Calista Home Theaters

Sending too high of a signal level into a device so that the first amplifier of the device overloads. 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Clean Describes a distortion free sound with few effects. Joystick 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. Calista C3-S Security System Earth The British version of the term Ground (In electronics, a place that has zero volts). Channel 1) In multitrack tape machines, this term means the same thing as the term Track (one audio recording made on a portion of the width of a multitrack tape). 2) A single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device from an input t...

A European term for the signal sent to the stage monitors in a live performance. 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Frequency Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch. Buss (Bus) A wire carrying signals to some place, usually fed from several sources. Calista C3-S Security System Chase The automatic adjusting of the speed of a recorder (or sequencer) to be time with another 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. I/O Short for "Input/Output' and referring to: 1) An in-line console module that contains controls for the input section, output section and monitor section. 2) A module in electronic gear containin...

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. 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. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. 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 introduces voltages in the same circuit or in a nearby circuit. It is measured in henrys. Leakage Sounds from other instruments and sources that were not intended to be picked up by the mi...

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. In-Line Console A console with modules that have controls for all console sections in one long strip. Calista C3-S Security System Analog (Analogue) Representative, continuous changes that relate to another quantity that has a continuous change. 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. 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. 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 Ef...

A condenser microphone that has a permanently polarized (charged) variable capacitor as its sound pressure level sensor. Cue Send Control A control that will adjust the amount of signal sent to a cue buss from a console channel. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Filter 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 Key The control of a dynamics processing device by an external audio signal. Calista C3-S Security System Fader A control to control the gain of a channel on the console, thereby determining the level of the signal in tha...

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. Kilo A prefix meaning 1000. Calista C2-88 Projector Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. 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. Calista C3-S Security System Full Range Describes a sound which covers all audible frequency ranges. As in "full range speaker cabinets." Electric Current A more formal term meaning the same as the term Current (the amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor per unit of time). Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. Bose Line Out (Output, Send) Where a signal leaves the board or component.

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. Lead Sheet A written chart showing the melody, lyrics and chords of a tune with full musical notation. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Input/Output Module 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. 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. 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, ...

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. 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. 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). Electrostatic Charge The excess or deficiency of electrons in a given area. Calista C2-88 Projector Contact Microphone A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal proportional to the vibrations. Kick (Kick Drum) Another term for Bass Drum. Line Out (Line Output) Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a console that feeds a record...

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 multitrack tape machine. 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 System Early Reflections The first echoes in a room, caused by the sound from the sound source reflecting off one surface before reaching the listen...

The two track stereo master tape which was mixed from the multitrack master. 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). Calista C3-S Security System 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. Fidelity The recording or reproduction quality. Calista C2-88 Projector Flamenco A style of music with roots in Spanish and Arabic culture. Hi-Z An abbreviation of the term High Impedance (Impedance of 5000 or more ohms). 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 t...

An input of the console, which brings back the echo (reverberation) signal from the echo chamber or other echo effects device. 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 C2-88 Projector Keyboard 1) Any musical instrument controlled by pressing a key. 2) The part of the computer that has the keys. Kick (Kick Drum) Another term for Bass Drum. Calista C3-S Security System 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. Electret Mic A condenser microphone where the capacitor plates are given a charge during manufacture which they retain, therefore requiring no external power supply. Icon A visual picture or symbol on a computer screen that represents a ...

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 Light Emitting Diode 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. Calista C2-88 Projector Keynote Number A number assigned to each key of a synthesizer or controller keyboard that is transmitted in the MIDI signal. Ambience The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source. Calista C3-S Security System Group Master A slide c...

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. Flamenco A style of music with roots in Spanish and Arabic culture. Calista C3-S Security System Channel 1) In multitrack tape machines, this term means the same thing as the term Track (one audio recording made on a portion of the width of a multitrack tape). 2) A single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device from an input to an output. Foot Switch A switch placed on the floor and pressed by a musician to do various functions. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. Expansion The oppos...

