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Free Logic Training for SRT visitors (ExCel - June 12-15)
Alchemea College are teaming up with Apple to offer free Logic 8 training at this years new Sound Recording Technology Show at ExCel (part of…
Click for more...Diploma students visit Metropolis Studios
Alchemea Diploma Students recently visited the legendary Metropolis Studios to meet prominent mastering engineer Mazen Murad (recently mastered Elbows The Seldom Seen Kid). Students were able to talk to Mazen…
Click for more...Warner Music MD Korda Marshall and daughter Summer give talk…
Korda Marshall and his daughter Summer recently visited Alchemea to give our Diploma students an insight into the music industry.
Korda talked about how he chartered…
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ALCHEMEA COLLEGE
The Windsor Centre
Windsor Street T: 020 7359 3986
London N1 8QG E: info@alchemea.com
The Audio Engineers Dictionary N-R
| Nagra | Film | Highly regarded portable 1/4 professional audio recorder (r) Kudelski {means Record in Polish} |
| nano | SI Units | prefix Symbol n Eg nanogram (ng) = 0.000000001grams Or 10^-9 |
| netiquette | Computer | NETwork etIQUETTE. the polite way to talk over the internet |
| network | Computer | Number of Computer linked together via a LAN, the Internet etc |
| newbie | Computer | Someone who is new to the Internet or a newsgroup |
| Nibble | Computer | Half a Byte, 4 Bit word {can be spelled Nybble} |
| NIC | Computer | Network Interface Card, allows data communication between Computer on a Network |
| NLE | Film | Non Linear Editor. Uses random access digitised images & sound on a CPU based system, to produce an EDL or if material digitised at sufficient quality, a finished programme |
| noise | acoustics | Sound without a perceived pitch |
| noise floor | The inherent noise of a circuit or system with no intentional signal passing though it | |
| Noise shaping | Digital | type of Dither. The sound of the noise is filtered to make it less obtrusive whilst still linearizing the system. |
| Normalization | Digital | DSP operation where the gain of all program material is adjusted so the peak level will be 0 dBFS. {often a value other than 100% can be set} |
| NOS | Microphones | Stereo Mic technique. 2 Cardiods spaced 300mm @ 900 angle. Ex Dutch state broadcast Co of same name |
| NTSC | Video | National TV standards Committee. And their method of encoding Colour information with Luminence (B&W) Used in Americas, Japan. Jokingly = Never Twice the Same Colour |
| Null Modem | Computer | a RS232 [or other serial cable] connecting cable that has the Send & return (also posibly CTS & CTR) wires crossed over |
| Nybble | Computer | Half a Byte, 4 Bit word {can be spelled Nibble} |
| Nyquist Rate | Digital | Nyquist Theorem is a mathematical proof that a band limited analog signal can be accurately encoded if the sampling rate is at least twice the highest analog frequency |
| oblique modes | Acoustics | Modal resonances of a room that involve all six wall surfaces |
| Octal | Computer | Base 8 numbering system. Uses 0-7 for the 8 characters. |
| octave | acoustics | An interval between two frequencies having a ratio of 2:1 |
| Odd Harmonic | Acoustics | Harmonic in a complex wave that has a 3:1 or other odd ratio to the fundamental |
| Off line Editing | Film | Use of random access digitized images & sound on a CPU based sytem (a NLE) or less common sub broadcast quality VTR's, to produce an EDL |
| offline | Computer | Not connected to a network, IE only using data on a local machine |
| offline | Video | Using a low resolution Work copy of a master recording to make edit decisions & produce an EDL |
| offline reader | Computer | Software to gather e-mail or Usenet news on connection to an on-line service, then disconnect from the service, allowing the user to read mail offline |
| OMF | computer | Open Media Framework; Data format from Avid/Digidesign used for exchange of edited image and sound data between NLE systems |
| Omni | MIDI | Not channel specific. Will execute any messages coming on any of the 16 channels |
| omnidirectional | Microphones | microphone with uniform sensitivity to sound arriving from all directions IE will have a circular polar pattern |
| OMS | MIDI | Open Music System. Macintosh based MIDI studio manager created by the defunct Opcode, Obs in Mac OS X and above. |
| online | Video | Video edit using full broadcast quality VTR's possibly driven from an EDL see AutoConform |
| onomatopoeia | a word that sounds like what it is describing Eg WOW, Tick, Purr, Swish | |
| operating system | Computer | A set of special programs and routines a computer uses to perform basic tasks like starting up the computer and managing files. DOS, Mac OS, Windows XP and UNIX are operating systems. |
| ORTF | Microphones | Stereo Mic technique. 2 Cardiods spaced 170mm @ 1100 angle. Ex French state broadcast Co of same name |
| OSS | Microphones | Optimum Stereo Signal; aka Jeklin Disk. Uses a pair of omnidirectional mics 165mm apart with dividing baffle |
| ossicles | The Ear | 3 bones of the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) provide mechanical linkage between the eardrum and the oval window of the cochlea |
| outer ear | The ear | See pinna |
| oval window | The ear | Membranous window of the cochlea to which the stapes ossicle is attached |
