Have Patience, Don't Keep Clickin'
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Glossary of the letter "d"
All words also link to dictionary.com definitions for further information.
d/a convertor - A device that coverts digital data to an analog signal.
daw - Digital audio workstation
db (decibel) - Numerical expression of the relative loudness of a sound *difference in decibels between two sounds is ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of their power levels; Relative measurement for the volume (loudness) of sound
dbu - Decibel unit, or, a unit in the measurement of sound.
delay - Sound equipment that can momentarily stores a signal being sent to part of a P.A. system so that delayed reinforced sound reaches the audience at the same time as live sound from the stage, effect used to create echo
di box - "Direct Injection" Box. Changes the line level of an instrument so that it can be plugged directly into the console.
diaphragm - Thin flexible membrane or cone that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves
diffraction - Breaking up of a sound wave caused by some type of mechanical interference such as a cabinet edge, grill frame, or other similar object
digital - Also referred to as Digital Domain. 1. Sound which is created by a digital means. 2. Analog sound which has been sampled by a computer. Digital sound is "recorded" as a series of samples to be converted later to analog for listening.
digital audio - The representation of an analogue electrical audio signal in digital form, that is, 1s and 0s. The transfer to and from the digital domain is either A/D or D/A conversion
direct (recording) - Running the output of an electronic instrument, amp simulator or sound generator directly into the recording chain, thereby eliminating the need to use a microphone.
direct box - Used in line to convert a high impedance signal into a low impedance signal
directx - A Microsoft programming standard for plugins and virtual instruments which allows 3rd party manufacturers the ability to make products that will work with any application which supports the standard.
distorted - fuzzy and scratchy sound
distortion - Usually undesirable result of overloading sound equipment
dither - For audio, dithering is done by adding noise of a level less than the least-significant bit before rounding to 16 bits. The added noise has the effect of spreading the many short-term errors across the audio spectrum as broadband noise.
dolby - Trade name for a series of noise reduction systems that have become standard on many tape playback machines
dropout - This is when playback on your PC stops for no apparant reason. Often it is caused buy trying to record, playback and process more than your PC can handle, and therefore it just stops doing anything...not always, but often that is the case.
dry - A sound without any effects on it
dsp - Digital Signal Processor
dxi - A programming standard for virtual instruments which allows 3rd party manufacturers the ability to make instruments that will work with any application which supports the standard. Operation is based on that of MIDI protocol.
dynamic mic - A Dynamic mic often used "on stage" offers durability. Although less sensitive than the condensor does not require power to operate. Dynamics are also limited to cardiod pick-up pattern.