- 3dB POINT
- The point on the frequency response of a unit where the signal level is 3
decibels lower than the maximum level.
- ACTIVE
- Any audio circuit that requires a power supply. An active circuit has the benefit
that it can include gain (signal increase). All AudioControl Equalizers and Crossovers are
active components.
- AMPLITUDE
- A measure of the strength or voltage of a signal.
- ANALYZER (see Real Time Analyzer)
-
- BANDPASS FILTER
- A combination of a lowpass and highpass filter. The bandpass filter has rapidly
decreasing output above and below its 3dB frequencies.
- BANDWIDTH
- The area of frequency spectrum between the two 3dB points of a bandpass filter.
- CENTER FREQUENCY
- The frequency at which the output signal from a filter reaches its highest or
lowest point.
- CONSTANT-Q
- An equalizer design topology that maintains a constant bandwidth regardless of
the boost or cut level. We use this design on our higher resolution (one-third octave and
higher) equalizers to get the best possible sound and make them easier to adjust.
- dB
- The standard abbreviation for decibel. See also Decibel
- DECAY
- The rate at which a spectrum analyzer display changes. A fast decay rate reacts
faster to changes in music. A slower rate is better for doing response analysis. Also, the
smell of rotting leaves in a Northwest forest.
- DECIBEL
- (Abbreviated dB) The unit of measurement used to describe a signal level or
volume level. This is a logarithmic scale so an increase of 3dB is double the level.
(3dB=2 times, 6dB=4 times, 9dB=8 times, etc.) Equal to one-tenth of a
Bel.
- DUAL-BANDWIDTH
- An exclusive AudioControl feature that combines two different bandwidth
equalizers. This allows more accurate adjustment in the areas (such as bass) where a
system needs it.
- EQUALIZE RECORDING
- A switch which automatically channels the equalizer's output into the tape deck.
Allows the customer to equalize tapes without reconnecting the patch cords.
- EQUALIZER
- A rather inappropriate name for multiple tone controls, since they have many
functions other than just compensation. But that's what they've been called for 30 years
and if we started calling ours Bzerndnyxx's you wouldn't know what we were talking about.
- GRAPHIC
- This type of equalizer has controls on fixed center frequencies and bandwidths
with adjustable amplitude. These equalizers usually have slider type controls so the
adjustments form a "graph" of the frequency response.
- INFRASONIC
- These are frequently also referred to Subsonic.
Frequencies from 1 to 20 Hz which are inaudible but which causes visible oscillation of
the speaker woofer cone caused by turntable resonances, floppy floors, acoustic feedback,
bad recordings, and aggravated by vented speaker systems cause great unnecessary use of
amp power, IM distortion and occasional woofer destruction.
- INSERTION LOSS
- The amount of signal level decrease caused by placing a passive audio device into
a system. The crossovers built into all speakers is a good example of a passive device.
- LED
- Light-Emitting Diode. A small semiconductor capable of almost instantaneous light
display Frequently seen as useless bells and whistles on everything from toasters to
whoopee cushions, but also a perfect way to construct an affordable real-time frequency
analyzer display.
- MEASUREMENT MIKE
- A special microphone designed for frequency response determination. It's either
perfectly flat, or any response anomalies have been compensated for in the measuring
system. Generally costs mucho bucks. Ours is perfectly flat from 20-20KHz and is
remarkably affordable.
- MUKILTEO
- Where we're all going to retire after we sell zillions of equalizers and sell out
to General Foods of Saudi Arabia in 2010.
- OCTAVE
- A method of dividing up the audible frequency spectrum equally into ten bands.
Each octave center is twice the frequency of its next lowest neighbor.
- PARAMETRIC
- On this type of equalizer you can adjust all of the parameters: Amplitude,
Frequency and Bandwidth. They are typically only found in professional applications due to
the difficulty in properly setting all of the controls.
- PASSIVE
- A device with no power supply. This type of audio circuit will always have some
insertion loss.
- PFM
- Programmable Frequency Match. An exclusive AudioControl feature that allows the
system installer to set the subsonic (highpass) filter frequency to match the system's
speakers.
- PINK NOISE
- Equal amounts of sound energy in each octave of the sound spectrum A perfect test
source for frequency response measurement since it's perfectly flat and any dips or bumps
can be attributed to room acoustics or speakers when displayed on a real-time analyzer
like our C-101 or R-130.
- Q (see Quality Factor)
-
- QUALITY FACTOR
- Also known as 'Q'. Another word for bandwidth. Q is defined as the center
frequency divided by the bandwidth.
- REAL TIME ANALYZER
- A device which displays frequency response measurements provided by microphone in
conjunction with a pink noise source Useful in equalizing room acoustics, improving
speaker performance, analyzing music and optimizing tape bias and EQ Most units retail at
between $2000 and $5000.
- RUMBLE
- Audible low bass garbage caused by turntable defects, records warps, acoustic
feedback and arm resonances Typical equalizer settings may accentuate rumble, so we built
a rumble reducing circuit into our Richter Scale that automatically "mono"s bass
under 200Hz at the push of a pinkie. See also SUBSONIC.
- SKIRT
- The skirts of a filter are those frequencies that lie above or below the center
frequency. Also, a piece of cloth wrapped around the legs.
- SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
- A measure of sound intensity, or loudness Measured in decibels or more correctly,
dBA. The noise around a typical city street measures 60dBA. An average Nirvana fan with a
big system in their trailer in Humptulips can exceed 150dBA.
- SPL (see Sound Pressure Level)
-
- STEREO PAIRED
- The placement of left and right channel controls directly next to each other for
ease of dual adjustment Most other ten-band equalizers separate left and right channels
making the user perform two separate adjustments of each band and risking lack of imaging
through misadjustment Not to be confused with stereo-ganged, where one knob or slider
controls both channels.
- SUBSONIC (see Infrasonic)
- Technically, Subsonic refers to "Below the speed of sound". It is also
often used in audio specifications to indicate a sound whose frequency is below the limit
of human hearing. The proper term to use is Infrasonic.
- TAPE MONITOR
- A circuit which lets you add on accessories without disturbing the pre-amp to amp
line levels Since our equalizers hook onto this circuit, we provide another one to hook in
more accessories or maybe even, perish the thought, a tape deck.
- TCHEBYCHEV
- The type of highpass filter circuit design we use on our subsonic switch. It
provides a very sharp cutoff so the bass that you want to keep is not effected.
- WARBLE TONE
- An oscillating test tone which sweeps across a set bandwidth producing a flat
signal when averaged by a meter with slow ballistics. AudioControl uses this type of test
tone to create a very accurate analyzer in the Richter Scale.
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