| PAL | Video | Phase Alternate Line. Method of encoding Colour information with Luminence (B&W) Used in most of Europe, China, SA, & Australasia. |
| Panavision | Film | Manufacturer of lenses & cameras for a Widescreen film format compatible with CinemaScope. 2.35:1 aspect ratio |
| panpot | Electronics | Variable resistance level control, which can place a mono signal anywhere between the two channels of a stereo mix |
| Parallel | Computer | concurrent or simultaneous events Eg transmission of several data bits at the same time down a multicore cable |
| parametric equalizer | Eq having a variable bandwidth (or Q) and adjustable boost/cut at a selected centre frequency | |
| Parity | Computer | Error checking Bit(s) added to a word to make it an odd or even number (OddParity/EvenParity) |
| Path | Computer | The location of a file on a storage device such as an FTP site, hard disk, or floppy disk. |
| PC | Computer | Personal Computer. Generally an IBM-compatible |
| PCM | Digital | Pulse Code Modulation. A/D encoding where the amplitude of the signal sampled at the Nyquist rate is directly converted to a binary number. Eg as on CD |
| PCMCIA | Computer | Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. The size of a credit card, these devices can be inserted into Computer & the M5000 Reverb to provide removable storage space, network or soundcard facilities etc aka PC Card |
| Pentium | Computer | Intel CPU originally called the 80586 {it came just after the 486} |
| Perceptual coding | Digital | Lossy data reduction scheme that remove information that it is assumed is masked by the remaining audio |
| periodic wave | Having a regularly repeating or cyclic pattern, Eg pedulum; if audible results in a pitched sound or tone. | |
| periphonic | Surround Sound | all round surround. 3600 on horizontal & vertical axis |
| permalloy | PERMeable ALLOY. A nickel-iron alloy which has very high magnetic permeability. | |
| peta | SI Units | prefix Symbol P Eg petagram (Pg) = 1000000000000000grams Or 10^15 |
| phantom image | Creating an apparent sound source/location between a pair of loudspeakers by feeding the same sound to both speakers. See Intensity Stereo | |
| phantom power | microphones | Means of supplying DC power (usually 48V) to a mic down the same 3 core cable as sends audio to the desk. Audio being sent as the difference in voltage between the twisted pair & DC as 0V to the screen & the +48v being applied to both wires in the pair. |
| phase | The time relationship between two signals of the same frequency expressed as degrees of a circle. 1800 out of phase means when 1 signal is at max positive amplitude the 2nd is at max negative level IE they cancel each other | |
| Phaser | Fx Unit | Unit that sweeps through a range of frequencies at a set rate (LFO), emphasizing the center frequency. |
| phasiness | Audible comb filter distortion | |
| Phono Connector | {UK Eng} Low cost coaxial connector for domestic audio & video {in US Eng known as RCA connector} | |
| pico | SI Units | prefix Symbol p Eg picogram (pg) = 0.000000000001grams Or 10^-12 |
| Pink Noise | Random noise having equal power energy per octave As lower Octaves have less Hz in them than higher ones, Pink noise has a 3db/Oct boost compared to White Noise. Called Pink because Red light = a low freq & Blue High. | |
| pinna | The Ear | Outer ear. Directional cues result from the reflection of sound from the folds of the pinna. |
| pitch | Subjective perception of frequency | |
| pixel | Computer | PICture Element or single dot in a bitmap. May be square or rectangular requires 1 to 40bits to convey |
| platform | Computer | Eg Mac or PC, software for 1 type not usable on another. But a network often allows cross-platform use |
| polar pattern | Graphical representation of Level/amplitude against angle | |
| polynomial | maths | a sum of one or more terms each consisting of a constant multiplied by one or more variables raised to a positive (or non-negative) integral power (e.g. 3 + 4xy2). |
| Polyphony | MIDI | Number of notes that can be played/sustained simultaneously |
| Poly-press | MIDI | Polyphonic Aftertouch. Pressure information for each key. |
| POP | Computer | Point of Presence. Multiple modems at a Internet Service Providers site giving access to the internet via a local phone call. |
| POP | Computer | Post Office Protocol. Used for storing & access to E-mail |
| Pop filter | a screen mounted in front of a microphone to stop blasts of air (eg from a vocalist) whilst being near acoustically transparent | |
| Port | Computer | Socket on a PC where communications cables are connected. Eg Comms, printer, USB port |
| Portamento | Music | Pitch slide (over a certain length of time) between consecutive notes. |
| POST | Computer | Power On Self Test. Initial part of the boot proccess where the BIOS checks the system. |
| Post Production | Film | Work carried out after principal movie shoot is over IE picture & sound editing, digital Fx / CGI, ADR, Mix & printing |
| Post Sync | Film | recording an audio performance, in sync with picture, at a time after the original pictures were shot. IE ADR or Foley |
| POT | telecom | Plain Old Telephone, an analog phone line |
| Pot | Electronics | see potentiometer |
| potentiometer | Electronics | Potential Difference dividing network. Variable resistor arranged as a resistor with a 3rd connection that can tap into the resitance at any point. |
| POV | Film | Point Of View, IE a subjective shot as though the camera is a person |
