Calista Home Theaters

The extreme range of a signal. Usually measured from the average to the extreme. Far Field The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Condenser An older term meaning the same thing as Capacitor (an electronic device which is composed of two plates separated by an insulator and can store charge) but sill in common use when referring to a microphone's active element. House Sync A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Calista C2-88 Projector Keyboard 1) Any musical instrument controlled by pressing a key. 2) The part of the computer that has the keys. Attack The rate the sound begins and increases in volume. Bass Roll Off An electrical network built into some microphones to reduce the amount of output at bass frequencies when close-micing. Bose High Impedance Mic A microphone designed to be fed into an amplifier with inpu...

A Compact Disc used to store digital data, such as large programs, that can be read by a computer. Cord (Speaker, Mic, Instrument) Used to connect a sound system together. Each type of cord is made for a specific purpose and should not be used in place of another type of cord, not even if they look alike. Also see "cable" Calista C2-88 Projector Full A quality of the sound of having all frequencies present, especially the low frequencies. Compact Disc CD A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Amplification An increasing of signal strength. Jack Bay A series of jacks which have connections for most of the inputs and outputs of the equipment in the control room. Fidelity The recording or reproduction quality. Bose Echo 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 emit...

The VCA faders of individual channels that are all controlled by a Group Master Fader (a slide control used to send out a control voltage to several VCA faders in individual channels). 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). Calista C3-S Security System 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. Compact Disc CD A small optical disk with digital audio recorded on it. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Librarian Program A computer program allowing the storage of the parameters of sound patches outside of a synthesizer. 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, be...

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. Feedback 1) The delayed signal sent back to the input of a delay line, used in repeat-echo effects. 2) The pickup of the signal out of a channel by its input or the howling sound that this produces. 3) In an amplifier, the phase reversed output signal sent back to its input, reducing gain but also distortion and noise. 4) This occurs when the sound coming out of the speakers goes back into the microphones, then back out the speakers, then back into the mics…and so on. This can build very quickly to a point where everyone in the room is holding their ears and screaming at you. It can also cause damage to the PA. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. Delay (Digital, Analogue) 1) Effect used to create echo…echo...

A device that causes expansion of the audio signal. Dolby Trade name for a series of noise reduction systems that have become standard on many tape playback machines. Many film soundtracks are produced using this process. Different varieties are found from Dolby B on most personal cassette players, to Dolby SR and Digital, the current state of the art for cinema. Calista C2-88 Projector Insulator A substance such as glass, air, plastic, etc., that will (for all practical purposes) not conduct electricity. Expansion The opposite of compression; for example, an expander may allow the signal to increase 2 dB every time the signal input increased by 1 dB. Calista C3-S Security System Electrons Negatively charged particles, which revolve around the centre of atoms. The movement of such electrons down a conductor causes electrical current. Crossover, Passive Used inside of full range speaker cabinets to separate highs, mids, and lows and send them to their res...

1) An effects device where the amount of the effect can be controlled by a musician with his foot. 2) The beater mechanism of a foot drum that is activated by the drummer's foot to play the drum. 3) Any device, like a volume control, that can be operated by the foot. 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 C3-S Security System Inductor A device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electric circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. Field 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 Calista C2-88 Projector Balance 1) The relative level of two or more instruments in a mix, or the relative level of audio signals in the channels of a stereo recording. 2) To make the relative levels of audio signals in the channels of a stereo recording even. High Impedanc...

A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Compander 1) A two section device that is used in noise reduction systems. The first section compresses the audio signal, before it is recorded, and the second section, expands the signal after recording. 2) In Yamaha brand digital consoles, a signa...

A set of controls, on one housing, for an in-line console that has two channels (one for recording and one for monitoring) and has controls for all console sections. FOH (Front of House) Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Calista C2-88 Projector Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the microphone. File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Linear The condition of obtaining a change at the output of the device which is proportional to the change occurring at the input. Balance Control A control on a stereo amplifier that when moved clockwise will make the right channel louder (and the left channel softer) and will d...

A unit that will add effects to a direct guitar signal, including a simulated instrument amplifier sound and (often) delay and reverb effects. Console A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing. Calista C3-S Security System Balanced 1) Having a pleasing amount of low frequencies compared to mid-range frequencies and high frequencies. 2) Having a pleasing mixture of the various instrument levels in an audio recording. 3) Having a fairly equal level in each of the stereo channels. 4) A method of interconnecting electronic gear using three-conductor cables. Lead Sheet A written chart showing the melody, lyrics and chords of a tune with full musical notation. Calista C2-88 Projector Electromagnetic Induction or Pick Up The generation of electrical signal in a conductor moving in a magnetic field or being close to a changing magnetic field. Atom The smallest particle which makes up a specific substance. I...

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. 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). Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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). 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. Calista C3-S Security System Bridge The bridge assembly, or just "bridge" is an area on the face of the guitar where the string meet or are connected to the fac...

1) The lower range of audio frequencies up to approximately 250 Hz. 2) Short for Bass Guitar. 3) Lower end of the musical scale. In acoustics, the range (below about 200 Hz) in which there are difficulties, principally in the reproduction of sound, due to the large wavelengths involved. 4) The lower frequencies. 5) On the soundboard this should refer to the bass guitar channel, not the bass drum. 6) The lowest frequencies of sound. Bi-Amplification uses an electronic crossover or line-level amplifiers for the high and low frequency loudspeaker drivers. Coax Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Calista C3-S Security System Compander Outboard sound equipment. Combination of a Compressor and an Expander. 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...

