F

Face

The front or body of the guitar.

Fade

  1. A gradual reduction of the level of the audio signal.
  2. A gradual change of level from one pre-set level to another.

Fader

A control to control the gain of a channel on the console, thereby determining the level of the signal in that channel.

Far Field

The area from 3 feet away from the sound source up to the critical distance.

Fat

Having more than a normal amount of signal strength at low frequencies or having more sound than normal (by use of compression or delay).

Feed

To send an audio or control signal to.

Feedback

  1. The delayed signal sent back to the input of a delay line, used in repeat-echo effects.
  2. The pickup of the signal out of a channel by its input or the howling sound that this produces.
  3. In an amplifier, the phase reversed output signal sent back to its input, reducing gain but also distortion and noise.
  4. This occurs when the sound coming out of the speakers goes back into the microphones, then back out the speakers, then back into the mics…and so on. This can build very quickly to a point where everyone in the room is holding their ears and screaming at you. It can also cause damage to the PA.

Feedback Control

The control on a delay line or delay effects device that controls the amount of feedback.

Fidelity

The recording or reproduction quality.

Field

  1. In video, one half of a frame.
  2. In computer-controlled devices a window display with functions and choices that the operator can make

Figure Eight Pattern

Another name for Bi-directional Pattern (microphone pickup pattern picking up best from the front and back of the diaphragm and not picking up from the side of the diaphragm).

File

A collection of digital data stored in a computer’s memory bank or on a floppy disc.

Filter

  1. A device that removes signals with frequencies above or below a certain point called the cut-off frequency.
  2. An equaliser section, used in this sense because filters are used with other components to give an equaliser its frequency response characteristics.
  3. The action of removing signals of some frequencies and leaving the rest.
  4. A mechanical device to smooth out speed variations in tape machines called a Scrape Flutter Filter- more usually called a Scrape Flutter Idler

Final Mix

The two track stereo master tape which was mixed from the multitrack master.

First Generation

A descriptive term meaning original (as opposed to a copy).

Flamenco

A style of music with roots in Spanish and Arabic culture.

Flange

An effect caused by an approximately even mix of a modulated (varying) short delay with the direct signal.

Flat

  1. Lower in musical pitch.
  2. A slang term used to describe the sensitivity to frequency of a microphone, amplifier, etc., as being even at all frequencies, usually within 2 dB.
  3. Refers to the frequencies on the EQ when they are arranged in centred neutral positions.

Fletcher-Munson Effect

A hearing limitation shown by Fletcher-Munson Equal Loudness Contours (as music is lowered in volume, it is much more difficult to hear bass frequencies and somewhat harder to hear very high frequencies). >>> Further information about the Fletcher Munson effect.

Floor

  1. An alternate term meaning Range (a limit on the amount the signal is reduced when the input signal is low by an expander or gate).
  2. A shortening of the term Noise Floor (the level of the noise).

Floor Toms

The large toms (usually) to the right of the drummer.

Floppy Disk (Floppy Disc)

A round flat object (usually housed in a protective sleeve) coated with material that can be magnetised in a similar manner to tape.

Flutter

  1. High-frequency variations in pitch of a recorded waveform due to fast speed variations in a recorder or playback machine.
  2. Originally, and more formally, any variations (fast or slow) in pitch of a recorded tone due to speed fluctuations in a recorder or playback unit.

Fly In

  1. To add sounds into a mix or recording that have no synchronisation.
  2. An application of this where a performance from one part of a tune is recorded and then recorded back into the recording at a different time in the recording.

FOH (Front of House)

Refers to the speakers that face toward the audience. Also called the “main” speakers.

Foldback

A European term for the signal sent to the stage monitors in a live performance.

Folded Horn

A speaker design where the speaker points back into the cabinet and bounces around finally coming out large ports in the front. It is intended to maximise low frequencies in a relatively small cabinet.

Foot (Foot Drum)

Another name for Bass Drum (the largest drum in the Drum Kit which puts out bass frequencies and is played with a foot pedal).

Foot Pedal

  1. An effects device where the amount of the effect can be controlled by a musician with his foot.
  2. The beater mechanism of a foot drum that is activated by the drummer’s foot to play the drum.
  3. Any device, like a volume control, that can be operated by the foot.

Foot Switch

A switch placed on the floor and pressed by a musician to do various functions.

Formant

An element in the sound of a voice or instrument that does not change frequency as different pitches are sounded.

Format

  1. The number of tracks, their width, spacing and order for tape recording.
  2. To prepare a digital storage medium so that it will accept and store digital information bits.

Frets

Vertical metal wires which sit vertically/across the guitar neck.

Fret Buzz

A buzzing sound made when a note is not properly fretted. Common with cheap guitars or beginning guitar players.

Frequency

Practically speaking, high frequency means high pitch and low frequency means low pitch.

Front Loaded

A speaker cabinet where the speaker faces out toward the front.

Frame

  1. A division of one second in synchronisation and recording coming from definition two.
  2. The amount of time that one still picture is shown in film or video.

Frequency

The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second.

Frequency Range

The range of frequencies over which an electronic device is useful or over which a sound source will put out substantial energy.

Frequency Response

How sensitive an electronic device (mic, amplifier, speaker, etc.) is to various frequencies; often communicated with a graph.

Frequency Shift Key/FSK

The full name for FSK (a simple clock signal that can be used to run a sequencer in time with an audio tape).

Full

A quality of the sound of having all frequencies present, especially the low frequencies.

Full Range

Describes a sound which covers all audible frequency ranges. As in “full range speaker cabinets.”

Full Step

A change in pitch that occurs when moving up or down two piano keys

Fundamental

The tuned frequency and (almost always) the lowest frequency that is present in the sounding of a pitch by a musical instrument.