Glossary - Roland VS-2000 Appendices

Glossary

ATA
This is an interface for PC hard disks, and is the official standard for
the interface known as IDE.
It provides various improvements over the older IDE, such as
increased transfer speed.
ATAPI
This is a specification that was developed in order to allow devices
other than hard disks (such as CD-ROM drives) to be connected
using the ATA specification.
CD-R
Short for Compact Disc Recordable. This is a system for reading
and writing discs in the same format as that used for CDs (CD-
ROMs and music CDs). A specialized CD-R drive allows one-time
only writing of discs.
However, as long as the data has not been finalized and there is
sufficient capacity remaining on the disc, the CD-R drive can be used
for multiple additions to, and changes in the material.
Sometimes they are referred to as "Write Once CD," "CD-Write
Once," or something similar.
CD-RW
Short for Compact Disc ReWritable. This is a system allowing
creation of discs that can be read using the same format as regular
CDs (CD-ROMs and Music CDs). While resembling the CD-R system
in that it uses a special CD-RW drive, these discs can be rewritten
any number of times.
Compressor
An effect that suppresses volume fluctuations. When the input signal
exceeds a specified level (threshold), the gain is reduced as the input
signal rises, thus suppressing signal overload. The same algorithm
can also be used as a limiter (an effect that instantaneously
suppresses peaks).
Of the effects in this system, only the compressor included in guitar
multi 1–3 simulates a compact compressor for guitar, and works
differently from a limiter. (It suppresses signal overloads, and also
evens out the volume by raising low-level signals.)
COSM
Stands for Composite Object Sound Modeling. This is "a
technology which combines multiple sound models to create new
sounds," which was first used on the Roland's VG-8 V-Guitar
System. For example, sounds created on the VG-8 are the result of a
variety of sound models (elements) such as the pickup, the body of
the guitar, the guitar amp, mic, and speaker etc.
Current Project
The project currently being recorded, played back, or edited is
referred to as the current project.
DAT
Short for Digital Audio Tape. This refers both to the system of
recording digitized sound to magnetic tape, as well as to the tapes
themselves. Besides digital audio signals, all song information is
recorded on the tape, including starts and track data, information to
allow or prevent copying, etc.
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Dynamics (effect)
Effects that compressor expand the range of volume changes. These
effects are used to reduce noise when recording to tape, or to
increase the dynamic range of a tape or wireless mic. Dynamics
effects provided on this system include Enhancer, Expander,
Compressor, and Limiter.
DSP
An abbreviation for Digital Signal Processing. Technology that
uses dedicated circuitry or software calculations to process digitized
audio or video signals in order to implement the functionality of a
mixer, filter, or effect processor. By extension, DSP is also used to
collectively refer to effect devices and effect functionality that uses
such technology.
Expander
An effect that increases (by a fixed ratio) the difference in loud and
soft volume levels, by making low-level signals softer, and high-
level signals louder.
Finalize
This is the operation that writes the TOC to a prepared audio disc.
Whereas additions and changes can be made to discs that have not
yet been finalized, such discs are not playable on regular CD players.
Formants
A formant is an important element which determine the character of
a vocal sound. It is a fixed overtone whose location is determined by
the size of the vocal chords.
Conventional pitch shifters modify the pitch in a way that changes
even the location of the formants (which by nature do not change).
For example when a conventional pitch shifter raises the pitch, a
"duck voice" is produced as if the vocal chords had shrunk, and
when the pitch is lowered a "giant voice" is produced as if the vocal
chords had expanded.
The Voice Transformer modifies the basic pitch and the formant
separately, allowing a variety of voice characters to be created.
Frame
Similar to the individual frames in a roll of movie film, the numerous
still pictures that are displayed in rapid succession to create a
moving video image are also known as "frames." About thirty of
these frames are shown each second. When hard disk recorders,
sequencers, and other such equipment are synchronized with video,
it is generally assumed that there should be one frame every 1/30th
of a second.
GUITAR (Hi-Z)
A high-impedance input jack for directly connecting electric guitars.
GPI
GPI stands for General Purpose Interface. This is a control jack
provided on professional and consumer video devices such as video
editors and title superimpoters. By connecting this control jack to the
foot switch jack of the VS-2000 and setting the Foot Switch Assign to
"GPI," the connected device will be able to play back/stop the
VS-2000.