M

Machine Head

The pegs located at the headstock which are used to tune the guitar. the Machine Heads have gears, which when turned, can tighten or loosen the string.

Magnetic

  1. Putting out magnetic energy.
  2. Able to be magnetised.

Magnetic Lines of Force

The magnetic field that exists between the poles of a magnet.

Magnetic Tape

Recording tape consisting of a plastic strip to which magnetic materials, usually in the form of finely ground iron oxide (rust) particles, are adhered.

Magnetism

A natural attractive energy of iron based-materials for other iron-based materials.

Mains

The speakers facing the audience along with the system of amps equalisers and effects attached to them.

Margin

The amount of dB between the highest peak level of the programme and the overload point.

Masking

The characteristic of hearing by which loud sounds prevent the ear from hearing softer sounds of similar frequency.

Master

  1. A control to set the level going out of the console, especially the stereo output to the two-track machine in mixdown.
  2. A term with the same meaning as Sub Master (a control that adjusts the level of a signal mixed together and being sent out to one track of a multitrack recorder).
  3. A term with the same meaning as VCA Master (one slide that controls the control voltage sent to several VCA faders).
  4. The machine that will be used as a speed reference when synchronising two or more machines to run together; if the master tape transport changes speed, the other machines synced to it will change speed.
  5. The original recording, used for making copies.
  6. To make an original recording which will be used to make commercial copies, especially making a master lacquer (for record manufacturing) or a master compact disc.

Master Fader

  1. The fader which controls the main output(s) of the console during mixdown.
  2. In some consoles, faders which control the outputs to the multitrack tape recorder during recording.
  3. Occasionally used to mean a VCA master (one slide that controls the control voltage sent to several VCA faders).

Matrix Output

Set of outputs on a mixing desk which allows the user to preset a number of output configurations. e.g. on a 8 x 8 matrix, each of the 8 group outputs from the channels can be routed to any or all of the matrix outputs.

MDM

Short for Modular Digital Multitrack: A multitrack digital recorder with (usually) 8 tracks that can be run in synchronisation with other machines (of the same type) to attain more tracks. ADAT brand recorders are an example.

Measure

The grouping of a number of beats in music.

Medium Delay

Delay times of 20 ms. – 60 ms.

Meg/Mega

  1. A prefix for 1,000,000.
  2. A slang abbreviation for megahertz (1,000,000 Hertz) or megabytes (1,000,000 Bytes).

Memory

The components in a computer (or a device that can be connected to a computer) that store digital data.

Meter

A device which measures or compares the electrical signal/signals; often used to read the voltage level of audio signals.

Metronome

A device which makes a clicking noise in adjustable intervals. Used in guitar practice to improve timing.

Mic

An abbreviation for microphone.

Microphone (Mic)

Device for converting sound pressure wave into electrical pulses which can then be amplified or recorded onto tape. Signals from a microphone are very low level and are amplified in the mixing desk to line level. See Dynamic Mic, Condenser Mic, Phantom Power, Pick-up, Radio Mic.

Mic Gain Control

A level control on a microphone preamplifier that sets gain and is used to prevent overload of that preamplifier.

Mic Input

The input of a console or other device that a microphone can be plugged into.

Mic Level

The very low audio voltage level that comes out of a studio microphone.

Mic Level Signal

Low-level audio signal produced by circuitry in microphone. Needs boosting either by a pre-amp or a mixing desk before it can be amplified. Susceptible to interference over long cable runs.

Mic/Line Switch

The selector switch on the input of a console channel that chooses what input jack will feed the console.

Mic Pad

A device that reduces the level of the signal and is placed just before a microphone preamplifier to prevent overload of the preamplifier.

Mic Preamp

An amplifier to boost the low-level audio signal out of a microphone up to line level.

Microprocessor

One I/C which performs the core of activities in a computer.

Midrange

The middle frequencies where the ear is the most sensitive.

Mid-Range Frequencies

The audio frequencies from about 250 Hz through 6,000 Hz.

