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A type of equalizer that has a number of sliders assigned to specific frequency bands (30Hz, 64Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, etc.), therefore it can adjust the various frequencies independently.
Gain staging is the process of adjusting the levels (or, setting the gain) at different points of amplification in order to produce audio with a consistent system volume and minimal noise and distortion. While more important in analog systems, gain staging can also be done in DAWs.
This is the interval (or change in pitch) between two adjacent notes in a 12-tone scale, for example between two adjacent piano keys. It is the smallest interval between notes.
Similar to: Semitone, Half Tone
The term describes the decibel (dB) difference between an audio system's normal levels and its maximum signal-handling levels, which are defined by when clipping begins to occur. For example, FM radio broadcasts typically have only 9 dB of headroom, whereas original master recordings have a headroom of −24 dBFS.
Similar to: Margin
A DAW feature that allows the producer to listen to a live signal as it travels through the microphone and is processed by the computer. It is typically used to hear the DAW’s effects on a live input signal.
An access point on a mixing console or within a DAW, where the producer can insert signal processors such as reverb, compression or EQ. The insert in the signal chain occurs between pre-amplification and the channel output.
An abbreviation that stands for kilohertz. 1kHz equals 1000 Hz or 1000 cycles per second. It basically measures the rate of vibrations, or frequency, of a sound. Beat producers and audio engineers use this metric to describe audio frequency ranges and digital sampling rates. 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are the best sample rates for beats and other music.
The term refers to the transition between the non-compressed and compressed states of an audio signal. Depending on how sharply or gradually the compression begins, the knee is called "hard" or "soft." The name comes from the visual representation of the transition, which looks like a bent knee.
A small piece of music that repeats infinitely. Using loops is a popular technique in beat making. Loops can be as short as 4 bars and as long as 16 bars, with 8 bars considered a good standard.
The technique of blending multiple versions of similar sounds on the same channel in order to achieve a fuller, richer sound as compared to the individual takes. The layering features in modern DAWs offer beat producers endless creative possibilities.