Do you want to understand recording? At Studiospares, we understand that the world of recording can be very daunting and often hard to comprehend, with complex words that have even more complex meanings, leading to complex headaches… But don’t worry we’re here to help you shed some light on recording!
Our goal is to break down the barrier to entry on recording so that anyone can understand these concepts. When you come to recording your track, you’ll understand what everything is and exactly what it’s doing!
Acoustic Treatment
Materials or structures used to control sound reflections and reverberations in a room.
Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
Device that converts analogue audio signals into digital data.
Automation
Programming changes in parameters over time in a DAW or mixing console.
Bit Depth
The number of bits of information in each sample of an audio signal.
Buss/Bus
A pathway that carries multiple audio signals together.
Click Track/Metronome
A sound used to keep musicians in time during recording.
Compression
Reducing the dynamic range of an audio signal.
Condenser Microphone
A sensitive type of microphone commonly used in studio recording for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments.
Dead Room
A room with minimal reverb and reflections, suitable for close-miking.
Delay
An effect producing echoes or repetitions of an audio signal.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Software used for recording, editing, and mixing audio.
Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC)
Device that converts digital audio signals back into analogue form.
Dither
Adding low-level noise to a digital signal to improve audio quality during bit-depth reduction.
Ducking
Automatically reducing the volume of one audio signal when another is present.
Dynamic Microphone
Sturdier and less sensitive than condenser mics, ideal for live performances and recording louder sound sources.
Equalization (EQ)
Adjusting the balance of frequencies in an audio signal.
Fader
Control used to adjust the volume level of a channel on a mixing console.
Fletcher-Munson Curves
Graphs showing human hearing sensitivity at different frequencies.
Gain Reduction
The decrease in signal level caused by compression.
Gain
The increase in signal level, controlled by preamps or amplifiers.
Headphones
Used for monitoring during recording and mixing.
Latency
The delay between an audio signal’s input and output.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
Protocol allowing communication between electronic musical instruments and computers.
Mix Bus
The main stereo output of a mixing console.
Mixing Desk/Console
Central control for combining and modifying audio signals from different sources.
Monitor Speakers
High-quality speakers used for critical listening during mixing and mastering.
Multitrack Recording
Simultaneously recording multiple audio sources onto separate tracks.
Mute/Solo
Controls for silencing or focusing on specific audio tracks.
Noise Gate
Attenuates or mutes a signal when it falls below a certain threshold.
Overdubbing
Recording additional parts over an existing recording.
Panning
Placing a sound in the stereo field, left to right.
Patchbay
A panel with jacks used to connect various audio devices in a studio setup.
Phantom Power
A power source used to operate condenser microphones and other devices.
Phasing
The interference caused by combining two signals with similar content out of phase.
Pitch Correction
Software used to adjust the pitch of a vocal or instrument performance.
Pop Filter
A screen or mesh used to reduce plosive sounds when recording vocals.
Pre-delay
The time between the direct sound and the onset of reverberation.
Preamp
A device that amplifies weak signals from microphones or instruments to line level for further processing.
Punch In/Out
Recording over a specific section without re-recording the entire track.
Reverb
Simulating the acoustic space to add depth to recordings.
Ribbon Microphone
A type of microphone with a thin aluminium ribbon as its transducer.
Room Mic
A microphone placed to capture the ambient sound of a room.
Sample Rate
The number of samples of audio carried per second, typically measured in kHz.
Saturation
Creating harmonic distortion in audio for warmth and character.
Synchronisation
Aligning multiple audio sources in time.
Talkback Mic
Microphone used by the engineer to communicate with artists in the recording room.
Time Signature
Notation indicating the number of beats per measure.
Transient
The initial attack of a sound.
VU Meter
Device displaying the level of audio signals.
XLR
A type of connector used for microphones and other audio equipment.
