Mackie glossary Manuel D’Utilisation
3
B
balanced input
An input consists of two leads, neither of which
is common to the circuit ground. This is a “dif-
ferential pair”, where the signal consists of the
is common to the circuit ground. This is a “dif-
ferential pair”, where the signal consists of the
difference
in voltage between the two leads. Bal-
anced input circuits can offer excellent rejec-
tion of common-mode noise induced into the
line.
tion of common-mode noise induced into the
line.
balanced output
In a classic balanced audio circuit, the output is
carried on two leads (high or + and low or -)
which are isolated from the circuit ground by
exactly the same impedance.
carried on two leads (high or + and low or -)
which are isolated from the circuit ground by
exactly the same impedance.
A symmetrical balanced output carries the same
signal at exactly the same level but of opposite
polarity with respect to ground.
signal at exactly the same level but of opposite
polarity with respect to ground.
A special case of a balanced output carries the
signal on only one lead, with the other lead
being at zero voltage with respect to ground,
but at the same impedance as the signal-carry-
ing lead. This is sometimes called
signal on only one lead, with the other lead
being at zero voltage with respect to ground,
but at the same impedance as the signal-carry-
ing lead. This is sometimes called
impedance bal-
anced
.
bandwidth
The band of frequencies that pass through a
device with a loss of less than 3 dB, expressed in
Hertz or in musical octaves. Also see Q.
device with a loss of less than 3 dB, expressed in
Hertz or in musical octaves. Also see Q.
bit
The smallest component of a digital word, rep-
resented by either a one or a zero.
resented by either a one or a zero.
bridged mono
A mode of operation for a stereo amplifier that
routes a single input to both channels, but
inverts the signal on channel 2, thereby provid-
ing twice the voltage of an individual output by
connecting the speaker between the two posi-
tive output terminals (the negative output ter-
minals are not used).
routes a single input to both channels, but
inverts the signal on channel 2, thereby provid-
ing twice the voltage of an individual output by
connecting the speaker between the two posi-
tive output terminals (the negative output ter-
minals are not used).
bus
An electrical connection common to three or
more circuits. In mixer design, a bus usually
carries signals from a number of inputs to a
mixing amplifier, just like a city bus carries peo-
ple from a number of neighborhoods to their
jobs. It comes from the British “omnibus”.
more circuits. In mixer design, a bus usually
carries signals from a number of inputs to a
mixing amplifier, just like a city bus carries peo-
ple from a number of neighborhoods to their
jobs. It comes from the British “omnibus”.
C
Cannon
A manufacturer of electrical connectors who
first popularized the three-pin connector now
universally used for balanced microphone con-
nections. In sound work, a Cannon connector
is taken to mean a Cannon XLR-3 connector or
any compatible connector. You can tell an
audio geezer because he refers to this connector
as “Cannon”. Today the term “XLR” is more
common.
first popularized the three-pin connector now
universally used for balanced microphone con-
nections. In sound work, a Cannon connector
is taken to mean a Cannon XLR-3 connector or
any compatible connector. You can tell an
audio geezer because he refers to this connector
as “Cannon”. Today the term “XLR” is more
common.
cardioid
Heart-shaped. In sound work, cardioid refers to
the shape of the sensitivity vs. direction plot for
a particular style of directional microphone. A
cardioid mic rejects sound arriving from the
rear.
the shape of the sensitivity vs. direction plot for
a particular style of directional microphone. A
cardioid mic rejects sound arriving from the
rear.
channel
A functional path in an audio circuit: an input
channel, an output channel, a recording chan-
nel, the left channel and so on.
channel, an output channel, a recording chan-
nel, the left channel and so on.
channel strip
The physical realization of an audio channel on
the front panel of a mixer; usually a long, verti-
cal strip of controls.
the front panel of a mixer; usually a long, verti-
cal strip of controls.
chorusing
A time-based effect available in some digital
delay effects units and reverbs. Chorusing
involves a number of moving delays and pitch
shifting, usually panned across a stereo field.
delay effects units and reverbs. Chorusing
involves a number of moving delays and pitch
shifting, usually panned across a stereo field.