Glossary

A > B > C > D > E > F > G > H > I > J > K > L > M > N > O > P > Q > R > S > T > U > V > W > X > Y > Z

A

Amp

Short term for Amplifier; referring to a means of increasing sound level.

Acoustic Feedback

This happens when sound from a speaker is picked up by a microphone or transducer and is fed back to the amplifier and increases in volume, thus producing that familiar howl. Avoid at all costs!

B

Bass

Can be a bass guitar or when referring to low frequencies of the audio spectrum

C

Cab

Abbreviation for cabinet and is basically a speaker in a box

Cardioid

The heart shaped pickup pattern of a microphone

D

Delay

The time between something happening, effective in guitar effect pedals

E

Echo

Repeated sounds with a time delay between them

F

Flange

A mix of delay and echo effects - best heard in stereo

G

Guitar

The name given to any electric, bass or acoustic instrument

H

Headroom

The dynamic range of an amplifier and also a reference to the input against maximum output level

I

Impedance

The load into which an amplifier will deliver its optimum power. Expressed in Ohms, a typical amplifier will work into an impedance of 4 or 8 ohms

J

Jack

The standard connector for plugging instruments to an amplifier. The standard jack plug is ¼"

K

Kilohertz

A frequency of 1000 cycles per second

L

Loudspeaker

Converts electrical energy into audible sound

M

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface is the standard used by the industry to control a whole host of equipment

N

Noise

Not the type made by musicians, but unwanted sounds like hisses, pops, hum and buzz

O

Ohm

The measurement of electrical resistance and impedance

P

Pick

Short for plectrum, the small shaped device used for playing a stringed instrument

Q

Quantisation

This is the process of converting or digitising an analogue waveform into a form which can be processed by a computer

R

Reverb

An abbreviation for reverberation, this is a complex mix of multiple sounds which combine with the original sound to give the effect of sound in a large room or venue

S

Studio Monitors

Speakers which can reproduce a recording exactly as it was made. They have a flat response across the audio spectrum.

T

Tube

Another word for a valve, amplifiers with valves will produce a better sound at high volume without distorting like solid state amplifiers.

U

Used Equipment

There are many bargains to be had out there, but we suggest never buy without seeing or hearing it working first!

V

Valves

Valves have been around for a long time now, but the music industry still loves them for the sound they produce. It's worth remembering that valves will need replacing as they have a limited life.