Audio Industry Definitions

ProTools

Digital audio workstation software which is capable of 32 simultaneous audio tracks. It is a nonlinear edit system, which means there's instant access to any part of the project or bit of sound. There is no shuffling of tape or loading different cassettes.

Mix to picture

This refers to the capability of having the picture real time, synchronized to the audio right there in the audio suite. As the mix progresses, you can see the picture that goes with it. This is in contrast to the old way of mixing "off-line" in an audio only room, and mating the audio with the picture later.

Foley

An area containing various types of surfaces and physical objects used to create and record sound effects.

MIDI

(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - A protocol that allows synthesizers, drum machines, computers, and other signal processing devices to communicate with and/or control one another.

Surround Sound

(1) Sound that is reproduced through speakers mounted at the sides and rear of a room (2) The term used to describe the Soundfield microphone's three dimensional sound pickup (3) Another term for Dolby Stereo.

Sweetening

Enhancing the sound of a recording with equalization and various other signal processing techniques, usually during the editing and mixing stage(s) of a production.

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