Calista Home Theaters

A ratio of height to width to length of a room to achieve "good acoustics" and first recommended by the ancient Greeks. The ratio is approximately the width 1.6 times the height and the length 2.6 times the height Equalizer (Parametric, Graphic) This is used to filter out and adjust specific frequencies in the PA. This is the part of the PA where you have the most control over the band's overall sound. It is also the number one weapon against feedback. Calista C3-S Security System Analog Recording A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. Headphones Devices that can be worn on the head with small speakers that fit over the ears (or sometimes into the ears). Calista C1-9 Home Theater Lead Sheet A written chart showing the melody, lyrics and chords of a tune with full musical notation. Information Bits The bits in the digital signal that make up actual values or commands being communicated as opposed to bits that are used fo...

A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it. Information Bits The bits in the digital signal that make up actual values or commands being communicated as opposed to bits that are used for checking & correcting data or other purposes. Calista C2-88 Projector Echo Send Control A control to send the signal from the input module to the echo chamber or effects device via the echo buss. Auxiliary Output or Send An additional output from a sound desk that can be used for foldback or monitoring without tying up the main outputs. Each input channel will have a path to the Aux buss. Also used for feeding a signal to an effects processor. See Auxiliary Return. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Hz (Hertz) 1) An abbreviation for the term Hertz (the unit of frequency). 2) Unit of frequency equivalent to the number of cycles per second. Baffles Sound absorbing panels used to prevent sound waves from entering or leaving a certain space Auxiliary Input or Re...

A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys First Generation A descriptive term meaning original (as opposed to a copy). Calista C2-88 Projector Engineer 1) A technician in charge of a recording session; Also called Recording Engineer. 2) A person with an engineering degree. 3) A person with sufficient experience in the field to be equivalent to the education one would receive earning an engineering degree. Compact Disc CD A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Amplifier (Power amp, Head) It's the part of the sound system that actually magnifies or "amplifies" the sound. In other words, it makes stuff louder. Compact Disc, Read Only Memory CDROM A Compact Disc used to store digital data, such as large programs, that can be read by a computer. Infinite Baffle A baffle so large that the sounds coming from one side do not reach the other side. Calista Reviews Line...

Usually undesirable result of overloading sound equipment. Reducing the levels can remedy the situation. Absorption Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Calista C1-9 Home Theater Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. Electronics 1) On a tape machine, the housing for and the channel circuitry which processes the signal to be fed to the heads, provide bias, and playback. 2) The branch of science dealing with the behaviour of electrons/charges in vacuums, gases, semiconductors and special conductors. Calista C3-S Security System 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. Electromagnetic Field Magnetic energy put out becaus...

1) A collection of sound patches (data as to the sequence and operating parameters of the synthesizer generators and modifiers) in memory. 2) A group of sound modules as a unit. Imaging To make a representation or imitation of the original sonic event. Calista C3-S Security System Coax Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Cycle 1) An alternation of a waveform which begins at a point, passes through the zero line, and ends at a point with the same value and moving in the same direction as the starting point. 2) On a Solid State Logic Console, a command to have the console computer control the tape machine to play and replay a certain section of the tape. Calista C2-88 Projector Infinite Repeat A function on some delay lines that establish enough feedback so that the repeat echo will last forever, but not so much as to cause a howling sound. Hybrid A product created by the marriage of two different technologies. Meant...

The musical instrument that plays the melody of the tune, including the vocal. Chord Three or more musical pitches sung or played together. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Flat 1) Lower in musical pitch. 2) A slang term used to describe the sensitivity to frequency of a microphone, amplifier, etc., as being even at all frequencies, usually within 2 dB. 3) Refers to the frequencies on the EQ when they are arranged in centred neutral positions. Hearing Limitation An inability of the ear to hear important characteristics of sound under certain conditions. Characteristics that can be affected include pitch, level, clarity, presence and direction. Calista C3-S Security System Hall Program A setting of a digital delay/reverb effects unit that approximates concert halls. Hall programs are characterized by pre-delay of up to 25 ms. Inductor A device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electric circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. Decibel (...

