|
TERMINOLOGY
balanced line- The recommended method of interconnecting
audio equipment. A balanced line requires three conductors: a
twisted-pair for the signal (positive and negative) and an overall
shield. The shield must be tied to the chassis at both ends.|
connectors- Audio equipment uses different styles:
RCA- An unbalanced pin connector commonly
used on
consumer and some pro equipment; aka phono plug
XLR- A 3-pin connector common on pro audio equipment.
Preferred for balanced line interconnect; aka Cannon
plug
1/4" TRS- 1. Stereo 1/4" connector
consisting of tip (T), ring
(R), and sleeve (S) sections, with T = left, R
= right, and S =
ground/shield. 2. Balanced interconnect with the
pos & neg
signal lines tied to T and R respectively and S acting only as
an overall shield. 3. Insert loop interconnect with T =
send,
R = return, and S = ground/shield. [Think: ring,
right,
return]
1/4" TS- Mono 1/4" connector consisting
of tip (T) [signal] and
sleeve (S) [ground & shield] for unbalanced
wiring.
decibel- Abbr. dB (named after
Alexander Graham Bell). The
preferred method and term for representing the ratio of
different
audio levels. Being a ratio, decibels have no units. Everything
is
relative. So it must be relative to some 0 dB reference point.
A
suffix letter is added to distinguish between reference points:
0 dBu- A reference point equal to 0.775 V
+4 dBu- Standard pro reference level equal to 1.23 V
0 dBV- A reference point equal to 1.0 V
-10 dBV- Standard reference level for consumer and some
pro audio use, equal to 0.316 V. RCA (phono) connectors
are a good indicator of units operating at -10 dBV
dynamic range- The ratio of the loudest signal to the quietest
signal in a unit or system as expressed in decibels (dB).
headroom The level in dB between the typical operating
level
and clipping. For example, a nominal +4 dBu system that
clips
at
+20 dBu has 16 dB of headroom.
levels- Terms used to describe relative audio signal levels:
mic-level- Nominal signal coming directly from a microphone.
Very low, in the microvolts, and requires a preamp
with at least 60 dB gain before using with any line-level
equipment.
line-level- Standard +4 dBu or -10 dBV
audio levels.
instrument-level Nominal signal from musical instruments
using electrical pick-ups. Varies widely, from very low miclevels
to quite large line-levels.
unbalanced line- An audio interconnect scheme using
one wire
with an overall shield. The shield must perform two functions:
act as the return signal path (ground) and to protect the
conductor
from noise (shield). Vulnerable to hum & noise problems.
unity gain- A gain setting of one. The level out equals
level in.
To learn more audio terminology and applications, visit
the Rane web site at http://www.rane.com.
There you'll find
the Rane Professional Audio Reference, the most
complete
dictionary of audio terms on the web, as well as the full
collection of RaneNotes.
To learn more audio terminology and applications, visit the
Rane web site at http://www.rane.com.
There you'll find the Rane Professional Audio Reference, the most
complete dictionary of audio terms on the web, as well as the full
collection of RaneNotes.
|
