Mackie glossary Manuel D’Utilisation
10
K
knee
A knee is a sharp bend in a curve (an EQ fre-
quency response or compressor gain curve) not
unlike the sharp bend in your leg.
quency response or compressor gain curve) not
unlike the sharp bend in your leg.
L
level
Another word for signal voltage, power,
strength or volume. Audio signals are some-
times classified according to their level. Com-
monly used levels are: microphone level (-40
dBu or lower), instrument level (-20 to -10
dBu), and line level (-10 to +30 dBu).
strength or volume. Audio signals are some-
times classified according to their level. Com-
monly used levels are: microphone level (-40
dBu or lower), instrument level (-20 to -10
dBu), and line level (-10 to +30 dBu).
line level
A signal whose level falls between -10 dBu and
+30 dBu.
+30 dBu.
M
main (house) speakers
The main loudspeakers for a sound reinforce-
ment system. These are usually the largest and
loudest loudspeakers, and are usually posi-
tioned so that their sound seems to come from
the area of the main stage.
ment system. These are usually the largest and
loudest loudspeakers, and are usually posi-
tioned so that their sound seems to come from
the area of the main stage.
mains
Short for
main
or
house speakers
in a sound rein-
forcement system.
master
A control affecting the final output of a bus on
which one or more signals are mixed. A mixer
which one or more signals are mixed. A mixer
may have several master controls, which may
be slide faders or rotary controls.
be slide faders or rotary controls.
mic amp
See mic preamp.
mic level
The typical level of a signal from a microphone.
A mic level signal (usually but not always com-
ing from a microphone) is generally lower than
-30 dBu. With a very quiet source (a pin drop-
ping?) the signal can be -70 dBu or lower.
A mic level signal (usually but not always com-
ing from a microphone) is generally lower than
-30 dBu. With a very quiet source (a pin drop-
ping?) the signal can be -70 dBu or lower.
Some microphones, notably vintage or vintage-
style condenser mics, deliver a higher signal
level than this for the same sound pressure
level. A “hot” mic output level isn’t necessarily
a measure of the microphone’s quality, it’s just
an option that the designer chose.
style condenser mics, deliver a higher signal
level than this for the same sound pressure
level. A “hot” mic output level isn’t necessarily
a measure of the microphone’s quality, it’s just
an option that the designer chose.
mic pre
Short for mic preamp.
mic preamp
Short for microphone preamplifier. An ampli-
fier whose job is to bring the very low micro-
phone level signal up to line level, or in the
case of a mic preamp built into a mixer, the
mixer’s internal operating level (approximately
0 dBu).
fier whose job is to bring the very low micro-
phone level signal up to line level, or in the
case of a mic preamp built into a mixer, the
mixer’s internal operating level (approximately
0 dBu).
Mic preamps often have their own volume con-
trol, called a trim control, to properly set the
gain for a particular source. Setting the mic
preamp gain correctly with the trim control is
an essential step in establishing good signal-to-
noise ratio and sufficient headroom for your
mix.
trol, called a trim control, to properly set the
gain for a particular source. Setting the mic
preamp gain correctly with the trim control is
an essential step in establishing good signal-to-
noise ratio and sufficient headroom for your
mix.
MIDI
Acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Inter-
face. MIDI is the music industry’s standard
serial communication protocol for the interface
and control of musical instruments.
face. MIDI is the music industry’s standard
serial communication protocol for the interface
and control of musical instruments.