User guide

XONE:02 User Guide 21
conductive equipment cases. It provides the return for
the signal voltage within the equipment. It also
ensures operator safety by removing the possibility of
electric shock should the mains voltage touch any
metal part.
Earth (ground) Loop The result when the equipment
sees more than one path to the system earth. Current
flows because a resistive loop susceptible to radio and
mains interference is formed. In severe cases this can
result in audible hum or buzz in the system. Breaking
the loop by removing all but one path to earth usually
solves the problem.
Effect Loop The signal path associated with patching
in an external effects processor such as sampler or
echo unit. The signal is routed to the effects send
instead of direct to main mix. It is returned through the
return input back into the mix. The XONE:02 lets you
switch the effects in or out during performance.
Equaliser (EQ) This provides cut or boost of selected
frequencies (equalisation) for tonal shaping of the
sound. This is similar to the bass and treble controls
of domestic hifi amplifiers. However, XONE:02
provides 3 independently controllable frequency bands
for corrective or effective sound shaping.
Feedback Also known as ‘howlround’ or ‘ringing’ this
is the rapidly increasing tone produced when a
microphone picks up its own signal from the speakers.
It is usually a shrill and annoying squeal that should be
quickly dealt with by repositioning the microphone or
speakers, reducing mic gain or equalising the system
to notch out the offending frequencies.
Gain This is the boost or attenuation applied to the
source signal in the channel preamp stage to match it
to the console operating level. For example, a large
amount of gain is need to match low microphone
signals. It is set using the console meters. Gain is not
used for level (volume) control.
Ground See ‘earth’.
Hamster The popular term for reversing crossfader
program. The XONE:02 does this using the channel
reverse switch.
Headroom The amount of level available expressed
in dB to handle peaks above the normal 0dB operating
level.
Hz Hertz. The measurement of frequency. The audio
spectrum ranges from a low (bass) frequency of 20Hz
to a high (treble) 20kHz. Not many sound systems
reproduce the full range. Average hearing does not
extend much beyond 15kHz or so. Response is
further impaired if the ear is subjected to continual high
sound pressure levels.
Hum Apart from not knowing the words… this is the
audible noise that usually results from mains
interference pickup, earth loops, bad interconnections
and induced power supply and lighting fields. It is
usually at mains frequency (50/60Hz) or a related
harmonic.
Impedance (Z) A technical term for the resistance of
a signal conductor to ground. Low impedance usually
refers to microphones of 200 ohms or less, and line
signals typically less than 100 ohms. Low Z sources
are less prone to interference pickup. Inputs are
usually high impedance so that one source can
connect to more than one channel without signal loss.
Note that the operating impedance of a connection is
set by the impedance of the source, not that of the
unconnected input.
Impedance balanced Refers to the type of output
signal connection. It has three conductors, two for
signal and a shield which is connected to earth.
Provides interference rejection similar to a fully
balanced connection because the two signal
conductors are matched at the same impedance.
However, the drive capability is less because the
signal is carried by only one conductor.
Limiter A signal processor that limits the maximum
level possible by preventing the signal going over a
predetermined threshold level. This is very useful in
club installations where it is inserted between the
console and house system amplifiers to prevent the DJ
exceeding the maximum allowable volume.
Link In and Out Lets you plug the output of one
console top the input of another for battle mixing.
MC Master of Ceremonies. The presenter who
introduces the performances and maintains the
running order. Also refers to a rapper who talks in
time to the beat.
MiniDisc A type of low cost digital 2-track recorder
that uses a disc similar to but smaller than that used
by computers. It uses a compression algorithm and is
able to record up to 74 minutes of stereo material. It is
regarded as the modern replacement for the audio
cassette recorder. It has the added facility to label and
edit tracks.
Mono A single source with no stereo content, or the
left and right stereo signals summed together as one.
Mute To turn off the signal. Transform is a mute
effect.
Noise Generic term for an unwanted signal. This
may be residual electronic hiss, hum, buzz, clicks and
pops, or simply loud undesirable music.
Noise Floor This is the term for the residual
electronic noise produced by all powered audio
equipment. It usually sounds like a constant hiss,
although some equipment may suffer from residual
hum as well.
Omni-directional The response of a microphone
which picks up sounds equally all round. Not suited to
live vocal applications as they are more prone to feed
back.
Pan Panoramic. A control that adjusts the balance of
the signal in the left and right speakers. Can be used
to create dynamic performance effects.
Peak Meter A type of signal meter that has a very
fast attack and slower release. This picks up the fast
signal transients and holds them long enough for the
operator to see the activity on the display. These
meters typically use led (light emitting diode) displays.
Phantom Power The DC voltage required by certain
microphones to power the capsule. These are usually
sensitive studio grade mics not suited to DJ mixing.
The power is provided by the console using the two
signal conductors in the balanced connection. There
is no provision on XONE:02 for this type of
microphone.
Phono Abbreviation for phonograph as in ‘turntable’.
Usually means RIAA equipped input when marked on
console inputs. Can also refer to the RCA ‘phono’
type pin jack connector found on turntables, CDs and
much domestic equipment.
Polarity Sometimes referred to as ‘phase’ this is the +
/ - sense of a balanced signal or loudspeaker