MIDI

Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface; a digital signal system (a system of number signals) used to communicate performance information to and from musical instruments making music.

MIDI Channel

A grouping of data about the performance of one synthesiser or device, separate from data for other synthesisers/devices.

MIDI Clock

Time data in the MIDI signal that advances one step each 1/24 of a beat and can be used to sync two sequencers together.

MIDI Clock with Song Pointer

A MIDI clock signal (time data in the MIDI signal that advances one step each 1/24 of a beat) which also has a number signal for each measure to indicate the number of measures into the tune.

MIDI Controller

A device that can be played by a musician and puts out MIDI signals to control synthesisers or sound modules.

MIDI Echo

A function in a synthesiser that causes the output of a sequencer to send a MIDI signal out the out port which matches the MIDI signal coming in for the track being recorded.

MIDI Interface

A device that converts a MIDI signal into the digital format of a computer so that the computer can store and use the MIDI signal.

MIDI Patch Bay

A device that has several MIDI inputs and outputs and allows any input to be routed to any output.

MIDI Sample Dump

The copying of a digitally recorded sample without converting it to analogue between different storage units or sound modules thru a MIDI transmission.

MIDI Sequencer

A computer that can record and playback MIDI data in such a way to control the performance of MIDI-controlled musical instruments or devices in a series of timed steps.

MIDI Time Code

All of the information of SMPTE time code that has been converted into part of the MIDI signal.

Mike

  1. An abbreviation of Michael.
  2. An incorrect abbreviation for microphone.
  3. To place microphones for recording.

Milli

A prefix meaning 1/1000.

MiniDisc (MD)

A small compact disc that can be recorded on by general consumers; was introduced by Sony at the end of 1992. >>> more about MiniDisc.

Mix

  1. To blend audio signals together into a composite signal.
  2. The signal made by blending individual signals together.
  3. A control or function on a delay effects/reverberation device which controls the amount of direct signal that will be mixed into the processed signal.

Mixdown (Mix Down)

  1. Combining the signals from the tracks of a multitrack tape onto a master tape; reverberation/other effects may be also added.
  2. The process during which a multitrack recording is balanced and transferred to two tracks (stereo) for playback or reproduction.

Mixer

  1. A console, or other device that blends audio signals into composite signals and has a small number of outputs.
  2. A section on a console that does this function.
  3. In Europe, a fader.
  4. An engineer or technician who mixes, especially a live sound mix at a performance.
  5. A desk comprising a number of input channels where each sound source is provided with its own control channel through which sound signals are routed into two or more outputs. Many mixing desks can also change the quality of the sound (see Equalisation). A Powered Mixer has an amplifier built into it. Sound sources of varying levels are accepted which can be amplified if necessary. (See Line Level, Gain).

Mixing Console

A device which can combine several signals into one or more composite signals, in any desired proportion.

Mixing Desk

  1. A British name for a console.
  2. A desk comprising a number of input channels where each sound source is provided with its own control channel through which sound signals are routed into two or more outputs. Many mixing desks can also change the quality of the sound (see Equalisation). A Powered Mixer has an amplifier built into it. Sound sources of varying levels are accepted which can be amplified if necessary. (See Line Level, Gain).

Mixing Solo

A button that turns off all other channels, allowing the signal to be heard in the stereo perspective and level used in the mixdown, and with the reverberation being used.

Monitors

The speakers facing back onto the stage and the system or amps, equalisers, and effects attached to them.

Monitor Mixer

Larger systems often use a completely separate mixer for the monitors that only adjusts the sounds that are heard on the stage.

Modem

A device that allows digital data to be sent and received over telephone lines.

Modular Digital Multitrack

A multitrack digital recorder with (usually) 8 tracks that can be run in synchronisation with other machines (of the same type) to attain more tracks. ADAT brand recorders are an example.

Modulation

The control of one signal by another AC signal.

Modulation Noise

Noise that is present only when the audio signal is present.

