics of the drive signal present with the wanted signal. Generally used to mean any unwanted change introduced by the device under question.
Far Field
The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Digital Recording
1) ADAM : (Akai Digital Audio Multitrack). 12 track recording onto Video 8 tape. 16 bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz sampling rate.
2) DAT (Digital Audio Tape) Cassette-like system which has much higher quality than standard audio cassettes. Widely used in gathering sound effects, for news gathering, and for playback of music.
3) DCC (Digital Compact Cassette) Rival to DAT which also plays standard audio cassettes.
4) MiniDisc : Uses computer disk technology, rather than tape. A laser heats an area of magnetic disk which is then written to by a magnetic head. When cooled, the magnetic information is read from the disk by laser. Tracks can be named, and are instant start. Very theatre-friendly system.
5) Direct to Disk : Uses the hard disk present in most PCs as the recording medium.
Full Step
A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Clicking
Pressing and immediately releasing the switch on a computer's mouse.
Insulator
A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity.
Hybrid
A product created by the marriage of two different technologies. Meant here as the combination of a dynamic woofer with an electrostatic transducer.
Early Reflections
The first echoes in a room, caused by the sound from the sound source reflecting off one surface before reaching the listener.
Far Field
The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Digital Recording
1) ADAM : (Akai Digital Audio Multitrack). 12 track recording onto Video 8 tape. 16 bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz sampling rate.
2) DAT (Digital Audio Tape) Cassette-like system which has much higher quality than standard audio cassettes. Widely used in gathering sound effects, for news gathering, and for playback of music.
3) DCC (Digital Compact Cassette) Rival to DAT which also plays standard audio cassettes.
4) MiniDisc : Uses computer disk technology, rather than tape. A laser heats an area of magnetic disk which is then written to by a magnetic head. When cooled, the magnetic information is read from the disk by laser. Tracks can be named, and are instant start. Very theatre-friendly system.
5) Direct to Disk : Uses the hard disk present in most PCs as the recording medium.
Full Step
A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Clicking
Pressing and immediately releasing the switch on a computer's mouse.
Insulator
A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity.
Hybrid
A product created by the marriage of two different technologies. Meant here as the combination of a dynamic woofer with an electrostatic transducer.
Early Reflections
The first echoes in a room, caused by the sound from the sound source reflecting off one surface before reaching the listener.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Brooks RM 909 reviews BPM
An abbreviation of Beat Per Minute (the number of steady even pulses in music occurring in one minute and therefore defining the tempo).
Direct box
Used in line to convert a high impedance signal into a low impedance signal.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Axis
A line around which a device operates. Example: In a microphone, this would be an imaginary line coming out from the front of the microphone in the direction of motion of the diaphragm.
ID
An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD.
Brooks RM 909 Clock Signal
The signal put out by a circuit that generates steady even pulses or steady codes used for synchronization.
Grouping
1) Controlling the gain of several individual channels with a Group Fader.
2) The mixing together of several individual audio signals to send a mixed signal out of the console to record a track on a multitrack tape machine.
Gain Control
A device that changes the gain of an amplifier or circuit, often a knob that can be turned or a slide that can be moved up arid down.
ADSR
The letters A, D, S &R are the first letters of: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. These are the various elements of volume changes in the sounding of a keyboard instrument.
Direct box
Used in line to convert a high impedance signal into a low impedance signal.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Axis
A line around which a device operates. Example: In a microphone, this would be an imaginary line coming out from the front of the microphone in the direction of motion of the diaphragm.
ID
An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD.
Brooks RM 909 Clock Signal
The signal put out by a circuit that generates steady even pulses or steady codes used for synchronization.
Grouping
1) Controlling the gain of several individual channels with a Group Fader.
2) The mixing together of several individual audio signals to send a mixed signal out of the console to record a track on a multitrack tape machine.
Gain Control
A device that changes the gain of an amplifier or circuit, often a knob that can be turned or a slide that can be moved up arid down.
ADSR
The letters A, D, S &R are the first letters of: Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. These are the various elements of volume changes in the sounding of a keyboard instrument.
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Brooks RM 909 Beat
1) The steady even pulse in music.
2) The action of two sounds or audio signals mixing together and causing regular rises &.falls in volume.
Boom Stand
A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Atom
The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve.
