A capella
Unaccompanied vocal performance with one or more vocalists. Literally “In the church style”.

A&R/Artists and Repertoire
Short for Artists and Repertoire. A&R is the person or department responsible for signing new acts to a record label. The name derives from a time when they used to also choose material from publishers for the artists on their label.

A&R used to be responsible for developing new artists and acting as the main point of contact for existing artists.

The A&R department links the recording artist and the record label. A&R departments often find songwriters and record producers for signed bands, schedule recording sessions, and handle any necessary contractual negotiations.

No longer exclusive to record labels, the modern music industry uses A&R titles within booking agencies, music marketing, and small indie labels, among others. A&R people source new talent, and then they help to develop the artists, working closely with them throughout their recording projects, together with managers, producers, songwriters, and other musicians.

A-Side

In the context of vinyl records and early singles, the A-side refers to the primary track on a single release, typically intended as the main song to promote. Historically, the A-side song was considered the more commercial or “hit” track, crafted to attract radio play and listener interest. For artists, the A-side represented their best chance at chart success and broader recognition, making it a significant focus of production and marketing efforts.

Traditionally, singles were released with two tracks: an A-side and a B-side. While the A-side contained the featured song, the B-side often included an additional track that could range from experimental material, remixes, or songs not intended for mainstream appeal. Occasionally, a B-side would gain unexpected popularity, sometimes surpassing the A-side in success.

In the digital age, where music is frequently released as streaming singles without physical sides, the term “A-side” is less commonly used but still refers to the “lead” or primary song in a release. However, in vinyl and retro music circles, A-sides remain a reminder of an era when the physical format influenced how music was marketed, consumed, and remembered.

Today, the concept of the A-side also embodies the idea of a standout or showcase song, one that represents the artist’s best effort and is expected to connect strongly with audiences.

AAA/Strophic/One-Part Song Form
AAA song form is one of the oldest sectional song forms. Originating in existing poems being set to music for performance in the royal courts of Europe.

The melody is repeated and with each repetition of the melody, different words are sung. This makes it an ideal song form for storytelling.

AAA songs are made up of several verses. A refrain is sometimes used at the end of each verse.

AAC
Advanced Audio Coding, a MPEG standard, is an audio coding standard for compression. MP4, an improvement in quality over MP3, achieves better sound at a similar bit rate. AAC also adds DRM to an audio track.

AAB/12-Bar Blues Song Form
This is the most common blues song form. In 12-Bar song form an AAB pattern is used in both lyrics and melody (this is often set out in a ‘question-question-answer’ format) made up of three 4-bar phrases.

AABA/American Popular/Ballad Song Form
AABA is a shorthand notation for a common song form where A is the main theme and B is the bridge theme. AABA means that the main theme A is played twice, followed by the bridge, B, before a restatement of the original theme A.

Sections are of the same length, often 8 bars each giving 32 bars in total.

AB/Verse-Chorus Song Form
AB format has been the songwriting format of choice for modern popular music since the 1960s. Common for use in love songs, pop, country, rap, and rock music. Unlike the AABA form or AAA, which both highlight the verse, the AB format puts emphasis entirely on the chorus.

The AB Song Form consists of two or three verses that alternate with a second musical section referred to as the chorus. The chorus usually contains the song’s main message and title.

ABC/Verse-Chorus-Bridge Song Form
ABC format is derived from AB Song Form. This form is essentially AB Song Form with the addition of a 3rd section type, a bridge section.

ABCD/Through-Composed Song Form
Mainly used in art-song tradition songs in classical music, when a song is “through-composed” it means that no musical ideas are repeated without variation. This form is highly uncommon in popular music.

Absolute Pitch
Absolute Pitch is simply another name for Perfect Pitch, an ability of 1 in 10,000 people to tell the pitch of a note without using a reference note for comparison.

Absorption
1. The damping of a sound wave when it passes through a medium or hits a surface.

2. The ability of a material or object to absorb sound energy.

Absorption Coefficient
A number that is determined from the amount of sound energy absorbed from an incoming sound wave, at a specified frequency, when it encounters a material or surface under known conditions.

Accelerando
An indication in Music notation to gradually increase the tempo. Often abbreviated to “accel”.

