User`s guide

13—Glossary
ENSONIQ DP/Pro Reference Manual 1
13—Glossary
Term Definition
Algo
Abbreviation for “algorithm.”
Algorithm
A software program that processes digitized audio data.
AM
Abbreviation for “amplitude modulation.”
Ambience
The sound of the physical space—real or simulated—in which a sound occurs. Also
used to describe a subtle form of reverberation.
Amplify
To increase the level, or loudness, of a signal.
Amplitude
The level, or loudness, of a signal.
Amplitude Modulation
An alteration of signal volume; at low frequencies, known as tremolo, at higher
frequencies, known as ring modulation.
Attack
In a level detector (as used in a compressor, limiter, expander, or gate), attack time
determines the speed at which increases in level are tracked.
Attenuate
To decrease the level, or loudness, of a signal.
Auto-Wah
An audio processing circuit similar to a wah-wah, but which is controlled by the
amplitude of the input signal rather than by a pedal.
Balanced-Line Input
Three-conductor balanced lines are used to interconnect various pieces of equipment,
and are often used in professional studios. These balanced-line inputs tend to reject
hum and/or radio frequency interference. The DP/Pro has balanced-line outputs, for
connecting with professional balanced-line input studio equipment.
Bandpass Filter
A filter that passes frequencies within a selected range and attenuates frequencies
outside that range.
Bandwidth
A range of frequencies. For a frequency-selective filter or equalizer, this is the range of
frequencies that is allowed to pass through the filter with little or no attenuation.
Bank
A collection of 127 effects. The DP/Pro contains two RAM banks for the storage of
new or edited effects (Banks 0 and 1), as well as two ROM banks (Banks 2 and 3)
containing pre-programmed effects. Banks may be selected via MIDI through the use
of MIDI Bank Select messages.
Bank Select
A MIDI message pair which allows the remote selection of DP/Pro effect banks. A
Bank Select message pair is comprised of an MSB value of 0 followed by an LSB value
specifying the desired bank, in the case of the DP/Pro, either 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Boost
An increase in volume.
BPF
Abbreviation for “bandpass filter.”
BW
Abbreviation for “bandwidth.”
Bypass
The process by which an audio signal is shunted around an ESP, so that it is heard
unaffected by the ESP. The DP/Pro also uses this term to describe various other
means of turning an ESP off, such as silencing only the signal, silencing the ESP while
continuing to feed signal into it, and silencing the ESP and the audio signal.
Center
In a flanger or chorus, controls the nominal time delay. In a phaser, controls the
nominal turnover frequency (the lowest frequency at which the processed signal is
completely out of phase with the original).
Center Frequency
In a bandpass filter, the frequency at which the peak occurs. In a parametric equalizer,
the frequency at which a boost or a cut is applied.
Chorusing
An audio process that involves the mixing together of a source signal with slightly
delayed copies of itself where the delay time of the copies is fluctuating in a regular,
rhythmic fashion. The timing variations create phasing anomalies that cause the
source signal to swirl, and sound wider and/or bigger.
Compression
A sound-conditioning process that reduces a source signal’s dynamic range. Loud
signals get softer and softer signals get louder.
Compression Ratio
The amount by which a signal is compressed, expressed as a ratio. For example, a 4 to
1 compression ratio will result in an increase of 1dB in output level for every 4dB
increase in input level. At high ratios (such as 20:1 and above), the compressor acts as
a limiter.
Crossover
A sort of audio prism that separates frequency components into several bands
(typically two or three).
Cut
An decrease applied to the volume of an object.
Cutoff Frequency
In a lowpass or highpass filter, the frequency at which the transition between
passband and stopband occurs. In a low shelf or a high shelf, the frequency below
which or above which a boost or a cut is applied.