Technology / Home Audio Glossary

Mosfet Power Supply: A power supply that employs MOSFET transistors to convert DC to AC. Offers superior thermal stability and more accurate switching.

Motor Structure: The part of the speaker that moves a diaphragm to produce sound. The motor structure basically consists of a voice coil that sits inside a cylindrical magnet. Alternating current is pumped t . . . View Full Definition

Mounting Depth: The amount of physical space required to mount a Driver without having any of its parts touch objects below. This is particularly relevant to car speakers where such mounting spaces may be s . . . View Full Definition

Mounting Ring: Often used to describe the circular gasket seal incorporated into the edge of a speaker, traditionally the term 'mounting ring' refers to a separate device placed between a Driver and the su . . . View Full Definition

MP3: Is the file extension for MPEG, audio layer 3. Layer 3 is one of three coding schemes (layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3) for the compression of audio signals. Layer 3 uses perceptual audio codin . . . View Full Definition

Multi-Tracking: The process of recording a multi-part performance on separate tracks at different times which allows the engineer to subsequently combine, balance and process those tracks during mixdown.

Multimeter: A common term used to describe a VOM. A multimeter usually has the ability to measure volts, ohms, and amperes or milliamperes.

Mute: A control found on receivers, some mixers, and certain signal processing units that silences (mutes) a signal path, or output. 2. Someone with much to say but lacking the hardware or softwar . . . View Full Definition

National Television System Committee (NTSC): Refers to the standards used for video broadcast and playback signal parameters in the U.S. Japan and other countries. Alternative systems used in Europe and some Asian countries are PAL and SECAM.

Near Field Sound: Typically, any point where the direct sound emission is measurably louder than the reflections of that sound. From a more accurate technical perspective, this is the point where the velocity . . . View Full Definition

Negative Feedback: The dynamic comparison of a fraction of the output signal to the input signal at the input to an amplifier in such a way that the amplifier regulates it's output signal for maximal conformit . . . View Full Definition

Negative LCD: A liquid crystal display employing a dark backfield with lit elements. This results in a primarily dark display, which improves cosmetic integration with a dark colored headunit.

Neodymium: A material used in some speaker magnets. Neodymium magnets are smaller and more powerful than conventional speaker magnets.

Neodymium Magnet: A magnet material providing 7.5 times the magnetic strength of standard magnetic materials.

Net Volume: The amount of airspace that is enclosed within a speaker's enclosure. This does not include the airspace taken up by bracing, vents, or the speaker itself.

Noise: Perceived sounds not in the original soundtrack. Such things as hiss, crackle, pops, hum, and buzz, are typical of the types of extraneous signals described as noise. Inherent noise in the e . . . View Full Definition

Noise Floor: Normally the lowest threshold of useful signal level (although sometimes audible signals below the noise floor may be recovered).

Noise Gate: An expander with a fixed 'infinite' downward expansion ratio. Used extensively for controlling unwanted noise, such as preventing 'open' microphones and 'hot' instrument pick-ups from introd . . . View Full Definition

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30