A
Additive Synthesis
The process of constructing a complex sound using a series of fundamental frequencies (pure tones or sine waves). Each of the fundamental frequencies usually has its own amplitude envelope which allows independent control of each partial(harmonic). Pipe organs or Hammond organs are both instruments which are based on additive synthesis.

ADSR
Abbreviation for Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release. These are the four parameters found on a basic synthesizer envelope generator. An envelope generator is sometimes called a transient generator. The Attack, Decay, and Release parameters are rate or time controls. Sustain is a level. When a key is pressed, the envelope generator will begin to rise to its full level at the rate set by the attack parameter, upon reaching peak level it will begin to fall at the rate set by the decay parameter to the level set by the sustain control. The envelope will remain at the sustain level as long as the key is held down. Whenever a key is released, it will return to zero at the rate set by the release parameter.

After Touch
See Pressure Sensitivity

Aliasing
Aliasing is the term used to describe the unwanted frequencies which are produced when a sound is sampled at a rate which is less than twice the frequency of the highest frequency component in the sound. These unwanted frequencies are typically high frequency tweets and whistles. E-mu sampling technology is designed to virtually eliminate audible aliasing.

Amplifier
A device which increases the level of a signal.

Amplitude
Amplitude is a term used to describe the amount of a signal. It can relate to volume in an audio signal or the amount of voltage in an electrical signal.

Amplitude Modulation
A change in the level of a signal. For example, if a Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) were being modulated by a Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO), the result would be a periodic increase and decrease in the audio level of the signal. In musical terms this would be referred to as Tremolo. The abbreviation of Amplitude Modulation is AM.

Analog
Data (signal) presented in a non-digital, continuous form.

Analog Synthesizer
A synthesizer which uses voltage controlled analog modules to synthesize sound. The concept of a variety of analog modules all of which can interconnect via a standardized voltage control system was invented by Dr. Robert Moog. The three main voltage controlled modules in an analog synthesizer are: Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO), Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF), and Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA).

Aperiodic Waveform
A waveform that does not have a repeating pattern.

Arpeggiator
A device or computer program that sequentially moves a pattern of notes over a range of the keyboard. The speed of the Arpeggiation is variable and the pattern can usually be varied depending on the order or relationship of the notes pressed.

Attack
The first parameter of an envelope generator which determines the rate or time it will take for the event to reach the highest level before starting to decay.

Attenuator
Attenuate means to reduce in force, value or amount. An Attenuator is a device that reduces the value of something, usually the amplitude of a signal.

Audible Range
The range of frequencies that the human ear can hear. A healthy young human can usually hear from 20 cycles per second to around 20,000 cycles per second (20-20,000 Hz), less after prolonged exposure to Heavy Metal music or Opera.

Auto Correlation
A process that determines optimum start and ending loop points to produce minimum discontinuity.

B
Band Pass Filter
A filter which allows only a selected band of frequencies to pass through while rejecting all other frequencies above and below the cutoff point. Usually a bandpass filter will allow the user to set the width of the passband.

Bank
On the Emulator III, the Bank is the total amount of data stored in RAM memory in the machine. The Bank contains all preset, sample data, and sequence data. The Bank does not include information stored on disk.

Baud Rate
The speed at which digital information is passed through a serial interface expressed in bits-per-second. MIDI data is transmitted at 31.25 KBaud or 31,250 bits per second.

Binary
Of or based on the number two or the binary numeration system (base 2). Digital computers use this form of numbering because the values of 0 and 1 can easily be represented by an open or closed switch.

Bit
A Bit is a single piece of information assigned a value of 0 or 1 as used in a digital computer. Computers use digital words which are combinations of bits. A Byte is a digital word consisting of eight Bits. The Emulator III uses a 16 bit number to represent a sound word. A 16 bit word can represent 65,536 different numbers.

Boot
Starting up a computer by loading a program that allows it to run other programs. The term comes from bootstrapping which means that the computer "pulls itself up by its own bootstraps."

Bounce
When recording or sequencing, to bounce tracks means to combine (mix) several tracks together and record them on another track.

Buffer
An area of computer memory that is used to temporarily store data.

Bug
An error in a computer program that causes it to work incorrectly. Very annoying.

Byte
A computer word made up of eight bits of data.

C
Cardioid
(kar' de-oid') A directional microphone with a heart shaped, narrow pattern, which picks up from directly in front of the mic. Very useful for recording drums.

