Roland VS-880EX Application Manual page 130

Linear
Having an output that varies in direct proportion to
the input. May refer to low distortion.
L i n e I n p u t
An input designed to operate at line levels (see
below), as opposed to microphone or speaker levels.
L i n e L e v e l
Line level refers to the nominal (average) operating
level of an audio system, and generally corresponds
to a "0 VU" meter reading. There are several widely-
used standard line levels:
a) +8 dBm (1.95 volts RMS), for broadcast
b) +4 dBm (1.23 volts RMS), for professional
recording & sound reinforcement
c) -10 dBv (310 millivolts RMS), an alternate for
professional recording
Line Output
Any output which delivers a signal at the nominal
line level (see above), not microphone or speaker
level.
L o s s
The opposite of gain in a circuit; describing signal
attenuation.
M i c L e v e l
The signal level in dBv, dBV, dBm or voltage that
would approximate the nominal level of a
microphone. While the nominal levels of
microphones vary tremendously as a function of the
sound level present and the type of mic involved,
mic level is generally considered to be somewhere
around 0.001 to 0.003 volts (about -60 dBv to -50
dBv). It is not unusual, however, for a mic to
generate +4 dBv in the presence of a very loud
sound.
Mic Proximity
A change in the bass frequency response of a
microphone in relation to the distance from the
sound source.
Microphone
A device for converting sound waves into
corresponding electrical signals. Microphones can be
categorized in several ways: their sensitivity
patterns, the method by which they convert sound to
electrical energy, or other characteristics.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A digital
communications language that allows musical
instruments and related equipment to 'talk' to each
other.
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VS-880EX Application Guide
MIDI Clock
MIDI Clock is a stream of digital timing pulses that
provides information about the current tempo of a
song or sequence. It is used commonly with
hardware sequencers and drum machines. While it is
commonly used by many devices today, it does not
provide enough informaiton to control a hard disk
recorder like the VS-880EX. However, MIDI clock can
be used to control other devices. MIDI Clock works
in conjunction with other MIDI messages including
Start, Stop, Continue, and Song Position Pointer.
Mix
The procedure whereby two or more signals from
live and/or recorded sources are combined to
achieve a desired balance. Mixing consoles provide
separate level controls for each source, as well as
overall controls for the mixed (combined) signal.
Consoles may also provide equalization and
auxiliary signal processing such as echo and
reverberation.
Mixdown
The process whereby signals from a multi-track tape
recorder are routed to a mixing console and
recombined to make a stereo or monaural master
tape. The 4, 8, 16 or 24 tracks of the multi-track
master are positioned anywhere from full left,
through center, to full right of the stereo perspective,
and the individual track levels and equalization are
adjusted to achieve the desired balance. Echo,
reverberation and other special effects may be added
during the mixdown.
Mixer
A device or system in which two or more signal
sources (mic or line level) can be combined and fed
to another device or part of the audio system. Larger
mixers are often called "mixing consoles," especially
if they include a built-in mounting pedestal or are
designed for mixing many inputs or feeding many
outputs. The term "mixer" is generally reserved for
units with a smaller number of inputs and outputs,
and for rack-mounted mixing equipment.
Mono Bus
In a mixing console, the Bus or channel which is used
to feed a program to a monaural tape recorder,
broadcast transmission point, or other mono device.
Many mixing consoles have the ability to obtain the
mono mix utilizing the mono Bus at the same time a
stereo mix is being provided.
MMC (MIDI Machine Control)
MIDI controller messages sent from one device to
another via MIDI to start recording, playing, and to
arm tracks for recording. This communication data
does not contain any timing or location information.