The presence of harmonics in the output signal of a device which were not present in the input signal. Aliasing A sampler mis-recognizing a signal sent to it that is at a frequency higher than the Nyquist Frequency. Upon playback, the system will provide a signal at an incorrect frequency (called an alias frequency). Aliasing is a kind of distortion. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. 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). Calista C1...

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. Auxiliary Output or Send An additional output from a sound desk that can be used for foldback or monitoring without tying up the main outputs. Each input channel will have a path to the Aux buss. Also used for feeding a signal to an effects processor. See Auxiliary Return. Calista C2-88 Projector Capacitance That property of a capacitor which determines how much charge can be stored in it for a given potential difference between its terminals, measured in farads, by the ratio of the charge stored to the potential difference. 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...

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. Cycle 1) An alternation of a waveform which begins at a point, passes through the zero line, and ends at a point with the same value and moving in the same direction as the starting point. 2) On a Solid State Logic Console, a command to have the console computer control the tape machine to play and replay a certain section of the tape. Calista C3-S Security System Gain Structure The way in which the gain varies in the stages or sections of an audio system. Electronics 1) On a tape machine, the housing for and the channel circuitry which processes the signal to be fed to the heads, provide bias, and playback. 2) The branch of science dealing...

To prepare a digital storage medium (like a floppy disk) so that it will accept and store digital information bits. In Short For "in the circuit," in other words "active." Calista C1-9 Home Theater Level The amount of signal strength; the amplitude, especially the average amplitude. AC 1) Abbreviation for alternating current. 2) An abbreviation of the term Alternating Current (electric current which flows back and forth in a circuit; all studio signals running through audio lines are AC). Calista C3-S Security System Current The amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor per unit of time. Limiter A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level. Electrostatic Charge The excess or deficiency of electrons in a given area. Calista Reviews Efficiency The acoustic power delivered for a given electrical input. Often expressed as decibels/watt/meter (dB/w/m). ESL �" Abbreviation fo...

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. 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 Amplifier A device which increases the amplitude (level) of an electrical signal (making it louder). Capacitance The property of being able to oppose a change in voltage or store an electrical charge. Calista C2-88 Projector Graphic Equalizer An device with several slides controlling the gain of audio signal present which is within one of several evenly spaced frequency bands (spaced according to octaves). 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). Crisp Describes a good clean high midrange sound. It can be good or b...

A dynamic processing device that turns a channel off or down when the signal drops below a certain level. Keyboard 1) Any musical instrument controlled by pressing a key. 2) The part of the computer that has the keys. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Auxiliary Equipment Effects devices separate from but working with the recording console. Filter 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 Calista C2-88 Projector Half Step A pitch difference of the amount that is present between adjacent keys on a piano. Crosstalk Leakage...

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 C1-9 Home Theater Images The squaring of the waveform that happens in the conversion of digital audio bits into analog signals. Channel 1) In multitrack tape machines, this term means the same thing as the term Track (one audio recording made on a portion of the width of a multitrack tape). 2) A single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device from an input to an output. Calista C3-S Security 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). Line Out (Output, Send) Where a signal leaves the board or component. CD (Compact Disc) : 1) Digital sound storage medium. Provides a high quality source of music, sound effects etc. Also used as a playbac...

A device that has the standard music keys of piano but puts out MIDI signals Clean Describes a distortion free sound with few effects. 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. Hard Disk Recording The recording of digital audio onto a hard disc. Calista C2-88 Projector Echo Send The output of a console used to send a signal to an echo chamber or delay effects device. 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. Line In (Input, return) Where a signal enters the board or component. Calista Reviews Analog (Analogue) Representative...

A Compact Disc used to store digital data, such as large programs, that can be read by a computer. Electronics 1) On a tape machine, the housing for and the channel circuitry which processes the signal to be fed to the heads, provide bias, and playback. 2) The branch of science dealing with the behaviour of electrons/charges in vacuums, gases, semiconductors and special conductors. Calista C2-88 Projector IC Abbreviation of Integrated Circuit (A miniature circuit of many components that is in small, sealed housing with prongs to connect it into equipment). 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 Error Correct Exact replacement of lost information bits in digital audio. Basic Session The First...

