Sound Glossary

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Ultrasonic - Refers to frequencies above the range of human hearing (considered to be 20 kHz). Do not confuse with "supersonic," which is defined as a speed faster than the speed of sound.

Unbalanced - An audio wiring scheme referring to an electrical (audio) signal having only two "legs", but one "leg" is the ground or shield. Any noise induced into the cable will make its way into the audio signal because there is no functionality by which induced common-mode noise can be rejected, although the construction and interconnection of an unbalanced circuit is cheaper. In general, avoid long lengths of unbalanced lines to minimize noise potential.Compare with Balanced interconnection, and also see Floating Unbalanced Line.

Unidirectional - In reference to microphone pickup patterns, a pickup pattern in which the microphone is more sensitive to sounds arriving from one direction than from others. It is a description that applies to cardioid, hypercardioid, and supercardioid microphones.

Unity Gain - A condition in a sound system or component in which the output level is equal to the input level-- there is no amplification or attenuation, or a gain of 0dB has been achieved. Operational amplifiers operating at unity gain do the least amount of work and introduce the least amount of noise into the circuit; this situation is optimal for setting proper levels and setting proper gain staging.

V

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W

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X

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X - The electronic symbol for reactance - the imaginary part of impedance. See "z".

X-Y Pair, X-Y Stereo - A stereo microphone placement technique which employs a coincident pair of cardioid microphones with their axes at anywhere from 90 - 135 degrees from each other. The capsules must be coincident, or as near to the same point as possible, in order to achieve true X-Y Stereo-- they are often positioned one on top of the other to achieve minimal distance. X-Y Stereo is often used in broadcast recording, a situation in which the stereo signal may be summed to mono on older listening equipment. Because there is very little phase difference between the two microphones, summing them creates an acceptable mono signal.

XLR - A type of audio signal connector designed and trademarked by ITT-Cannon. The connector specifications dictate a circular connector, lockable, where ground (pin 1) makes first contact to dissipate any static or induced EMF. Male connectors have pins protected by a metal shell. Three-pin XLR connectors are by far the most common style, used for microphone level audio signals, line level audio signals, and balanced digital signals. Configurations can come with as many as seven pins for special signal transfers, such as intercom, data, or power.Sorry, Virginia, but "xlr" does not stand for anything-- it was Cannon's original part number designation. The Switchcraft A, B, C, D, and E-series connectors, and Neutrik's NC-series connectors are all compatible with the XLR standard.

Y

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Y - The electronic symbol for admittance - the inverse of impedance. (See "z".) Cable -Y An adaptor cable constructed with either one output and two inputs, or two outputs and one input, wired in parallel. It allows the passive splitting of one output signal into to devices, or the passive splitting of two output signals into one input. Most audio signals prefer using a dedicated active splitter with amplifiers, such as a distribution amp, but using a y cable is very cost effective and simple. Too much y cabling can and undoubtedly will lead to signal degradation.Note that in America this is pronounced "why-cable", and in Europe this is pronounced "ipsilon-cable."

Z

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Z -The electronic symbol for impedance-- frequency-dependent resistance, measured in Ohms.

Zero Reference - In sound land, it is a reference point that is defined as the average operating level for the equipment involved. Note that the term does not refer to the absence of signal, but instead serves as a method by which different pieces of equipment and source signals can be calibrated so that the average levels are consistent in order to provide for maximum signal-to-noise ratio and overall system gain. In the days of analog magnetic tape recording, machines were calibrated such that its VU (volume unit) meters would read 0 VU when given a reference tone, and the same principles apply to digital recording- often times the zero reference on a digital machine may be -12 or -16 on its digital scale.