GLOSSARY (continued)
insert | a break point in the signal path to allow the connection of external devices, for instance signal |
| processors or other mixers at line level signals. Nominal levels can be anywhere between |
| to +6dBu, usually coming from a low impedance source. |
pan (pot) | abbreviation of ‘panorama’: controls levels sent to left and right outputs. |
peaking | the point at which a signal rises to its maximum instantaneous level, before falling back down |
| again. It can also describe an equalizer response curve affecting only a band of frequencies, (like |
| on a graphic equalizer), “peaking” at the centre of that band. |
peak LED | a visual indication of the signal peaking just before the onset of clipping. |
PFL | a function that allows the operator to monitor the |
| independently of the main mix. |
phase | a term used to describe the relationship of two audio signals. |
| other, |
polarity | a term used to describe the orientation of the positive and negative poles of an audio |
| connection. Normally connections are made with positive to positive, negative to negative. If |
| this is reversed, the result will be |
the point in the signal path after the monitor or master fader and therefore affected by fader | |
| position. |
the point in the signal path before the monitor or master fader position and therefore | |
| unaffected by the fader position. |
rolloff | a fall in gain at the extremes of the frequency response. |
shelving | an equalizer response affecting all frequencies above or below the break frequency i.e. a |
| highpass or lowpass derived response. |
spill | acoustic interference from other sources. |
transient | a momentary rise in the signal level. |
unbalanced | a method of audio connection which uses a single wire and the cable screen as the |
| signal return. This method does not provide the noise immunity of a balanced input (see above). |
+48V | the phantom power supply, available at the channel mic inputs, for condenser |
| microphones and active DI boxes. |
29
