Calista Home Theaters

The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes. Final Mix The two track stereo master tape which was mixed from the multitrack master. Calista C2-88 Projector Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. Cable, 1/4 inch An unbalanced cable most often used for instruments and patch cords. Commonly referred to as "guitar cords". Calista C1-9 Home Theater Fret Buzz A buzzing sound made when a note is not properly fretted. Common with cheap guitars or beginning guitar players. Edit A switch that does different things depending on the operational mode that the machine is in: 1) If a computer-controlled transport is in "Stop," pushing the "Edit" switch deactivates the computer-controlled tension system and allows the reels to be moved by hand to find the exact spot desired on the tape. 2)...

The unit that feeds a sound pressure wave into the throat of a horn (in a horn loudspeaker). Link (Said of compressors and dynamic processing units.) To combine the control input signals of two channels of a compressor (o Calista C2-88 Projector Flamenco A style of music with roots in Spanish and Arabic culture. Foot (Foot Drum) Another name for Bass Drum (the largest drum in the Drum Kit which puts out bass frequencies and is played with a foot pedal). Calista C3-S Security System Icon A visual picture or symbol on a computer screen that represents a file, program or disc that can be used. Line Input An input designed to take a line level signal. Fat Having more than a normal amount of signal strength at low frequencies or having more sound than normal (by use of compression or delay). Bose 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 depen...

The property of an electric circuit by which a varying current in it produces a varying magnetic field that introduces voltages in the same circuit or in a nearby circuit. It is measured in henrys. Fat Having more than a normal amount of signal strength at low frequencies or having more sound than normal (by use of compression or delay). Calista C3-S Security System Console A set of controls and their housing, which control all signals necessary for recording and mixing. Capo A clamp-like device that is placed vertically across the guitar neck. It is used to change the pitch of the guitar, acting as a moveable nut. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Ambient...

A Compact Disc, usually containing audio, video, and text, which the user can interact with in that the display or playback changes after the user performs some action. Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. Calista C2-88 Projector High Impedance Mic A microphone designed to be fed into an amplifier with input impedance greater than 20 k ohms. Expander A device that causes expansion of the audio signal. Calista C3-S Security System Analog Recording A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. Bouncing Alternate name for Ping-Ponging (playing several tacks with sync playback through a console to mix them together and record them on an open track). Floor Toms The large toms to the right of the drummer. Calista Reviews Balanced 1) Having a pleasing amount of low frequencies compared to mid-range frequencies and high frequencies. 2) Having a pl...

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. 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 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. 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 C1-9 Home Theater Frame 1) A division of one second in synchronization ...

The way in which the gain varies in the stages or sections of an audio system. Edit A switch that does different things depending on the operational mode that the machine is in: 1) If a computer-controlled transport is in "Stop," pushing the "Edit" switch deactivates the computer-controlled tension system and allows the reels to be moved by hand to find the exact spot desired on the tape. 2) If the machine is in "Play", the "Edit" switch makes the take-up reel cease taking up the tape and it falls to the floor. 3) If the machine is in a fast-wind mode, the tape lifters are defeated so the tape is in contact with the reproduce head and the engineer can hear where the selections begin and end. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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 t...

The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. Bi A prefix meaning two. Calista C2-88 Projector 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 more even response. See Electret Mic. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Inductor A device designed primarily to introduce inductan...

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). AES An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. Calista C3-S Security System Centre Frequency The frequency of the audio signal that is boosted or attenuated most by an equalizer with a peak equalization curve. Capo A clamp-like device that is placed vertically across the guitar neck. It is used to change the pitch of the guitar, acting as a moveable nut. Calista C2-88 Projector Crossover Frequency 1) The frequency that is the outer limit of one of the bands of a crossover. 2) In the Lexicon 480L delay/reverb...

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. Binary A numbering system based on two. In binary there are two symbols used ("l" and "0"). Calista C2-88 Projector Flange An effect caused by an approximately even mix of a modulated (varying) short delay with the direct signal. 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). Calista C1-9 Home Theater Highs Short for the term High Frequencies (the audio frequencies from 6000 Hz and above). Frets Vertical metal wires which sit vertically on the guitar neck. Analog Recording A recording of the continuous changes of an audio waveform. Calista Reviews Close Micing A technique of placing a microphone close to the sound source (within one foot) in order to pick up mainly the d...

A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. 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. Calista C3-S Security System Librarian Program A computer program allowing the storage of the parameters of sound patches outside of a synthesizer. Kick (Kick Drum) Another term for Bass Drum. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. 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. Atom The smallest particle w...