Accent
The rhythm of a piece of music is clarified by the use of accents. Accent signs in music notation indicate where notes should be emphasized, and how they should be emphasized.

Accidental
This is an all-encompassing term for prefixing a Natural, Double Flat, Flat, Sharp, or Double Sharp to a note. The accidental is primarily used to indicate playing a note out with the current key. The effect of the use of an accidental applies to all subsequent notes of the same pitch within the same bar unless overridden by the use of another accidental.

For this reason, the sharp, flat, and natural symbols are sometimes called accidentals as they are used in notation to indicate the occurrence of an accidental.

Accordion
Also called piano-accordion. Invented by Friedrich Buschmann of Berlin in 1822, the accordion is a portable reed organ. Metal reeds are used to produce sound using air supplied by the “squeeze box” (a hand-operated bellows).

There are two basic types of accordion.

1. Two sets of press buttons that play either individual notes or chords.

2. 1 set of press buttons, and a small piano keyboard.

Acetate
Another name for a Lacquer disc.

Acoustic

In music, the term “acoustic” refers to sounds produced by natural means, without electronic amplification. Acoustic music emphasizes instruments that generate sound through physical vibrations, such as strings, air, or percussion, rather than relying on digital or electronic enhancements. Common acoustic instruments include the acoustic guitar, piano, violin, drums, and wind instruments like the flute and saxophone.

An acoustic guitar, for example, creates sound when the player plucks or strums its strings, causing the vibrations to resonate in the instrument’s hollow body. This natural resonance gives acoustic instruments their warm, organic sound, distinct from the processed tones often associated with electric or electronic instruments.

Acoustic performances are valued for their raw, unfiltered sound, showcasing a musician’s skill without the aid of effects like reverb or distortion that are common in amplified music. Acoustic settings are popular in intimate venues, live recording sessions, and “unplugged” performances, where artists strip down their music to its essential elements, often emphasizing lyrical content and musical dynamics.

In a broader context, “acoustic” can also describe the acoustics of a room or space, referring to how sound behaves in that environment. Good acoustics allow for clear sound transmission and minimal distortion, enhancing the listening experience.

Overall, acoustic music and instruments celebrate the purity of sound and are central to genres like folk, classical, and singer-songwriter traditions, as well as acoustic renditions of songs from other genres.

Acoustics
1. The science behind sound.

2. The features of a room or hall shape the sound heard by a listener.

Action
The term ‘Action’ is used to describe the height of the strings from the fretboard of a stringed instrument.

Active
A term used to describe a circuit containing transistors, ICs (integrated circuits), tubes, and other devices that require power, and are able to amplify.

Active Sensing
Used by some MIDI devices to confirm that a MIDI device is connected and working correctly. This involves the sending device transmitting regular short messages to the receiving device. If active sensing messages stop being received, the receiving device will detect the error and switch off all notes.

AdLib
AdLib is short-hand for Ad Libitum, which means “at-will”. Literally interpreted Ad Lib means “improvised”.

An AdLib song section is usually within the coda or outro. In modern pop music, the lead vocal is the only instrument that really performs an AdLib. Usually, this takes the form of backing vocals holding down the main vocal part while the lead voice adds ornamentation in the form of vocal licks on top of that backing. This is done to really crank up the intensity of the piece. It can be used very effectively in conjunction with a collision. In a live situation, a singer may choose to mention the location of the current gig or refer to the crowd, or some other customization of the lyrics.

Adagio
Medium slow in tempo, approximately 66 – 76 bpm.

ADAT Sync
A synchronization format that is used to allow two ADAT multi-track recorders to play and record in sync.

ADC
Analog to Digital Converter is an electric circuit that converts an analog signal into a digital representation of that signal. The ADC will sample the analog signal at a defined sample rate. Each sample is a binary number that represents the amplitude of the sampled signal. The number of bits used to represent each sample dictates the sample resolution.

Additive Synthesis
Generation of waveforms by the combination of basic waveforms or samples.

Each constituent partial in a sound is represented by an oscillator of appropriate amplitude and frequency. The resulting outputs are then summed in order to achieve the finished sound.

Administration Agreement / Administration Deal / Collection Deal
Increasingly popular with songwriters, this type of Publishing Agreement leaves the songwriter, or other musical copyright owners, retaining the copyrights in their songs. Instead of transferring copyright to the publisher, this kind of agreement grants the Publisher exclusive Administration Rights for specific territories, or the world, for a limited time.

