Specifications

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Device
A device can be part of a professional audio card (a multi-device sound card lets you playback more than
one file at a time) or it can be any machine or component that attaches to a computer, such as a printer,
disk drive, mouse, etc.
DirectSound
Microsoft Windows 98/2000/NT/XP include an audio capability called DirectSound. Simian, WaveCart
and STINGER support DirectSound, but DirectSound is very limited in its capabilities. With the exception
of STINGER, DirectSound should be used for test and demonstration purposes only. It is not stable or
efficient enough for long-term on-air or other professional use. DirectSound was developed by Microsoft
as part of its DirectX gaming technology. It is meant to allow for the playback of short overlapping, non-
compressed audio files during game play. It was not designed for and is not reliable enough to use for
professional automation playback.
Dongle
A small hardware device that attaches to a computer and holds validation information. Simian cannot be
run full-time without a dongle.
Driver (Device Driver)
A file or program that allows your peripheral devices (non-essential hardware) to communicate with your
operating system software. It contains the precise machine language required to perform the functions
requested by software applications.
Duplex playback/record audio card
Duplex playback audio cards have two or more channels instead of one for your digital audio to play
through. This means you can do two things at once in terms of playing or recording sound. For example,
it provides you with the ability to overlap spots or songs, creating seamless segues.
Editor Mode
See Production Mode.
End Date
The last valid date a particular audio file is scheduled to be used.
Event
An entry in a program log or List Item. Different types of Events are Application, Text/Tag, Audio, Macro,
Recording, NetShow Scripts, Program Logs, and Video.
Event Variables
A number of variables which can be configured in the bottom section of the Event Builder. They include
Cue, Category, and Scheduled Time.
Fade
A gradual increase or decrease in volume levels.
Frequency
The number of complete sound wave repetitions (cycles) in a given time period. Sound waves and the
electrical signals that represent sound waves in an audio circuit range from a frequency of about 20 to
20,000 repetitions per second. The frequency of a wave determines the pitch we perceive, and is
measured in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
GPI/O
General Purpose Input/Output. These devices are used to create and respond to electrical contact
closures. They correspond directly to Simian’s Trigger and Relay (Switcher) functionality.