Figure Eight Pattern
Another name for Bi-directional Pattern (microphone pickup pattern picking up best from the front and back of the diaphragm and not picking up from the side of the diaphragm).
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Crosstalk
Leakage of an audio signal into a channel that iris not intended to be in, from an adjacent or nearby channel.
Ground Adapter Plug
Adapts a three pronged electrical plug to a two pronged wall outlet. This bypasses the ground and may create a hum in the system. A lack of a good ground can cause mild electrical shock when touching a microphone.
Amp
1) An abbreviation of the term Amplifier (A device which increases the level of an electrical signal.
2) An abbreviation of Ampere (the unit of current).
3) An abbreviation of amplitude (the height of a waveform above or below the zero line).
Condenser Microphone
A microphone which converts sound pressure changes into changes of capacitance. The capacitance changes are then converted into electrical voltage variations (an audio signal).
2) The action of two sounds or audio signals mixing together and causing regular rises &.falls in volume.
Boom Stand
A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Atom
The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. It's composed of a center around which electrons revolve.
Figure Eight Pattern
Another name for Bi-directional Pattern (microphone pickup pattern picking up best from the front and back of the diaphragm and not picking up from the side of the diaphragm).
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Crosstalk
Leakage of an audio signal into a channel that iris not intended to be in, from an adjacent or nearby channel.
Ground Adapter Plug
Adapts a three pronged electrical plug to a two pronged wall outlet. This bypasses the ground and may create a hum in the system. A lack of a good ground can cause mild electrical shock when touching a microphone.
Amp
1) An abbreviation of the term Amplifier (A device which increases the level of an electrical signal.
2) An abbreviation of Ampere (the unit of current).
3) An abbreviation of amplitude (the height of a waveform above or below the zero line).
Condenser Microphone
A microphone which converts sound pressure changes into changes of capacitance. The capacitance changes are then converted into electrical voltage variations (an audio signal).
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Brooks HI FI projectors Earth
The British version of the term Ground (In electronics, a place that has zero volts).
Generating Element
The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Floppy Disk (Floppy Disc)
A round flat object (usually housed in a protective sleeve) coated with material that can be magnetized in a similar manner to tape.
Chamber
1) An Echo Chamber (a room designed with very hard, non-parallel surfaces equipped with a speaker and microphone so that when dry signals from the console are fed to the speaker, the microphone will have a reverberation of these signals that can be mixed in with the dry signals at the console).
2) A program in a delay/reverb effects device that simulates the sound of an Echo Chamber.
Brooks RM 909 Auxiliary Equipment
Effects devices separate from but working with the recording console.
Echo Send
The output of a console used to send a signal to an echo chamber or delay effects device.
Alternating Current
Electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit.
Impedance Matching
Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed.
Generating Element
The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Floppy Disk (Floppy Disc)
A round flat object (usually housed in a protective sleeve) coated with material that can be magnetized in a similar manner to tape.
Chamber
1) An Echo Chamber (a room designed with very hard, non-parallel surfaces equipped with a speaker and microphone so that when dry signals from the console are fed to the speaker, the microphone will have a reverberation of these signals that can be mixed in with the dry signals at the console).
2) A program in a delay/reverb effects device that simulates the sound of an Echo Chamber.
Brooks RM 909 Auxiliary Equipment
Effects devices separate from but working with the recording console.
Echo Send
The output of a console used to send a signal to an echo chamber or delay effects device.
Alternating Current
Electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit.
Impedance Matching
Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed.
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Brooks RM 909 Hard Disk (Hard Disc)
A storage unit for digital data that has rigid disks coated with magnetic material in a housing that includes the drive mechanism.
Layering
The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous.
Brooks HI FI projectors Group
1) A number of channels or faders that can be controlled by one Master VCA slide.
2) A shortening of the term Recording Group (a buss or the signal present on a buss).
Lift
1) To boost gain of audio at a particular band of frequencies with an equalizer.
2) An elevation device in the star trek series of TV programs.
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Active/Inactive Microphones
Scientific definitions aside, active microphones generally sound better than inactive ones, but they generally cost more. They also require the use of either a battery or phantom power while inactive mics need only be plugged into the mic cord in order to work. In most playing situations, the subtle improvement in sound quality from an active mic isn't worth the extra cost and hassle. One possible exception it the headset mic. Put simply, inactive headset mics just plain suck. Active headset mics put out a much stronger signal and feed back much less.
