Note: "EMT" refers to the book Experiencing
Music Technology, which can be found in the Music Library reserves for
Music 17.
A.D.C.
Analog to Digital Converter. A device that converts continuos changes in
voltage into a series of binary numbers. See EMT p.121
Amplitude
A measure of the magnitude of the oscillation: how great an increase and
decrease in pressure is produced by the vibrating system. See EMT p.113
Analog
Analog represents events that are measured as smooth, continuous steps.
Analog events can be represented visually. (e.g. a meter). See EMT p.56
Binary
Number system of base-2 developed by Wilhelm Leibniz in 1666. Binary numbers
are represented using only 1s and 0s. Computers use the binary number system
because of its simplicity: on or off. See EMT p.55
Browser
A browser allows the viewing of and the navigation through the information
on the internet.
Channel
Destination label, like an address, for MIDI data. MIDI messages are transmitted
on one of 16 channels. See EMT p.289
D.A.C.
Digital to Analog Converter. Converts numbers representing an analog signal
back into analog data. See EMT p.121
dB
Decibel. A relative measure of amplitude. For humans, decibel ranges start
at 0 dB and end around 130 dB. See EMT p.113
Digital
Digital represents events that are measured as discrete steps. Digital events
are represented by numbers. (e.g. 12:44PM) See EMT p.56
Digital Audio
Audio which is encoded as a series of binary numbers.
Frequency
A measure of the rate of an oscillation: how many cycles occur in a certain
frame of time. When the frequency of oscillation increases, we perceive
the pitch getting higher. See EMT p.112
Global Mode
Mode on the Korg X5 in which settings for the entire synthesizer can be
set. Local control can be accessed from Global Mode.
Hz
Hertz. International standard unit for cycles per second. 1 kHz = 1000 Hz.
See EMT p.112
Korg
X5
Sixty-one key synthesizer that has two main elements: a keyboard that sends
MIDI commands, and a tone generator.
Local Control
Controls whether MIDI data is sent from a keyboard to its internal tone
generator. Local Control can be toggled from Global Mode (Page 02B).
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A serial communications protocol and
hardware specification. See EMT p.123
Multi Mode
Mode on the Korg X5 which allows the synthesizer to receive on multiple
channels at the same time.
Note
Number
A specific number assigned to each note on the keyboard ranging from 0-127.
(with the 88 key range from 21-108) See EMT p.124
Note On
MIDI message that activates a given note number on a given channel. To turn
a note off, a Note On message is send with a velocity of zero. See EMT
p.124
Program Mode
Mode on the Korg X5 which allows the use of one channel and program simultaneously.
The X5 has 136 General MIDI programs, and 100 "A-bank" programs.
Sampling
Process of measuring amplitude levels for digital audio. See EMT p.121
Sampling Rate
Speed at which the samples of audio are taken. (often measured in kHz) See
EMT p.121
Sequencer
A tool for capturing and working with MIDI commands (performance data),
usually for the purposes of composition or arranging. See EMT p.287
Server
A remote computer, from which information can be retrieved, and to which
information can be backed up.
Tone Generator
A device that creates and emits a tone. The Korg X5 has a tone generator
that produces a certain sound when a given MIDI message is sent to it.
Transducer
Device that converts one form of energy (e.g. sound waves in the air) into
another form of energy. (e.g. voltage).
Velocity
Value that controls the volume or dynamics of a note. Velocity values range
from 0-127. See EMT p.124
Waveform
Graph of the cycles (amplitude versus time) that make up a sound. See
EMT p.112
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