Catalog
A list of all files stored on a disk or in a bank. Sometimes called a directory.

Cent
Unit of pitch equal to 1/100 of a semitone.

Center Detent
A notch in the center of a modulation wheel or lever which allows the performer to find the home position.

Channel, Output
The circuitry through which an instrument outputs individual notes.

Channel, MIDI
An information pathway through which MIDI information is sent. MIDI provides for 16 available channels, each of which can address one MIDI instrument.

Channel, MIDI Control
A MIDI Channel also contains information about which controllers are being varied. Assigning an Emulator III realtime control destination A or B lets another MIDI device's controllers control the EIII realtime control destination via the MIDI Control Channels.

Chip
An integrated circuit.

Chorus
A voice doubling effect created by layering two identical sounds with a slight delay (20-50 mS) and slightly modulating the frequency of one or both of the sounds .

Clock
A steady pulse from a generator which is used for synchronizing sequencers, drum machines, etc. Common sequencer timing clock rates are 24, 48, or 96 pulses-per-quarter note. MIDI timing clocks run at a rate of 24 ppqn. The EIII clock runs at 96 ppqn.

Clipboard
A temporary holding place in RAM for what you last cut or copied.

Close Miking
A microphone placement technique which involves placing a microphone close to the sound source in order to pick up mainly direct sound, and avoid picking up reverberant sound.

Computer Interface
Hardware which enables a computer to communicate with other devices. A common example is a MIDI interface, which allows a computer to communicate with a musical instrument.

Condenser Mike
A microphone which converts sound pressure level variations into variations in capacitance and then into electrical voltage.

Contour
See Envelope Generator

Copy
To make a copy of something, either a sound or segment, by selecting it and choosing the copy function from the module menu. What is copied is placed on the clipboard.

CPU
Abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. The main component in a computer's microprocessor which performs calculations and executes instructions.

Crossfade
To gradually fade out one sound while fading in another so that a seamless transition is made between the two sounds.

Cursor
Foiled again. A visual indicator showing the position of the next entry.

Cut
To remove something, either a sound or a segment, by selecting it and choosing the cut function from the module menu. What you cut is placed on the clipboard.

Cutoff Frequency
The frequency above which a low pass filter will start attenuating signals present at its input. Abbreviated Fc.

D
Data
Information a computer needs in order to make decisions or carry out a particular action.

dB/Octave
The unit typically used to indicate the slope of a filter, or how fast the frequency response rolls off past the cutoff frequency. Example: A 24 dB/octave filter would attenuate an input signal by 24 dB one octave above the cutoff frequency, by 48 dB two octaves above the cutoff frequency, and so on.

Decay
The second stage in an ADSR type envelope generator. See ADSR.

Decibel (dB)
A reference for the measurement of sound energy. The minimum change in volume that the human ear can perceive. Named after Alexander Graham Bell. A decibel is 1/10th of a Bel.

Delay
A controllable time parameter giving the ability to start an event only after a predetermined amount of time.The Delay function on the EIII allows you to delay the start of a sound from 0 to 1.5 seconds from the time a key is pressed.

Depth
The amount of modulation. Sometimes called Amount, Width, Intensity or Modulation Index.

Digital
Equipment that uses quantities represented as binary numbers. In a digital synthesizer every aspect of the sound generation is handled as a numeric calculation. The digital information is not audible and so must be converted to analog form by a DAC before it is output.

Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)
A device which interprets Digital information and converts it to Analog form. All digital musical instruments must have a DAC so that we can hear their output.

Display
A device that gives information in a visual form.

Distant Miking
A microphone placement technique which involves placing a microphone far from the sound source in order to pick up a high proportion of reverberant sound.

Dynamic Allocation
On the EIII, Dynamic Allocation defeats any pre-assigned output channel assignments and assigns the output channels according to a modified circular algorithm.

Dynamic Mike
A microphone in which the diaphragm moves a coil suspended in a magnetic field in order to generate an output voltage proportional to the sound pressure level.

Dynamic Range
The range of the softest to the loudest sound that can be produced by an instrument. Or the range of the low and high signal levels obtainable by a velocity sensitive keyboard. The greater the Dynamic Range, the more sensitive the keyboard.

E
Edit
To change or modify information. To change parameters or alter existing data.

