Mackie 1202 VLZ Owner's Manual page 39

Generally, phantom power is safe to use with
non-condenser microphones as well, especially
dynamic microphones. However, unbalanced
microphones, some electronic equipment (such
as some wireless microphone receivers) and
some ribbon microphones can short out the
phantom power and be severely damaged.
Check the manufacturer's recommendations
and be careful!
phasing
A delay effect, where the original signal is
mixed with a short (0 to 10 msec) delay. The
time of the delay is slowly varied, and the
combination of the two signals results in a dra-
matic moving comb-filter effect. Phasing is
sometimes imitated by sweeping a comb-filter
EQ across a signal. A comb filter can be found
in your back pocket.
phone jack
Ever see those old telephone switchboards
with hundreds of jacks and patch cords and
plugs? Those are phone jacks and plugs, now
used widely with musical instruments and audio
equipment. A phone jack is the female connec-
tor, and we use them in 1 ⁄ " two-conductor (TS)
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and three-conductor (TRS) versions.
phone plug
The male counterpart to the phone jack,
right above.
phono jack
See RCA phono jack.
phono plug
See RCA phono plug.
post-fader
A term used to describe an aux send (usually)
that is connected so that it is affected by the
setting of the associated channel fader. Sends
connected this way are typically (but not
always) used for effects. See pre-fader.
pot, potentiometer
In electronics, a variable resistor that varies
the potential, or voltage. In audio, any rotary
or slide control.
pre-fader
A term used to describe an aux send
(usually) that is connected so that it is not af-
fected by the setting of the associated channel
fader. Sends connected this way are typically
(but not always) used for monitors (foldback).
See post-fader.
proximity effect
The property of many directional micro-
phones to accentuate their bass response when
the source-to-mic distance is small, typically
three inches or less. Singers generally like this
effect even more than singing in the shower.
Q
A way of stating the bandwidth of a filter or
equalizer section. An EQ with a Q of .75 is broad
and smooth, while a Q of 10 gives a narrow,
pointed response curve. To calculate the value
of Q, you must know the center frequency of the
EQ section and the frequencies at which the up-
per and lower skirts fall 3dB below the level of
the center frequency. Q equals the center fre-
quency divided by the difference between the
upper and lower –3dB frequencies. A peaking
EQ centered at 10kHz whose –3dB points are
7.5kHz and 12.5kHz has a Q of 2.
RCA phono jack—or RCA jack
or phono jack
An RCA phono jack is an inexpensive
connector (female) introduced by RCA and
originally used to connect phonographs to radio
receivers and phono preamplifiers. The phono
jack was (and still is) widely used on consumer
stereo equipment and video equipment but was
quietly fading into obscurity in the professional
and semiprofessional sound world. Then phono
jacks began cropping up in early project-studio
multitrack recorders, which (unfortunately)
gave them a new lease on life. Since so many
stereo recorders are fitted with them, we de-
cided we'd have to put a couple on our mixers
for your convenience. But make no mistake: the
only thing that the phono jack (or plug) has
going for it is low cost.
RCA phono plug
The male counterpart to an RCA phono
jack. See above.
regeneration
Also called recirculation. A delay effect cre-
ated by feeding the output of a delay back into
itself to cause a delay of the delay of the delay.
You can do it right on the front panel of many
effects units, or you can route the delay return
back into itself on your mixer. Can be a great
deal of fun at parties.
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