Terminology and Key Words of Sound Production

To make sense of most magazines, articles and blog posts about sound production it is beneficial to learn and familiarise yourself with a few terms and words which are often used in texts.

Recording 

Sound Quality- This is the quality of the sound produced, which is assessed on the accuracy and enjoyability of audio output from an electronic device.
Acoustic Reflection- This is an echo or reverberation which is made when sound waves are repeated.
Absorption- When a material, structure or object takes in sound energy when sound waves are encountered, as opposed to reflecting the energy. Part of the absorbed energy is transformed into heat, and part is transmitted through the absorbing body.
Background Noise- Extraneous sound which can be heard whilst listening to, or monitoring other sounds.
Sound Proofing- The act of stopping the transfer of sound passing from one space to another through a surface, such as a wall. To soundproof a wall you would use a material that prevent sounds from passing through by absorbing the energy or the sound wave.
Sound Absorption- The altering acoustics within a room. When absorbing sound in a room, you're changing the way sound vibrates off surfaces. Sound absorption is used to dampen the sound waves, stopping them from the walls, floors and ceilings. This creates an echo and a reverberation in the room (acoustic reflection), which reduced the quality of sound.

Microphones

Transducer- A transducer is a device that converts acoustic energy (sound) into an electrical signal. 

Diaphragm- This is a thin piece of material which separated and vibrates in response to sound waves. 

Electromagnetic Induction- The current induced by an electromagnetic transducer. This current moves the coil forward and backwards between the magnetic field to create an alternating current (AC).

Capacitor Plates- These are two plates which amplify an electrical signal. 

Pre-amp- This is a device which picks up voltages produced by sound into a microphone and then converts them into stronger signals which can then be processed by other equipment, such as an amp. 

Sound Pressure Levels (SPL)- This is the ratio of sound pressure to relative pressure, which is measured in decibels.

Types of Microphones

Dynamic Microphones- A dynamic microphone makes a signal in result of motion inside the mic, where sound waves strike a diaphragm causing it to vibrate.
Condenser Microphones- In a condenser microphone, soundwaves also strike a diaphragm causing it to vibrate. But, in this mic the diaphragm is infront of an electrically charged plate.
Ribbon Microphone- A ribbon microphone uses electromagnetic induction to produce an electrical signal from sound. This is done by placing a thin layer of either aluminium or nano-film in between the poles of a magnetic to produce a voltage.
Boundary Microphone- This is a small, omnidirectional, condenser microphone which provides a half space pick up pattern.