Ada MICROCAB I Owner's Manual page 7

ADA Microcab I owners manual version 1
GLOSSARY
SOME AUDIO TERMS RELEVANT TO WHAT THE MICROCAB DOES
(From the CAMEO Dictionary of Creative Audio Terms, Gary Davis & Associates, 1979)
Coloration
Non-uniform frequency response resulting in distortion of the tonal quality of the source.
Close Miking
A technique for recording or sound reinforcement whereby the microphones are placed close
to vocalists and to instruments or small groups of instruments. Close miking provides a great
deal of presence and detail for the nearby sound source(s), while avoiding leakage from
more distant sound sources. Most of today's popular music recordings use close microphone
techniques.
Comb filter
A comb filter has a series of very narrow, deep notches where signals are attenuated. When
the frequency response of such filters is graphed they resemble a hair comb.
Directivity factor
For a loudspeaker, this is a measurement of how much the speaker focuses the sound in a
given direction. Directivity is measured by taking the ratio of the average sound level
throughout 360 to the maximum sound level in front of the speaker (at a given distance and
frequency).
Distant miking
A microphone placement technique where one or more mics are located at a distance of at
least several feet from the performers. Distant microphone placement allows a greater area
to be covered using fewer microphones than close mic placement, and is ideal for some
types of recording. Distant mic placement usually will not provide the presence and detail
possible with close mic placement.
Hass effect
Also known as the "precedence effect/' this psychoacoustic phenomenon was first described
by Helmut Hass. The Hass effect describes our ability to perceive the location of a sound
source based on the relative level and arrival time of the sound in each ear.
Presence Range
Refers to that area of the audio frequency spectrum which affects the perceived presence of
the sound. Assuming there is no echo or reverb, presence or the feeling of being "up front"
will be determined by the relative balance of those frequencies falling roughly in the 2 kHz to
5 kHz range.
Voicing
Refers to the careful equalization of a speaker/amplifier system as in a recording studio
monitor or sound reinforcement system to achieve a particular sound or effect.
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