Calista Home Theaters

A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. Equipment Rack A cabinet with rails (or free standing rails) that have holes to accept screws at standard spaces and used to house outboard gear. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Cut-off Rate (Slope) The number of dB that a filter reduces the signal for each octave its frequency past the filter's cut-off frequency (outside of the pass band). Auxiliary Input or Return A route back into the sound desk for a signal sent to a piece of outboard equipment via an auxiliary send. Calista C3-S Security System Chip 1) A slang term with the same meaning as the term IC (a miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). 2) The thread cut away from the master lacquer to make the groove, while disc recording. Keyboard Controller A device that has the standard music keys of piano but puts out MIDI signals Active Crossover Uses...

1) One distinct repeat of a sound because of the sound reflecting off a surface. 2) Loosely, used to mean reverberation (the continuing of a sound after the source stops emitting it, caused by many discrete echoes closely spaced in time). Chorus Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Beats Per Minute BPM The number of steady even pulses in music occurring in one minute and there fore defining the tempo of the song. Calista C2-88 Projector Cut 1) One selection (one song) on a pre4ecorded music format. 2) A term with the same meaning as Mute (to turn off a channel or a signal). 3) To reduce gain of a particular band of frequencies (with an equal...

To prepare a digital storage medium (like a floppy disk) so that it will accept and store digital information bits. Expander A device that causes expansion of the audio signal. Calista C2-88 Projector Insert 1) A punch in of the all of the tracks being recorded in a recording session. 2) On Solid State Logic consoles, placing an outboard piece of gear in the channel by patching and activating a switch. 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 C1-9 Home Theater 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. AES An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. Hum The 60 Hz power li...

Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. Frequency Shift Key / FSK The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape). Calista C1-9 Home Theater Bulk Dump Short for System Exclusive Bulk Dump (a method of transmitting data, such as the internal parameters of a MIDI device to another MIDI device). Ambient Micing Placing a microphone in the reverberant field (where the reverberation is louder than the direct sound) so as to do a separate recording of the ambience or to allow the recording engineer to change the mix of direct to reverberant sound in recording. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. Bridge The bridge assembly, or just "bridge" is an area on the face of the guitar where the string meet or are conne...

Short for the term High Frequencies (the audio frequencies from 6000 Hz and above). Full A quality of the sound of having all frequencies present, especially the low frequencies. Calista C3-S Security System Boom 1) A hand-held, telescoping pole used to hold the microphone in recording dialogue in film production. 2) A telescoping support arm that is attached to a microphone stand and which holds the microphone. 3) Loosely, a boomstand. Input Monitor A switch position and operational mode of the electronics of a tape machine where the signal at output of the electronics will be the same as the signal coming into the electronics. In this mode, the tape machine's meter will read the input signal. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Frets Vertical metal wires which sit vertically on the guitar neck. Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. Ground Adapter Plug Adapts a three pronged electri...

A technique of placing a microphone close to the sound source (within one foot) in order to pick up mainly the direct sound and to avoid picking up leakage or ambience. Auxiliary Input or Return A route back into the sound desk for a signal sent to a piece of outboard equipment via an auxiliary send. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Full Range Describes a sound which covers all audible frequency ranges. As in "full range speaker cabinets." Calista C2-88 Projector Balls 1) The depth and thickness of a sound, usually on the bottom end of the EQ (as in "needs more balls"). 2) The strength of the voice on the mic (as in "check it like you have some balls"). 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. Automation In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer program control changes (such as...

1) One complete path of electric current. 2) Similar to definition 1, but including all paths and components to accomplish one function in a device. 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 Byte A grouping of eight information bits. Jack 1) Anywhere you plug something in. 2) Segmented audio connector. Mono Jacks have two connections �" tip and sleeve, and are unbalanced. Stereo jacks have three connections �" tip, ring and sleeve. B-type jacks (also known as Bantam jacks) were originally designed for use in telephone exchanges and provide a high quality (and expensive) connection in jackfields. A-type jacks are cheaper and more common, but more fragile. A type jacks are available in 2 sizes : quarter inch and eighth inch. 3) A connector mounted on the case of a device or on a p...

The full name for FSK (A simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape). Analog (Analogue) Representative, continuous changes that relate to another quantity that has a continuous change. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Central Processing Unit 1) The main "brain" chip of a computer that performs the calculations and execution of instructions. 2) The main housing of a computer that contains the "brain" chip as opposed to other pieces of the computer system such as keyboards, monitors, etc. Bar A term meaning the same thing as the term Measure (the grouping of a number of beats in music, most-often four beats). Calista C2-88 Projector Electret Condenser A condenser microphone that has a permanently polarized (charged) variable capacitor as its sound pressure level sensor. Digital Recording 1) ADAM : (Akai Digital Audio Multitrack). 12 track recording onto Video 8 tape. 16 bit, 44.1 or 48 kHz sampling rat...

