Akai MPC User's Guide download pdf (Page 142)

142

Glossary

A lot of the terms in this manual are based on the MPC parameter names. This glossary briefly explains

many of the technical terms used throughout.

Aftertouch: The majority of contemporary keyboards are capable of generating aftertouch messages. On

this type of keyboard, when you press harder on a key you are already holding down, a MIDI Aftertouch

message is generated. This feature makes sounds even more expressive (e.g., through vibrato).

Aliasing: Aliasing is an audible side effect arising in digital systems as soon as a signal contains

harmonics higher than half the sampling frequency.

Amount: Describes to which extent a modulation source influences a given parameter.

Amplifier: An amplifier is a component that influences the volume level of a sound via a control signal. It

can be modulated by a control signal (e.g., generated by an envelope or an LFO).

Attack: An envelope parameter. This term describes the ascent rate of a time-relevant process (e.g., an

envelope from its starting point to the point where it reaches its highest value). The Attack phase is

initiated immediately after a trigger signal is received (e.g., after you play a note on a trigger pad or a

keyboard).

Bit Rate: Bit rate (also known as Word Length), is the number of bits used to store the level information

of each single sample slice within a whole sample. The higher the bit rate, the more precise the

information about a sample (i.e., its dynamics' resolution). Normal audio CDs use 16-bit. MPC supports

full 24-bit resolution.

Clipping: Clipping is a sort of distortion that occurs when a signal exceeds the maximum value that can

be handled by a signal processing system it is fed into. The curve of a clipped signal is dependent on the

system where the clipping occurs. In the analog domain, clipping effectively limits the signal to a given

maximum level. In the digital domain, clipping is similar to a numerical overflow, resulting in negative

polarity of the signal's portions exceeding the maximum level.

1 2 ... 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148

No comments

Akai MPC User's Guide Page 142