The Publisher is paid a relatively low fee (in the range of 5% to 20% of the collected income). They will pay the songwriter/owner the balance. Advances are not normally paid by a Publisher under an Administration Agreement, or when they are, they are usually relatively low. The only time advances are not low is when the Administration Deal is for a high-earning Catalog.

See publishing administration

Administration Rights
Administration rights are the right to control who uses/exploits a work, where and when they use/exploit it, and ultimately how they use/exploit the work, subject to compulsory licenses (Section 115 of the Copyright Act).

Additionally, administration rights are the right to determine any consideration regarding the use/exploitation of the song, subject to compulsory licenses, and the right to collect any income generated by the use/exploitation of the song.

ADSR
Simple envelope generator with Attack, Sustain, Decay and Release parameters.

ADT
Automatic Double Tracking is the duplication of an audio track that is delayed by a few milliseconds to emphasize the sound or give the impression of more performers.

Advance
In essence, an advance is a loan.

Record labels make an advance to an artist, to be recouped from record sales. Depending on the record contract, the advance is for one or more albums.

Music publishers make advances to songwriters or copyright owners. A music publisher’s advance would be recouped from publishing royalties.

On entering a contract with a record label or publishing company, a lump sum is paid to the artist, as a loan, in advance of sales. The loan is given to enable the artist to record an album, tour, buy gear, pay living expenses, etc. For some, the advance will be significant (North of $500k).

Advances are recouped first before profit is made and any payment is made to the artist or songwriter. The costs associated with producing an album will easily consume the advance.

Estimates suggest that more than 90% of signed artists will fail to recoup their advances and become financially viable.

As mentioned, advances from record labels and music publishers are recoupable from royalties. Commonly, advances are non-returnable and are not a loan owed by the members of the band or songwriters themselves. This means that if the advance is not recouped from royalties, the artist or songwriter is not liable for the unrecouped balance.

In Merchandising Agreements, a condition of the advance is often that the artist is often required to repay the unrecouped balance.

Aeolian Mode
Commonly called the Natural Minor Scale, the Aeolian mode is the sixth mode of the major scale.

The Aeolian mode for the scale of C major is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.

American Federation of Musicians/AF of M
American Federation of Musicians, the American Musician’s Union.

Affiliate Marketing
Using a partner network to market a company or product such that a reward or compensation is offered to an affiliate for each customer referred to it, or for each sale that is made. Affiliates can include marketers, blogs, online shops, comparison sites, and internet communities.

After Fade Listen (AFL)
A facility that allows a Recording Engineer to monitor one of the channels on a Mixing Desk, at a point in the signal chain after the fader, independently of the main mix.

Aftertouch
Generation of a control signal based on the pressure applied to the keys of a MIDI keyboard. Most instruments do not implement independent pressure sensing for all keys, but instead, detect the overall pressure using a common sensing strip running beneath the keys.

Aftertouch can be used to control parameters like vibrato depth or speed, filter thresholds, and more…

Agent / Booking Agent
Agents represent one party to another party, negotiating a relationship between the two. This is done in the interests of their client, based upon their client’s requirements.

There are various types of agents in the music business. Both artists and writers might use agents for a variety of goals. For example, a booking agent will talk to promoters and venue managers to get gigs, other kinds of agents will talk to production companies and independent filmmakers to secure music deals in film or television and others again will talk to advertising agencies or individual companies to arrange endorsements, sponsorships or other deals in advertising.

Aggregator
A digital aggregator supplies music from major labels, indie labels, and individual artists to download with a number of online retailers.

Agile Marketing
Marketers that adapt to the quick-changing attitudes and behavior in target markets. Changes can be in the environment, technology, competition, etc.

AIM
The Association of Independent Music is a UK-based trade body representing the interests of independent record labels.

www.aim.org.uk

AIMP
The Association of Independent Music Publishers. Primary members include:

• Independent music publishers
• Publishers affiliated with record labels
• Motion picture production companies
• Television production companies

aimp.org

Aircheck
A recording made of a TV show or radio broadcast is likely to be used for quality control or for a demonstration.