Envelope Generator
A circuit, usually triggered by pressing a key on a keyboard, that generates a changing voltage with respect to time. This voltage typically controls a VCF or VCA. An AHDSR and ADSR are two types of Envelope Generators. See ADSR.

Equal Temperament
A Scaling system where the octave is divided into 12 equal parts. The ratio of the frequencies between any two adjacent notes is exactly the same. Most keyboard instruments are scaled in this manner. The EIII is normally tuned with Equal Temperament, but can be tuned to other relationships by the use of the tuning function in the Analog Processing Module.

Equalizer
A device which allows attenuation or emphasis of selected frequencies in the audio spectrum. Equalizers usually contain many bands to allow the user a fine degree of frequency control over the sound.

Error Message
A message shown in the display to alert the user that an error of some type has occurred.

F
Fast Fourier Transform
A computer algorithm which derives the fourier spectrum from a sound file.

Fc
See Cutoff Frequency

Filter
A device used to remove unwanted frequencies from an audio signal thus altering its harmonic structure. Low Pass filters are the most common type of filter found on music synthesizers. They only allow frequencies below the cutoff frequency to pass (Low Pass). High Pass filters only allow the high frequencies to pass, and Band Pass filters only allow frequencies in a selected band to pass through. A Notch filter rejects frequencies that fall within its notch.

Flange
An effect created by layering two identical sounds with a slight delay (1- 20 mS) and slightly modulating the delay of one or both of the sounds. The term comes from the early days of tape recording when delay effects were created by grabbing the flanges of the tape reels to change the tape speed.

Floppy Disk
A thin portable disk used to store digital data.

Fourier Spectrum
The description of a sound that is in terms of its distribution of energy versus frequency rather than its amplitude versus time (waveform).

Frequency
The number of cycles of a waveform occurring in a second.

Frequency Modulation
The encoding of a carrier wave by variation of its frequency in accordance with an input signal.

FSK
Frequency Shift Keying. An audio tone (frequency) modulated by a square wave, which is used both for data transfer and also for sequencer and drum machine synchronization.

Fundamental
The first, lowest note of a harmonic series. The Fundamental frequency determines a sound's overall pitch.

G
Gain
The factor by which a device increases the amplitude of a signal. Negative gain will result in the attenuation of a signal.

Glissando
A rapid slide through a series of consecutive tones in a scale like passage. On the Emulator III arpeggiator, when two notes are played with glissando on, every note in between the two notes will be played in a sequential order. Similar to portamento except that the pitch changes in semitone steps.

Ground Loop
Hum caused by currents circulating through the ground side of a piece of equipment or system. This is due to grounding it at points of different voltage potential.

H
Hard Disk
A storage medium for digital data which can hold more information and access it faster than a floppy disk.

Harmonic Distortion
The presence of harmonics in the output signal of a device which were not present in the input signal.

Hertz/Hz
A unit of frequency equal to 1 cycle per second. Named after Heinrich R. Hertz.

High Pass Filter
See Filter

I
Initialize
To prepare a disk to receive data. A hard disk or a floppy disk must be initialized before it can be accessed.

Intensity
The amount of modulation.

J
Just Intonation
A system of tuning in which the distances between pitches are based on the natural harmonic series instead of the octave being equally divided.

K
K
Abbreviation for Kilo or 1000

Keyboard Assignment
The assignment of specific sounds to an area of the keyboard. For example, the lowest octave could be drum sounds, the next octave could be an electric bass, the rest of the keyboard could have various piano samples assigned to it.

L
Layering
The ability to place or stack two or more sounds on the same area of the keyboard to create a denser sound.

LFO
Low Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator used for modulation whose range is below the audible range (20 Hz). Example: Varying pitch cyclically produces vibrato.

Loading
To transfer from one data storage medium to another. This is generally from disk to RAM memory or vice-versa, as opposed to saving from RAM to disk.

Lock
To prevent data from being edited, discarded or renamed, or to prevent entire banks or disks from being altered.

Looping
Looping is the process of repeating a portion of a sample over and over in order to create a sustaining sound. The looped sound will continue as long as the key is depressed. A sound is usually looped during a point in its evolution where the harmonics and amplitude are relatively static in order to avoid pops and glitches in the sound.

Low Note Priority
When more than one note is played on a monophonic synthesizer, only the lowest note will sound.

Low Pass Filter
A filter whose frequency response remains flat up to a certain frequency, then rolls off (attenuates signals appearing at its input) above this point.

