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Glossary

A-Z A B C D E F H I K L M N O P R S T U V W #
A
  1. ADAT
    An optical audio protocol designed for the transmission of digital audio. It is typically used to expand input channels.
  2. Active noise reduction
    Active Noise Cancelling can effectively isolate ambient noise in wireless headphones.
  3. Alloy
    A very important parameter for cymbals, for example. It determines the sound and how they feel to play.
  4. Automatic accompaniments
    We come across this term in instruments such as digital pianos that have pre-recorded accompaniments that you can jam along to.
  5. Automatic programs
    Some lighting heads or LED effects allow you to set an automatic program to care of your light show, so you can focus on other things.
B
  1. Bass registers
    Registers in the bass part of the accordion. Unlike the melodic registers, these do not change the colour of the tone, but the volume.
  2. Bass speaker
    A type of speaker specially adapted to produce bass frequencies. Its diameter is given in inches
  3. Beater
    Part of a bass drum pedal. Beaters vary in weight and the material used for the head (felt, plastic, rubber); models with multiple surfaces made from different materials and with varying hardness are also widespread.
  4. Beam angle
    A typical parameter for gear such as stage lights. By angle we mean the places where at least fifty percent of the power of the light falls.
  5. Bell
    The diameter of the bell on brass instruments. It is given in millimetres.
  6. Bluetooth
    The technology used to wirelessly connect devices, commonly used in telephones, headphones or computers.
  7. Body
    The instrument body, composed of the front panel, back panel and sides. More expensive instruments referred to as solid-body are made of selected solid woods; semi-hollow models have a front panel made of solid wood and a back panel and sides made of plywood; cheaper instruments often have a layered (plywood) body.
  8. Bridge string spacing
    The distance between the individual strings of the instrument. It is measured at the bridge and given in millimetres.
  9. Bridge
    The part of a stringed instrument through which the strings pass and help transmit their vibrations to other parts of the instrument.
C
  1. CD-R/RW
    Short for recordable compact disc (CD-R) and rewritable compact disc (CD-RW).
  2. Combination effect
    A parameter used with LED effects or intelligent lighting heads. Some offer various types of effects that can be combined.
  3. Compressor
    A type of sound processor that equalises different volume levels in a recording so that all parts sound about the same volume.
  4. Core
    The material from which the core of the string is made. This is generally steel or nylon.
  5. Cup diameter
    Indicates the diameter of the mouthpiece cup on wind instruments. The cup width affects the response of the instrument and the volume of the sound, and also requires different skill in the fit of the lips - generally, the wider the cup, the harder it is to play.
  6. Current
    Indicates the power of the adapter. When the device has more milliamps than the adapter, the adapter doesn’t have enough power to operate the appliance. It doesn't matter the other way around - a more powerful adapter can easily power a small appliance.
  7. Cutout
    Indicates whether the instrument (traditionally a guitar, for example) has a cutout in the body that makes it easier to play in higher positions.
D
  1. DI output
    An output that allows you to send the signal from an amp via an XLR cable directly to a mixing console or PA system. It is used to reduce noise and interference when the signal is transmitted over longer distances. The DI output also allows you to connect a signal from an instrument or other source with a low output signal that might otherwise be too weak to connect directly to the input of another device.
  2. Direct out
    An output that duplicates the input signal for another device. It is used to record a clean signal that can be worked with later, or to separate two sounds, e.g. the stage sound and the PA sound.
  3. Directional characteristic
    Expresses the microphone’s dependence on the direction from which it can receive sound.
  4. DMX
    DMX is a digital communication protocol used to control things such as lighting effects. It lets you adjust settings such as the individual colours to exactly suit a specific scene on the stage.
  5. Drive type
    Pedals for percussion instruments use various types of drive. The most common is the chain drive, which is highly durable, but belt or direct drive pedals are also available. Each has their own specific advantages.
E
  1. Effects loop
    The effects loop is used for effects and effects processors that sound better after the distortion/preamp than before the amp, i.e. delay, reverb and modulation effects in general. Effects loops are either serial or parallel, depending on the connection.
  2. Effects processor
    As the name suggests, an effects processor adds an effect to the input signal. It is most often found in guitar and bass amps and combos.