Airplay
In the U.S.A., performance licenses are bought from SoundExchange (for recordings) and ASCAP or BMI or SESAC (for live performance) by broadcasters. The licenses cover the right to play both recorded and live music.

Large commercial stations use BDS or Mediabase airplay monitoring to accurately report all the music they play to SoundExchange and ASCAP or BMI or SESAC. Smaller stations will report their plays manually.

In the U.K., broadcasters buy performance licenses from PPL (for recordings) and PRS (for live performance) for the right to play both recorded and live music. Large stations return lists of all the music they play to PPL and PRS. Otherwise, plays are estimate-based.

License money (minus a commission) is shared among the members of the society.

Album

An album is a collection of audio recordings, usually grouped together by a theme, mood, or concept, and released as a single body of work. Traditionally, albums are made up of multiple songs or tracks and are typically between 30 and 80 minutes long, though lengths vary across genres and formats. Albums are often seen as a complete artistic statement, showcasing an artist’s range, storytelling, and creativity beyond individual singles.

Historically, albums were released on vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs, and today they are also available in digital formats across streaming platforms. The rise of digital music has expanded the flexibility of album formats, allowing artists to experiment with longer or shorter albums without the physical limitations of older formats.

Albums can take various forms, including:

• Studio Albums – A carefully crafted collection of songs recorded in a studio setting, often with a cohesive theme or style.
• Live Albums – Recordings of live performances, capturing the energy of an artist’s show, including audience interaction and onstage improvisation.
• Compilation Albums – Collections of previously released tracks, often including hits, B-sides, or songs from various albums or collaborations.
• Concept Albums – Albums built around a central idea or storyline, where each song contributes to a larger narrative or theme.

Albums are significant in the music industry as they offer a fuller glimpse into an artist’s vision and style. While singles often garner immediate popularity, albums allow for deeper engagement, giving fans a more immersive experience with the artist’s work and personality.

Album Cycle
“Album Cycle” refers to the period of time in between an artist’s albums.

The album cycle is commonly defined as the artist beginning of recording for an album. The later of either the end of the post-album release tour and album-related promo, or the start of recording for the artist’s next album, marks the end of the album cycle.

It is common practice to define the length of personal management contracts in the number of album cycles.

Aliasing
When sampling an analog signal, the sampling frequency must be at least twice that of the highest frequency component of the analog signal (Nyquist Frequency). If not, the sampling process is inaccurate because there are insufficient points to describe each cycle of the waveform. This results in the addition of enharmonic frequencies to the audible signal.

Alignment
Process of setting up amplifier presets and positioning tape heads for optimum tape performance.

All-in Royalty
Paid by a record label, it is a royalty payment that includes any royalty amount that is due to the producers and mixers from the Artist Royalties.

All-you-can-eat
Informal description of any music streaming service that gives unlimited access to songs on their catalogue.

Allegro
Indication in Music notation to play quickly, and lively at a tempo of between 120 – 168 bpm.

Alt-Rock (Alternative Rock)

Alt-rock, short for alternative rock, is a genre that emerged in the 1980s and gained mainstream popularity in the 1990s. Known for its diverse sound, alt-rock blends elements from various rock subgenres and often incorporates influences from punk, post-punk, new wave, and even folk or electronic music. Its defining feature is its rejection of the polished, commercial style associated with mainstream rock, favoring a more experimental, raw, and sometimes gritty approach.

Alternative rock is rooted in the independent, or “indie,” music scene and is characterized by a wide range of styles and sounds. Some alt-rock bands embrace distorted guitars and energetic rhythms, while others incorporate introspective lyrics and atmospheric sounds. This variety has allowed alt-rock to branch into numerous subgenres, including grunge (e.g., Nirvana, Pearl Jam), Britpop (e.g., Oasis, Blur), and shoegaze (e.g., My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive).

The alt-rock movement became a major cultural force in the 1990s, as bands like Radiohead, R.E.M., and The Smashing Pumpkins brought alternative music into the mainstream, challenging the dominance of pop and glam rock. Alt-rock lyrics often explore themes of alienation, societal critique, introspection, and existential questioning, making it popular with audiences looking for deeper, more complex subject matter.

While the genre’s popularity has fluctuated over the years, alt-rock remains influential in shaping modern music, inspiring new generations of artists to push boundaries and experiment with sound. It continues to resonate with listeners who seek music with authenticity, emotional depth, and a spirit of rebellion.

