This glossary defines terms commonly associated with and used in MixWave products, organized alphabetically.

A

AAX: A plugin format designed specifically for Avid's Pro Tools software.

ADSR: Refers to the four stages in shaping a sound’s envelope: Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release.

Analog: A continuous signal representation where electrical voltage variations mirror sound wave changes.

AU: Audio Unit, a plugin format created by Apple for use on macOS systems.

Audio Interface: A hardware device that allows for sending and receiving audio signals to and from a computer.

Authorize / Authorization: The process of enabling MixWave plugins or sound libraries for use through a validation mechanism.

B

Balanced: A cable design that reduces noise interference by using two twisted wires and a shield to maintain signal integrity.

Band Pass Filter: A filter that allows a specific range of frequencies to be heard, while cutting out frequencies outside this range.

Bar: A unit of music that typically consists of a set number of beats, often 4, depending on the time signature.

Bit Depth: Defines the number of bits used to represent each sample of audio, influencing the dynamic range of the recording.

Bitrate: The rate at which data is processed, usually measured in kilobits per second (kbps), indicating audio quality.

Boost (Switch): A toggle switch located in the Mix Panel portion of a MixWave drum library Mixer Page interface that toggles One-Shot trigger samples that are pre-blended into the library's Mixed samples.

Bounce: The process of merging multiple audio tracks into a single audio file.

BPM: The number of beats per minute, used to specify the tempo of a song.

Buffer: A method of storing audio data temporarily to ensure smooth playback, though it can introduce latency.

Bus: An audio channel used to combine signals from multiple sources, often for applying effects or group processing.

Bypass: A function used to deactivate an audio effect, allowing the original sound to play without alteration.

C

Channel: The signal path through which audio travels from a source to an output, often associated with a specific track or input.

Chorus: An effect that duplicates the audio signal and adds slight variations in pitch and timing to create a fuller, richer sound.

Compression: A process that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal by lowering the volume of loud sounds and raising the volume of soft sounds.

Controller: A device that sends MIDI signals to control various aspects of software or hardware instruments.

D

DAW: Software used for audio production that enables recording, editing, mixing, and mastering music.

Decibel (dB): A unit used to measure the intensity of sound, often indicating volume levels.

Delay: An effect that creates a repeated echo of the original sound, delayed by a certain amount of time.

DI (Direct Input/Direct Inject): A recording technique where instruments like electric guitars or basses are connected directly to an audio interface or mixer.

Distortion: An effect that alters the audio signal by introducing harmonics, typically producing a more aggressive or fuller sound.

Dry: Refers to an audio signal that has not been processed with any effects.

DSP: Digital Signal Processing, the manipulation of audio signals in the digital realm through the use of algorithms

E

Effect: Any process applied to an audio signal to alter its characteristics, such as reverb, delay, or EQ.

Envelope: A tool that modulates how a sound evolves over time, typically controlling attributes like volume or pitch.

EQ (Equalization): The process of adjusting the balance between frequency components in an audio signal.

F

Feedback: Occurs when an output signal is fed back into an input, commonly used in effects like delay to extend the tail of an echo.

Filter: A sound processor that allows only certain frequencies to pass through, while blocking others.

Flanger: An effect created by mixing the original signal with a slightly delayed copy, resulting in a sweeping, whooshing sound.

G

Gain: The level of amplification applied to an audio signal.

Gain Reduction: The amount by which the signal's volume is decreased when a compressor is applied.

Graphical User Interface (GUI): The visual interface of software that allows users to interact and control parameters.

H

Headroom: The available space between the highest level of an audio signal and the point where distortion occurs.

High Resolution: Describes high-quality digital audio with increased bit depth and sample rate, such as 24-bit/96kHz recordings.

Hz (Hertz): A unit of frequency that measures the number of cycles per second in a sound wave.

I

iLok (PACE): A separate software that manages MixWave plugin license authorizations. 

Impedance: The resistance of an audio signal as it passes through a circuit, measured in ohms.

IR (Impulse Response): A file used in convolution reverb to recreate the acoustic characteristics of a specific space.

I/O (Input/Output): Describes the channels through which audio enters and exits a device or software.

J

K

kHz (KiloHertz): A unit of frequency equivalent to 1,000 cycles per second, used to measure audio sample rates.

Kontakt: A sampler that allows users to create digital instruments from prerecorded audio. It can function as a standalone application or as an audio instrument within a digital audio workstation (DAW). MixWave licenses its libraries through this application.

