Glossary: Automatic Mixer | Sweetwater.com

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Automatic Mixer: A specialized audio mixer that senses the presence or absence of a signal from a microphone and turns it on or off without requiring human intervention. Automatic mixers can have a single channel or multiple channels. Most automatic mixer designs are based on a threshold setting that defines the minimum SPL the mixer will recognize as a valid signal. One of two basic approaches is then used. In the first, the mixer operates as a gate and shuts off all signal from the mic, and then reactivates it once the signal level rises above the threshold. In the second approach, the mixer attenuates the signal by 15-20dB, and then gradually increases it as the source volume increases. Fans of this approach point out that it does away with the "choppy" action of gates, which instantaneously changes from full attenuation to full gain. Automatic mixers are often found in audio-for-video recording, broadcast TV and radio, and houses of worship.

A & R	A-B Stereo	A-Time
A-weighted	A/B	A440
AAC - Advanced Audio Coding (also MPEG-2 AAC)	AAF	Abalam
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	Accutronics Reverb	Acetate
Acoustic-electric Guitar	Acoustic Cloud	Acoustic Foam
Acoustic Lens	Acoustics	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	Agathis
AGC	Aggregate Device	Aging Toner
Agitato	Agoya	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	Amplitude Modulation
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	Archive	Archtop Guitar
Arco	ARP Avatar	Arpeggiator
Arpeggio	ARP String Ensemble	Arrangement
Articulation	Artifact	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	Attenuator
Audio	Audiobook	Audiology
Audio RIP	Audio Suite	AudioUnits
Audiowire	Auditory Cortex	Auditory System
Augmented Interval	Auranomic	Author
Authorization	Authorize	Auto-Glide
Auto Accompaniment	Autolocate/Autolocator	Automata
Automatic Mixer	Automation	Auto Punch
Aux Send	AVI	AWG (American Wire Gauge)
AWM	Axe	Axial Room Mode

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