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0dB: The point at which an audio signal's level peaks - anything over it will result
in clipping. See Clipping.

Amplitude: Volume.

ADSR: Attack, decay, sustain, release. A simple envelope with four parameters, used to modulate a sound's amplitude. See Modulate, Amplitude, Envelope.

ASIO: Audio Stream Input Output. See Audio Driver.

Audio: Sound. When sound is recorded into a computer it becomes audio data. See Sample, Sample Editor.

Audio Driver: A specialised driver required by audio software. Varieties include ASIO, MME, Direct X, WDM and CoreAudio. See Driver.

Audio Interface: A hardware device with audio inputs and outputs for sending and receiving audio from your computer. Connects via FireWire or USB. See FireWire, USB.

AU: A plug-in format for instruments and effects created by Apple. Logic and Live amongst others are sequencers capable of hosting AU plug-ins. See Host, Sequencer, Plug-in.

Automation: Plug-in or sequencer parameter adjustments that can be recorded and played back with the rest of the track. See Plug-in, Sequencer.

Bus: Another name for a group channel or send effect. See Group channel, Send Effect.

Channel: Generally refers to a mixer channel in a sequencer. Usually features a fader to control the overall volume level, EQ controls, and the ability to add insert effects. See EQ, Insert Effects.

Clipping: Distortion that occurs when an audio input is overloaded.

Compressor: An effect that raises the overall volume of a channel by making the loud parts quieter, then boosting the entire signal. See Effect, Dynamics.

Condenser: A condenser mic is more sensitive than a dynamic mic. Condenser mics require external power and are excellent for recording detailed sounds and capturing high frequency detail. Prices vary from £60 to £6000!

Controller Keyboard: See MIDI Controller.

CoreAudio: Apple's OS X audio driver used by Mac computers.

Cutoff: The frequency at which a filter starts filtering. See Filter.

DAW: Digital Audio Workstation. A computer with the hardware and software to facilitate music productions.

De-esser: An effect used to reduce unwanted 'S' sounds (known as sibilance or hiss) in vocals. See Effect.

Delay: An effect that simulates echoes by repeating the sound. See Effect, Plug-in.

DI Box: Device used to plug guitars and basses into mixers or audio interfaces, negating the need for a separate amp.

DirectX: See Audio Driver.

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