Definitions handout - Daw breakdown

14 important questions on Definitions handout - Daw breakdown

What is an arpeggio? What is an Arepggiator?

An arpeggio takes the notes of a chord and plays them one by one, instead of all at the same time.

So if you were to arpeggiate a chord, you would play each note individually with little overlap.


An arpeggiator will automatically create an arpeggio for you.

What is an EQ? What does it do?

It is an Equalizer:
The equalizer is made to alter the frequency of the sound.
It can cut/ boost or shape the sound.

When was the Equalizer invented?

The Equalizer was invented by spies during the war to filter out the noise/interferences. EQ's cleaned the frequencies to get a clearer sound.
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What are the three parameters in an equalizer?

The frequency: the maximum point of action

The gain: allows to cut or boost that point.

Q: The bandwidth/curve/more broad or narrow, like boosting a wider bell of cutting a more narrow tight bell

In an EQ graph what type of shapes do you have?

The bell shape:
the shelf shape
the high shelf: effects everything above a certain frequency
the below shelf : will affect everything below a certain frequency

What type of filters are there, what are filters made of?


Low pass/high cut.
High pass/low cut.
Band pass/
Notch/ band cut

Filters are made of inductions/ resisters/conducters

Never cut or boost the frequencies over ....... dB's

Never cut or boost the frequencies over 5 dB's

There are essentially four points in the EQ curve:

- low pass: remove everything below 30herz. Its extra space.
- boost the fundamental frequency
- cut the harmonic
- boost the attack

What is the dynamic range?

How much velocities are being used.
The difference between the highest and lowest range.

It is the opposite of static.

What reduces the dynamic range of a sound?

A compressor with the threshold and the ratio

How was a compressor first used/invented?

On tape... How much information can be compressed put on tape.

What gives you more dynamic range on a kick?

A slow attack

What is side chaining? How is it used?

Side chaining is what can trigger the compressor.

You can also de-link it and feed another sound into it.

Radios also use this when someone talks the sound is automatically compressed.

What do relays and reverbs do?

They work with time and space.
Instead of changing the frequency of the sound, they add to the sound.

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