In this glossary you can find definitions of some technical terms of music production
A/D - D/A
noun
A/D analog to digital.
D/A digital to analog.
They are terms to refer to the type of transduction of a signal.
Example: A / D signal transduction occurs when we record something with the use of a computer, an audio interface, and a microphone; and the opposite happens when reproducing the recorded, D / A.
en: A/D analogo a digital.
D/A digital a analogo.
Amplitude
noun
How much energy does the signal have.
Example: In agreement with previous acoustic measurements, increased viscosity of the overlying liquid dampens the mechanical resonance manifesting itself as a change in frequency coupled with a decrease in resonant amplitude and quality factor.
en: Amplitud
BPM (Beats per minute)
noun
It is used to establish the duration and / or speed of the musical figures with accuracy. The duration of the sound is defined and how many of these figures can find in one minute.
Example: Each style and musical genre is associated with a rhythm, so theoretically each genre has its own Tempo, that is to say "its own" BPM.
en: BPM (latidos por minuto)
Bypass
noun
It is a function that most effects have, it helps us to activate or indicate that the effect is working or not, (when it is activated, the effect is not activated).
Example: The use of the Bypass helps you to listen to the differences before and after the effect in use.
en: Pasarse, sin uso
DAW (Digital Audio Work Station)
noun
It is a software program used to compose, produce, record, mix and edit audio and MIDI. DAW make it easy to mix multiple sound sources on a time-based grid.
Example: There are many DAWs, each with different strengths and weaknesses.
en: DAW (Estación de Trabajo de Audio digital)
Dry
noun
This term is usually found in sound effects, it indicates that the effect is not acting at all on our original signal, channel or track.
Example: You can automate the dry parameter so that an audio effect stops acting somewhere in the song.
en: Seco, sin actuar
Envelope
noun
Basic properties of a sound divided into 4 parts: attack, decay, sustain, decay.
Example: as you can see from the envelope of this sound, it has almost no sustain
en: Envolvente
EQ (Equalizer)
noun
It is a tool that allows us to manipulate the frequencies of a sound to obtain a convincing result that sounds good or as you expected.
Example: The use of an EQ can be for corrective or creative purposes, do not use it if it is not necessary.
en: Ecualizador
Fader
noun
It is similar to a knob that allows you to gradually increase or decrease the level of an audio signal,
Example: You can find faders on all mixers, whether they are analog or digital; the fader are used to mix a musical project.
en: Fader
Filter
noun
A filter is a process that, applied to a signal, removes a part of it that we are not interested in preserving. this is usually handled with hertz values
Example: The amplifier uses subthreshold NMOS transistors with an incremental resistance of greater than 10 10 W to realize an integrated high-pass filter below 100Hz while providing an in-band gain of 39dB.
en: Filtrar
Frequency
noun
Number of cycles per unit of time. It is measured in Hz.
Example: When equalizing a bass, it is important to clean the high frequencies of the signal to free up that spectral space of frequencies.
en: Frecuencia
Impedance
noun
Resistance in the flow of signal or energy, is expressed in the delay time in which a device acts to capture or reproduce that signal.
Example: When capturing a signal, it is recommended to have a low impedance in data capture, and for the reproduction of many plugins it is recommended to handle a high impedance so as not to force the computer processing.
en: Impedancia
Input
noun
It refers to the physical or digital location of the reception of an audio signal (where the signal is being received).
Example: It is important to check a band's input list before the soundcheck of such an important event.
en: Entrada
Inserts
noun
It refers to the audio effects that you are using to process a signal, EQ, COMP, DELAY, etc, etc ...
Example: The use of many inserts can slow down your computer, it is advisable to freeze the channels to save RAM memory.
en: Inserciones
Interface
noun
Device capable of transforming the signals generated by one device into signals that can be understood by another. It is a hardware device that connects to the computer and manages the inputs, outputs and sound processing.