Alternate Tuning
An Alternate tuning does not form a major chord when all strings are played open, although the open strings may form a chord.

Alternating Current (AC)
Alternating Current is an electricity supply that periodically reverses its direction of current flow. Mains electricity is an example of an AC electricity supply.

Alto
This is the highest adult male voice, also known as “Counter-tenor”. The range is 2 octaves from D below middle C to D an octave above.

Ambiance
The characteristic background noise and reverberation that is particular to a location.

American Popular Song Form
See AABA Song Form

Ampere (Amp)
The Ampere is the unit of measurement used for electric current.

Amplifier
An amplifier is a device or system that changes the amplitude of a signal. The ratio of the amplified signal to the original source signal is commonly referred to as Gain. There are acoustic amplifiers, such as the body of an acoustic guitar or a loudhailer, and electronic amplifiers. In electronics, the term amplifier is used to describe the characteristic behavior of a specific electronic component type, such as a valve, a transistor, or an operational amplifier (Op-amp), or specific circuits such as a Pre-amplifier or a Power Amplifier. In more common usage the term ‘amplifier’ refers to a dedicated piece of electronic equipment that allows the user to control the output volume of an audio signal.

Amplitude
In simple terms, this is the peak voltage, or representation of that voltage, of an electrical signal.

In music and audio, amplitude refers to the strength or intensity of a sound wave, determining its volume or loudness. Technically, amplitude is the measurement of the wave’s peak height from its baseline (zero level) to its highest point, with larger amplitudes indicating louder sounds and smaller amplitudes indicating softer sounds.

Amplitude is crucial in audio engineering and music production, as it helps balance the dynamics in a mix. Managing amplitude allows producers and engineers to ensure each instrument or vocal track is heard clearly and at appropriate levels relative to other elements in a song.

Amplitude is typically measured in decibels (dB), which represent the loudness level in a logarithmic scale. In digital audio, amplitude can also be controlled using volume faders and compressors to adjust the dynamic range of a track. This is important because excessive amplitude can lead to distortion or clipping, where the audio becomes unclear or harsh due to exceeding the system’s limit for handling sound.

In performance and live sound settings, understanding amplitude is essential for setting appropriate sound levels, ensuring that instruments and vocals are both powerful and pleasant to the audience. By adjusting amplitude thoughtfully, artists and engineers can create a dynamic, engaging experience that enhances the emotional impact of the music.

Amplitude Distortion
This is a non-linear gain variation as the signal level changes.

Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Amplitude Modulation is a type of modulation where the amplitude of the carrier wave is controlled.

There are two AM techniques: Classical Amplitude Modulation and Ring Amplitude Modulation (RM).

Classical AM adds the output of one oscillator to the amplitude input of a second oscillator. The amplitude of the first oscillator is determined by the addition of a modulation index to its amplitude input. In other words, provided the modulation index is not zero, the first oscillator modulates the amplitude of the second oscillator proportionally to the modulation index.

Ring AM applies the modulation directly to the amplitude of the second oscillator, without being added to an un-modulated carrier. If there is no modulation, there is no sound.

Analog Audio (Analogue Audio)
An Analog audio signal is a signal that represents audio as a continuously changing voltage.

Changes in the analog audio signal ultimately dictate the behavior of the speaker. A negative change in the voltage moves the speaker cone in one direction, while a positive change in voltage moves the speaker cone in the opposite direction.

The frequency of the audio signal corresponds directly with the frequency of voltage change in the analog signal. In plain terms, it is a measure of how often the signal change repeats each second. This is reasonably easy to see if the signal only contains one frequency at any one time.

For Example:

Take a low-frequency sine wave signal of 50Hz (Hertz) at a fixed volume with no d.c. offset. The audio signal, and therefore the speaker, will move back and forward between (oscillate) the positive and negative voltages that represent that volume 50 times every second. As you increase the frequency to 500Hz the signal and speaker will oscillate between the signal voltages 500 times every second.

The volume of the audio signal corresponds directly with the amplitude of the signal voltage. More accurately it corresponds with the change in voltage. This is also easy to see if we use a fixed frequency signal.

