Glossary and Terminology

[ 0-9 | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z ]

Glossary of the letter "b"
All words also link to dictionary.com definitions for further information.

baffles - Sound absorbing panels used to prevent sound waves from entering or leaving a certain space

balanced - This typically refers to cables (usually with 1/4 inch jacks) with three conductors to utilize phasing for cleaner signal with less interferance.

bandwidth - The range of frequencies over which a tape recorder, amplifier or other audio device is useful, the range of frequencies affected by an equalization setting

beats per minute (bpm) - The number of steady even pulses in music occurring in one minute and there fore defining the tempo of the song

bi-amplification - A way of optimizing the efficiency of a speaker system by separately amplifying the High Frequency (HF) and Low Frequency (LF) portions of the sound signal and sending them down two pairs of cables to the speaker (Multipin Speakon connectors have been dev

bit rate - One aspect of a digital sample. Often referred to as sample depth. Primarily effects amplitude of a sample. Bit rates are generally 16, 20, 24 and 32. The larger the number of the bit rate the more precisely the amplitude is represented.

bleeding - When you get the sound of one track in with another, common problem when recording drums or doing a voice over while monitoring through speakers instead of headphones.

bottom - Bass frequencies (bottom end)

bouncing - Playing several tacks with sync playback through a console to mix them together and record them on an open track

breakout box - Nifty little box which provides convenient access to analog in's and out's from the computer. Provided with some soundcards and some USB or Firewire sound card equivalent components.

bulk dump - A method of transmitting data, such as the internal parameters of a MIDI device to another MIDI device

burning - The task of imprinting digital sound recording files to a CD or DVD for future playback on standard audio or audio/visual equipment.

bus - Also refered to as sub-mix. A group of tracks routed to a bus for processing as a mixed group. Usually added back into main mix post processing. Busses can also be as seperate outputs from a mixer to a soundcard.