|
SABINE
SABIN
The unit of sound absorption. One square foot of open window has and absorption of 1 sabin
SAMPLING
The process of measuring the instantaneous amplitude of an electrical signal. An analogue to digital converter (A/D) is the device used for this process.
SAMPLING RATE
Rate at which samples of audio waveform are taken
SASS
Stereo Ambient Sampling System
SATELLITE TRANSMISSION
SATURN (824 professional Multitrack Recorder)
SAWTOOTH WAVE
A waveform containing only even harmonics. Its name indicates the wave's resemblance to the teeth of a saw.
SCALE
A scale describes a set of notes from the possible twelve semitones.
SCALING
The automatic process employed to limit the amount of digital data to fit a specific bandwidth
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
SCSI
Small Computer Systems Interface. A standard employed to connect various devices to a computer. It is a fast system and allows the user to connect many devices by Daisy Chaining
SCSI PORT
A computer port that allows the user to connect an external SCSI device.
SDIF-2
Digital audio interface for consumer use.
SECAM
Systeme Electronique Couleur Avec Memoire, the 625 line colour television standard used in France and the former Soviet Union.
SEMICIRCULAR CANALS
In the ear
SEMIOTICS
SEMI-QUAVER
SEQUENCER
Device that stores and outputs MIDI data.
SERIAL INTERFACE
SET THEORY
SHORT CIRCUIT
A circuit path with extremely low resistance. The term is commonly used to indicate a malfunction in a resistive signal path.
SIBILANCE
SIDE CHAIN
A circuit that splits an incoming signal so that a portion of it can be used as a control signal. Side chain can for example be encountered in Compressors and Gates.
SIDE FIRE/END FIRE
Microphone configurations
SIGHT READING
SIGNAL
An electrical representation of an acoustical waveform.
SIGNAL CLIPPING
SIGNAL PROCESSOR
electronic device that alter some of the characteristics of an electrical signal.
SIGNAL STREGTH INDICATORS
in Radio microphones
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
The ratio of the maximum signal present in a program to the noise floor. It is expressed in dB.
SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
Periodic motion about a rest position having specific characteristics.
SINE WAVE
The waveform of a simple harmonic oscillator. It is the 'purest' of waves, containing no harmonics.
SINGLE-ENDED NOISE REDUCTION
Noise reduction process that is applied either during recording or during playback. e.g. noise gate, mute switch, etc
SLAP BACK
SLAVE
Unfortunate name describing a device that is being controlled by another, Master (sic) device.
SLEW RATE
Power amplifiers
SMPTE
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (Pronounced Sim-tee).
SNR
Signal-to-Noise Ratio.
SOFTWARE
SOLID STATE
SOLO BUTTON
SONATA FORM
Musical form much relied upon in Western classical composers in the 18th and 19th centuries. It consists of three sections, exposition, development and recapitulation. It also puts forward a model for a discourse between tonic and dominant keys. The exposition consists of two subject groups, the first in the tonic (home key) and the second in the dominant. In the development, the material can be used more freely, perhaps moving through a series of keys. In the recapitulation the two theme groups are presented as in the exposition, except both are now in the tonic (home) key.
SONE
SONG POINTER
SOSTENUTO
SOUND
SOUND ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT
SOUND POWER LEVEL
A power expressed in dB above the standard reference level of 1 picowatt
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
SOUND SOURCE
SOUND SPECTROGRAPH
SOUNDFIELD MICROPHONE
S/PDIF
SONY PHILIPS DIGITAL INTERFACE. A standard for the transfer of digital data from one device to another. Jointly developed by the two companies.
SPECTRUM
SPECTRUM ANALYZER
SPEED OF SOUND
SPHERICAL DIVERGENCE
Sound diverges spherically from a point source in free space
SPL
Sound Pressure Level
SPLAYING
The process of building walls 'off square', a few degrees from the normal rectilinear form
SPLIT MONITORING MIXERS
SPLITTER BOX
SPL
Sound Pressure Level
SPP
Song Position Pointers.
SPRING REVERB
SQUARE WAVE
Symmetrical rectangular shaped waveform. It contains only odd harmonics and has a large number of harmonics.
STACCATO
STAFF
STANDARDS
STANDING WAVES
STAR-QUAD CABLES
START/STOP BITS
STATUS BYTE
STEADY STATE
STEENBECK SYNCHRONISING DEVICE
STEP TIME
The process of programming a sequencer or other device, not in real time (i.e. when it is not running).
STEREO
A two channel audio system that feeds a pair of speakers known as the Right and Left speakers.
STEREO JACKS
STEREO MICROPHONES
STEREO SOUND
STIFFNESS (in transducers)
STORAGE
STRINGS STUDIO
STRIPING
The process of recording time code on to one of the tracks of a multitrack tape.
STYLUS
SUBCODE
Data hidden within a digital word that carries extra information. For example in CDs, sub code data stores information about the total running time, number of tracks, absolute time location, etc
SUBJECT
SUBSTITUTION
SUBTRACTIVE SYNTHESIS
Synthesis method that creates a new sound by shaping and filtering a harmonically complex source waveform.
SUMMING AMPLIFIER
SUPERPOSITION
SURROUND SOUND
SUSTAIN
1. Part of an ADSR envelope. It determines the level at which the sound will be held while the key is depressed. 2. The ability of a musician to hold notes that will decay slowly.
S-VHS
Super VHS format. An enhanced version of the VHS format, it employs the same 1/2 inch format as VHS but the tape quality and the recording technology are greatly improved. It outputs an S-Video signal. It has a resolution of 400 lines and a bandwidth of 4.5 MHz
S-Video
Separate Video. It has a separate channel for luminance (black and white) and chrominance (colour) information. It employs what is called a Y/C format. See Composite Video.
SWEEP EQ
A specialized type of equalization control. Using a sweep EQ, it is possible to control very precisely, which frequencies fall into an isolated group because the bandwidth is moveable across the spectra of frequencies. See also Parametric EQ
SWEETENNING (in video sound)
SWR
Standing Wave Ratio
SYNCHRONISATION
SYNCH WORD
SYNCH REPLAY
In tape recorders
SYNTHESIZER
Electronic musical instrument. It is capable of outputting a wide range of sounds using one or more of various synthesis techniques.
SYSTEM
SYSTEM.INI
A Windows configuration file |