1) A gradual reduction of the level of the audio signal. 2) A gradual change of level from one pre-set level to another. Cue Send Control A control that will adjust the amount of signal sent to a cue buss from a console channel. Calista C3-S Security System Ground Adapter Plug Adapts a three pronged electrical plug to a two pronged wall outlet. This bypasses the ground and may create a hum in the system. A lack of a good ground can cause mild electrical shock when touching a microphone. 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. Calista C1-9 Home Theater FOH (Front of House) Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the "main" speakers. Expansion The opposite of compression; for example, an expander may allow the signal to incr...

The portion of the sound that comes from the surrounding environment rather than directly from the sound source. 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 panel. Calista C2-88 Projector 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. Humbucker Pickups that are coupled together to get ...

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". 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 C3-S Security System 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). AES An abbreviation of Audio Engineering Society. Calista C2-88 Projector Amp 1) An abbreviation of the term Amplifier (A device which increases the level of an electrical signal. 2) An abbreviation of Ampere (the unit of current). 3) An abbreviation of amplitude (the height of a waveform above or below the zero line). Line Out (Output, Send) Where a signal leaves the board or co...

A buzzing sound made when a note is not properly fretted. Common with cheap guitars or beginning guitar players. Input Impedance The opposition to current flow by the first circuits of a device. Calista C3-S Security System Electricity Electrical current (the amount of electron charge passing a point in a conductor per unit of time) or voltage (the force pushing electrons to obtain electrical current). Active Crossover Uses active devices (transistors, IC's, tubes) and some form of power supply to operate. Calista C2-88 Projector Harmonic Distortion The presence of harmonics in the output signal of a device which were not present in the input signal. 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. First Generation A descriptive term meaning original (as opposed...

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. Capacitance The property of being able to oppose a change in voltage or store an electrical charge. Calista C2-88 Projector Light Emitting Diode 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. Haas Effect Simply stated, a factor in human hearing where delay has a much bigger effect on human perception of direction than level does. Calista C1-9 Home Theater 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. AES/EBU Professional Interface A standard for sending and receiving digital audio adopted by the Audio Engineering Society and the European Broadcast Union. Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls t...

The smallest unit of digital information representing a single "0" or 1. Feedback Control The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback. Calista C2-88 Projector Keying Input (Key Input) An input on a dynamics processing device to control the device by an external audio 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 C1-9 Home Theater Chorus 1) The part of The song that is repeated and has the same music and lyrics each time; the chorus will usually give the point of the song. 2) A musical singing group that has many singers. 3) A delay effect that simulates a vocal chorus by adding several delays with a mild amount of feedback and a medium amount of depth. 4) A similar effect created in some synthesizers by detuning (reducing the pitch of, slightly) and mixing it with the signal that has regular tuning and w...

A written chart showing the melody, lyrics and chords of a tune with full musical notation. Inductor A device designed primarily to introduce inductance into an electric circuit. Sometimes called a choke or coil. 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. Front Loaded A speaker cabinet where the speaker faces out toward the front. Calista C1-9 Home Theater Contact Microphone A device that senses vibrations and puts out an audio signal proportional to the vibrations. Capsule 1) The variable capacitor section of a condenser microphone. 2) In other types of microphones, the part of the microphone that includes the diaphragm and the active element. Line Out (Line Output) Any output that sends out a line level signal, such as the output of a co...

The unit of frequency. Equivalent to cycles per second. Abbreviation: Hz. Driver See transducer. Dynamic Range �" The range between the quietest and the loudest sounds a device can handle (often quoted in dB). Calista C2-88 Projector Level Sets output volume of individual PA input channels. Usually positioned as sliders at the bottom of the soundboard. Lead Sheet A written chart showing the melody, lyrics and chords of a tune with full musical notation. Calista C3-S Security System Coax Two-conductor cable consisting of one conductor surrounded by a shield. Attack The rate the sound begins and increases in volume. 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). Calista Reviews Instrument Out Direct Feeding the output of an electric instrument (like an electric guitar) to the recording console or tape recorder without u...