Uses active devices (transistors, IC's, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. 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. Calista C3-S Security System Buss (Bus) A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources. Byte A grouping of eight information bits. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Expander A device that causes expansion of the audio signal. 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. Foldback A European term for the signal sent to the stage monitors in a live performance. Calista R...

A large building designed for concerts; also called a concert hall. Generation A term used to describe the number of times that the recorded audio signal has been copied. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. 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. Calista C3-S Security S...

The British version of the term Ground (In electronics, a place that has zero volts). Error Concealment Putting replacement information bits into a digital audio signal to replace lost bits when the digital recording or processing system cannot verify whether the lost bits were l's or 0's but can make a good guess by comparing the known bits that were close in position to the lost bits. Calista C2-88 Projector Fat Having more than a normal amount of signal strength at low frequencies or having more sound than normal (by use of compression or delay). 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 combinatio...

The signal put out by a circuit that generates steady even pulses or steady codes used for synchronization. Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. Calista C3-S Security System Bottom The bass frequencies (as in "needs more bottom end"). 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). 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" Electret Mic A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. Active Crossover Uses active devices (transistors, I...

A pitch difference of the amount that is present between adjacent keys on a piano. 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 C3-S Security System Analog (Analogue) Representative, continuous changes that relate to another quantity that has a continuous change. Highs Short for the term High Frequencies (the audio frequencies from 6000 Hz and above). 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. 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 locati...

Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). 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. Calista C3-S Security System Gate A dynamic processing device that turns a channel off or down when the signal drops below a certain level. Headroom 1) The level difference (in dB) between normal operating level and clipping level in an amplifier or audio device. 2) A similar level difference between normal tape operating level and the level where the distortion would be 3%. 3) The difference, in decibels, between the peak and RMS levels in program material. Calista C2-88 Projector Gain Control A device that changes the gain of an amplifier or circuit, often a knob that can b...

The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second. 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. Calista C3-S Security System Bi A prefix meaning two. 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). Calista C2-88 Projector Crosstalk Leakage of an audio signal into a channel that iris not intended to be in, from an adjacent or nearby channel. 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. Decibel (dB) 1) Relative measurement for the volume (loudness) of sound. Also used to measure the d...

Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. 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. 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. Electromagnetic Theory A statement of the principles behind electromagnetic induction: When a conductor cuts magnetic lines of force, current is induced in that conductor. Calista C2-88 Projector Acoustic/Acoustical Having to do with so...

Used inside of full range speaker cabinets to separate highs, mids, and lows and send them to their respective speakers within the each cabinet. These are not as efficient as active crossovers because they require all frequencies to draw from the same source of amplification. 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. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. 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 face. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Compression Ratio How many dB the input signal has to rise above th...

The strength of a vibrating wave; in sound, the loudness of the sound. Half Step A pitch difference of the amount that is present between adjacent keys on a piano. Calista C3-S Security System 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). 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Keyboard Controller A device that has the standard music keys of piano but puts out MIDI signals Bi-Directional Pattern A microphone pick up pattern which has maximum pick up directly in front and directly in back of the diaphragm and least pick up at the sides. Crossover, Passive Used inside of full range speaker cabinets to separate highs, mids, and lows and send them to their respec...

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. Editing 1) Changing the sequence of a recording by cutting the recording tape and putting the pieces together in the new sequence with splicing tape. 2) Punching in and then punching out on one or more tracks of a multitrack tape recorder to replace previously recorded performances. 3) Changing the sequence of a digital recording's playback by computer program. Calista C3-S Security System Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Early Reflections The first echoes in a room, caused by the sound from the sound source reflecting off one surface before reaching the listener. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Line Input An input designed to take a line level signal. Close Micing A technique of placing a microphone close to the sound source (within one foot)...

The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance. 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 C1-9 Home Theater 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. 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 emitting it, caused by many discrete echoes closely spaced in time). Calista C2-88 Projector Electric Instrument A...

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. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Feed To send an audio or control signal to. Attenuation A making smaller: reduction of electrical or acoustic signal strength. Calista C3-S Security System DC Abbreviation for direct current. Editing 1) Changing the sequence of a recording by cutting the recording tape and putting the pieces together in the new sequence with splicing tape. 2) Punching in and then punching out on one or more tracks of a multitrack tape recorder to replace previously recorded perform...

