Lossless compression
A system for reducing the number of data bits (density) in a musical signal without corrupting the original.
M
M4A
The audio file format used by Apple in their iTunes Music Store often appears on your system with the ‘.m4a’ filename extension. M4A can produce better audio quality than MP3 using less physical space for the files.
MHz (Mega Hertz)
One million cycles per second.
Midrange
The middle three octaves (more or less) of the audio band, where the ear is most sensitive, usually between
Mono (monaural)
The operation of an amplifier in one channel for both input and output. Can refer to an amplifier with only one channel of amplification or operating in bridged mode. For low- frequency amplification applications, it provides better phase coherence and less distortion than stereo operation.
MP3
A file format with a sound data compression system. MP3 is the abbreviation of Motion Picture Experts Group 1 (or
Mute
A control found on receivers, and some mixers or signal processing units that silences (mutes) a signal path, or output.
O
Ohm | ish |
Measure of resistance to current (impedance). | ngl |
The lower the impedance of a speaker, the | E |
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harder it is to drive. |
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| Glossary |
P |
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PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) |
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Pioneering form of digital recording. |
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R |
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RDS (Radio Data System) |
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RDS tuners can automatically tune in stations |
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according to the types of music (or talk) they |
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broadcast. RDS also enables a receiver to |
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display text messages and even graphics (usually |
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call letters and format information) that many |
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FM stations include on a |
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within their normal broadcast signal. Some RDS |
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equipped tuners can even override with traffic |
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alerts or emergency broadcasts, during playback |
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of other media - CD MD, or cassette.There are |
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other useful features too, many of which are |
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offered by the growing number of RDS stations. |
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RF (radio frequency) |
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An alternating current or voltage with a |
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frequency (or carrier wave) above about |
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100kHz. It is called radio frequency because |
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these frequencies have a capacity to be radiated |
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as electromagnetic waves by radio (and |
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television) stations. |
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Rip (ripping) |
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Using a software program that “grabs” digital |
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audio from a compact disc and transfers it to a |
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computer hard drive.The integrity of the data |
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is preserved, because the signal does not pass |
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through the computer sound card, and need |
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not be converted to an analog format.The |
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can then be converted into an MP3 file. |
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EN 39