For Example:

Take a low volume signal at a fixed frequency of 50Hz (Hertz) with no d.c. offset. The audio signal, and therefore the speaker, will move back and forward between (oscillate) the positive and negative voltages that represent that volume 50 times every second. As you increase the volume of the signal the total voltage change of the signal also increases, as does the total movement of the speaker cone, but the time it takes to repeat the movement will stay the same.

Analog or Analogue
This is a continuous electrical signal whose amplitude varies with time Within the audio domain the amplitude of the electrical signal will vary in a way that has a direct relationship with the volume of the original acoustic sound wave it represents.

Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
This is an electronic device that is used to convert analog audio signals into digital audio signals, or more generally to convert analog signals into digital signals.

Andante
Indicates a medium tempo of between 76 and 108 bpm

Anechoic Chamber

This is a room that is specially designed to produce no echo. This is due to acoustic design using material that completely absorbs sound energy.

Annual Statement of Account
An annual summary statement is provided to copyright holders. It is the last step in the compulsory mechanical licensing process.

It gives details of any activity relating to a work, or works, when licensed under the terms of compulsory mechanical licensing.

The statement includes distribution of the work, or works, as defined in the compulsory mechanical copyright law. Annual statements are audited and signed by a certified public accountant.

Anti-Aliasing
This is a type of filter used to limit the frequency range of an analog signal prior to input to an ADC so that the Nyquist Frequency is not compromised and an accurate sample is created.

APRS
The Association of Professional Recording Services is a UK-based trade association. APRS members include:

• recording studios
• mastering services
• post-production houses
• replication and duplication services
• providers of education and training
• freelance audio engineers
• consultants
• manufacturers
• suppliers.

Arco
Indicates the use of a bow.

Arpeggiator
A component that allows a MIDI instrument to sequence around any notes currently being played. i.e. Arpeggio.

Arrangement
1)Harmony setting of an existing melody for voices or instruments.

2)Adaptation of a piece of music to make it suitable for a different set of performers than was originally envisioned at the time of writing.

There is no limit to the arrangements that can be made for any individual composition. For example, an a capella arrangement of Stand By Me, and a Drum n Bass arrangement of Stand By Me for drums, bass, synthesizers, and vocals are quite different yet they represent the same song.

The arrangement covers the key, voicings, rhythms, tempo, song structure, harmonization, melodic paraphrasing, instrumentation, or orchestration.

The arrangement also includes compositional techniques, including the introduction of new thematic elements for introductions, transitions, modulations, endings, and adaptions that reflect the specific characteristics of the instruments involved.

Arrangements can be copyrighted separately from the original compositions. Both the Arranger and the Composer will receive royalties relating to the use of that arrangement.

According to copyright law, musicians have the exclusive right to arrange their own compositions. As such, arrangers must be granted permission to arrange a copyrighted work, by the composer (or the copyright owner), for the purpose of distribution.

Arrangement Rights

Arrangement rights are the legal permissions granted to modify, rearrange, or adapt a copyrighted musical work into a new format or version. These rights are controlled by the copyright holder—usually the songwriter, composer, or publisher—and are an essential part of music licensing, especially for anyone looking to create a derivative version of a song, such as a cover, remix, or orchestration.

Without obtaining arrangement rights, altering the structure, instrumentation, or style of a copyrighted work is generally prohibited. For instance, a musician wishing to rearrange a pop song into a jazz ensemble version would need permission from the copyright holder, as it involves changes to the song’s original form.

Arrangement rights also come into play in educational and theatrical settings, where music may need adaptation for specific performances or ensembles. Even minor modifications, such as changing the key or tempo, may require these rights, depending on the terms set by the copyright holder.

Obtaining arrangement rights typically involves negotiating a license with the copyright owner, who may approve, deny, or set terms for the use of the work. This ensures that the original creators retain control over how their music is interpreted and presented, while allowing others to create new, legally sanctioned versions of popular songs.

In summary, arrangement rights protect the original composition and provide a framework for legal adaptations, helping to maintain the integrity of the music while enabling creative reinterpretations.

Arranger
A person who arranges a song or piece of music.

Art Pop

Art pop is a genre of popular music that blends elements of pop with experimental and avant-garde approaches, emphasizing artistic expression and innovation over commercial appeal. Often characterized by its inventive structures, thought-provoking lyrics, and eclectic influences, art pop pushes the boundaries of traditional pop music, merging it with styles like rock, jazz, electronic, classical, and even visual art concepts.