In electronics, a place (terminal) that has zero volts. Key The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal. Calista C2-88 Projector Instrument Amplifier A device that has a power amplifier and speaker in a case (or in separate cases) to reproduce the signal put out by an electric instrument (such as an electric guitar) and to allow the instrument to be heard. LFO Low-Frequency Oscillator (an oscillator that puts out an AC signal between .1 Hz and 10Hz used for a control signal). Calista C3-S Security System Headstock The area of the guitar at the end of the neck where the strings are tuned. Audio Most often referring to electrical signals resulting from the sound pressure wave being converted into electrical energy. Ground Lifter An adapter that takes a three prong power cord and plugs into a two prong outlet, used to disconnect the third (ground) pin of the power outlet. WARNING: It can be VERY DANGEROUS to have no ground ...

Describes a good clean high midrange sound. It can be good or bad depending on the look on the face of the guy who said it. Echo Send Control A control to send the signal from the input module to the echo chamber or effects device via the echo buss. Calista C2-88 Projector Bouncing Alternate name for Ping-Ponging (playing several tacks with sync playback through a console to mix them together and record them on an open track). 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. Calista C3-S Security System Gain 1) Knob usually found at the top of each input channel on the soundboard. Used to set input levels of the separate channels to relatively equal positions. 2) The amount of increase in audio signal strength, often expressed in dB. High-Pass Filter A device that rejects signals that are below a certain frequency (called the cut-off frequency) and pas...

Uses active devices (transistors, IC's, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. FOH (Front of House) Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Calista C3-S Security System Crossover 1) A route leading from one side of the stage to the other, out of the audiences view. 2) An electronic filter in a sound system that routes sound of the correct frequency to the correct part of the speaker system. Different speakers handle high frequencies (tweeters) and low frequencies (woofers). Sometimes known as a crossover network. An active crossover splits the signal from the mixing desk into high, mid and low frequencies which are then sent to three separate amplifiers. 3) An electrical circuit that divides a full bandwidth signal into the desired frequency bands for the loudspeaker components. Echo Send The output of a console used to send a signal to an echo chamber or delay effects device. Calista C1-...

A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. 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). Calista C1-9 Home Theater kHz An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. Keyboard 1) Any musical instrument controlled by pressing a key. 2) The part of the computer that has the keys. Calista C3-S Security System Images The squaring of the waveform that happens in the conversion of digital audio bits into analog signals. 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. Electrostatic Charge The excess or deficiency of electrons in a given area. Calista Reviews Imaging To make a representation or imitation of the original sonic event.

A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal proportional to the vibrations. Crossover 1) A route leading from one side of the stage to the other, out of the audiences view. 2) An electronic filter in a sound system that routes sound of the correct frequency to the correct part of the speaker system. Different speakers handle high frequencies (tweeters) and low frequencies (woofers). Sometimes known as a crossover network. An active crossover splits the signal from the mixing desk into high, mid and low frequencies which are then sent to three separate amplifiers. 3) An electrical circuit that divides a full bandwidth signal into the desired frequency bands for the loudspeaker components. Calista C3-S Security System Boost To increase gain, especially to increase gain at specific frequencies with an equalizer. Amplitude The strength of a vibrating wave; in sound, the loudness of the sound. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Digital Recording 1) ADAM...

The presence of harmonics in the output signal of a device which were not present in the input signal. Echo Chamber 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. Calista C3-S Security System 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. Keyboard 1) Any musical instrument controlled by pressing a key. 2) The part of the computer that has the keys. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. Echo Send The output of a console used to send a signal to an...

The unit of current, abbreviated Amp. Editing 1) Changing the sequence of a recording by cutting the recording tape and putting the pieces together in the new sequence with splicing tape. 2) Punching in and then punching out on one or more tracks of a multitrack tape recorder to replace previously recorded performances. 3) Changing the sequence of a digital recording's playback by computer program. Calista C2-88 Projector Diffraction The breaking up of a sound wave caused by some type of mechanical interference such as a cabinet edge, grill frame, or other similar object. Hum The 60 Hz power line current accidentally induced or fed into electronic equipment. Calista C3-S Security System Boost To increase gain, especially to increase gain at specific frequencies with an equalizer. Boom Stand A microphone stand equipped with a telescoping support arm to hold the microphone. Lead The musical instrument that plays the melody of the tune, includ...

The way in which the gain varies in the stages or sections of an audio system. 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 C3-S Security System Isolation Booth/ Isolation Room A room that prevents loud sounds from other instruments from leaking in: an isolation booth is usually a smaller room that could be used for only one musician. Head Amp British name for Preamplifier (A low-noise amplifier designed to take a low-level signal, such as the output of a tape head, and bring it up to normal line level). Calista C1-9 Home Theater A/D An abbreviation of Analog to Digital Conversion (the conversion of a quantity that has continuous changes into numbers that approximate those changes), or Analog to Digital Converter. Automation In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer program control changes (such as fader level) so that upon playback...