Music Terminology

Have you ever wondered what a term means that you may hear in a YouTube video, especially if you're a n00b like me?

Well you're in luck! I'm gathered some below and have even made them searchable!

ADSR
The elements form the ‘envelope’ that describes the shape of a sound
Attack
the beginning of the sound
Decay
a fading sound
Sustain
how long it can hold
Release
the fade to silence
Bit rate
The number of bits per second, measuring the accuracy of a recording, the higher the bit the more detailed.
Bouncing
Exporting a track to a format like an mp3 or wav file.
Clipping
Another word for ‘distorting’ or ‘peaking’.
Compression
Reducing the dynamic range of a signal, the difference between the loudest and quietest parts. This means more consistent dynamics, by turning down the sound if it goes above a certain level.
DAW
Digital Audio Workstation – software like Ableton Live, GarageBand, Logic Pro. Used to record audio, mix, make sound effects, and master. Musicians can also compose within DAWs through MIDI devices
Demo
Recording a song or piece of music as a first example of the project, in preparation for a proper full recording.
EQ
Equalization (EQ) is a method of cutting or boosting the levels of specific frequencies within a sound without changing the rest of it, by adjusting the gain (volume) of a sound at selected points.
Feedback
A high-pitched screech caused when a loop of sound is caused by a signal passing through an amplifier to a microphone and back again. For example, amplifier sound ‘feeding back’ to guitar strings that are still vibrating.
FX
Short for ‘effects’. Common effects include reverb, chorus, distortion, and flange – processes or devices applied to a signal to alter its sound.
Gain
How loud a signal is before it goes through an amplifier. Can be another word for volume, and another word for guitar distortion.
Gating
Stopping unwanted noise coming through in a recording by cutting signals below a specified threshold.
Input
The initial part of the recording chain, through a cable such as a Jack, MIDI or USB.
Jack
A connector. Usually comes in 6mm, 3.5mm mini jack and 2.5mm sizes.
Latency
A delay between input and output of a signal, often in a performer’s headphones.
Loop
A repeated section of a song, often using imported samples.
Lossless
TBD
Lossy
TBD
Mastering
Mastering means making sure the music sounds consistent over all music formats and platforms.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Data and notes recorded with software and electronic instruments. The notes recorded by a MIDI keyboard are recorded in a DAW as MIDI notes.
Mixing
Combing multiple recorded sounds together, blending to change the levels for a balanced and interesting track. A master mix is the final result.
Panning
Placing a sound in the left or right speaker.
Plugin
Software to extend your DAW with extra effects, processing or instrumentation.
Reverb
Reflection of sounds from surfaces; the sound of a room. More reverb can be added electronically with a plug-in.
Sample
A short pre-recorded sound, taken from one recording and used in another. The smallest unit of measurement in digital sound.
Sequencer
A MIDI sequencer can be used to record and edit a performance without using an audio-based input source. It doesn’t record the actual audio but the data – what note was played at what time, etc.
Tempo
The speed of music. In BPM (beats per minute), 60BPM for example is one beat a second.
Tracking
Recording songs, on computer, recorder or tape. In a DAW, tracks contain audio and MIDI layers. Each instrument gets its own track.
Velocity
The force at which a note is played.
VST
VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology – plug-ins to bring extra instruments and effects into DAWs.
Waveform
A soundwave’s shape, displayed on an oscilloscope.
Wet/Dry
A dry signal is a pure unprocessed sound, like a vocal recorded as is. A wet signal is a sound with effects on it.
XLR
A microphone cable, with three prongs.