L

Limiter: A type of compressor that prevents an audio signal from exceeding a certain volume level.

Line Level: The standard voltage level for audio signals, used by most audio equipment.

Low Cut Filter: A filter that removes low-frequency content, also known as a high-pass filter.

M

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): A protocol that allows digital musical instruments and computers to communicate and control each other.

Mixer Page: The interface in MixWave drum libraries that resembles a mixing console, allowing control over individual sounds.

Mix Panel: A sub-section of the mixer page in MixWave drum libraries for adjusting specific sound elements.

Mixed Samples: Samples in a MixWave drum library labeled as "Mixed" are pre-processed and ready for use, having undergone complete mixing to achieve a polished, final sound.

Mix Switch: A toggle switch located in the Mix Panel portion of a MixWave drum library Mixer Page interface that toggles between the library's Mixed and Unmixed samples.

Modulation Wheel: A controller found on keyboards that adjusts parameters such as vibrato or pitch.

Mute: Silences an audio signal, preventing it from being heard.

N

Native Access 2 (NA2): A software tool for managing the download, installation, and updates of Native Instruments products.

Native Instruments (NI): A company that specializes in creating hardware and software for music production and performance.

O

OS (Operating System): The system software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources.

P

Pan: The act of moving a sound within the stereo field, either toward the left or right speaker.

Parallel Compression: A technique where a compressed version of the signal is blended with the uncompressed (dry) version for more dynamic control.

Phase: The relative timing of sound waves, where phase differences can cause constructive or destructive interference.

Pitch: How high or low a sound is perceived, based on its frequency.

Pitch Bend: A feature that allows users to change the pitch of a note in real time, often found on keyboards.

Plug-In / Plugin: Software that expands the functionality of a DAW by adding effects, instruments, or other tools.

Polyphony: Refers to the maximum number of simultaneous voices that Kontakt can generate at any given time.

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): A technique in synthesis where the width of a pulse wave is modulated to create changes in timbre.

Q

Quantize: A process that aligns notes or beats to a specific timing grid, correcting timing errors in MIDI or audio recordings.

R

RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory used by computers to store data for fast access during tasks such as loading samples.

Ratio: In compression, the ratio determines how much the signal is reduced once it exceeds the threshold.

Reverb: An effect that simulates the natural echoes that occur in a physical space, making audio sound like it's in a room or hall.

Reverb Panel: The bottom right section of the Mixer Page interface in a MixWave drum library that controls the reverb volumes.

Round Robin: A sampling technique used to reduce repetition and increase realism by cycling through multiple variations of the same sound or note when triggered repeatedly. For example, when playing the same drum hit at the same velocity, the round robin system alternates between different recorded samples to avoid a "machine-gun" effect.

S

Sample: A small piece of recorded sound used in compositions or as part of a digital audio signal.

Sampler: A device or software used to record, store, and play back audio samples.

Sample Rate: The number of samples of audio taken per second, usually measured in kHz.

Sequence: An ordered set of musical events or notes.

Sequencer: Software or hardware used to arrange and play back a sequence of sounds or musical notes.

T

Tap Tempo: A feature that allows users to set the tempo by tapping in time with the music.

Threshold: The level at which an effect like compression begins to alter the audio signal.

Timeline: A visual representation of time in a DAW where recordings or edits are arranged.

Transformer: A device that transfers electrical signals between circuits, adjusting voltage or impedance as needed.

Transient: A short, high-energy burst at the start of a sound, like the attack of a drum hit.

U

Unmixed (Samples): Samples in a MixWave drum library labeled as "Unmixed" are raw and unprocessed, providing a clean, untouched recording for users to shape and mix according to their preferences.

USB (Universal Serial Bus): A common interface used to connect devices like MIDI controllers and audio interfaces to computers.

V

Velocity: In MIDI, this refers to the speed or intensity at which a note is played, impacting the note’s volume or tone.

Voices: Individual instances of sound triggered by playing a note. A triggered sound can consist of multiple voices depending on the complexity of the instrument or sample.

VST3: Virtual Studio Technology, a software format developed by Steinberg that allows the integration of virtual instruments and effects into DAWs.

W

WAV: Waveform Audio File Format, a standard format for storing uncompressed audio data, often used in professional audio settings.

Wet: A term used to describe an audio signal that has been processed with effects, as opposed to a “dry” signal that is unprocessed.

X

XLR: A three-pin connector commonly used in professional audio to transmit balanced signals, typically for microphones and speakers.

Y

Z