Alesis 1622 Reference Manual page 42

Monitor - In recording, Control Room Monitors are the primary speaker for listening to either a
performance or tape playback. In sound reinforcement, a Monitor is a separate on-stage sound
system intended only for the performer so he can hear himself.
MultiTrack - A tape machine that has 4 or more independent recording tracks, and is capable
of recording on any channel while remaining in sync with previously recorded tracks.
Mute - To turn off or disengage. On a mixing console, a Mute switch is an On/Off switch for a
particular function. The 1622 MIXER has a Mute switch for each of its 16 inputs.
Noise Gate - As the name suggests, a noise gate is sort of an electronic fence gate. When
there is enough pressure on the gate (the signal is loud enough), the gate will open to let the
signal through. You can control how much level it will take to open the gate (or how much
pressure), how long the gate will stay open, and how fast it will close. Because of this amount of
control, a Noise Gate such as the Alesis MICRO GATE can be set to eliminate any noises,
clicks, or buzzes which might be a component of the signal by closing the gate (turning off) either
when a signal is not present, or when the signal drops below a preset threshold (or pressure).
The Noise Gate will not actually eliminate all noise that is a component of the signal, just the
noise that exists when the signal is not present. It can also be used for a variety of special
effects such as gating the reverb on a snare drum to achieve the popular 80's style drum sound
effect, or tightening up the sound of a live drum kit by suppressing leakage between drum mics.
Nominal Level - Typical operating level. This is usually -10dBV for semi-pro and stereo
equipment, and +4dBV for professional quality equipment. The 1622 MIXER can accommodate
either.
Outboard - Refers to any piece of equipment that is connected to a mixing console but not an
integral part of it.
Overdubbing - A basic process of multitrack recording, Overdubbing is the recording of a new
part in sync with previously recorded material.
Pan Control - The Pan Control determines the spatial positioning of a signal and places it
anywhere between the left and right speakers.
Patchbay - Refers to a row of jacks that are permanently connected to various pieces of
equipment. This allows immediate access to inputs and outputs for fast and easy
interconnection. See Section 2, INTERFACING WITH THE MULTITRACK TAPE DECK VIA A
PATCHBAY
Patching - The process of interconnecting one piece of equipment to another.
PFL - Stands for Pre-Fader Listen. A type of solo, PFL allows the engineer to listen to the
signal as it enters the console but before it travels through much of the circuitry of the console.
Thus, if an overload occurs , the engineer can easily tell at what point in the signal path. The
1622 MIXER uses a Pre-Fader Listen scheme in that the Fader position has no bearing on the
volume of the soloed channel because the Solo signal is taken from before the Channel Fader in
the signal path.
Phase Cancellation - The change in timbre that occurs when a signal partially cancels itself
out. This frequently happens when a sound appears at a microphone at the same time as its
reflection.
Phone Plug - See 1/4" plug
Phono Plug (RCA) - A connector commonly found on hi-fi equipment and semi-pro audio
equipment. Although inexpensive, RCA phono plugs are not used in professional applications
since the connectors don't lock together and are subject to frequent accidental unplugging.
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