Cue
1) The signal fed back to the musicians through headphones.
2) To set the tape or disc so that the intended selection will immediately play when the tape machine or player is started.
3) A location point entered into a computer controlling the playback or recording of a track or tape.
4) In MCI brand tape machines, a term meaning the same thing as Sync Playback (where the record head is used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded).
Frequency
The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second.
Horn
1) The part of the speaker that emits midrange and higher range frequencies.
2) A speaker or speaker enclosure where sound waves are put into a narrow opening (by a speaker cone or driver) and the narrow opening flairs out to a larger opening.
Layering
The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous.
Brooks HI FI projectors Group
1) A number of channels or faders that can be controlled by one Master VCA slide.
2) A shortening of the term Recording Group (a buss or the signal present on a buss).
Lift
1) To boost gain of audio at a particular band of frequencies with an equalizer.
2) An elevation device in the star trek series of TV programs.
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Active/Inactive Microphones
Scientific definitions aside, active microphones generally sound better than inactive ones, but they generally cost more. They also require the use of either a battery or phantom power while inactive mics need only be plugged into the mic cord in order to work. In most playing situations, the subtle improvement in sound quality from an active mic isn't worth the extra cost and hassle. One possible exception it the headset mic. Put simply, inactive headset mics just plain suck. Active headset mics put out a much stronger signal and feed back much less.
Cue
1) The signal fed back to the musicians through headphones.
2) To set the tape or disc so that the intended selection will immediately play when the tape machine or player is started.
3) A location point entered into a computer controlling the playback or recording of a track or tape.
4) In MCI brand tape machines, a term meaning the same thing as Sync Playback (where the record head is used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded).
Frequency
The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second.
Horn
1) The part of the speaker that emits midrange and higher range frequencies.
2) A speaker or speaker enclosure where sound waves are put into a narrow opening (by a speaker cone or driver) and the narrow opening flairs out to a larger opening.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Aliasing
A sampler mis-recognizing a signal sent to it that is at a frequency higher than the Nyquist Frequency. Upon playback, the system will provide a signal at an incorrect frequency (called an alias frequency). Aliasing is a kind of distortion.
Figure Eight Pattern
Another name for Bi-directional Pattern (microphone pickup pattern picking up best from the front and back of the diaphragm and not picking up from the side of the diaphragm).
Brooks RM 909 reviews ID
An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD.
Critical Distance
The point a distance away from the sound source where the direct sound and the reverberant sound are equal in volume.
Brooks HI FI projectors Attack
The rate the sound begins and increases in volume.
Cut-Off Frequency (Turnover Frequency)
1) The highest or lowest frequency in the pass band of a filter.
2) The highest or lowest frequency passed by an audio device (the cut-off frequency is usually considered to be the first frequency to be 3 dB lower than a reference frequency in the middle of the bandwidth of the device)
Ambience
The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source.
Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.
Figure Eight Pattern
Another name for Bi-directional Pattern (microphone pickup pattern picking up best from the front and back of the diaphragm and not picking up from the side of the diaphragm).
Brooks RM 909 reviews ID
An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD.
Critical Distance
The point a distance away from the sound source where the direct sound and the reverberant sound are equal in volume.
Brooks HI FI projectors Attack
The rate the sound begins and increases in volume.
Cut-Off Frequency (Turnover Frequency)
1) The highest or lowest frequency in the pass band of a filter.
2) The highest or lowest frequency passed by an audio device (the cut-off frequency is usually considered to be the first frequency to be 3 dB lower than a reference frequency in the middle of the bandwidth of the device)
Ambience
The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source.
Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.
Monday, August 7, 2023
Brooks RM 909 Compression Driver
The unit that feeds a sound pressure wave into the throat of a horn (in a horn loudspeaker).
Band Track
1) A mixdown of a song without the lead vocal or without the lead and background vocals.
2) A term with the same meaning as the term Rhythm Track.
3) The recording of the rhythm instruments in a music production.
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Assistant Engineer
A less elevated version of the term Second Engineer. Experienced seconds often place microphones, operate tape machines, break down equipment at the session end and keep the paperwork for the session.
Cue
1) The signal fed back to the musicians through headphones.
2) To set the tape or disc so that the intended selection will immediately play when the tape machine or player is started.
3) A location point entered into a computer controlling the playback or recording of a track or tape.