Module

A group of circuits and controls that are mounted on a removable housing; often on consoles, all of the controls and circuits for one or two channels.

Monitor

  1. In audio, to listen.
  2. To indicate with a meter or light the conditions in a circuit, especially level and overload.
  3. A device to listen or observe.

Monitor Channel (Monitor Path)

An audio channel (a single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device) used to listen to the signal fed to or received back from one track of a multitrack tape recorder.

Monitor Mixer

  1. A console or other device that blends audio signals into composite signals and has a small number of outputs.
  2. The section of the console which is used to do a rough mix so the engineer can hear what is being recorded without affecting the levels being fed to the multitrack recorder.
  3. The audio technician who mixes the signals sent to the stage monitor speakers.

Monitor Pot

A rotary control used to set the level of the track signal in the monitor (the signal to or the signal back from one track of a multitrack tape recorder).

Monitor Section (Monitor Mixer Section)

The section of the console which is used to do a rough mix so the engineer can hear what is being recorded without affecting the levels being fed to the multitrack recorder.

Monitor Selector

  1. On consoles, a switch which allows you to hear various things over the control room monitor speakers such as the main console outputs (for mixing), the monitor mixer section (for recording and overdubbing), the disc player, tape machines and other devices.
  2. On tape machines, a switch that (in one position) sends the signal from the tape to the meters and the output of the machine’s electronics or (in a second position) sends the input signal being fed to the machine to the meters and the output of the electronics.

Mono

Shortened from Monophonic and meaning that there is only one sound source or the signal was derived from one sound source.

Monophonic

  1. More formal term for Mono and meaning that there is only one sound source or the signal was derived from one sound source.
  2. In synthesisers, a term meaning that only one pitch may be sounded at a time.

Mounted Toms

An alternate name for Rack Toms (the smaller toms, as small as approximately a 10″ diameter, mounted above the foot drum in a drum kit).

Moving Coil Microphone

A term with the same meaning as the term Dynamic Microphone (a microphone in which the diaphragm moves a coil suspended in a magnetic field to generate an output voltage proportional to the sound pressure level).

Moving Fader Automation

In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer programme fader level changes so that these changes happen automatically upon playback of the multitrack recording because the fader positions actually change. The faders are driven by motors.

Ms

An abbreviation for milli-seconds (1/1000th of a second – usually not capitalised)

MS Micing

A method of stereo microphone placement where one microphone, with a cardioid pattern, points directly at the middle of the area to be miked and a Bi-directional microphone is as close as possible to the first mic with its rejection pointing the same way as the axis of the first mic.

MTC

Short for MIDI Time Code (All of the information of SMPTE time code that has been converted into part of the MIDI signal).

Muddy

Describes a low-end muffled sound lacking highs and mids, and possibly having too much effects.

Multi/Multi Jack

Short for Multiple Jacks or Multiple Jack and meaning:

  1. A jack at the output of a device which is not normalled so that plugging into the jack will allow the output to be sent to a different input and the output will also feed the normal place it feeds.
  2. A set of jacks (or one of a set of jacks) with each terminal wired to a corresponding terminal of another or other jacks.

Multitasking

The running of more than one programme at the same time by a computer.

Multitimbral

Able to send out several signals of different sound patches (and often playing different parts) by one synthesiser; having several sound modules in it (said of a synthesiser).

Multitrack Recording

  1. A technique of recording various instruments separately on different portions of the same tape, in time with each other and so that final balancing of the sound may be accomplished later.
  2. A technique of digitally recording various instruments onto a hard disk in different data files so they may be played in time with each other and final balancing of the sound may be accomplished later.

Multitrack Tape

A piece of magnetic tape which can be used to store two or more discrete signals, in time with each other.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)

A digital system (a system of numbers) used to communicate, to and from musical instruments, data regarding the performance of the instruments making music. Abbreviation: MIDI.

Mute Switch

A switch which turns off a channel takes out a track signal from the monitors, or which turns off the entire monitor signal.