Week 7

Question 1

Peak

Answer 1

1. The highest level in a wave cycle.
2. A digital signal which exceeds 0dB resulting in a distorted sound (also known as ‘clipping’)

Question 2

Phantom power

Answer 2

A DC voltage that is sent from a microphone socket on a mixer, preamp, or other equipment to power a microphone or DI box. The phantom power is ignored by the audio circuitry.

Question 3

Pick-up pattern

Answer 3

A circular chart showing the sensitivity of a microphone (when viewed from above) as a sound source is moved around it.

Question 4

Plugin

Answer 4

Extra small programs loaded into powerful software packages to increase their functionality. There will often be a plugin folder in the installation folder. Effects and instruments are often added in this way.

Question 5

Potentiometer

Answer 5

A variable resistor which limits the flow of an audio signal through it (comparable to a tap controlling the flow of water). Used for volume, pan, EQ and some other controls in mixers and other audio equipment. Also known as a ‘pot’, a potentiometer can be rotary or linear. For stereo signals, two potentiometers are mechanically linked (‘ganged’) together.

Question 6

Preamp

Answer 6

A preamplifier is a small amplifier that brings a microphone signal up to a useable level at the highest possible quality. Also the first stage in a more complex amplification system.

Question 7

PFL

Answer 7

Pre-Fade listen. On a mixer channel, this switch cuts out the fader and sends the signal straight to the control room output. Used to set up the level of gain for each channel.

Question 8

Quantisation

Answer 8

In a MIDI sequencer, quantisation pulls notes forwards a beat or other rhythmic division. This can be full or partial (so as to not sound too robotic) and can even follow a pattern or ‘groove’.