Week 1

Question 1

Alternating Current (AC)

Answer 1

A flow of electricity that continually changes amplitude and direction. An audio signal is an example of an alternating current.

Question 2

Amplify

Answer 2

To increase the strength of an audio signal (opposite of Attenuate)

Question 3

Amplitude

Answer 3

The strength of an audio signal. When the signal is turned into sound waves by a loudspeaker, the amplitude is related to volume.

Question 4

Attenuate

Answer 4

To reduce the strength of an audio signal (opposite of Amplify)

Question 5

Audio Interface

Answer 5

A device enabling analog audio equipment to connect to a computer, consisting of analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters.

Question 6

Balanced

Answer 6

A type of connection with two signal wires and a separate earth (ground) wire. This helps to cancel out interference and avoids having one side of the signal connected to earth.

Question 7

Bit depth

Answer 7

The number of binary digits used to represent each sample, also known as resolution. CD audio uses a resolution of 16 bits. Higher bit depths are sometimes used in recording, which have to be reduced at the mastering stage. (This is called dithering)

Question 8

Cable

Answer 8

A bundle of wires wrapped in an outer sheath with a connector at each end. For example, a balanced microphone cable has three lead wires running between male and female XLR plugs.