Calista Home Theaters

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. File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Calista C2-88 Projector Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Layering The recording (or playing) of a musical part with of several similar sound patches playing simultaneous. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Headphones Devices that can be worn on the head with small speakers that fit over the ears (or sometimes into the ears). 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...

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. Circuit 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. Calista C3-S Security System Bi-Amplification 1) A way of optimizing the efficiency of a speaker system by separately amplifying the High Frequency (HF) and Low Frequency (LF) portions of the sound signal and sending them down two pairs of cables to the speaker. Multipin Speakon connectors have been developed to do this. 2)The process of having of having low-frequency speakers and high-frequency speakers driven by separate amplifiers. Harmonics Integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, the fundamental itself being the first harmonic, its first overtone the second harmonic, etc. Attributing to instruments, ...

To send an audio or control signal to. 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 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. High Impedance Cord (High Z) A big word for instrument cable. These cords generally have quarter inch male ends. they tend to loose signal strength at lengths longer than 25 feet. Calista C3-S Security System Line Out (Line Output) Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a console that feeds a recorder. Cardioid Pattern A microphone pick up pattern, which has maximum pick up from the front, less pick up from the sides, and least pick up from the back of the diaphragm. Early Reflections The first echoes in a room, caused ...

Where a signal enters the board or component. Earth The British version of the term Ground (In electronics, a place that has zero volts). Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Gate A dynamic processing device that turns a channel off or down when the signal drops below a certain level. Calista C3-S Security System 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). 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. Bi-Directional Pattern A microphone...

An increasing of signal strength. Input Overload Sending too high of a signal level into a device so that the first amplifier of the device overloads. 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. Acoustic Amplifier The portion of the instrument which makes the vibrating source move more air or move air more efficiently; this makes the sound of the instrument louder. Examples of acoustic amplifiers include: 1) The body of an acoustic guitar, 2) The sounding board of a piano, 3) The bell of a horn and 4) The shell of a drum. Calista C3-S Security System Active/Inactive Microphones Scientific definitions aside, active microphones generally sound better than inactive ones, but they generally cost more. They al...

1) A device that removes signals with frequencies above or below a certain point called the cut-off frequency. 2) An equalizer section, used in this sense because filters are used with other components to give an equalizer its frequency response characteristics. 3) The action of removing signals of some frequencies and leaving the rest. 4) A mechanical device to smooth out speed variations in tape machines called a Scrape Flutter Filter- more usually called a Scrape Flutter Idler 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. Calista C3-S Security System 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 ...

The way in which the gain varies in the stages or sections of an audio system. Basic Session The First session in recording an audio production to record the Basic Tracks. Calista C3-S Security System 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. Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/meter (dB/w/m). ESL �" Abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker. Calista C1-9 Home Theater kHz An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. 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 progr...

Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a console that feeds a recorder. Line In (Input, return) Where a signal enters the board or component. Calista C3-S Security System kHz An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. Infinite Baffle A baffle so large that the sounds coming from one side do not reach the other side. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Direct box Used in line to convert a high impedance signal into a low impedance signal. Gain Reduction The working of a limiter or compressor reducing gain during high-level passages. Bose Condenser An older term meaning the same thing as Capacitor (an electronic device which is composed of two p...

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. Critical Distance The point a distance away from the sound source where the direct sound and the reverberant sound are equal in volume. Calista C3-S Security System Flutter 1) High-frequency variations in pitch of a recorded waveform due to fast speed variations in a recorder or playback machine. 2) Originally, and more formally, any variations (fast or slow) in pitch of a recorded tone due to speed fluctuations in a recorder or playback unit. 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 do the reverse when moved counter-clockwise. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Ambient Field A term with the same meaning as the term Reverberant Field (the area away from the sound source where the ...

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 panel. In-Line Console A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Calista C2-88 Projector Attenuation A making smaller: reduction of electrical or acoustic signal strength. Gate A dynamic processing device that turns a channel off or down when the signal drops below a certain level. Calista C3-S Security System Hypercardioid Pattern A microphone pick up sensitivity ...

Where a signal enters the board or component. Final Mix The two track stereo master tape which was mixed from the multitrack master. Calista C3-S Security System Auxiliary Equipment Effects devices separate from but working with the recording console. Fret Buzz A buzzing sound made when a note is not properly fretted. Common with cheap guitars or beginning guitar players. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Critical Distance The point a distance away from the sound source where the direct sound and the reverberant sound are equal in volume. 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. Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. Calista Reviews 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...

The rate the sound begins and increases in volume. 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 C3-S Security System 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). Hall A large building designed for concerts...

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. 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 C2-88 Projector 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. Ground Loop A double grounding of a line or electronic device at two different "ground" points of differing voltage. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Kilo A prefix meaning 1000. Frequency Shift Key / FSK The full name for FSK (A sim...

1) The frequency response achieved by mixing a direct signal with a delayed signal of equal strength especially at short delays. 2) Loosely used to also describe effects that can be achieved with comb filtering as part of the processing. 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 C1-9 Home Theater 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. 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 Auxiliary Equipment Effects devices separate from but working with the recording console. Current The amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor p...

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). Ground Loop A double grounding of a line or electronic device at two different "ground" points of differing voltage. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. High Impedance Mic A microphone designed to be fed into an amplifier with input impedance greater than 20 k ohms. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Contact Microphone A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal proportional to the vibrations. Group Master A slide control used to send out a control voltage t...

