Arrangement

The order in which the integral parts of a song happen e.g. verse, followed by bridge or pre-chorus, chorus or refrain, middle section, etc

Backline

The equipment you use as a band, guitars, amplifiers, drums etc

Bounce

This term is used where there may be two or more takes recorded onto a recorder and they are then mixed down or moved to another free track on the same recorder or tape machine

BPM

BPM see Tempo

Cans

Another name for headphones

Click Tracks

A rhythmical perfect time beat that drummers play along to to keep them in strict tempo or time

Composite

Sometimes it is easier to record a lot of takes of an instrument or voice and then pick the best parts from each and join them together as though it was one using cut and paste techniques on non-linear systems, or 'bouncing' from one track to another on tape machine.

Compressor

An automatic volume control of sorts.  When an instrument is put through a compressor it can even out the volume and dynamics. It has an effect of making instruments more 'punchy'.

Crossfade

This is where two or more audio files play one after the other, but as one fades out the other fades in so there is no 'gap'.  This is used in most drop-in or editing situations. If two audio regions are put together without crossfades they may cause a clicking sound.

DAT

Digital Audio Tape.  This is the tape, shaped like a mini VHS cassette, to which the mixdown is recorded to.   Not used so frequently nowadays.

DAW

Digital Audio Workstation.  A term used to describe software based recording systems like Logic, Pro Tools and Cubase.

DI

Short for Direct Injection. The method of plugging in a guitar or keyboard straight into the mixing console, sometimes with the use of a DI box.

Diction

The pronunciation of words/lyrics

Double Track

Recording one take of an instrument or vocal and recording on another track the same again. This is used to thicken the sound. Used a lot on rhythm guitars and vocals

Drop In

The term for putting the recording machine into record whilst it is playing already

Drop Out

The term for taking the recording machine out of record whilst still leaving it running

Echo / Delay

A repeated sound which keeps repeating and eventually dies out

Editing

A process in non-linear recording where audio files can be separated and moved around.  E.g. parts can be chopped up on the beats and moved into precise time for very tight sounding performances.

Effects

Generic term for echoes, delays, reverbs, compression, flange , chorus etc

EQ

Short for equalisation. Another term for 'tone' i.e. bass, treble, middle etc.

Flange & Chorus

This is a very short echo or delay but the 'effected' signal is varied in pitch very quickly (modulated)

Linear/Non-Linear recording

Linear recording applies to tape machines (both analog and digital), where the audio is recorded in the place in which it is to be used.  Non-linear recording applies to software-based recording and most hard disk recorders, where the moving of audio is possible.

Loop

A section of rhythm or music that plays over and over but sounds continuous

Mastering

The process which takes place after a mix has been completed, but before producing the final product.  EQ and dynamics are looked at and changed where necessary to bring the recording up to a standard which is comparable to commercially released products.

MIDI

Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface.  A method whereby a sequencer receives its information from the performer.

Mixdown / Mix

The art, and it is an art, of blending all the sounds recorded, adding any effects and producing a stereo recording from which others can be made.

Monitors

The speakers in a control room are audio monitors. Computer screens are visual monitors

Noise Gate

A device which automatically senses when the level of an instrument reaches a low or high level and then automatically shuts down or lets the sound out.

Overdub

The term used where a basic backing track has been laid down and now you are adding extra instruments by 'overdubbing'.

Pan

The device on the mixing desk which allows an instrument to appear on the left or right hand channel or somewhere in between

Patch

This is the plugging in of various effects units or instruments, for example via the mixing desk using patch leads and a patch bay

Polyrhythmic

A song with many different tempos

Quantise

The term for putting a sequence physically played into a sequencer, via a keyboard or drum machine, into strict timing.

Reverb

Similar in to an echo, but with a complex pattern of repeats. Clap your hands in church or a big hall and what you hear afterwards is the reverberation of the room.

Run Through

Another term for practicing

Sampler

A device for recording a sound and then having the facility to play it on a MIDI keyboard

Sequencer

A device which records physical information played on a keyboard or drum machine, the sounds, tempo can then be changed at will. This can also be synchronised to a tape machine and sounds run 'live'.

Take

Term for recording of the performance

Tempo

The speed of the song in question measured in beats per minute (BPM)

Trigger

A facility where a percussive item on tape can be used via a converter to play another sound from a sampler or keyboard. eg using a bass drum on tape to play another bass drum sample. This is used a lot nowadays on drums triggering new bass drums and snare drums to make the drum kit really tight sounding.