  3. Electronics
    This term is most often used with guitars and basses. Don't forget that active electronics require power; you can easily tell this from the battery compartment on the back of the instrument.
  4. End type
    One end of the string wraps around the tuning peg, but the other end often differs. One popular version is with a ball at the end, meaning you just need to push the string through the bridge and it holds when the string is tightened, without needing a more complex way of fastening it. The end type must always be chosen to suit each particular type of instrument.
  5. Equaliser
    Abbreviation for equaliser. It enables us to control the sound output, such as by adjusting the treble, mids, bass and much more.
  6. Ethernet midi
    The RTP-MIDI system enables some MIDI instruments to be connected via a classic Ethernet cable.
F
  1. Fingerboard
    A fingerboard can be found on stringed instruments. It typically consists of tuning pegs and a tailpiece, and also differs according to its purpose – with a violin, for example, the set also includes a chin rest.
  2. Fingering
    Type of tone holes/ finger positions on recorders, the most being English (Baroque); the German finger position system is less common.
  3. Firmware
    Firmware is the brain of electrical devices. In everyday life, we see this term used with mobile phones; in music we find it in digital pianos, synthesizers and many other devices.
  4. Flat design
    Refers to the design of the spotlight, i.e. whether it is flat on the back.
  5. Format support
    Indicates which audio formats the instrument or device can read and then work with.
  6. Frequency
    The frequency at which gear such as wireless systems and other devices operates.
  7. Frequency range
    The width of the frequency band in which the device is able to reproduce the signal (from the lowest to the highest frequencies).
H
  1. Hardware
    The material or colour of the instrument's hardware, i.e. the bridge, tuning pegs and other parts.
  2. Hardware Set
    A typical parameter for drum kits. Hardware refers to stands for drums, stands for cymbals or gear such as pedals for a bass drum.
  3. Harmonica type
    Among other things, harmonicas differ in their tuning, which is very important when choosing one. There are chromatic harmonicas that move up in semitones, or octave harmonicas, where each blow plays two notes exactly one octave apart.
  4. Head height
    The vertical distance between the tension hoop of the banjo head and the upper surface of the head.
  5. Headphone type
    Headphones are classified not only by their sound properties and connectivity, but also by basic type. They include the classic ear buds or earplugs, as well as closed or open headphones that cover the entire ear.
  6. Hembra
    Bongos are an instrument with two drums - the hembra is the larger one, with its diameter given in inches.
  7. Humbucker
    Type of electric guitar pickup. It consists of two coils. This "humbucker" is wired so that the coils cancel out the annoying hum you can get with single-coil pickups. The two coils give a rounder sound and a stronger output signal, resulting in greater volume. A humbucker is ideal for distorted sounds, where the hum has a greater tendency to adversely affect the resulting guitar sound.
I
  1. ILDA
    An interface designed to transfer data between laser projectors and external controllers (DMX controllers, computers).
  2. Impedance
    Impedance refers to the electrical resistance of circuits. It’s listed for gear such as speakers or headphones. In practice, the lower the resistance, the louder the headphones sound, but the sound distortion can be higher. It is given in ohms.
  3. Integrated Tuner
    A big bonus with some instruments. Can be found on gear such as electro-acoustic guitars or guitar combos, so there’s no need to buy a separate tuner.
  4. Integrated sound card
    Some devices have a built-in sound card, so you don't need an external one.
  5. Inserts
    The inputs of mixing desks enabling the connection of other external processors in series.
  6. IP protection
    The IP rating indicates the resistance of electrical devices to damage caused by dust and foreign bodies (the first number) and against the intrusion of water (the second number). IP67, for example, means complete protection against dust, damage by any instrument and against the ingress of water for thirty minutes at a depth of up to one metre.
K
  1. Keys
    They can be open or closed. In the closed ones, the holes are stopped by keys, while fingers are used for the open flutes, which is more complicated but also enables better control of the sound. We see this parameter in instruments such as Western concert flutes.
  2. Keyboard
    The brand and, in some cases, the specific model of the keyboard, which can be found in the description of the instrument. This parameter is most often used with digital pianos.
L
  1. LAN
    A local network used to connect devices in a smaller space, such as a room or recording studio.
  2. Laser
    Some lighting heads or LED spotlights have a laser, yet another effect you can use in your light show.
