This glossary is made to help people interested y learning about Music Production by studying some new words that might be difficult to learn or understand.
Analog audio
noun
An analog signal is a type of signal generated by some type of electromagnetic phenomenon; which is representable by a continuous mathematical function in which its amplitude and period are variable (representing an information data) as a function of time.
Example: That Synthesizer works with ANALOG AUDIO
en: Audio análogo
Audio Interface
noun
A device that lets musicians record their music and songs on the computer and play them back. Typically connecting to the computer via USB or FireWire, audio interfaces are used for professional audio performance and when a variety of microphones and instruments are involved.
Example: I have a 4 channel AUDIO INTERFACE
en: Interfaz de Audio
Automation
noun
The technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operates automatically.
Example: If you want this sound to lower its volume, use AUTOMATION and select the part where you want to use it.
en: Automatización
Bassline
noun
The lowest part or sequence of notes in a piece of music.
Example: Your BASSLINE does not sound good
en: Línea de bajo
BPM
noun
“Beats per minute” (or BPM) is self-explanatory: it indicates the number of beats in one minute. For instance, a tempo notated as 60 BPM would mean that a beat sounds exactly once per second.
Example: Mi song is at 90 BPM
en: BPM o Beats Por Minuto
Compressor
noun
Compressors are used to reduce dynamic range — the span between the softest and loudest sounds. Using compression can make your tracks sound more polished by controlling maximum levels and maintaining higher average loudness.
Example: You need to add a COMPRESSOR to your final master of your song
en: Compresor
DAW
noun
Digital Audio Workstation
Example: Which DAW are you using?
en: Estación de trabajo de audio digital
Decibel
noun
A measure of loudness or sound sensation that is equal to one-tenth of a bel.
Example: Keep your master track under -6db (DECIBELS)
en: Decibel o decibelio
Delay
Noun
Is a sound effect that consists of the multiplication and modulated delay of a sound signal.
Example: Add some DELAY to that guitar
en: Demora
Distortion
noun
Distortion is the alteration of the shape of a signal as it passes through a system. Disruption occurs when the system acts differently on the components of the signal.
Example: You need some DISTORTION on that kick
en: Distorsión
EQ
noun
The levels of frequency response of an audio signal, or controls which allow their adjustment.
Example: You need to improve your EQ on your tracks
en: Ecualización
Harmonics
noun
An overtone accompanying a fundamental tone at a fixed interval, produced by vibration of a string, column of air, etc. in an exact fraction of its length.
Example: You need to find that note's HARMONICS
en: Armónicos
Hertz
noun
Frequency unit of the International System, symbol Hz, which is equivalent to the frequency of a periodic phenomenon whose period is 1 second.
Example: That bass frequency is under 30 hertz
en: Hercios
Limiter
noun
A limiter is a type of compressor designed for a specific purpose — to limit the level of a signal to a certain threshold. Whereas a compressor will begin smoothly reducing the gain above the threshold, a limiter will almost completely prevent any additional gain above the threshold.
Example: Those drums need a LIMITER
en: Limitador
Metronome
noun
A device used by musicians that marks time at a selected rate by giving a regular tick.
Example: If you want to record your guitar, make sure you have your METRONOME on the correct BPM
en: Metrónomo
MIDI
noun
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a standard protocol for interconnecting computers with musical instruments, stage lighting, and other time-oriented media.
Example: You need to know what MIDI devices works better for your DAW
en: MIDI
MIDI controller
noun
A MIDI controller is any hardware or software that generates and transmits Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data to MIDI-enabled devices, typically to trigger sounds and control parameters of an electronic music performance.
Example: The Akai mk3 mini is an amazing MIDI CONTROLLER for music production
en: Controlador MIDI
Mixer
noun
The audio mixing desks or sound mixer is an electronic device to which various audio emitting elements are connected, such as microphones, line inputs, samplers, synthesizers, vinyl record spinners, CD players, tape players, etc. .
Example: Make sure you have all connected to the MIXER
en: Mezcladora
MP3
noun
MPEG-1 Audio Layer III or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly known as MP3, is a digital audio compression format that uses a lossy algorithm to achieve a smaller file size.
Example: You exported that wrong, it was supposed to be on WAV, not MP3
en: MP3
Phantom Power
noun
Phantom power, commonly designated as +48V or P48, was designed to power microphones without using bulky external power supplies
Example: That microphone needs PHANTOM POWER to work with
en: Alimentación fantasma
Reverb
Noun
Reverberation is a sound phenomenon produced by reflection, which consists of a slight permanence of the sound once the original source has stopped emitting it.
Example: Add some REVERB to that piano
en: Reverberación
Sampling
Noun
The technique of digitally encoding music or sound and reusing it as part of a composition or recording.
Example: I am SAMPLING an old Michael Jackson song
en: Samplear
Saturation
noun
Saturation is a combination of two distinct but related effects – soft-knee compression, and harmonic generation. Saturation occurs when a signal's input can no longer be matched by the output in a linear fashion; it can be used as a creative and sonically pleasing effect during audio production.
Example: That guitar has a lot of SATURATION
en: Saturación
Studio monitors
noun
A studio monitor is characterized by reproducing the audio signal in a transparent way, that is, a flat response, without alterations and without coloration.
Example: You need some new STUDIO MONITORS
en: Monitores de estudio
Synthesizer
noun
An electronic musical instrument, typically operated by a keyboard, producing a wide variety of sounds by generating and combining signals of different frequencies.
Example: You can use the SYNTHESIZER to create a new bass line
en: Sintetizador
Tempo
noun
Speed with which a musical composition is interpreted.
Example: What TEMPO would you like your song to be?
en: Tempo
TRS
noun
TRS, Jack or telephone connector: They are connectors with two or three conductors. The living always go on the tip of the connector and the mass on the inside.
Example: You need some TRS cables
en: TRS
WAV
noun
WAV, short for Waveform audio file format, is a digital audio format with or without data compression developed by Microsoft and IBM that is used to store mono and stereo digital audio streams on the PC at various resolutions and sample rates.
Example: You need to export those voices on WAV
en: WAV
Woofer
noun
Woofer or subwoofer is the term commonly used to designate the speaker designed to produce low frequency sounds, often between 40 to 1000 Hertz or more.
Example: You need to have a WOOFER on your studio
en: Woofer
XLR
noun
The XLR connector is a type of electrical connector primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment.
