6.0

Glossary
296
Sound source: General term for MIDI-controllable synthe-
sizer, sampler, drum machine, digital piano, etc.
SPP, song position pointer: A specific type of MIDI mes-
sage which gives the distance from the song start in 1/16
notes, and is transmitted along with MIDI clock.
SMF (Standard MIDI File): Standard file format for ex-
changing songs between different sequencers or MIDI
file players.
Status byte: First byte in a MIDI message, which deter-
mines the type of message.
Subframe: A sub-division of a SMPTE frame, correspond-
ing to the individual bits of a SMPTE frame. One frame
consists of 80 bits.
Swing: Parameter which alters the rigid timing of a quan-
tization grid by delaying every other note of a specified
sub-division by a definable amount.
Synchronization: Method for keeping several recording/
playback devices locked together timing-wise.
Synchronizer: Unit for centrally controlling the synchroni-
zation of several devices.
Tick, plural = ticks: The smallest unit of timing resolution
in a sequencer. In MAGIX midi studio generation 6 this is
1/3840 note.
Timing: Measure of the ability to play notes at the right
time.
Toggle: Switches backwards and forwards between two
states (windows, parameter values, etc.)
Track column: Situated to the left of the working area of
the Arrange window. Displays the instruments assigned
to various tracks.
Undo: Function which reverses the previous operation.
Update: 1. New revised and improved version of a pro-
gram. 2. Mixer automation mode in MAGIX midi studio
generation 6, where the old automation data is replaced by
new recordings of existing controllers.
VCA: This term has its roots in the analogue synthesizer
technique. The abbreviation stands for Voltage Controlled
Amplifier. The level of a signal passing through a VCA
will be controlled by a voltage. Usually, this voltage is been
taken from an envelope generator.
VCF: This term has its roots in the analogue synthesizer
technique. The abbreviation stands for Voltage Controlled
Filter. The frequency content of a signal passing through a
VCF will be controlled by a voltage. Usually, this voltage is
been taken from a filter envelope generator.
Velocity: Force with which a MIDI note is struck; con-
trolled by the second data byte of a note event.