U – Z

Unbalanced refers to a signal transmission method where the audio signal is carried over a single conductor, with a ground or shield as the return path. This setup is more prone to noise and interference, making it suitable for shorter cable runs in less critical audio applications.

An unbalanced cable consists of two conductors: a signal wire and a ground or shield wire, used to carry an audio signal over short distances. Due to its susceptibility to noise and interference, it is typically used in consumer-grade audio equipment or situations where high-quality signal integrity is not a critical concern.

Unison refers to the simultaneous sounding of multiple voices or instruments playing the same pitch or notes, creating a sense of harmony and unity. It is often used to describe the alignment of different audio signals or the blending of sounds in a cohesive, unified manner.

A vacuum tube, also known as a valve, is an electronic component used in audio equipment to amplify signals by controlling the flow of electrical current in a vacuum. Vacuum tubes are valued in audio for their warm, harmonic-rich sound, often used in high-fidelity amplifiers and vintage audio gear.

A vamp refers to a short, repeated musical section or phrase, often used as a musical intro, interlude, or bridge. It serves as a foundation for improvisation or transitions between different parts of a song or performance.

Velocity refers to the speed or force with which a note is played, often associated with MIDI data to control the intensity or volume of a sound. It is commonly used in digital music production to add expressiveness, affecting how loud or soft a note sounds based on the player’s input.

Vibrato refers to a slight variation in pitch, typically created by a performer or an effect, that oscillates above and below a note’s fundamental pitch. It is used to add warmth, expression, and richness to a sound, commonly applied to vocals, string instruments, and synthesizers.

A vocoder is an audio processing device that analyzes and synthesizes the human voice by modulating a carrier signal, such as a synthesizer, with the tonal characteristics of the voice. It is commonly used in music production to create robotic, synthesized vocal effects or to blend vocals with electronic sounds.

A Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) is an electronic component that adjusts the amplitude of an audio signal based on an incoming control voltage. It is commonly used in audio processing equipment, such as compressors and synthesizers, to dynamically control signal levels with precision.

A Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) is an electronic filter whose cutoff frequency is adjusted by an external control voltage, allowing dynamic manipulation of the signal’s frequency content. It is commonly used in synthesizers to shape sounds by filtering out certain frequencies, creating effects like resonance and sweeping filter changes.

Volume refers to the perceived loudness or intensity of a sound, determined by the amplitude of the audio signal. It is typically adjusted using a volume control to increase or decrease the output level of an audio source, such as speakers or headphones.

A VU (Volume Unit) meter is an analog device used to measure and display the average level of an audio signal, typically in decibels. It provides a visual representation of signal strength, helping audio engineers monitor and maintain consistent volume levels to avoid distortion or clipping.

A waveform is a graphical representation of an audio signal’s amplitude over time, showing the variations in pressure or voltage that make up the sound. It is used to visualize the shape of the sound, with different waveforms (such as sine, square, or sawtooth) producing distinct sonic characteristics.

Wavelength refers to the physical distance between two consecutive points of similar phase in a sound wave, such as from one peak to the next. It is inversely related to frequency, with higher frequencies having shorter wavelengths and lower frequencies having longer wavelengths, affecting how we perceive pitch and tone.

Weighting refers to the process of adjusting frequency response to match the sensitivity of human hearing, often used in sound measurements. Common types, such as A-weighting, emphasize frequencies that the human ear is most sensitive to while reducing the influence of lower and higher frequencies.

A Y-lead is a cable that splits a single audio signal into two separate paths or combines two signals into one, shaped like the letter “Y.” It is commonly used to connect one output to two inputs or vice versa, such as linking stereo signals or routing audio to multiple devices.

Zenith refers to the rotational alignment angle of a phono cartridge’s stylus relative to the grooves of a vinyl record. Proper zenith alignment is crucial for accurate tracking and sound reproduction, minimizing distortion and record wear during playback.

Zero crossing point is the moment where a waveform crosses the horizontal axis, meaning the signal’s amplitude is zero. Editing or processing audio at these points helps avoid clicks or pops, as changes occur when the signal is at its quietest.

Zero latency monitoring refers to the practice of monitoring a sound input, such as a microphone or instrument, without any noticeable delay during recording or live performance. This is achieved by bypassing any processing that introduces latency, allowing musicians or engineers to hear themselves in real-time without disruption.

Zipper noise refers to an unwanted, mechanical-like sound that occurs when there is a sudden or abrupt change in an audio parameter, such as volume or effect settings. It often resembles the sound of a zipper being closed and is typically caused by improper automation or digital artifacts in the signal processing.