  3. Laser type
    The parameter indicates the colour spectrum of the laser. The names and abbreviations are based on the initial letters of the primary colours.
  4. Learning system
    Some electric musical instruments, such as digital pianos or keyboards, have learning systems to get you started nice and easily or help you improve your playing.
  5. Light Output
    A quantity given in units called lumens. It expresses the amount of light energy emitted by the source per second.
  6. Light Source
    The light source is absolutely essential for gear such as spotlights or light heads. LEDs are most common nowadays.
  7. Limiter
    It keeps the volume and gain at the level you want.
  8. Lubricant
    Indicates whether the package also contains oil, which is used to lubricate the screws of the tuners on drums and other percussion instruments such as congas.
  9. Luminosity
    Indicates the intensity of the luminous flux in a given direction.
M
  1. Macho
    Bongos are an instrument with two drums - the macho is the smaller one, with its diameter given in inches.
  2. Max. SPL
    Maximum sound pressure level (SPL), given in decibels.
  3. Mechanics type
    The system of transverse flute mechanics. Flutes use either the "Inline" system with the keys located in a single row, or the "Offset" system with the offset G key.
  4. Metronome
    Indicates whether the instrument (such as drums) has the option to turn on a metronome, which is very useful when recording as well as for practicing.
  5. Microphone channel equaliser
    Some mixing consoles have a separate equaliser for microphone inputs, enabling us to control their output.
  6. Microphone type
    Microphones differ in how they pick up and transmit sound. They are generally dynamic or capacitor models.
  7. MIDI
    A Musical Instrument Digital Interface that enables musical instruments to connect up and communicate with one another.
  8. MP3/Line In
    An auxiliary expansion input used to connect external multimedia devices.
  9. Multi-Effect
    Multi-effect is the term used for several effects in one device - it can be either a separate unit (such as with guitar multi-effects) or a multi-effects unit built into a mixing console, for example.
N
  1. Neck
    The material from which the neck of a guitar, bass or other stringed instrument is made.
  2. Neck profile
    The curvature of the back of the guitar neck; there are many different profiles, often indicated by letters (C, D, U, V) that illustrate the type of curvature.
  3. Needle pressure
    A vertical weight that bears on the tip of the turntable arm.
  4. Nest 36 mm
    There is a hole on the bottom of the speakers or studio monitors for attaching them to a stand. It is known as a nest, with 36 millimetres being considered the standard dimension.
  5. Number of analogue inputs
    While a digital signal only distinguishes between 0 and 1, an analogue value is first measured and then converted into digital form. This parameter indicates the number of inputs that can handle this.
  6. Number of analogue outputs
    While a digital signal only distinguishes between 0 and 1, an analogue value is first measured and then converted into digital form. This parameter indicates the number of outputs that can handle this.
  7. Number of AUX
    The AUX input is for connecting external audio devices, i.e. telephones or MP3 players.
  8. Number of bands
    Indicates the number of speaker bands. The number of bands is not necessarily the same as the number of speakers.
  9. Number of basses
    The number of accordion bass buttons varies depending on the size of the instrument (from 32 to 120 basses).
  10. Number of channels
    The number of channels determines the number of notes the harmonica can play. Diatonic harmonicas usually have 10 channels, while the number of channels in a chromatic harmonica can vary (10, 12, 14, 16).
  11. Number of converters
    Transducers, typically in headphones, are directly connected to an electrical resistor. A larger diameter and number means greater resistance, thus better sound quality, but at the same time increases the need for a sufficiently powerful signal source.
  12. Number of DMX channels
    The number of channels of the DMX digital communication protocol, used to control gear such as lights.
  13. Number of microphone / line in ports
    The number of inputs used to connect microphones via a line in port, traditionally a 6.3 mm jack. They can be found on mixing consoles, sound cards or keyboard instruments.
  14. Number of microphone inputs
    The number of inputs used to connect microphones. They can be found on mixing consoles, sound cards or keyboard instruments.
  15. Number of parts
    Number of parts that make up a recorder.
  16. Number of pipes
    Number of tubes/pipes of a pan flute.
  17. Number of presets
    The number of ready-made preset sounds (simulations of amps and speakers combined with effects) that are stored in the device and can be used immediately.