Example: The audio interface is the equipment that captures those analog signals emitted by an instrument and converts them into digital signals.
en: Interfaz
LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
noun
Low Frequencies Oscillators are sound waves that vibrate at very low frequencies - less than 20 times per second (which would be below 20 Hz). the LFO do not make any sound. They make sounds move. They are not used as sound sources - they are signals that are used to modulate other sounds.
Example: Apply an LFO to the filter and you are modulating the timbre of the sound. It's called filter modulation.
en: LFO (oscilador de baja frecuencia)
Masking
noun
It is when a sound becomes less perceptible in relation to other sounds due to amplitude and frequency ranges.
Example: Masking is sometimes necessary to avoid the presence of floor noise in the recorded audio signals.
en: Enmascaramiento
MIDI
noun
It is a language that allows computers, musical instruments, and hardware to communicate with each other. Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is just data. A set of instructions that machines use to speak.
Example: When using a MIDI instrument, each time you press a key a MIDI note is created (sometimes called a MIDI event).
en: MIDI
Modulation
noun
Modulation effects change the properties of the sound over time, such as: Frequency, Amplitude, Pitch, Wavelength, Time, Phase, and
Velocity.
Example: most synthesizers have a modulation section close to oscillators and filters
en: Modulacion
Oscillator
noun
It is the module in charge of generating the audio signal. This is done through wave forms that are generated in an analog or digital way
Example: If you turn the knob to the right, the oscillator will start to act faster and the sound will be affected by it.
en: Oscilador
Pan
noun
It is a parameter controlled by a knob found on mixers, it allows you to choose which input or output channel we send the signal to, to the left, to the right or to both.
Example: Audio panning creates interest, width and a sense of space in a stereo mix by making sounds or instruments appear to come from different places in the left-right spectrum of the stereo field between two speakers.
en: Paneo
Plugin
noun
A plug-in is any program that runs inside a DAW or digital audio workstation. It provides extra functions that the DAW does not have on its own. it is a complement of a DAW.
Example: There are plugins that are effects and others that are virtual instruments, there are even some that can be used outside of a DAW.
en: plugin
Polar Pattern
noun
It refers to the directional properties that a microphone has, that is, its ability to capture sound from different directions.
Example: Depending on what instrument and miking technique you will do, it is the type of microns and polar stops that you will have to use for optimal signal pickups.
en: Patron Polar
Rack
noun
It is a frame or solid structure which can be fixed or mobile, it consists of storing and supporting professional audio equipment.
Example: One way to have your audio processors organized by having them mounted in the order of your process chain in a rack. This can help you have more order and control of your equipment.
en: Rack
Sample
noun
A part or amount of information taken from a sound for later use.
sounds recorded and converted to audio.
Example: A sample can be used on drum machines, on some synthesizers, or directly on the track. Having several samples of a sound can help you get the result you were looking for.
en: Muestra
Sends
noun
They are the channel paths to which a copy of the original signal is sent to another channel, in order to use an effect on the signal without altering my original signal (they are copies of the signal that are sent to other channels).
Example: using send helps you to save ram memory, and to share an effect with several audio signals simultaneously.
en: Envios
Tone
noun
Tone is the auditory sensation or psychological attribute of sounds that characterizes them higher or lower, depending on the physical property called frequency.
Example: the tone of your voice is appropriate for singing pop rock
en: Tono
Track
noun
It is the sound channel that is used as a location for an audio signal, in order to record, edit and process that signal.
Example: You should use the appropriate tools, if you record a stereo signal use a stereo track and if it is a mono signal use a mono track, not doing this can mess up your signal when recording.
en: Pista
Waveform
noun
It is the visual representation of the behavior of an audio signal.
Example: If you look closely, the waveform tells us that there is a lot of difference in amplitude between each execution of the rhythms.
en: Forma de onda
Wet
noun
It indicates that a sound effect is acting, this expressed in percentage based on the original signal, (how much the effect is acting).
Example: It is not necessary to set the wet state to one hundred percent always, sometimes you only occupy less than fifty percent to be effective.
