Glossary 101
Phono Jack—Also know as an RCA jack, this type of connector is often used on semipro- fessional audio and video equipment.
Ping-Pong—A recording technique used to transfer (i.e., mix and rerecord) one or more tracks to other tracks to free up those tracks for further recording. The MD8 allows you to record on all eight tracks and then ping-pong (i.e., 8-track playback with ping-pong). A fea- ture unique to the MD8.
Pre-RollTime—For Auto Punch In/Out, this is the time before the IN point at which play- back starts. See Setting the Pre-Roll & Post-Roll Times on page 40 for more information.
Post Fader—A point in the signal path after a fader. The signals for the MD8 AUX controls are sourced post-fader. So as well as turn up the AUX control, you must also raise the fader. This has the advantage that the level of the processed signal from the external effects pro- cessor depends on the level of the unprocessed signal that is controlled by the fader.
Post-RollTime—For Auto Punch In/Out, this is the time after the OUT point at which playback stops. See Setting the Pre-Roll & Post-Roll Times on page 40 for more information.
Program—A compilation of songs for custom playback. See Program Playback on page 60 for more information.
Punch In/Out—A recording technique that allows you to rerecord specific sections of an existing track. The MD8 provides both manual and automatic punch in/out operations.
Random Access—The ability to access data instantly. The MD8 quick locate functions allow you to locate any point instantly. Tape-based recorders do not have random access capabilities because they have to wind a tape, which takes time.
SCMS (Serial Copy Management System)—A protection system intended to pre- vent illegal copying of music. SCMS allows one-time serial copying of copy-protected mate- rial. If the source is not copy protected, it’s possible to make any number of digital-to-digital copies of the material. If the source is copy protected, however, it’s possible to make a first-generation copy, but further copies cannot be made from the first-generation copy. SCMS is only effective when copying via digital connections. Recordings made via analog connections are not affected.
Signal—Sounds travel through audio equipment as electrical signals.
Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N)—In an audio system, the difference between the nominal signal level and the residual noise floor, usually expressed as a ratio in decibels. It’s used as a measure of an audio system’s noise performance.
Tempo Map—A map containing the tempo and meter information for a song.
TOC—An acronym for Table Of Contents.An area of the MD DATA disc used to store infor- mation about what is recorded on the disc, the disc title, song titles, and so on.
Tracking—The process of recording sounds to tracks on an audio recorder. Also know as laying down tracks and just plain simple recording. Tracking is the first stage of the multitrack recording process.
Unity Gain—A gain of one. That is, the signal is output from a circuit at the same level at which it entered. Once passed the MIC/LINE amplifier, a unity gain system minimizes signal noise and distortion. The unity gain position for the MD8 faders is at the 7–8 mark.