M
M
Abbreviation for Mega or million.

Memory
The part of a computer responsible for storing data.

Merge
To combine or unite. To Merge means to combine sequences, sounds, tracks, MIDI data, etc.

MIDI
Acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI enables synthesizers, sequencers, computers, rhythm machines, etc. to be interconnected through a standard interface. MIDI is an asynchronous, serial interface, which is transmitted at the rate of 31.25 KBaud or 31,250 bits per second.

MIDI Clock
Allows instruments interconnected via MIDI to be synchronized. The MIDI Clock runs at a rate of 24 pulses-per-quarter-note.

MIDI Continuous Controller
Allows continuously changing information such as pitch wheel or breath controller information to be passed over the MIDI line. Continuous controllers use large amounts of memory when recorded into a MIDI sequencer. Some standard MIDI Continuous Controller numbers are listed below although the EIII allows you to assign controllers and destinations to any Continuous Controller channel.

PWH = Pitch Wheel
CHP = Pressure
1 = Modulation Wheel
2 = Breath Controller
3 = (Pressure on Rev. 1 DX7)
4 = Foot Pedal
5 = Portamento Time
6 = Data Entry
7 = Volume
8 = Balance
10 = Pan
11 = Expression Controller
16-19 = General purpose controllers 1-4 (High Res.)
64 = Sustain Switch (on/off)
65 = Portamento Switch (on/off)
66 = Sustenuto (chord hold)
67 = Soft Pedal (on/off)
69 = Hold Pedal 2 (on/off)
80-83 = General purpose controllers 5-8 (Low Res.)
91 = External Effects Depth
92 = Tremolo Depth
93 = Chorus Depth
94 = Detune
95 = Phaser Depth
96 = Data Increment
97 = Data Decrement

Modulation
The process of one audio or control voltage source influencing a sound processor or other control voltage source. Example: Slowly modulating pitch cyclically produces vibrato. Modulating a filter cyclically produces wa-wa effects.

Modulation Index
The depth of modulation when performing frequency modulation.

Module Identifier
The screen that displays information about what module is currently activated.

Monophonic
A musical instrument that is only capable of playing one note at a time. Music with only one voice part.

Multi-timbral
The ability of a musical instrument to produce two or more different sounds or timbres at the same time.

Multi-track
A way to record a complex musical piece by dividing it into simple tracks, and combining the tracks during playback.

N
Normalize
A digital processing function that increases the amplitude of a sound file until the peak amplitude of its loudest sample reaches 100% of full scale.

O
Overload
Distortion which is caused by exceeding the dynamic range of a circuit.

P
Panning
To move an audio signal from one output to the other. Panning a sound between two speakers changes the apparent position of the sound.

Parallel Interface
A computer interface in which data is passed simultaneously over many wires. A Parallel Interface is usually much faster than a serial interface. The SCSI Interface on the Emulator III is an example of a Parallel Interface.

Paste
To put a copy of the contents of the clipboard (whatever was last copied or cut) in at the specified insertion point.

Patch
Referring to a particular sound created on a synthesizer. Comes from the use of patch cords on the original modular synthesizers.

Polyphonic
A musical instrument that is able to play more than one note at the same time. Music with more than one voice part.

Preset
A preprogrammed sound and control setup on a sampler or synthesizer. Presets can be made up in advance of a performance, stored in memory, then recalled instantly when desired.

Pressure Sensitivity
The ability of an instrument to respond to pressure applied to the keyboard after the initial depression of a key. Sometimes called aftertouch.

Proximity Effect
When cartioid microphones are placed very close to the sound source, a boosting of the bass frequencies occurs which is known as the proximity effect.

Punch-in
When recording, punching in over-writes a previously recorded track starting at the punch in point.

Punch-out
When recording, punching out stops the recording process started by a punch in, thus preserving the previously recorded track starting at the punch out point.

Q
Q
The figure expressing a filter's resonance. Varying Q varies the sharpness of the filter sound.

Quantize
A function on some sequencers which modifies the information in its memory to improve the rhythmic accuracy and correct playing errors.

R
RAM
Acronym for Random Access Memory. The memory in a computer in a computer that stores data temporarily while you are working on it. Data stored in RAM is lost forever when power is interupted to the machine if it has not been saved to another medium, such as floppy or hard disk.

