This is a glossary with at least, some terms that are used in music production industry. This glossary it's made to help some music producers, with giving all the terms that are unknown to all new music producers.
Amplitude
Noun
The amplitude is the overall volume of an audio wave. Amplitude should be noted that excessive peaks in amplitude can/and most often would cause unpleasant sounding digital distortion or clipping.
Example: When looking at a sound wave, the amplitude will measure the loudness of the sound.
en: Amplitud
Attack
Verb
The attack is the duration of time it takes for a source signal to reach maximum amplitude.
Example: A trumpet has a very fast attack, leading to the sharp sound we associate with trumpets.
en: Ataque
Bitrate
Conjuction
Defines the quantity of ‘bits’ which can be conveyed per second,
characteristically measured in Kbps.
Example: The song sounds bad, maybe the bitrate wasn't applied correctly.
en: Tasa de Bits
Clipping
Noun
Is an audible, and most often unpleasant distortion of an audio
signal.
Example: The track is clipping, we can't work with it.
en: Recorte
Compression
Noun
Has
both the ability to reduce peaks or raise the noise floor depending on how
the parameters are set.
Example: That audio is under a compression treat.
en: Compresión
Compressor
Noun
A compressor is an electronic unit that reduces the volume of a signal or
amplifies a quiet sound. A compressor does this by altering the dynamic
range of the source audio.
Example: The gain of the amplifier is then controllable by the current through the LED . This is similar to the circuits used in optical audio compressors.
en: Compresor
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Acronym
Is any software/electronically designed
system which has the ability to record, edit, and playback digital and
analogue (if converted) source audio.
Example: The DAW that i use is Ableton Live.
en: Estación de Trabajo de Audio Digital
Decay
Verb
Is the audible decrease in volume (in time) that occurs after a sound
has fully attacked.
Example: Decay is a basic component of how a sound is defined.
en: Decaida
Decibel (dB)
Noun
Is the standard unit of measurement for expressing amplitude,
volume or loudness.
Example: Sound intensity described in decibels
en: Decibel
Delay
Verb
Is a time-based effect recognized as an echo. Other terms associated
with delay are ping-ping, stereo enhancement, and space.
Example: That track has delay.
en: Retraso
Distortion
Noun
Refers to any and all types deformation (digital – unpleasant and harmonic –
pleasant) of an audio signal compared to its input.
Example: I want some distortion for my guitar.
en: Distorsión
Effects
Noun
Are usually used to add character or interest after a sound has been
devised or recorded.
Example: What if we add some effects to our production?
en: Efecto
Envelope
Noun
An acoustical term referring to the attack, steady state (or duration), and decay of a sound. How a sound or audio signal varies in intensity over a time span. It can also refer to how a control voltage varies in level over time controlling a parameter of something other than gain or audio level.
Example: We did that sound with the envelope.
en: Envoltura
Equalization
Noun
Is the process of adding or subtracting gain in various frequency bands. These bands can be narrow or wide depending on the ‘Q’ adjustment.
Example: We are finishing the project, tomorrow we are going to do the equalization.
en: Ecualización
Fader
Noun
Is a vertical volume control lever. They can be both digital in DAW's
and analog on mixing boards and consoles.
Example: Don't touch the faders, they can dimish or increase the gain of the track.
en: Atenuador
Filter
Noun
is an EQ that affects specific desired frequencies. Low pass filters
leave the lows and affect (cut/boost) the highs. While high pass filters leave
the highs while affecting (cut/boost) the lows.
Example: That bass is filterd.
en: Filtro
Frequency
Noun
Is the number of cycles per second in an audio wave travels in
time and space. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or kHz.
Example: Though the
frequency spectrum goes very high and low, humans can only hear/feel
20Hz-20kHz.
en: Frecuencia
Headroom
Noun
The amount of space in your audio level below the 0dB point. Crossing the
0dB point is not recommended.
Example: More headroom most often equates to
clearer audio.
en: Espacio para la Cabeza
Hertz (Hz)
Noun
The time by which frequency is measured and specified.
Example: Humans can only hear/feel
20Hz-20kHz.
en: Hertz
Limiter
Noun
A device which reduces gain when the input voltage exceeds a certain level.
Example: Limiters are best used to make sure a source audio
file does not peak past 0dB.
en: Limitador
Low-Frequency Oscillator
Acronym
Stands for Low-Frequency Oscillator. Used to affect audio signals. Some
examples for this is used are: Dubstep wobbles, Effects that pulsate, noise
sweeps, and pitch risers.
Example: An LFO can be routed to control, for example, the frequency of the audio oscillator.
en: Oscilador de Frecuencias graves
Master Channel
Conjuction
Is the stereo fader that all the tracks in a project are summed into.
Example: The master channel is often called the 2bus.
en: Canal Maestro
Mastering
Noun
Is the final process in music production and audio engineering. Happens after the mixing process is complete. The audio is
concerned with EQ,
Example: Tomorrow we are going to do the mastering of the project.
en: Masterización
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
Acronym
Is the standard for transmitting musical data between electronic devices.
Example: We are going to do the violins by MIDI
en: Interface Digital de Instrumentos Digitales
Mixing
Verb
Is the art of gelling all tracks in a project to fit together to make a
song.
Example: Tomorrow the mixing will be for the drums and guitars.
en: Mezcla
Monitor
Noun
In audio, this means to listen. Also refers to indicating with a meter or light the conditions in a circuit, especially level and overload.
Example: We use monitors to hear the production in other perspective.
en: Monitor
Mono
Noun
Is a single source audio sound, which does not have stereo width.
Example: That song was made stereo, but the settings of the device made the audio to be in mono.
en: Mono (Uno)
Octave
Noun
Is a sequence of eight notes. These ascending and descending
series of notes are called octaves.
Example: C6 is an octave high than C5.
en: Octava
Panning
Noun
Example: The panning of the synth is on the left.
en: Paneo
Production
Noun
Is a music score that has been arranged in detail and
encapsulates a full spectrum of ideas and emotions.