| PowerPC | Computer | CPU developed by Apple, IBM & Motorola. Used in the latest Macs |
| PPP | Computer | Point to Point Protocol. Allows TCP/IP connection to the internet |
| PQ Coding | Computer | A CD contains subcode areas, named with a letter, from P to W. The key subcode areas are named P & Q, containing the location of each track on the CD, whether the track contains Emphasis and whether copying is permitted. P&Q coding is part of the mastering proccess. |
| precedence effect | See Haas effect | |
| presence | Eq, typically a boost around 2-5kHz that has the effect of making speech/vocal sounds appear closer to the listener | |
| pressure gradient | Microphones | Eg Fig 8 ribbon microphone. The force acting on the diaphragm is proportional to the differences between the pressures on both sides of the diaphragm. Also called a velocity microphone because its output depends on the air particle velocity at the diaphragm or ribbon |
| pressure microphone | Microphones | Responds to changes in air pressure & not particle movement. Will have an Omnidirectional polar pattern |
| Print though | transfer of magnetism from 1 layer of an analog tape recording to the next layers. Heard as a pre or post echo effect | |
| Pro Tools | Digidesign(r) digital audio workstation. Uses plug-in software controlling inbuilt DSP chips | |
| program | Computer | same as an application or Executable file {UK & US eng} in US sole spelling so also TV program etc |
| programme | {UK Eng} Eg TV, Radio, Concert but not Computer where US spelling used IE Program | |
| protocol | Computer | An agreed set of software instructions that allow different devices to communicate with each other |
| Proton | Electronics | positively charged particle in an atom's nucleus |
| Proximity effect | Microphone | The bass or LF increase when sound source close to a directional mic.The particle velocity aspect increases with the reciprocal of the square of the distance from the source, whilst the pressure continues increasing with the reciprocal of the distance. |
| proxy | Computer | A server acting as a secure gateway between 2 networks. |
| psychoacoustics | Acoustics | Study of the interrelationships between the human hearing mechanisms & acoustics |
| PZM | Microphones | Pressure Zone Mic, (r) Crown {USA} for a boundry layer mic |
| Q | Analog | Quality Factor; In a filter or Eq circuit defines bandwidth therefore slope. High Q = narrow bandwidth |
| quadratic residue diffuser | Acoustics | sound diffuser panel. From research by Manfred Schroeder based on a Modulo number sequence |
| Quicktime | Computer | Movie and JPEG viewing system originally written for Apple Mac now on PC too. |
| RAM | Computer | Random access Memory. High speed Read/Write caplable memory. Electronic working space into which the current application & the operating system is loaded. Data disappears when power is removed. |
| rarefy | Analog | Make or become less dense or solid, esp. by expansion |
| raster image | Computer | Another name for a Bitmap picture |
| RDAT | Digital | obsolete name for DAT, short for Rotating head Digital Audio Taperecorder |
| refraction | Acoustics | Bending of a sound wave as it passes though media of different densities |
| refresh rate | Computer | Eg 72Hz = the number of times /sec the display on a VDU is updated. Less than 70Hz & the picture visibly flickers. |
| Reissner's Membrane | The ear | With basilar membrane, Reissner's Membrane divides the cochlea into three longitudinal chambers. |
| Release | Synthesis | Time taken for the parameter to fall from sustain level to 0 once key is released. |
| Release print | Film | Film played in a Cinema. Normally 35mm Consists of reels approximately 20 minutes long which are played consecutively without interruption either by alternating between two projectors, or by splicing the individual reels together into one large reel called a platter. Played at 24 fps, there being 16 frames per foot |
| Resonance | Acoustics | Increase in the acoustic pressure in an enclosed (or partially enclosed) space as a result of the dimension of the space interacting with the wavelength of the signal. Acoustical resonance in a room will occur at frequencies where the wavelength = the distance between two opposite, plane, parallel surfaces.(IE walls) |
| reverberation | time extension of acoustical events in a room generated by multiple sound reflections | |
| RF | Electronics | Radio Frequencies Not solely the transmitted output of a Radio station but particularly regarding electromagnetic interference any high frequency noise |
| RGB | Red Green Blue the 3 Primary colours from which all colours can be formed | |
| RIAA | Recording Industry Association of America; Re Vinyl disc playback = the standard replay Eq curve | |
| ribbon microphone | Microphones | Type of Dynamic Mic the diaphragm being a ribbon of metal laying in a magnetic field. Normally has Fig 8 Polar pattern |
| ROM | Computer | Read Only Memory |
| room tone | film | aka Buzz track Low level (hopefully) background noise atmosphere |
| round window | the ear | Window in the cochlea opening into the middle ear that acts as a pressure release on the fluid of the inner ear. |
| RT60 | Acoustics | Reverberation; time taken for a single sound to diminish by 60dB |
| Rushes | Film | {Uk Eng} a print of the previous days shoot. Traditionally will become the C/C {In US English called Dailies} |