Audio glossary
Plain definitions for terms used in our reviews. Engineering units appear only as general convention, never as measurements from any specific episode.
Recording
room tone
The continuous ambient sound of a space when nobody speaks — the acoustic fingerprint of a place.
ambience
Background environmental sound used to establish or sustain a sense of location in a mix.
field recording
Audio captured on location rather than in a studio, often with portable recorders and wind protection.
condenser microphone
A sensitive microphone type that captures detail and transient sound, common in treated rooms.
lavalier
A small clip-on microphone placed close to a speaker's chest for interview capture.
wind shield
A foam or furry cover that reduces wind noise during outdoor recording.
gain
Input level applied during recording — too high clips; too low raises noise when boosted later.
Editing and mixing
levels
The relative loudness of elements in a mix — speech should remain intelligible without hiding nuance.
dynamic range
The span between the quietest and loudest moments in a recording or mix.
loudness normalisation
Adjusting perceived loudness to a target level so episodes sit consistently across platforms.
sample rate
How many samples of audio are captured per second — higher rates preserve more high-frequency detail.
bit depth
The resolution of each sample — greater depth allows quieter details with less noise.
mono and stereo
Mono uses one channel; stereo uses two, creating width and placement for elements.
edit point
The exact cut between clips — good edit points respect breath, ambience and meaning.
crossfade
A gradual blend between two clips to avoid clicks and hard jumps.
noise floor
The baseline hiss or hum present when no intended signal plays.
plosive
A burst of air on consonants like p and b that can overload a microphone.
de-esser
Processing that reduces harsh sibilance on s and sh sounds.
Structure and publishing
score
Original music composed for a work, distinct from licensed tracks or incidental music.
sting
A short musical cue used to mark transitions or emphasis.
cold open
Material before titles or formal introduction — can establish place or pose a question.
sequencing
The order in which sections are arranged to produce structure and pacing.
transcript
A written record of spoken content — useful for accessibility and editorial review.
accessibility
Design choices that help diverse listeners follow content — clarity, pacing and plain language.
Goodman Road · Mountbatten corridor