Glossary - Yamaha AW2816 Tutorial

A/D converter
A circuit that converts an analog audio signal into a
digital audio signal.
AD/DA
Conversion of an audio signal from analog to digital,
or from digital to analog. All processing within the
AW2816 is performed in digital form, but when an
analog audio signal is input, it passes through AD
conversion, and when sound from the AW2816 is
monitored (*see entry), it passes through DA conver-
sion.
AES/EBU
This is one of the professional formats for exchanging
digital audio signals, and is a versatile format used on
many devices. The MY8-AE (separately sold option)
which can be installed in the YGDAI slot (*see entry)
provides a D-sub 25 pin connector that can simulta-
neously transmit and receive eight channels of digital
audio signals.
ATAPI
A specification for CD-RW drives that can be installed
in the AW2816. The specification is the same as IDE,
but on the AW2816 this term is used to distinguish it
from the internal hard disk.
Audio source
A collective term for the signals that are input to a
mixer or recorder. In the field of recording, the similar
terms "tone generator" or "sound module" usually
refer to an electronic instrument that produces sound,
such as a synthesizer.
Automix
A function by which operations of mixer parameters
such as knobs and faders are recorded along the time
axis defined by the AW2816's internal time code or
externally-received MTC (*see entry), and can repro-
duce these movements during playback.
AUX
Stands for "auxiliary." Signal output destinations used
when using the two internal effects of the AW2816, or
when using an external effect processor.
Bus
An audio signal route within the AW2816's mixer sec-
tion, used to combine multiple channels (*see entry).
Normally you will not need to be aware of buses if
you use the QUICK REC function to prepare for
recording. However you can also use buses to per-
form more sophisticated recording or mixdown tech-
niques.
Channel
A signal routing unit through which a sound that is
input to the mixer section is adjusted by volume and
pan (*see entry) and then output. The mixer section of
the AW2816 provides a total of 28 channels, includ-
ing the recorder playback and the outputs of the two
effects.

Glossary

Chase
A state in which the AW2816 is receiving MTC (*see
entry) from an external device and running in syn-
chronization with it. A standby state in which syn-
chronization operation is possible is sometimes called
"chase on" or "chase standby."
Coaxial
Refers to a type of connector that carries IEC60958 (S/
P DIF) format digital audio signals.
Compressor
An effect that lowers the volume when the input
sound exceeds the specified Threshold level, or boosts
the sound when it is below this level, in this way mak-
ing the overall volume more consistent.
D/A converter
A circuit that converts a digital audio signal into an
analog audio signal.
Default setting
The state of a setting when a device is purchased or
powered-on. Also called "factory setting" or "initial
setting." The AW2816 can be restored to the default
settings by recalling scene memory 00.
Dithering
When a digital audio signal is transmitted to a device
with a lower quantization (*see entry), dithering com-
bines some of the rounded-off portion with the data
that is retained (i.e., instead of simply discarding the
lower-value bits), in order to reduce the noise that is
generated by this conversion. Since this changes the
data itself, there are situations in which it is better not
to apply dithering.
Dynamic range
The range from maximum volume to silence,
expressed in dB (decibels). This is one aspect from
which you can determine the accuracy with which a
certain device can handle audio signals.
Dynamics
Refers to changes in the volume; for example if the
volume varies dramatically between loud and soft,
one might say that there is "a lot of variation in the
dynamics." Effects such as compressor (*see entry) or
limiter (*see entry) that are used to compensate the
volume are referred as "dynamics effects."
Equalizer
A function that adjusts the sound by boosting/cutting
a specific frequency band (*see entry) of the sound
that is input to that channel. On the AW2816, a four-
band parametric equalizer with adjustable frequency
and AW2816 (*see entry) is provided on every chan-
nel.
Frequency band
Refers to a point or area on the frequency axis of
sound, from low to high ranges. This term is used
when specifying the point at which an equalizer (*see
entry) will adjust the sound.
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