tinnitusground). Unbalanced audio circuitry is less
The ringing in the ears that is producedexpensive to build but under certain circum-
with prolonged exposure to high volumes. Astances is more susceptible to noise pickup.
sound in the ears, such as buzzing, ringing, orunity gain
whistling, caused by volume knob abuse!A circuit or system that has its voltage gain
trimadjusted to be one, or unity. A signal will
In audio mixers, the gain adjustment for theleave a unity gain circuit at the same level at
first amplification stage of the mixer. The trimwhich it entered. In Mackie mixers, unity
control helps the mixer cope with the widelygain is achieved by setting all variable
varying range of input signals that come fromcontrols to the marked OU� setting. Mackie
real-world sources. It is important to set themixers are optimized for best headroom and
trim control correctly; its setting determinesnoise figures at unity gain.
the overall noise performance in that channelVLZ
of the mixer. See mic preamp.Acronym for very low impedance. (Impedance
TRSis measured in ohms represented by the W sym-
Acronym for Tip-Ring-Sleeve, a scheme forbol, which is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.
connecting three conductors through a singleThis is how the letter Z is used instead of I.) VLZ
plug or jack. 1�4" phone plugs and jacks and 1�8"is one of the most important reasons why inher-
mini phone plugs and jacks are commonlyent noise levels on Mackie mixing boards are so
wired TRS. Since the plug or jack can carryminuscule. Thermal noise is something thatOs
two signals and a common ground, TRS con-created by all circuitry and usually transistors
nectors are often referred to as stereo orand resistors are the worst culprits. The basic
balanced plugs or jacks. Another common TRSrule with thermal noise is: the higher the imped-
application is for insert jacks, used for insert-ance, the more the noise. MackieOs VLZ design
ing an external processor into the signal path.reduces thermal noise by making internal imped-
In Mackie mixers, the tip is send, ring is re-ances as low as possible in as many places as
turn, and sleeve is ground.possible within the console. VLZ is achieved by
TSscaling down resistor values by a factor of three
Acronym for Tip-Sleeve, a scheme for con-or four � resulting in a corresponding reduction
necting two conductors through a single plugin thermal noise. This is especially true for the
or jack. 1�4" phone plugs and jacks and 1�8" miniconsoleOs mixing buses.
phone plugs and jacks are commonly wired TS.volume
Sometimes called mono or unbalanced plugsElectrical or sound level in an audio system.
or jacks. A 1�4" TS phone plug or jack is alsoPerhaps the only thing that some bands have
called a standard phone plug or jack.too much of.
unbalancedVRMS
An electrical circuit in which the two legs ofSee RMS.
the circuit are not balanced with respect towet
ground. Usually, one leg will be held at groundWith added reverberation or other effect
potential. Unbalanced circuit connectionslike echo, delay or chorusing.
require only two conductors (signal Ohot� andXLR connector
See Cannon.
41 |
ACEC
MACKIE
