100 Glossary
Low-LevelSignal—A signal in the range from –100 dB to –20 dB. Microphone and elec- tric guitar signals are in this range. The MD8’s MIC/LINE inputs support low-level signals. Contrast with Line-Level Signal.
MiniDisc—A compact data storage medium designed to store music. MiniDiscs come in two varieties: playback only and recordable. MiniDiscs can only be used for 2-track or mono recording with the MD8. MiniDiscs recorded on the MD8 can be played on a normal Mini- Disc deck. See also Random Access, ATRAC, and MD DATA Disc.
MD DATA Disc—A compact data storage medium designed to store computer-type data. Although similar to MiniDiscs, they are not interchangeable. MD DATA discs come in two varieties: playback only and rewritable. MD4 uses the rewritable type for recording. See Buy- ing Discs for the MD8 on page 3 for more information.
MIDI—An acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. An internationally agreed standard that allows electronic musical instruments and audio equipment to communicate.
MIDI Clock—A clock signal transmitted as MIDI data.MIDI Clock refers to a timing signal and Start, Continue, and Stop commands. The MD8 can supply MIDI Clock to a MIDI sequencer for synchronized operation.
MIDI Machine Control— A set of MIDI messages that are used for remotely controlling audio and video recorders as well as other devices.
MIDI Song Position Pointer—A type of MIDI message that is used to derive position information from a MIDI Clock signal. The MD8 generates MIDI Song Position Pointers. So no matter where you start playback in a song, your MIDI sequencer will locate to that point and then play along in synchronization.
MIDI Timecode—SeeMTC.
Mixdown—The process of mixing the individual track signals into a well-balanced stereo mix. Mixdown is the final stage of the multitrack recording process.
Monitor CUE—The cue monitor allows you to monitor individual tracks as they are being recorded or played back. In Record Pause mode and during recording, the CUE monitor source is the signal being recorded (i.e., the input signal). For playback the CUE monitor source is from disc (i.e., the signal that was recorded to disc). This is useful with the punch in/out functions, because you can monitor the recorded signal up to the specified IN point, and then the new signal that’s being recorded up to the OUT point.
MTC (MIDI Timecode)—An addition to the MIDI Standard that allows audio equip- ment to be synchronized. MIDI Timecode contains clock and position information. MD4 can supply MTC to a MIDI sequencer for synchronized operation.
Multitracker—An all-in-one recording and mixing device usually with four or eight tracks. MD4 is the first multitracker to use the MD DATA disc format.
Nominal Level—SeeOperating Level.
One-TakeRecording—A recording technique in which all sounds are recorded in one go (i.e., no overdubs). This is used for live recording.
Operating Level—This is the signal level at which a piece of audio equipment is designed to operate. The two most common operating levels are –10 dBV (316 mV), which is used for semiprofessional equipment, and +4 dBu (1.23 V), which is used for professional equip- ment.
Overdub Recording—The process of recording additional sounds while listening to pre- viously recorded sounds. It allows songs to built up track-by-track.
Panning—A technique used to position sounds in a stereo mix.
PB—An abbreviation for Playback. This abbreviation appears next to the input selector switch on each input channel and is used to select the disc signal as the source for the input channel.
Phone Jack—A 1/4-inch socket commonly used on audio equipment.