The electrical energy of electrons. The energy is in the form of a force that is considered negative and repels other like forces (other electrons) and attracts opposite (positive) forces. Clock Signal The signal put out by a circuit that generates steady even pulses or steady codes used for synchronization. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Console A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing. Kick (Kick Drum) Another term for Bass Drum. Calista C2-88 Projector Insulator A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity. 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. Head 1) In tape recording, the transducer (energy converter) that changes the audio energy from electrical energy to magnetic energy and b...

1) The number of tracks, their width, spacing and order for tape recording. 2) To prepare a digital storage medium so that it will accept and store digital information bits. Dynamic Mic Robust type of microphone which picks up the sound on a diaphragm connected to a coil of wire which moves within a magnet. An alternating current is induced into the wire which provides the electrical output. Most dynamic mics have low output impedance of 200 Ohms. See Condenser Mic. Calista C3-S Security System Cancellation A shortening of the term Phase Cancellation (the energy of one waveform significantly decreasing the energy of another waveform because of phase relationships at or close to 180 degrees). Equalization 1) The process of adjusting the tonal quality of a sound. A graphic equalizer provides adjustment for a wide range of frequency bands, and is normally inserted in the signal path after the mixing desk, before the amplifier. See Feedback. 2) Any time the amplitud...

1) In MIDI, a device that generates a MIDI signal to control synthesizers, sound modules or sample playback units. 2) A remote control unit for a multitrack tape machine which controls transport functions as well as monitor selection switching functions and record ready/safe status of each track. 3) Any device generating a control voltage or signal fed to another device's control input. Bass Roll Off An electrical network built into some microphones to reduce the amount of output at bass frequencies when close-micing. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. 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 phant...

1) In MIDI, a device that generates a MIDI signal to control synthesizers, sound modules or sample playback units. 2) A remote control unit for a multitrack tape machine which controls transport functions as well as monitor selection switching functions and record ready/safe status of each track. 3) Any device generating a control voltage or signal fed to another device's control input. Compression Driver The unit that feeds a sound pressure wave into the throat of a horn (in a horn loudspeaker). Calista C2-88 Projector Effects Electronic boxes (usually rack mounted) added to a PA system to subtly change and enhance the signals going through it. Examples include; Reverb, Delay, Compressor, Chorus. Clip The action of deforming a waveform during overload. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Jack 1) Anywhere you plug something in. 2) Segmented audio connector. Mono Jacks have two connections �" tip and sleeve, and are unbalanced. Stereo jacks have three conn...

Two microphones whose heads are placed as lose as possible to each other so that the path length from any sound source to either microphone is for all practical purposes, the same. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Aux Send Short for the term Auxiliary Send (a control to adjust the level of the signal sent from the console input channel to the auxiliary equipment through the aux buss. DC Abbreviation for direct current. Calista C3-S Security System First Generation A descriptive term meaning original (as opposed to a copy). Effects 1) Various ways an audio signal can be modified by adding something to the signal to change the sound. 2) Short for the term Sound Effects (sounds other than dialogue, narration or music ...

The height of a waveform above or below the zero line. Infinite Baffle A baffle so large that the sounds coming from one side do not reach the other side. Calista C2-88 Projector Hypercardioid Pattern A microphone pick up sensitivity pattern where the least sensitive pick up point is more than 90 degrees but less than 150 degrees off axis (usually 120 degrees). Charge The electrical energy of electrons. The energy is in the form of a force that is considered negative and repels other like forces (other electrons) and attracts opposite (positive) forces. Calista C3-S Security System 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). Foldback A European term for the signal sent to the stage monitors in a live performance. House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recor...

1) In video, one half of a frame. 2) In computer-controlled devices a window display with functions and choices that the operator can make Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. Calista C3-S Security System Folded Horn A speaker design where the speaker points back into the cabinet and bounces around finally coming out large ports in the front. It is intended to maximize low frequencies in a relatively small cabinet. Clipping Distortion of a signal by its being chopped off. An overload problem caused by pushing an amplifier beyond its capabilities. The flat-topped signal has high levels of harmonic distortion which creates heat in a loudspeaker and is the major cause of loudspeaker component failure. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Impedance Matching Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed. Feedback C...