RS 422
A high-speed serial communication port which allows data to be transferred to and from an external computer at a very high rate (500K baud).

Realtime Controls
Occurring in actual time or live.

Resonance
A frequency at which a material object will vibrate. In a filter with resonance, a signal will be accentuated at the cutoff frequency. See Q.

Ritardando
Retarding. A direction to slow down gradually.

S
Sample Rate
When digitally sampling a signal, the rate at which level measurements of the signal are taken.

Sampling
The process of recording a sound into digital memory.

SCSI
Acronym for Small Computer Systems Interface. An industry standard interface that provides high-speed access to peripheral devices such as hard disk drives, optical discs, WORM drives, etc.

SCSI Port
The port on the back of the EIII to which SCSI devices are connected.

Sequencer
A device which steps through a series of events. A digital sequencer may record keyboard data, program changes, or realtime modulation data to be played back later much like a tape recorder or player piano. Digital sequencers use memory on the basis of events (key on, key off, etc.) while a tape recorder uses memory (tape) on the basis of time.

Serial Interface
A computer interface in which data is passed over a single line, one bit at a time. The MIDI interface is an example of a serial interface.

Signal Processing
The art of modifying an existing sound through the use of electronic circuitry.

SMPTE
Acronym for Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers who adopted a standard time code in order to synchronize video and audio. SMPTE information is in the form of Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Frames. There are two types of SMPTE time code, Longitudinal Time Code which can be recorded on audio tape, and Vertical Interval Time Code which is recorded on video tape.

Software
The programs or sets of instructions describing the tasks to be performed by a computer.

Song Pointer
MIDI information which allows equipment to remain in sync even if the master device has been fast forwarded. MIDI Song Pointer (sometimes called MIDI Song Position Pointer) is an internal register (in the sequencer or autolocator) which holds the number of MIDI beats since the start of the song.

Step Time
A sequencer mode where events are entered one at a time.

Subtractive Synthesis
The process of constructing a sound by starting with a complex sound and then removing harmonics with a filter. A low pass filter is most commonly used. The cutoff frequency of the filter is usually dynamically varied, which changes the harmonics that are removed. Using the low pass filter on the Emulator III to alter the sound is a form of subtractive synthesis.

Supermode
An Emulator III MIDI function designed to enhance the Sequencer/MIDI interface. It maps data occurring on a specific MIDI channel to a specific preset within the bank. Similar to standard MIDI Omni Off/Mono mode, but more flexible. Each channel can contain polyphonic note data.

T
Taper
A digital signal processing function that fades a sound in or out between two points. Tapering permanently modifies a sound.

Terminating Resistors
Also called a terminator. A group of resistors that should be placed on the SCSI cable before the last device on a SCSI chain. Usually the terminating resistor is built inside the SCSI device. There should be no more than two terminators in a SCSI chain: one at the start, built into the EIII, and one at the end.

Timbre
Tone color. The quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds with the same pitch and volume.

Tremolo
A cyclic change in amplitude, usually in the range of 7 to 14 Hz. Usually achieved by routing a LFO (low frequency oscillator) to a VCA (voltage controlled amplifier).

Truncation
When manipulating a sample, truncation shortens a sample's length by trimming off parts of the beginning and/or end.

U
Undo
Cancels the results of the last operation.

V
VCA
Voltage Controlled Amplifier. A circuit whose gain is determined by a control voltage.

VCF
Voltage Controlled Filter. A filter whose cutoff frequency or resonant frequency is determined by a control voltage.

Velocity Sensitivity
A keyboard which can respond to the speed at which a key is depressed; this corresponds to the dynamics with which the player plays the keyboard. Velocity is an important function as it helps translate the performer's expression to the music. Velocity can be routed to many destinations on the Emulator III and is also translated over the MIDI line.

Vibrato
A cyclic change in pitch, usually in the range of 7 to 14 Hz.

Volatile Memory
Memory which loses its data when power is removed. The RAM memory in the Emulator II is volatile, the data on the hard disk is non-volatile.

Voltage Pedal
A pedal which outputs a control voltage which is dependant on its position.

W
Write Protect
To protect data (either on a disk or in memory) from being written to, although data can still be read.

X
Y
Z
Zero Crossing
The point where the polarity of an electrical or sampled signal changes from positive to negative (or vice-versa) as it passes through zero. A zero crossing provides a convenient point to splice two sounds because the levels of the two splice points are the same at zero volts.