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. 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). Calista C3-S Security System 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. In Port A jack on a MIDI device or computer that will accept an incoming data signal. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Cord (Speaker, Mic, Instrument) Used to connect a sound system together. Each type of cord is made for a specific purpose and should not be used in place of another type of cord, not even if they look alike. Also see "cable" Clip The action of deforming a waveform during overload. Charge The electrical energy of electrons. The...

Simply stated, a factor in human hearing where delay has a much bigger effect on human perception of direction than level does. 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 C1-9 Home Theater Clip The action of deforming a waveform during overload. 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 In Short For "in the circuit," in other words "active." 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). Early Reflections The first echoes in a room, caus...

It's the part of the sound system that actually magnifies or "amplifies" the sound. In other words, it makes stuff louder. Guitar Controller An electric guitar or device played like an electric guitar that puts out MIDI signals that can be used to control synthesizers and sound modules. Calista C2-88 Projector Capacitor 1) A device consisting of two or more conducting plates separated from one another by an insulating material and used for storing an electrical charge. Sometimes called a condenser. 2) An electronic device that is composed of two plates separated by an insulator. Full Step A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys Calista C3-S Security System Error Message A prompt on a computer screen telling the operator that an error has occurred. 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. ...

A generation of new SMPTE according to the input SMPTE signal Fader A control to control the gain of a channel on the console, thereby determining the level of the signal in that channel. Calista C3-S Security System Compressor 1) Effect used to squash the sound together. Used properly, it can take the edge off or your sound. Used improperly, it can take the life right out of your system and make it sound like an MTV mix. 2) A piece of sound processing equipment that ensures all wanted signals are suitably placed between the noise and distortion levels of the recording medium. It evens out the unwanted changes in volume you get with close-miking, and in doing so, adds punch to the sound mix. A Limiter is used to stop a signal from exceeding a preset limit. Beyond this limit, the signal level will not increase, no matter how loud the input becomes. A Limiter is often used to protect speaker systems (and human ears) by preventing a system from becoming too loud. kHz ...

1) The relative level of two or more instruments in a mix, or the relative level of audio signals in the channels of a stereo recording. 2) To make the relative levels of audio signals in the channels of a stereo recording even. In-Line Console A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Calista C3-S Security System Critical Distance The point a distance away from the sound source where the direct sound and the reverberant sound are equal in volume. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Board 1) Another, less formal, term for Console. 2) A set of controls and their housing which control all signals necessary for recording and for mixing. 3) A slang shortening of the term Keyboard Instrument. Cycles Per Second A unit used in the measure of frequency, equivalent to Hertz. ...

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. Attack The rate the sound begins and increases in volume. Calista C3-S Security System High Hat A double cymbal on a stand which can be played with a foot pedal or by the top cymbal being hit with a stick. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. 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. Ground Adapter Plug Adapts a three pronged electrical plug to a two pronged wall outlet. This bypasses the ground and may create a...

The front or body of the guitar. Automation In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer program control changes (such as fader level) so that upon playback of the multitrack recording these changes happen automatically. 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. Condenser Mic (Capacitor Mic) A microphone that uses the varying capacitance between two plates with a voltage applied across them to convert sound to electrical pulses. Condenser microphones need a power supply to provide the voltage across the plates, which may be provided by a battery within the case of the microphone, or it may be provided from an external phantom power supply. A condenser mic is more sensitive and has a faster reaction to percussive sounds than a Dynamic mic and produces a m...

A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Capacitor 1) A device consisting of two or more conducting plates separated from one another by an insulating material and used for storing an electrical charge. Sometimes called a condenser. 2) An electronic device that is composed of two plates separated by an insulator. 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). Calista C2-88 Projector High-Pass Filter A device that rejects signals that are below a certain frequency (called the cut-off frequency) and passes signals with frequencies that are higher. Corner Frequency Same as Cut-Off Frequency (the highest or lowest frequency in the pass band of a filter). (NOUN) Barrier Micing A method o...

A prefix meaning two. Feedback 1) The delayed signal sent back to the input of a delay line, used in repeat-echo effects. 2) The pickup of the signal out of a channel by its input or the howling sound that this produces. 3) In an amplifier, the phase reversed output signal sent back to its input, reducing gain but also distortion and noise. 4) This occurs when the sound coming out of the speakers goes back into the microphones, then back out the speakers, then back into the mics…and so on. This can build very quickly to a point where everyone in the room is holding their ears and screaming at you. It can also cause damage to the PA. Calista C2-88 Projector Final Mix The two track stereo master tape which was mixed from the multitrack master. In Short For "in the circuit," in other words "active." Calista C1-9 Home Theater Key The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal. Balls 1) The depth and thicknes...

How many dB the input signal has to rise above the threshold for every one dB more output of a compressor or limiter. Console A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing. Calista C3-S Security System Flange An effect caused by an approximately even mix of a modulated (varying) short delay with the direct signal. Clean Describes a distortion free sound with few effects. Calista C2-88 Projector Input Impedance The opposition to current flow by the first circuits of a device. Instrument Out Direct Feeding the output of an electric instrument (like an electric guitar) to the recording console or tape recorder without using a microphone. 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 mos...