A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Cut 1) One selection (one song) on a pre4ecorded music format. 2) A term with the same meaning as Mute (to turn off a channel or a signal). 3) To reduce gain of a particular band of frequencies (with an equalizer). 4) To not pass a particular band of frequencies (said of a filter) Calista C3-S Security System Distortion Usually undesirable result of overloading sound equipment. Reducing the levels can remedy the situation. Compressor A signal processing device that does not allow as much fluctuation in the level of the signal above a certain adjustable or fixed level. Calista C2-88 Projector Front Loaded A speaker cabinet where the speaker faces out toward the front. Cable, XLR A balanced cable used for low impedance microphones and sometimes for connections between some parts of the PA. Commonly referred to as a "mic cord". Effects 1) Various ways...

A baffle so large that the sounds coming from one side do not reach the other side. Impedance 1) A term for the electrical resistance found in a/c circuits. Affects the ability of a cable to transmit low level (e.g. sound) signals over a long distance. Measured in Ohms. Speakers are rated according to power handling capabilities (Watts, W) and impedance (Ohms). 2) The total opposition offered by an electric circuit to the flow of an alternating current of a single frequency. It is a combination of resistance and reactance and is measured in ohms. Remember that a speaker's impedance changes with frequency, it is not a constant value. 3) The opposition to alternating current. Calista C2-88 Projector Compact Disc Recordable CDR A blank Compact Disc that can be recorded on one time. Effects 1) Various ways an audio signal can be modified by adding something to the signal to change the sound. 2) Short for the term Sound Effects (sounds other than dialogue, narr...

Another name for Bass Drum (the largest drum in the Drum Kit which puts out bass frequencies and is played with a foot pedal). 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Dry Describes a sound coming from the PA with no effects on it. Clicking Pressing and immediately releasing the switch on a computer's mouse. Calista C3-S Security System Electric Instrument Any musical instrument that puts out an electrical signal rather than an acoustic sound. 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. Hard Disk Recording The recording of digital audio onto a hard disc. Bose Layering The recording (or pla...

A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Compander Outboard sound equipment. Combination of a Compressor and an Expander. Calista C3-S Security System Amplitude The strength of a vibrating wave; in sound, the loudness of the sound. Cable, TRS A less common balanced cable that has 3 different contacts on its 1/4 inch connectors. Most headphone jacks are a good example of a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) connector. These are sometimes used instead of the more common XLR connection. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Automatic Gain Control (Automatic Volume Control) A compressor with a very long release time used to keep the volume of the audio very constant. Fade 1) A gradual reduction of the level of the audio signal. 2) A gradual change of level from one pre-set level to another. 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...

1) One complete path of electric current. 2) Similar to definition 1, but including all paths and components to accomplish one function in a device. Folded Horn A speaker design where the speaker points back into the cabinet and bounces around finally coming out large ports in the front. It is intended to maximize low frequencies in a relatively small cabinet. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Centre Frequency The frequency of the audio signal that is boosted or attenuated most by an equalizer with a peak equalization curve. IM Distortion An abbreviation of the term Intermodulation Distortion (Distortion caused by one signal beating with another signal and producing frequencies that are both the sum and the difference of the original frequencies present). Calista C3-S Security System ID An index signal (digital data that gives the machine information of where selections start, their selection number, etc.) on a DAT or CD. Active/Inactive Microphones Scientific...

The unit that feeds a sound pressure wave into the throat of a horn (in a horn loudspeaker). Absorption Short for the term Acoustical Absorption (quality of a surface or substance to take in, not reflect, a sound wave). Calista C2-88 Projector Decibel (dB) 1) Relative measurement for the volume (loudness) of sound. Also used to measure the difference between two voltages, or two currents. See Zero dB. 2) A numerical expression of the relative loudness of a sound. The difference in decibels between two sounds is ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of their power levels. Cascade To set and interconnect two mixers so that the stereo mixing buss(es) of the first mixer feeds the stereo buss(es) of a second mixer. Calista C3-S Security System 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 multi...

A signal processing device that does not allow as much fluctuation in the level of the signal above a certain adjustable or fixed level. Line Level 1) An amplified signal level put out by an amplifier and used as the normal level that runs through the interconnecting cables in a control room. 2) A low level signal such as the signal in a guitar cord. Most parts of a PA require a line level signal. Remember, however, that speaker outputs are not line level. Plugging speaker outs into line ins will result in damage to the equipment Calista C2-88 Projector Attenuator (Pot) The electronic dohickey under the knobs that increases or reduces the strength of the signal running through it. When these get old and dirty, they can make popping noises or rumbles in your PA (As in "my pots are dirty"). Assign Tochoose to which place an output is going to be sent. Error Detection The process of discovery that sonic information bits have been lost in digital audio. ...