SoundCraft UREI 1601S - Manual (Page 40)

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Amplitude: Another term used for signal level.
Attenuate: Reduce the signal level.
Auxiliary (Aux): An independent mix derived from the channels for various functions. This can be set pre (before) or
post (after) the channel fader.
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.
Beats Per Minute (BPM): The measurement of the rhythmic beat or tempo of the music.
Booth: The area, often enclosed, where the DJ operates. It is usually provided with local booth monitor
loudspeakers.
Cutting: 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 stylus 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.
Contour (Law, Curve): 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 fader lets the DJ tailor its response
to suit the preferred mixing style.
Cross-fader: A horizontally operated fader for fading one music track in while fading the other out. Often used by
the DJ for cutting and layering sounds while mixing.
Cue (Solo): A monitor system provided for the DJ to check individual channel signals using headphones while
lining up tracks ready to introduce into the mix.
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
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.
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 (Ground): The term for the electronic signal reference. This generally 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.