A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Chorus Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. Calista C3-S Security System Hall Program A setting of a digital delay/reverb effects unit that approximates concert halls. Hall programs are characterized by pre-delay of up to 25 ms. Line Input An input designed to take a line level signal. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Frequency Response How sensitive an electronic device (mic, amplifier, speaker, etc.) is to various frequencies; often communicated with a graph. Layering The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous. Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Calista Reviews Electret Mic A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no externa...

The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance. Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. Calista C3-S Security System 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. Amplitude The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Basic Session The First session in recording an audio production to record the Basic Tracks. Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder. Icon A visual picture or symbol on a computer screen that represents a file, program or disc that can be used. Calista Reviews Crossover 1) A route leading from one side of the stage to the other, o...

The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape). Interface Any device that allows one unit to work, drive or communicate with another unit when they cannot do so by just feeding each other often because the units are manufactured by different companies. Calista C2-88 Projector Distorted The way your PA sounds just before it blows up. Fuzzy and scratchy. If you hear this, it either means you have something hooked up wrong, or something in the system is going bad. It could be anything from your super expensive soundboard to a five dollar patch cord. Electrons Negatively charged particles, which revolve around the centre of atoms. The movement of such electrons down a conductor causes electrical current. Calista C3-S Security System Ambient Field A term with the same meaning as the term Reverberant Field (the area away from the sound source where the reverberation is louder than the direct sound). A...

The British version of the term Ground (In electronics, a place that has zero volts). Dry Describes a sound coming from the PA with no effects on it. Calista C3-S Security System Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Frequency The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Expander A device that causes expansion of the audio signal. CPU Abbreviation of Central Processing Unit (The main "brain" chip of a computer or the main housing of a computer that contains the "brain" chip). 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. Calista Reviews 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 s...

A microphone mounted on a flat plate that acts as a reflective surface directing sound into the mic capsule. Used for general pick-up over a large area. See PCC, PZM. Keynote Number A number assigned to each key of a synthesizer or controller keyboard that is transmitted in the MIDI signal. Calista C3-S Security System Bank 1) A collection of sound patches (data as to the sequence and operating parameters of the synthesizer generators and modifiers) in memory. 2) A group of sound modules as a unit. Information Bits The bits in the digital signal that make up actual values or commands being communicated as opposed to bits that are used for checking & correcting data or other purposes. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Guitar Processor A unit that will add effects to a direct guitar signal, including a simulated instrument amplifier sound and (often) delay and reverb effects. Compressor A signal processing device that does not allow as much fluctuation in th...

1) A room designed with very hard, non-parallel surfaces and equipped with a speaker and microphone. 2) Any artificial or electronic device that simulates the reverberation created in a room. Equal Loudness Contours A drawing of several curves showing how loud the tones of different frequencies would have to be played for a person to say they were of equal loudness. Calista C2-88 Projector Electronics 1) On a tape machine, the housing for and the channel circuitry which processes the signal to be fed to the heads, provide bias, and playback. 2) The branch of science dealing with the behaviour of electrons/charges in vacuums, gases, semiconductors and special conductors. Integrated Circuit (IC) A miniature circuit of many components in a small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Compander Outboard sound equipment. Combination of a Compressor and an Expander. Bank 1) A collection of sound patches (data as...

A compressor with a very long release time used to keep the volume of the audio very constant. Crossover Frequency 1) The frequency that is the outer limit of one of the bands of a crossover. 2) In the Lexicon 480L delay/reverberation effects unit, the frequency at which the bass frequency reverb time is in effect rather than the mid frequency reverb time. Calista C3-S Security System Chorus Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. 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). Calista C2-88 Projector Floor 1) An alternate tam meaning Range (a limit on the amount the signal is reduced when the input signal is low by an expander or gate). 2) A shortening of the term Noise Floor (the level of the noise). Ambient Field A term with the same meaning as the term Reverberant Field (the area ...