Emerging in the 1960s and 70s with artists like David Bowie and Brian Eno, art pop was known for challenging conventions and exploring themes that went beyond typical pop lyrics, often addressing existential questions, social issues, and personal identity. Art pop artists frequently experiment with complex song arrangements, unique vocal styles, and unconventional instruments or production techniques to create a distinctive sound.

In the modern era, artists like Björk, St. Vincent, and Lorde have continued the art pop tradition, combining pop accessibility with a deeper, often introspective or surreal layer. Visual aesthetics are also a key part of art pop, as artists use fashion, album artwork, and music videos to enhance the overall message or theme of their work.

Art pop is valued for its blend of accessibility and sophistication, appealing to audiences who enjoy the catchiness of pop but seek more artistic depth and originality. It remains a genre where experimentation and boundary-pushing are celebrated, influencing mainstream pop and inspiring musicians to think creatively about their sound and image.

Artist
The performer, or group of performers, of a song, or songs, in a studio or live venue. Bands are a type of artist.

Artist Manager
A person, or a company, responsible for developing an artist’s career.

Artist managers advise artists about all business decisions. They promote their artists in any way they can, using demo recordings, press and media, and networking. They will exploit the artist’s work, developing income streams.

Management deals allocate the manager somewhere in the range of 10% to 25% of the artist’s income with 15% to 20% being fairly typical.

Artist Agency Rider
On signing with a Talent Agent, the artist is normally asked to sign a number of different boilerplate-based agency agreements. The “artist agency rider” is the negotiation of the individual boilerplate agency agreements that can be avoided or, at least, minimized.

Artist Royalties
The part of royalties paid to the artist from the sale of records that feature the artist (not the same as Mechanical Royalties). Typically 12% – 18% of the wholesale price is paid by the retailer, occasionally as high as 20% for top artists.

ASCAP
The American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers is the oldest PRO in the USA. Owned and run by its members, it specializes in collecting performance royalties and providing advocacy and other services for music creators.

www.ascap.com

Aspect Ratio
This is the proportion of height to width.

Assignment
Copyright can be assigned to a publisher, record label, a royalty collection society, or another 3rd party. Assignees can then act on behalf of the copyright owner to issue licenses and collect royalties according to the terms of the assignment. Certain rights may also be assigned to PROs like PRS, MCPS, ASCAP, or BMI.

At Receipts Publishing Agreement
“At Receipts” is a term typically used in Publishing Agreements. It means that the percentage of income retained by the Publisher controlling the Administration Rights does not include the percentage of income retained by their sub-publishers. This is the opposite of an At Source Publishing Agreement.

For example,

If the Publisher is entitled to retain 20% of the income from the exploitation of the song, and
the Publisher’s Sub-publisher is entitled to retain 10% of the income from the exploitation of the song in the Sub-publisher’s local territory.

Then…

Under an At Receipts Publishing Agreement, from monies collected by the Sub-publisher, the Sub-publisher would be entitled to 10% of the income, the Publisher would be entitled to 18% (20% of 90%) of the income, leaving the songwriter / co-publisher 72% of the income (80% of 90%).

At Source Publishing Agreement
“At Source” is a term typically used in Publishing Agreements. It means that the percentage of income retained by the Publisher controlling the Administration Rights also includes the percentage of income retained by their sub-publishers. This is the opposite of an At Receipts Publishing Agreement.

For example,

if the Publisher is entitled to retain 20% of the income from the exploitation of the song, and
the Publisher’s Sub-publisher is entitled to retain 10% of the income from the exploitation of the song in the Sub-publisher’s local territory.

Then…

Under an At Source Publishing Agreement, the Publisher would be entitled to 10% of income collected by the Sub-publisher, the Sub-publisher would be entitled to 10% of the income collected by the Sub-publisher, and the songwriter / co-publishers royalty or share of income will be equal to 80% of the income collected by the Sub-publisher.

ATA Carnet
An ATA Carnet is a document that permits the temporary import of gear, avoiding the need to pay any customs duty.

This is critical for international touring bands. Without an ATA Carnet, the band would be liable for thousands in import tax every time they crossed a border.

