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Automation: In audio production automation refers to having things programmed to happen in real time during a mixdown. In the 1970's, when big multitrack tape machines were becoming common, and overdubbing parts became a standard way of working, the process of getting a good mix became exponentially more difficult. No longer was the whole recording of a live performance where the musicians pretty much balanced their own levels. Many components were put in later and eventually it became trendy to do mixes at other studios optimized for that purpose, thereby causing the mix to have to be created from scratch. Anyone who has ever had the occasion to be one of the three or four people huddled over the mixer making adjustments during a manual mixdown can appreciate the benefits of being able to automate most of the process. Early automation systems were basic level controls. They were synchronized to the tape machine by some form of Time Code (not necessarily SMPTE) and would remember any moves the engineer made and then play the data back causing the level change to occur at the proper time (assuming the automation stayed in sync with the tape - not a given). They worked by either having motorized faders, where the motors could be controlled by the automation, or by using VCA's (Voltage Controlled Amp), which was a much less expensive and cantankerous option. VCA's, however, didn't sound as pure as the passive fader with a motor attached so most successful systems were "moving fader" based. Later the quality of the VCA based systems rose (while the cost declined) and they became popular among smaller studios, but moving fader systems are still considered the best choice for analog. Not only because they sound better, but because the tactile feedback of physically moving faders is something many engineers prefer. During the 1980's many other aspects of mixing began to be automated. Things like aux sends, panning, and eventually even EQ and compression could be put under computer control. Nowadays there are many analog mixing boards that are totally under digital control and virtually every parameter can be automated. Further, with the advent of the DAW, complete recall and automation of every aspect of a mix has become a standard.

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 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	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	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	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	Axial Room Mode	Azure Noise