The frequency of the audio signal that is boosted or attenuated most by an equalizer with a peak equalization curve. Blending 1) A condition where two signals mix together to form one sound or to give the sound of one sound source or one performance. 2) Mixing the left and right signal together slightly which makes the instruments sound closer to the center of the performance stage. 3) A method of panning during mixing where instruments are not panned extremely left or right. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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 amplitude of audio signals at specific set of frequencies are increased or decreased more than the signals at other audio frequencies. Cut-off Rate (Slope) The number of dB that a filter reduces the sig...

A blank Compact Disc that can be recorded on one time. 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 C2-88 Projector Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Gate A dynamic processing device that turns a channel off or down when the signal drops below a certain level. Calista C3-S Security System Keynote Number A number assigned to each key of a synthesizer or controller keyboard that is transmitted in the MIDI signal. 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 do the reverse when moved counter-clockwise. Delay Outboard sound equipment that can momentarily stores a signal being sent to part of a P.A. system so that delayed reinforced sound reaches the audience at the same tim...

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. Cardioid Pattern A microphone pick up pattern, which has maximum pick up from the front, less pick up from the sides, and least pick up from the back of the diaphragm. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Bi-Amplification 1) A way of optimizing the efficiency of a speaker system by separately amplifying the High Frequency (HF) and Low Frequency (LF) portions of the sound signal and sending them down two pairs of cables to the speaker. Multipin Speakon connectors have been developed to do this. 2)The process of having of having low-frequency speakers and high-frequency speakers driven by separate amplifiers. Coax Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Calista C3-S Security System Inductance The property of an electric circuit by which a varying current in it produces a varying magnetic field that int...

1) A quad pan pot which distributes what percentage of on signal is sent to each of 4 outputs. 2) A control that is separately controlling two functions at one time. File A collection of digital data stored in a computer's memory bank or on a floppy disc. Calista C3-S Security System Fly In 1) To add sounds into a mix or recording that have no synchronization. 2) An application of this where a performance from one part of a tune is recorded and then recorded back into the recording at a different time in the recording. Group Master A slide control used to send out a control voltage to several VCA faders in individual channels, thus controlling the gain of several channels. Calista C2-88 Projector 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 record...

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 signal processing function that applies both compression and expansion to the same signal. FOH (Front of House) Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. Ambience The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source. Calista C3-S Security System Byte A grouping of eight information bits. Electrostatic Charge The excess or deficiency of electrons in a given area. Lead The musical instrument that plays the melody of the tune, including the vocal. Calis...

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). Chord Three or more musical pitches sung or played together. Calista C3-S Security System 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. DC Abbreviation for direct current. Calista C2-88 Projector Link (Said of compressors and dynamic processing units.) To combine the control input signals of two channels of a compressor (o 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...

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. Coincident Microphones (Coincident Pair) 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Fundamental The tuned frequency and (almost always) the lowest frequency that is present in the sounding of a pitch by a musical instrument. C...

Common type of effect that makes sounds fuller and thicker. 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 C1-9 Home Theater Chorusing 1) A term meaning the same thing as Chorus (Definition 3 or 4). 2) In some delay effects devices, a term used to mean the term Depth (the amount of change in the controlled signal by the control signal). 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Impedance Matching Having or converting the output impedance of a device so that it matches the impedance of the input it will feed. Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another recorder. Editing 1) Changing the sequence of a recording by cutting the recording tape and putting th...

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. 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 C2-88 Projector 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. Gain Structure The way in which the gain varies in the stages or sections of an audio system. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Acoustic Amplifier The portion of the instrument which makes the vibrating source move more air or move air more efficiently; this makes the sound of the instrument louder. Examples of a...

An Abbreviation of kilo-Hertz. Clip The action of deforming a waveform during overload. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Blending 1) A condition where two signals mix together to form one sound or to give the sound of one sound source or one performance. 2) Mixing the left and right signal together slightly which makes the instruments sound closer to the center of the performance stage. 3) A method of panning during mixing where instruments are not panned extremely left or right. 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. Calista C3-S Security System Delay Outboard sound equipment that can momentarily stores a signal being sent to part of a P.A. system so that delayed reinforced sound reaches the audience at the same time as live sound from the stage. Contact Microphone A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal pro...

The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second. 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 like door closings, wind, etc. added to film or video shots). 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. 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 Generating Element The portion of the microphone that actually converts the movement of the diaphragm into electrical current or voltage changes. Amplitude The strength of a vibrating wave; in sound, the loudness of the sound. Electromagnetic Field Magnetic energy put out because of current t...

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. 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. 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. Floor Toms The large toms to the right of the drummer. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Format 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. Diaphrag...

A synchronization signal such as SMPTE time code that is used by all recorders in the control room. Key The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Librarian Program A computer program allowing the storage of the parameters of sound patches outside of a synthesizer. 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 Echo Return An input of the console, which brings back the echo (reverberation) signal from the echo chamber or other echo effects device. 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 ...

Same as Cut-Off Frequency (the highest or lowest frequency in the pass band of a filter). (NOUN) Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/meter (dB/w/m). ESL �" Abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker. Calista C3-S Security System 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" Crisp 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Crossover, Passive 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 amp...

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). Hard Disk Recording The recording of digital audio onto a hard disc. Calista C3-S Security System LED 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. 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 Line Out (Line Output) Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a console that feeds a recorder. AES An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. 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...