  18. Number of simulations
    The number of built-in simulations of well-known brands of amp.
  19. Number of subgroups
    Mixing consoles often allow you to create a subgroup or subgroups, making it easier to control the individual inputs.
  20. Number of zones
    Dividing the individual electronic drum pads into zones allows the pads to reproduce the authentic sound of drums or cymbals played in a particular spot, i.e. closer to or further from the drum rim, on the edge, in the centre, or on the navel of the cymbal, and so on.
  21. Nut
    A small piece of plastic, bone, or metal with small cutouts that separates the neck from the head of a stringed instrument and over which the strings run to the bridge.
  22. Nut width
    The nut separates the neck and head of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar. The nut separates the neck and head of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar. It is usually made of plastic, or bone or metal in better instruments, and its width is given in millimetres. For some players, this is also an essential factor in how comfortably their instrument plays.
O
  1. Overdrive
    Adds distortion to the clean signal from the instrument. Common with electric guitars and basses.
P
  1. Phantom Power Supply
    Essential for connecting products that require a +48 V power supply. These include condenser microphones that don’t work without phantom power.
  2. Pickup configuration
    The type of pickups the instrument is fitted with. "S" is short for a single-coil pickup (or single coil); a double-coil pickup (humbucker) is marked with the letter "H". HSS, for example, indicates a humbucker - single coil - single coil configuration, always ranked from the bridge towards the neck.
  3. Pickup
    A pickup is needed to connect an acoustic instrument with an amp or computer - this indicates whether the pickup is part of the instrument.
  4. Polarity
    The polarity of the power adapter. The polarity can be: DC - centre negative (minus in the middle), DC - centre positive (plus in the middle) and AC (alternating current).
  5. Polyphony
    The number of notes the instrument can play at the same time.
  6. Power consumption
    Power consumption indicates the amount of energy used by the device and expresses the amount of energy consumed within a certain time. It is given in watts.
R
  1. Radius
    The radius of the curvature of the fingerboard of a stringed instrument across the neck. This is an important parameter for more advanced players, who choose the one that best suits their playing style. It is given in inches; the lower the number, the more rounded the fingerboard.
  2. Registers
    Registers of the melodic part of the accordion. They are used to change the colour and pitch of treble tones.
  3. Resonator
    The arched wooden cover that encloses the bottom edge of the banjo body. It gives the instrument a fuller and louder sound.
  4. Reverb
    Reverb is an effect that gives the impression of the sound playing in space, giving you a more natural sound. It lets you easily simulate the sound of playing in a large hall or church with that typical rich reverberation.
  5. RMS Output
    Peak music power output. This is the output that the amplifier is able to safely handle without impairing the sound quality or damaging the speakers.
S
  1. Sampling frequency
    When recording sound, one of the most important parameters is the sampling frequency. It indicates the number of signal samples recorded per second. In general, the higher the number, the higher the quality. It is given in hertz.
  2. Scale length
    In stringed instruments, we mean the scale length of the vibrating string, i.e. the part of the string between the bridge and the nut. It is given in millimetres, or occasionally in inches (25.4 mm).
  3. SD Slot
    Indicates whether the product has a memory card slot.
  4. Sensitivity
    Acoustic output, often seen in gear such as headphones or speakers. It is given in decibels.
  5. Sequencer
    An instrument or part of an instrument capable of creating and transmitting sequences of commands, enabling us to create melodic, harmonic or rhythmic loops.
  6. Sides/Ribs
    The material from which the sides of the instrument body are made.
  7. Sockets
    It is used to fasten the bulb in the light socket. The most common socket is the E27.
  8. Software
    Some instruments or products are supplied with software by the manufacturer to support or extend their functionality.
  9. Software packaging
    Some software is supplied on a CD in an old-school paper sleeve, while other types are only available as a code that you use to activate the product after downloading it from the manufacturer's website.
  10. Sound Systems
    Built-in speakers provide quality sound for keyboard instruments.
  11. Sound-controlled programs
    Changes the colour and direction of the LED based on the sounds picked up by the internal microphone.
  12. Soundboard
    The material from which the instrument's front soundboard is made.
  13. SPDIF
    An interface used to transmit digital audio.
  14. Speaker
    Number and size of speakers. Size is given in inches.
