Audio Vocabulary

Question 1

DAW

Answer 1

(Short for: Digital Audio Workstation)
Software like Ableton, GarageBand, or Logic Pro where you can record, mix, add sound effects and master audio.

Question 2

Compression

Answer 2

Reducing the overall dynamic range of audio so the difference between the loudest and softest parts of the sound don’t contrast so heavily.

Question 3

Distortion

Answer 3

Undesirable altering or deformation of an audio signal’s waveform, usually by overload of amplifying a signal

Question 4

Clipping / Peaking

Answer 4

A form of distortion that happens when an amplifier is pushed beyond its maximum limit

Question 5

Powered Speaker

Answer 5

(Self-powered) Speakers that have amplification built into them

Question 6

Passive Speaker

Answer 6

Speakers that do not have built-in amplification and thus need to be connected to a separate amplifier in order to be used

Question 7

EQ / Equalization

Answer 7

The process of adjusting the level or amplitude of specific frequencies to achieve a balanced audio mix

Question 8

Preamp / Preamplifier

Answer 8

An electronic amplifier that converts a weak electrical signal into a signal that is strong enough to be further processed

Question 9

Monitor

Answer 9

Also known as (wedge, monitor speaker)

A set of (usually performer-facing) speakers that produce a more neutral sound, used specifically for perfecting the audio mix

Question 10

Sub / Subwoofer

Answer 10

A speaker designed to produce lower pitched frequencies (bass & sub-bass) that add a “fullness” or immersion to audio

Question 11

Tweeter

Answer 11

A speaker designed to reproduce the high or treble range of the sound spectrum

Question 12

Highs / Treble

Answer 12

The upper end of the audio spectrum, usually around the 3-4 kHz range and higher

Question 13

High-pass filter

Answer 13

An EQ curve that is used to remove low-frequency sounds from an audio signal. It’s called “high pass” because it allows frequencies higher than the curve to “pass through” into the mix.

Question 14

Low-pass filter

Answer 14

(AKA High Cut Filter)
An EQ curve or filter used to remove high-frequency sounds from a signal

Question 15

Gain

Answer 15

The amount of signal increased by an amplifier. Where volume is the output level that goes to the speaker, gain is input level within the amps.

Question 16

Output

Answer 16

The sound level produced by a speaker (it’s what comes OUT of the sound system)

Question 17

Mids / Midrange

Answer 17

The frequencies that rest between bass and treble, which carries most of the identifying tones in a sound, usually from 200Hz to 4kHz

Question 18

Hum

Answer 18

Audio noise that has a low frequency pitch

Question 19

Hiss

Answer 19

Background audio noise that sounds like a rattlesnake

Question 20

Crossover

Answer 20

An electronic circuit or network that splits audio into different bands to be applied to different speakers

Question 21

Cone

Answer 21

The “diaphragm” of the speaker, which moves (vibrates) to produce pulsations of air that the ears receive as sound

Question 22

Bass

Answer 22

Low frequencies on the sound spectrum, usually from 0Hz to about 200Hz

Question 23

Attenuation

Answer 23

Reduction of an electrical signal

Question 24

Signal Flow

Answer 24

The path or “steps” a signal takes from where it is produced (made) all the way to where it is reproduced (heard)

Question 25

Feedback

Answer 25

Undesirable audio distortion caused by a signal passing through an amplifier to a microphone and then back in again

Question 26

Gating

Answer 26

Stopping unwanted noise from entering a mix by cutting signals below a certain threshold

Question 27

Mixing

Answer 27

Combining multiple recorded and/or live sounds and adjusting levels and blending to achieve a balanced audio mix

Question 28

Reverb

Answer 28

The reflection of sound waves off of surfaces, which can help blend sounds and further enrich the sound of a mix

Question 29

Echo

Answer 29

Similar to reverb in that it’s how sound waves bounce back in a sound space BUT where reverb is a short reflection time, echo is a long reflection