Atmosphere Microphone
This is a microphone that is situated some distance from the performers in order to capture the ambiance of the recording location. Typically overhead.

Atonal
Strictly a description of music that rejects traditional tonality, lacking a key or tonal center, but it is commonly used to describe music using unfamiliar harmony, and/or experimental or avant-garde compositions.

Attack Time
The attack time means slightly different things in different circumstances. When applied to compressors and limiters it is the time from when the input sound crosses the threshold until the compression begins to be applied. With effects or synthesis, it is the time when treatment begins to be applied until the envelope reaches its peak.

Attenuation
Attenuation is the reduction of signal strength, either intentionally or unintentionally. This can be achieved in the electronic domain by using a volume or loudness control. Attenuation can also be applied acoustically by using materials that have absorption properties.

Attribution
Acknowledging that something was created or authored by someone.

Audio Engineer
See Sound Engineer

Audio Frequency
This is the frequency range that corresponds to the frequencies audible to the human ear, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Audit Rights
This is the right to review the books and accounts of another party with the aim of verifying that the reported royalties (as reported to the party granted the audit rights) are being reported accurately, identifying the correct level of royalty payment.

Although termed an “audit,” it is not strictly an “audit” as the general accounting industry would understand the term.

Auto-Tune

Auto-Tune is a digital audio processing software created by Antares Audio Technologies, primarily used to correct pitch in vocal and instrumental performances. The product has sparked a load of competing technologies and the term “Auto-Tune” is now loosely used to describe all of them. 

By analyzing the pitch of an audio input and adjusting it to the closest desired note, Auto-Tune helps singers and musicians achieve perfect pitch in their recordings. Originally designed as a tool for subtle pitch correction, Auto-Tune has since become known for its distinctive, robotic vocal effect that is widely used in pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.

When applied subtly, Auto-Tune can fix minor pitch inaccuracies without altering the natural sound of a performance. However, when used more aggressively, Auto-Tune creates a distinctive, synthetic effect that shifts the vocal pitch rapidly, resulting in the instantly recognizable, smooth, robotic sound popularized by artists like Cher (in her 1998 hit “Believe”) and later T-Pain, Kanye West, and Travis Scott. This style of Auto-Tune application has become a staple in modern music production.

Beyond vocals, Auto-Tune can be used on instruments to adjust pitch, making it a versatile tool in the studio. Some producers use it creatively on non-vocal sounds, adding an electronic edge to any part of a track.

Auto-Tune has sparked both admiration and debate within the music industry. While some view it as an essential tool that enhances artistic possibilities, others believe it can mask a lack of vocal skill or contribute to an overly produced sound. Regardless of its controversial reputation, Auto-Tune has undeniably influenced modern music, providing artists and producers with new ways to shape sound and style.

Auto-locate
This is the ability provided by audio recorders to quickly get to a chosen point, known as a locate point, within a recording or recording tape.

Auxiliary Input (AUX)

An auxiliary input, commonly referred to as an AUX or AUX input, is a standard audio port that allows external audio sources to connect to a primary audio system, such as a speaker, amplifier, or car stereo. AUX inputs use a 3.5mm jack (similar to a headphone plug) and are widely compatible with devices like smartphones, MP3 players, laptops, and other audio playback equipment.

The AUX input is valuable in both live sound setups and everyday audio environments. In live sound, for instance, an AUX input on a mixing console allows additional devices, like backing tracks from a phone or tablet, to be integrated into the main audio system without complex setups. Similarly, in cars, AUX inputs provide a simple way to play music from external devices through the car’s sound system.

AUX inputs are popular for their convenience and ease of use. While they transmit analog signals (rather than digital), which can sometimes result in slightly lower sound quality compared to digital connections like USB or Bluetooth, AUX remains a practical and accessible solution for most audio playback needs.

Whether in a studio, live performance, or personal listening environment, an AUX input is an essential tool for adding flexibility and connectivity to any audio system.

Auxiliary Send
A Mixing Desk output that is made up of a mix of channel signals or group signals that is independent of the main mix outputs. Auxiliary outputs are often used for sending to effects units.

Azimuth
This is the angle between the gap in a tape head and the longitudinal axis of a tape. The angle should be 90 degrees.