User Manual
Scorpio Preliminary User Guide
27
Glossary
Signal Path
input
The physical connection and associated signal type from external
sources connected to a device. Inputs can include microphone inputs
on XLR connectors, Dante inputs on audio-over-Ethernet, and USB
audio inputs from a computer. Depending on the architecture of the
mixing console its inputs may be hardwired to channels or channels
can be selected from different inputs.
output
The physical connection and associated signal type sent from a
device. Outputs can be sourced from inputs, buses, record tracks, and
other auxiliary signals.
channel
A “slot” of a mixer that is controllable and routable. A given input
feeds the channel and the channel’s settings process and route the
audio as required. It can also be thought of as the path its selected
input signal takes on its way to its record track, a bus, or an output.
bus
An audio path that is the destination of one or multiple (mixed)
channels. A bus is typically routed to an output, a record track, or
both.
track
A single recorded audio signal. Common recorded tracks are the main
left/right master audio bus and isolated (iso) channel recordings. Iso
tracks are typically identied by the channel of the same number, e.g.
channel 1 is sent to track 1, channel 2 is sent to track 2, etc.
headphone monitor
Often a separate bus with a dedicated headphone volume control,
the headphone monitor typically is normalled to the main left/right
output bus of a mixer. Headphone sources can often be selected
among soloed tracks or buses. In some products complex headphone
monitoring of MS Stereo, LR stereo, and ambisonic sources is
available.
camera return
An audio input on a mixer designed to receive the output, typically
the headphone output, of a camera. Camera return inputs allow the
user to monitor the level and quality of the signal received at the
camera. In Scorpio, the camera returns can be used as a source for
any channel.
com send
A dedicated output designed to send signal to a PL (private line,
talkback) communications circuit. The com send is toggled by a front
panel switch.
com return
A dedicated audio input designed to receive signals from a PL, or
private line communications circuit. The com return in Scorpio can
routed to an output or a bus.
I/O Connectors
XLR male
Industry-standard 3-pin locking audio connector for microphone and
line-level sources. Predominantly used as an output. Also shown as
XLR-M.
XLR female
Industry-standard 3-pin locking audio connector for microphone and
line-level sources. Predominantly used as an input. Also shown as
XLR-F.
TA-type connector (TA3, TA4, TA5, TA6)
Miniature XLR-type, locking connectors. TA3 connectors are used
by Sound Devices for various inputs, outputs, and as balanced and
unbalanced connections. TA4 connectors are used by Sound Devices
for DC power connections to the Scorpio mixer-recorder. TA4 is also
used for audio connections from lavalier microphones to some
wireless transmitters. TA5 and TA6 connectors are presently not used
by Sound Devices though they are used for audio connections by
other manufacturers.
Ethernet
A family of computer networking technologies. Ethernet commonly
refers to the physical interconnection of the network typically using
twisted-pair copper connections on CAT cable with RJ-45 connectors.
Common Ethernet data speeds include 10 Mbs, 100 Mbs, and 1000
Mbs.
3.5 mm jack
common small-format audio connector. Often used for headphones
and -10 dBV signals for portable audio devices.
¼-inch jack
Common analog audio connector used as both an audio input and
output. When a ¼-inch jack is described as TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) it can
be wired as either a balanced connection or as a two-channel connec-
tion. ¼-inch headphone jacks are typically wired as TRS stereo jacks.
10-pin Hirose
A high-density multi-pin connector commonly used to connect an
audio mixer with video cameras. Sound Devices has numerous eld
mixers with 10-pin Hirose connectors. Dedicated fantail breakout
cables from Sound Devices and other third parties offer Hirose-to-XLR
and 3.5 mm connections to simplify connection.
Signal Types
microphone level
the audio signal generated by a microphone. Mic level signals are very
low level, requiring a microphone preamplier to bring them to usable,
line levels. Interconnects with microphone level signals can be subject
to noise and interference.
line level
an analog audio signal used to interconnect audio equipment. Line
level may be balanced or unbalanced, referenced to +4 dBu or -10
dBV, professional or consumer respectively.