Terms
What we call sound waves that are recorded directly onto a medium such as a tape.
Analog Audio
The pattern that picks up sound from all directions.
Omnidirectional
A type of electrical connector primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment.
XLR Cable
A microphone that you hold in your hand. Sometimes called a stick mic.
Hand-Held Microphone
Used when you need to connect two devices, where one uses XLR and the other uses the Quarter-Inch.
¼” to XLR Adapter
What we call sound waves that are sampled and stored on a computer or other device.
Digital Audio
The pattern that picks up sound from the one direction it is pointed at.
Unidirectional
A consumer type of electrical connector used to carry audio and video signals.
RCA Cable
A microphone that uses a receiver and transmitter to record audio onto a camera.
Wireless Microphone
What are artificial sounds that did not exist in the original recording.
Sound Effects
What we call audio signals that are mixed together to create one source.
Mono
The pattern that picks up sound from two different or opposite directions.
Bidirectional
What does it mean for a headphone jack to have three rings on it?
Stereo and a microphone
A microphone typically used when a subject is moving or for hearing more than one subject at once with only one microphone.
Shotgun Microphone
What is used to create dramatic moods or fill voids in sound.
Music
What we call audio signals that are separated into left and right channels.
Stereo
A pickup pattern that is heart shaped.
Cardioid
What XLR stands for.
External Line Return
A microphone that is typically used in situations that allow for the talent to sit down and be interviewed. Can be wired and wireless.
Lavaliere Microphone
What we call the sound that exists in the room without creating any additional sounds.
Ambient Audio