Keyboard Terminology
Aftertouch
Pressure applied to a synthesizer keyboard after the key is depressed, and used as MIDI data.
Amplifier
A box that increases an audio signal to a level that's high enough to drive speakers.
Attack
When a musical note begins.
Audio Cable
The cables that connect the audio output of a synthesizer, guitar, or
other gear to the input of an amplifier, P.A. system, mixer, etc.
Clipping
Signal or amplifier overload, a form of distortion.
Continuous Controller
MIDI information other than notes, which can be changed continuously
over time, including volume, pitch bending, and moduulation.
Controller
A device for entering or changing events into a computer or other
digital device. Examples: synthesizers, wind controllers, a mouse, a
computer keyboard.
CPU
Short for Central Processing Unit, which is the main brain of a computer.
Damper
A pedal of an acoustic piano designed to stop vibration of a piano
string. (In contrast, a sustain pedal holds or prolongs the note.)
Digital Signal Processor
Most newer signal processors are digital. These usually have computer
memory built in which allows the instant recall of all the parameter
settings of the device. This allows you to quickly change the devices
function and sound without tweaking with the controls.
Drawbar
A special organ slider that adds specific overtones to the sound being produced.
Drum Controller
A drum-like device which has a flat striking area which is usually
separated into different areas, each corresponding to a different
sound. Some drum controllers have sounds built into them, others are
just triggering devices which need to be hooked to a synthesizer or
tone module.
Drum Machine
A box with buttons on the front corresponding to drum and percussion
sounds stored in its computer memory. Drum machines have small
sequencers in them that allow you to record musical patterns into
memory.
Electric Piano
A piano that produces sound by mechanical means such as strings or tone bars and amplifies this sound by electrically.
Electronic Piano
A piano that produces sound by electronic rather than mechanical means, as in the acoustical or electric piano.
Filter
A electronic device that permits certain frequencies to pass while
stopping others. A tone control on a radio is a good example of a
simple filter, where it filters out highs as you turn it.
Frequency
The number of vibrations or oscillations per second. Measures in cycles or Hertz.
Hardware Sequencer
A sequencer that is built into a dedicated box for sequencing and
nothing else. It does not serve other functions (a computer-based, or
software, sequencer allows a computer to become a completely different
device). Some synthesizers have small hardware sequencers built in.
Hardware sequencers have the advantage of being more portable than
desktop computers.
Headphone
Jack This is usually a 1/4"-diameter jack for plugging in a pair of headphones for practice, tuning, etc.