  15. Speaker simulation
    Gives you a guitar sound without the need for a microphone to pick up the speaker; the signal can be sent directly to the mix.
  16. Spotlight type
    Spotlights differ in how they illuminate the stage. This means there are spotlights that have a clear boundary, such as those we see at hockey matches and stand-up shows, or wash types, which "flood" the entire stage.
  17. Stick Cross-Section
    The shape of the cross-section of the bow stick. The most common types include circular, hexagonal and octagonal; the specific choice depends on the player's preferences.
  18. Storage medium
    Some instruments or devices allow data to be read from a medium such as an SD card or a USB flash drive.
  19. System
    The bands/frequencies that specific wireless systems operate on.
T
  1. Thread
    Every screw is different and this also goes for the thread. This parameter is very important to ensure compatibility with your equipment. It is listed either in inches or with an international code – one common type is M20.
  2. Tip opening
    The distance between the reed and the upper edge of the mouthpiece is indicated in units of 1/100 mm. Combined with the hardness of the reed, it has a major impact on the quality of the tone.
  3. Tone holes
    The inner part of the mouthpiece. The diameter and shape of the hole greatly affect the sound.
  4. Tone Ring
    The tone ring is a metal ring placed at the top of the banjo body, which has a major impact on the sound and quality of the instrument.
  5. Top
    The top part of the electric guitar body (may not be included). The top is glued to the body; it can be made of a thin veneer (approx. 2 mm thick) or a thicker "cap" (approx. 5 mm) made of solid wood. Some guitars may have a top (cap) with a thin veneer glued onto it.
  6. Touch-Sensitive
    In keyboard instruments, touch-sensitive means a keyboard that responds to how hard you press the keys.
  7. Track length
    The distance from the tip of the mouthpiece to the last point where the reed meets the mouthpiece. Track length is given in millimetres, and combined with the hardness of the reed has a major impact on tonal quality.
  8. True Bypass
    Switch that completely removes the pedal effect from the signal path when turned off.
  9. Tuner type
    Tuners differ according to how they are attached or how they pick up sound. You can get clip-on tuners, for example, which use vibrations and are just attached to the head of the instrument, or pedal tuners, which are connected to the guitar via an instrument cable.
  10. Tuning pegs
    A type of tuning peg used on a stringed instrument. Many instrument manufacturers have their own brand or type, while others use products from companies that specialise in this type of accessory.
  11. Turntable type
    Every turntable needs a drive to spin the platter. There are two types: belt drive and direct drive.
  12. Tweeter
    A type of speaker specially adapted to produce treble frequencies. Its diameter is given in inches
U
  1. Ukulele type
    The various types of ukulele differ in size and shape, which affects not only the resulting sound, but also how comfortable they are to play. Ranked from smallest to largest, there are soprano, concert, tenor and baritone models. However, there are also some other special types – such as guitar or bass.
  2. USB Midi
    Lets you connect a MIDI instrument directly to a computer without needing another interface.
  3. USB to Device
    Lets you connect the instrument via USB to another device, such as a computer.
  4. USB to Host
    Lets you connect a USB disk or other external USB devices to the instrument.
V
  1. Virtuoso instrument
    If the entire musical instrument is made by a single person, we call it a master instrument. These instruments are mostly made by hand.
W
  1. Warm-up time
    Devices such as fog machines need some time to warm up in order to work properly.
  2. Weight category
    Refers to the cymbal weight, such as thin, medium, heavy, etc. The weight category affects both the sound of the cymbal and how it feels to play.
  3. WiFi
    Indicates whether the product can be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
  4. Winding
    Some strings have an additional layer of material wrapped around the core to give them a specific sound. There are several types of winding and besides the resulting sound, they also differ in how they feel to play: round ones give a cleaner and punchier sound, while flat strings, for example, have a darker and authentically vintage ring to them.
  5. Wireless control
    Some electrical devices, such as lighting heads, can also be remotely controlled, using an infrared controller or Bluetooth.
#
  1. 100V
    100V speakers are mainly used to provide sound in large rooms, such as gymnasiums, halls, shopping centres and other large spaces. These speakers are often placed on the ceiling or on the wall.
  2. 19" Rack Compatible
    Indicates that the product can be mounted in a rack cabinet with a standardised width of 19".
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