4) In MCI brand tape machines, a term meaning the same thing as Sync Playback (where the record head is used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded).
Brooks RM 909 reviews Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.
Kick (Kick Drum)
Another term for Bass Drum.
Crosstalk
Leakage of an audio signal into a channel that iris not intended to be in, from an adjacent or nearby channel.
Level
The amount of signal strength; the amplitude, especially the average amplitude.
Band Track
1) A mixdown of a song without the lead vocal or without the lead and background vocals.
2) A term with the same meaning as the term Rhythm Track.
3) The recording of the rhythm instruments in a music production.
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Assistant Engineer
A less elevated version of the term Second Engineer. Experienced seconds often place microphones, operate tape machines, break down equipment at the session end and keep the paperwork for the session.
Cue
1) The signal fed back to the musicians through headphones.
2) To set the tape or disc so that the intended selection will immediately play when the tape machine or player is started.
3) A location point entered into a computer controlling the playback or recording of a track or tape.
4) In MCI brand tape machines, a term meaning the same thing as Sync Playback (where the record head is used as a playback head for those tracks already recorded).
Brooks RM 909 reviews Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.
Kick (Kick Drum)
Another term for Bass Drum.
Crosstalk
Leakage of an audio signal into a channel that iris not intended to be in, from an adjacent or nearby channel.
Level
The amount of signal strength; the amplitude, especially the average amplitude.
Friday, August 4, 2023
Brooks RM 909 reviews Electrons
Negatively charged particles, which revolve around the centre of atoms. The movement of such electrons down a conductor causes electrical current.
Isolation
A containing of the sound wave in a certain area so that it will not leak into other areas and/or unintended mics.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Frequency
Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch.
File
A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc.
Brooks HI FI projectors Howlback
British term for the term Feedback (the pickup of the signal out of a channel by the input of the channel or the howling sound that this produces).
Audio
Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy.
Line In (Input, return)
Where a signal enters the board or component.
Impedance Matching
Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed.
Isolation
A containing of the sound wave in a certain area so that it will not leak into other areas and/or unintended mics.
Brooks Hi Fi speakers Frequency
Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch.
File
A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc.
Brooks HI FI projectors Howlback
British term for the term Feedback (the pickup of the signal out of a channel by the input of the channel or the howling sound that this produces).
Audio
Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy.
Line In (Input, return)
Where a signal enters the board or component.
Impedance Matching
Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Brooks HI FI projectors Ground Lift
A switch that breaks the connection between the ground point in one circuit and the ground point in another circuit.
Harmonics
Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overtone the second harmonic, etc. Attributing to instruments, voices, etc. their distinctive timbre.
Brooks RM 909 reviews Light Emitting Diode
A light that allows current to flow in one direction only and emits light whenever a voltage of a certain level or beyond is applied to it.
Active Crossover
Uses active devices (transistors, IC's, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate.
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Head
1) In tape recording, the transducer (energy converter) that changes the audio energy from electrical energy to magnetic energy and back; also the devices that apply magnetism to the recording tape for other purposes such as in the erase head.
2) The part of a device that immediately includes the transducer to change sound or audio signals from one energy form to another.
Acoustic/Acoustical
Having to do with sound that can be heard by the ears.
AcousticsThe behaviour of sound and its study. The acoustics of a room depend on its size and shape and the amount and position of sound-absorbing and reflecting material.
Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.
Chase
The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder.
Harmonics
Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overtone the second harmonic, etc. Attributing to instruments, voices, etc. their distinctive timbre.
Brooks RM 909 reviews Light Emitting Diode
A light that allows current to flow in one direction only and emits light whenever a voltage of a certain level or beyond is applied to it.
Active Crossover
Uses active devices (transistors, IC's, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate.
Brooks Hi Fi reviews Head
1) In tape recording, the transducer (energy converter) that changes the audio energy from electrical energy to magnetic energy and back; also the devices that apply magnetism to the recording tape for other purposes such as in the erase head.
2) The part of a device that immediately includes the transducer to change sound or audio signals from one energy form to another.
Acoustic/Acoustical
Having to do with sound that can be heard by the ears.
AcousticsThe behaviour of sound and its study. The acoustics of a room depend on its size and shape and the amount and position of sound-absorbing and reflecting material.
Input
1) The jack or physical location of where a device receives a signal.
2) The signal being received by a device.
3) The action of receiving a signal by a device.
Chase
The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder.
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