Categories
Computers Dictionary

AIFF

“AIFF” is a digital audio format closely linked with Mac computers but utilized on various platforms. It is an acronym representing Audio Interchange File Format.

Now you know.

Categories
Dictionary

“AC” Alternating Current

Alternating Current (AC)

– is a type of electrical current in which the direction of electron flow cyclically reverses at regular intervals. It is characterized by its ability to efficiently transmit electricity over long distances and is the standard form of electricity used in homes and most commercial applications worldwide.

If we put it through an oscilloscope, the resulting waveform will have different shapes: a sinusoidal, square or sawtooth.

Categories
Dictionary Electrics Instruments Loops Synth

Did you know : Analogue

Etymology wise, the word analogue, has traces that go way back to the Greek word – logos (word, thought, principle or speech).

“Analogue”: a continuous electrical signal with an amplitude that varies with time.

Let that logos arms

embrace your analog circuits

Here we have an example of an analog sound:

A short arp played on a Korg Monopoly (a 44 key “mono-polyphonic” analog synthesizer produced by Korg from 1981 to 1984).

File type: audio/wav

File size: 1 MB

Length: 0:120 minutes, 12 seconds

Bitrate: 706kb/s CBR

The arp used as an example was taken from Legowelt’s sample site (higly recommended).

Categories
Dictionary

Ambience

It’s the delicate background noise that paints the canvas of our auditory experiences, adding depth, texture, and a sense of place to the soundscape.

Imagine sitting in a cozy café, the soft murmur of conversations, clinking of cups, and distant traffic forming the ambience that makes you feel right at home. Or perhaps you’re in a tranquil forest, where the rustling leaves, chirping birds, and trickling streams envelop you in the serene ambience of nature.

Ambience can set the mood, transport us to different worlds, or ground us in the present moment. It can be the gentle hum of a library, the soothing waves at the beach, or the bustling energy of a city street.

Sound engineers and musicians often craft ambience intentionally, using tools like reverb and background noises to create a specific atmosphere in music and film. It’s that touch of ambience that turns a recording studio into a grand concert hall or a green screen into a bustling marketplace.

In the world of sound, ambience is the subtle storyteller, providing context and emotion to the sounds we hear.

Categories
Dictionary

Did you know : Aftertouch


Aftertouch, in the context of sound and music, refers to a feature found on some electronic musical instruments, particularly on keyboard controllers, synthesizers, and electronic pianos. Aftertouch allows a musician to apply additional pressure to a key or a keybed after it has been initially depressed. This additional pressure can trigger various effects or modulations on the sound being produced.

There are typically two types of aftertouch:

  1. Channel Aftertouch: Channel aftertouch, also known as mono aftertouch, affects all the notes played on the keyboard simultaneously. When a player applies pressure to one key, it will affect the modulation or control parameters for all the notes currently being played. Common uses of channel aftertouch include modulating vibrato, filter cutoff, or volume for all played notes.
  2. Polyphonic Aftertouch: Polyphonic aftertouch, also called polyphonic pressure, is a more advanced form of aftertouch that allows for individual pressure sensitivity on each key independently. This means a musician can apply varying amounts of pressure to different keys while playing a chord or melody, leading to expressive and nuanced control over each note’s modulation or pitch.

Aftertouch adds an expressive dimension to a musician’s performance, enabling them to infuse their music with dynamic changes and subtle nuances. It’s a feature commonly appreciated by keyboardists and synthesizer players who want to create more emotive and evolving soundscapes in their compositions.