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A cappella: Vocal music or singing without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term is Italian for "like the chapel" (music); and originated as a result of restrictions on the use of instruments in medieval churches. It is sometimes spelled as a capella, or acappella, though a cappella is historically correct. A cappella music was and is often used in church music. Gregorian chant is an example of a cappella singing, as is the majority of sacred vocal music from the Renaissance. Many religious bodies are known for conducting their worship services without musical accompaniment. A cappella music attained renewed prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, spurred by the success of songs by popular recording artists such as Bobby McFerrin, the Nylons, Rockapella and Boyz II Men. Barbershop, doo wop, and contemporary a cappella are some of the major movements within modern a cappella singing. Arrangements of popular music for small a cappella ensembles usually include one voice singing the lead melody, one singing a rhythmic bass line, and the remaining voices contributing chordal accompaniment. However, many contemporary a cappella groups have adopted other approaches, including polyphonic treatments and "human beatbox" effects. A cappella can also describe the practice of using just the vocal track(s) from a multitrack recording to either remix or put onto vinyl records for DJ's.

A & R	A-B Stereo	A-Time
A-weighted	A440	AAC - Advanced Audio Coding (also MPEG-2 AAC)
AAF	Abalone	ABS
Absolute Phase	Absorption	Absorption Coefficient
Alternating Current (AC)	AC-1	AC-2
AC-3	Academy Curve	A cappella
Accent	Access Time	Accidental
Accompaniment	Accumulator	Acetate
Acoustic Lens	Acoustic Suspension	Acoustic Treatment
ACPI	Action	Actionflo
Active	Active Sensing	Actuator
Adagio	ADAT	ADAT/FST
ADAT Optical	ADB	A/D Converter (ADC)
Additive Synthesis	Adjusto-Matic	ADPCM
ADR	ADSR	Aeolian Harp
Aerophone	AES	AES/EBU
AES3	AES3id	AES42-2001
AFL	AFM	Aftertouch
AFTRA	AGC	Aggregate Device
Aging Toner	Agitato	AGP
AHDSFR	AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)	AIR
AIT	Alder	Alder
Aleatoric Music (Composition)	Algorithm	Alias
Aliasing	Alkaline Battery	All-Button Mode
All-Notes-Off	Allegro	Alnico
Alteration	Altered Chord	Alternate Tuning
Alto	AM	Ambience
Ambisonics	Amen Break	Amperage
Ampere	Amp Head	Amplifier
Amplifier, Instrument	Amplitude	AMS
Analog	Analog Sequencer	Analog Synthesizer
Anamorphic	Andante	Anechoic
Anode	Anodize	Anodized
ANSI	ANSI A-Weighting	Antecedent and Consequence
Antenna	Antenna gain	Anti-Imaging Filter
Anti-Aliasing Filter	Anti-node	Aperiodic
API	Apoyando	Apple Talk
Application (Program)	Architecture	Archival Stability
Archtop Guitar	Arco	ARP Avatar
Arpeggiator	Arpeggio	Arrangement
Articulation	Artificial (or Automated) Double Tracking or ADT)	ASCAP
ASCII	Ash	Ashtray Bridge Cover
ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)	ASIO	Aspect Ratio
Asperity	ASPI	Asynchronous
ATA	ATA-2	ATA 66/100/120
ATAPI	Absolute Time Code	Atonal Music
ATRAC	ATRAC	Attack
Attenuation	Audio	Audiobook
Audiology	Audio RIP	Audio Suite
AudioUnits	Audiowire	Auditory Cortex
Augmented Interval	Auranomic	Author
Authorize	Auto Accompaniment	Autolocate/Autolocator
Automata	Automatic Mixer	Automation
Auto Punch	Aux Send	AVI
AWG (American Wire Gauge)	AWM	Axe