ALLEN & HEATH Xone:32 User's Guide download pdf (Page 20)

20 XONE:32 User Guide

Glossary

The following section is included to help you understand some of the technical terms and jargon referred to with

consoles of this type. It is by no means a complete reference. Please refer to specialist audio publications

should you wish to know more.

Amplitude Another term used for signal level.

Asymmetric EQ An equaliser with a different amount of

cut and boost of the frequency bands. This is used to

restrict the available boost so preventing system overload

while providing extended cut to allow dramatic

performance effects by ‘killing’ selected frequencies.

Attenuate Reduce the signal level.

Aux Auxiliary. An independent mix derived from the

channels for various functions. This can be set pre

(before) or post (after) the channel fader. Pre-fade sends

are often used for foldback monitor feeds. Post-fade

sends are often used for sampler, reverb and other effects,

zone and special recording feeds.

Balanced, Unbalanced Refers to the type of input or

output signal connection. An unbalanced connection has

two signal carrying conductors, one of which is the cable

shield. A balanced connection has three conductors, two

for signal and a shield which is connected to earth.

Because the signal conductors are at the same impedance

and of opposite polarity they are better able to cancel and

therefore reject interference and noise pickup. It is

standard practice to use balanced connections for long

cable runs, for example to amplifiers, or cables carrying

sensitive or low level signals, for example microphones.

Bandpass (BPF) A filter with a bell-shaped response for

attenuation of frequencies either side of the centre

frequency.

Beat Mixing Using the variable pitch controls on

turntables/CD players to synchronise the rhythm track of

two separate songs, so that the beat remains constant

when smoothly cross-fading from one to the other.

Bi-amping Providing separate amplifiers to drive the high

and low frequency units in a loudspeaker. This requires a

crossover processor that splits the frequency band into low

and high. Bi-amping usually produces a cleaner and more

controllable sound in larger systems.

BPM Beats Per Minute. The measurement of the

rhythmic beat or tempo of the music.

Booth The area, often enclosed, where the DJ operates.

Usually provided with local booth monitor loudspeakers.

Cardioid The response of a microphone which is more

sensitive in front than behind. This is generally used for

vocal miking to reduce acoustic feedback.

Cut Mixing Moving the cross-fade control sharply from

one side to the other, to either pick out a sound, a hi-hat,

kick drum etc, or to drop straight into another record. Also

known as chopping.

Cartridge The pickup in a turntable. Uses a needle to

pick up vibrations from the record (vinyl) and convert this

to electrical signals that feed the console. The cartridge is

usually fitted to a removable headshell that plugs into the

turntable arm.

Clipping The harsh distorted sound that results when the

signal hits the maximum level possible. This is set by the

power rail voltage. Above this there is simply no more

voltage available so the signal is ‘clipped’.

Compact Disc (CD) Well established stereo player

using digitally mastered pre-recorded flat discs. Becoming

popular with DJs as a replacement or alternative to vinyl

mixing. Recordable CDs are now available.

Contour The term used to describe the ‘law’ of a fader,

how quickly it responds as it is moved, or the amount of

fade per unit of movement. The contour control

associated with a crossfader lets the DJ tailor its response

to suit the preferred mixing style.

Crossfader A short horizontally mounted fader for

smoothly fading one music track in while fading the other

out. Often used by the DJ for cutting and layering sounds

while mixing.

Cue A monitor system provided for the DJ or console

operator to check individual channel signals using

headphones while lining up tracks ready to introduce into

the mix. This do

es not affect the main console outputs.

DAT Digital Audio Tape. A type of digital 2 track recorder

that uses a small tape cartridge to produce high quality

recordings in a compact format.

dB Decibel. The unit of measurement for audio signal

level. This is logarithmic to follow the response of the

human ear. ‘dB’ is a relative measurement to compare

one level with another, for example gain from input to

output. ‘dBu’ is an absolute measurement referenced to a

voltage standard where 0dBu = 0.775V rms. The console

main outputs operate at 0dBu = ‘0’ reading on the meters.

'’dBV’ is a similar measurement but refers to a 1V

standard. It is common for consumer equipment to

operate a the ‘low’ standard of –10dBV (316mV). ‘dBA’

refers to sound pressure level and is measured using the

‘A’ scale that ‘hears’ in the same way as the human ear.

DJ Disc Jockey. The console operator sequencing and

playing the music tracks. Some simply play the tracks,

others talk over with introductions and announcements,

and others provide an entertaining performance by mixing

and shaping sounds to create a completely different

musical experience.

DRS™ Digital Recall System. Unique to Allen & Heath

this provides user programmable memories for instant

recall of favourite settings.

Drum Machine An electronic drum simulator as used by

keyboard players and in electronic music. This now

provides another DJ tool to create an alternative beat to

mix in with the music.

Dynamic Range The difference expressed in dB

between the highest and lowest signal levels possible.

This is limited by the clipping level and residual noise floor

respectively.

Earth Also known as ‘ground’. The term for the

electronic signal reference. This connects to the mains

supply earth point and all cable shields and conductive

equipment cases. It provides the return for the signal

voltage within the equipment. It also ensures operator

safety by removing the possibility of electric shock should

the mains voltage touch any metal part.

Earth (ground) Loop The result when the equipment

sees more than one path to the system earth. Current

flows because a resistive loop susceptible to radio and

mains interference is formed. In severe cases this can

result in audible hum or buzz in the system. Breaking the

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ALLEN & HEATH Xone:32 User's Guide Page 20

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