Static mix A static mix is the mix you get when you use the volume faders to put

all your instruments in there place .The reason we do this is so every thing sits well and we have a full mix. A static mix has no effects or compression or EQ.

Signal to noise ratio, or SNR The signal to noise ratio is a measurement that describes how much noise there is in the output of a device, in the relation to the signal level

DBFS DBFS means decibels relative to full scale, DBFS measures decibel amplitude levels which have maximum peak level

Dynamic range Dynamic range is a measurement of the difference between the quietest possible sound and the loudest possible sound that can be handled by a given medium.

Headroom Headroom is the amout by which the signal exceeds a designated level know as a permitted Maximum Level

This is our headroom

EQ EQ allows you to boost/cut certain frequencies You're not changing the frequency so much as changing the balance between the frequencies already present in a sound, it's a finer form of control than just changing the sound. We can hear between 30hz and 18000khz (thereabouts). An equalizer will break up that into sections. The most basic will just be a tone control with bass boost at one end and treble boost at the other. Next most simple is a separate control for bass and treble. Then someone thought of adding a 'mids' control to adjust the frequencies that were neither high or low. This is a 'three band' equalizer. Most decent amps these days will have at least a five band equalizer. The more bands the more 'fine' control you have over the overall sound.

Compression Compression reduces the volume of loud sounds or amplifies quiet sounds by narrowing or "compressing" an audio signal's dynamic range.

Makeup gain After your signal undergoes the gain reduction process of compression you need some way to bring the average overall level back up so that the signal sits in the mix appropriately. This can be done many different ways, however, its very easy and straight forward when the compressor has a final gian stage with a level control so the signal can be adjusted before it leaves the unit. This gain stage and its associated control are usually referred to as makeup gain.

Ratio Ratio sets the degree of compression above the threshold level. A ratio of 2:1 represents mild compression and means that when the incoming level (that is, the level above the threshold) rises by 10dB, the outgoing level will only rise by 5dB. Ratios of up to 5:1 are regularly used for vocals and other instruments, and can pass by unnoticed by the listener if the other controls are set properly. Higher ratios are used for more serious limiting, where the level needs more severe control. Ratios of 10:1 and higher are nearly always noticeable to the listener.

Attack Attack is measured in milliseconds and determines the time taken for the compressor to start working once the signal has passed the threshold level. Some times if you leave just a hint of attack (say, for instance, a snare drum hit, or a powerful down stroke on an acoustic guitar) then it sounds a bit more realistic. Removing too much attack can sound a touch fake.

Release Release sets the length of time it takes for the compressor to return to its normal state once the signal has gone back below the threshold.

Gain Gain is provided because compression always reduces the peak level the more compression, the lower the level of the outgoing signal. This control is sometimes referred to as 'make-up' gain because it makes up the level that is inevitably lost during the compression process.