DAC

See Digital to Analog Converter.

DAT

See Digital Audio Tape.

DAW

See Digital Audio Workstation.

De-esser

An audio signal processing device that is used to remove excessive sibilance (The hissy ‘s’ sound heard on some vocal or speech recordings). Often this is a special form of compressor that uses an Equaliser as part of the detection circuit.

deciBel (dB)

This is the ratio of two signal levels where the relationship is governed by the equation:

dB = 20Log10(v1/v2)

dBu means that the ratio is measured relative to 0.775V RMS.

dBm means that the ratio is a measure of power. 0 dBm equals 1 milliwatt or 0.775V across a 600 Ohm impedance.

dBV means that the ratio is a measure of voltage. 0 dBV equals 1 volt.

dB SPL means that the ratio is a measure of Sound Pressure Level. 0 dB SPL equals 0.0002 dynes/ square centimeter, or 20 micro-Pascals.

Deductions

Deductions, or discounts, are reductions in the effective royalty rate. The contracted royalty rate can be reduced due to music formats, other territories, etc. Deductions extend recoupment, and will push back the date when the label begins to pay the artist money.

Delay

Delay is an audio effect that records a sound and then plays it back after a short period, creating an echo or repeating effect.

Delay is one of the most commonly used effects in music production and sound design. By adjusting the delay time, feedback (the number of repeats), and mix level (how much of the delayed sound is heard in relation to the original), producers can create anything from subtle space to complex rhythmic patterns. A short delay can add depth to vocals, making them sound fuller, while a longer delay creates a distinct echo, often used in genres like dub, reggae, and psychedelic rock.

Delay comes in various forms, such as slapback (a single, short echo commonly used in rockabilly and early rock), ping-pong delay (where the echo bounces between left and right speakers for a stereo effect), and tape delay, which uses analog tape to create a warmer, vintage echo sound.

Used creatively, delay can shape the mood and space of a mix, add rhythmic interest, or build a sense of atmosphere, making it a versatile tool for musicians, producers, and audio engineers alike.

Delivery

“Delivery” isn’t just the artist delivering the master recordings to their Record Label. What constitutes ‘delivery’ varies from contract to contract. Terms commonly include:

• Format and standards to be used on the masters, and any manufacturing details
• Conditional flexibility of Record contract terms relating to “delivery”
• Paperwork, consents, approvals, permissions and licenses to be delivered together with the masters
• That each master is subject to approval. Each must satisfy in technical and commercial terms
• The location of delivery
• Restrictions requiring written permission, such as:
  • instrumentals
  • joint recordings / collaborations
  • live recordings
  • themed recordings
  • multiple disc album (double albums, triple albums

Demo

This is a trial recording of a song or album. Such recordings are done as promotional recording to obtain work or a Music contract.

Demo Deal

Where the Record Label advances funds to an Artist to cover the costs of a number of demo recordings.

In return, the Record Label gets the right to negotiate an exclusive recording agreement with the artist before anyone else. This right is time-limited, it is not indefinite.

Even when the Record Label has exercised these rights, if they fail to reach an agreement, then the artist can begin negotiating a record deal with another Record Label.

The demo deal usually includes a “Matching Right”. This means that if the artist signs a Record Deal with another Record Label, then the artist will normally have to pay back the demo cost.

Derivative Work

A new work based on or derived from, one or more pre-existing works.

Diatonic

Diatonic refers to notes that belong to a given scale or key, creating a natural, harmonious sound without added chromaticism.

In Western music theory, a diatonic scale is built from seven notes, with the most common examples being the major and minor scales. Each note within a diatonic scale has a specific role, creating a familiar pattern of whole and half steps. When music is diatonic, it means the melody, chords, and harmony are primarily made up of notes from within the chosen key, producing a cohesive and stable sound.

For instance, in the key of C major, the diatonic notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Using only these notes in a composition or arrangement is considered diatonic, as opposed to adding notes outside the scale, which would make it chromatic. Diatonic harmony is foundational in many styles of music, from classical and folk to pop and rock, because it creates clear, recognizable patterns and progressions.

Understanding diatonic principles is crucial for musicians and composers, as it allows them to create melodies and harmonies that feel balanced and grounded in a tonal center.

Digipack

CD packaging, in a paper/card sleeve similar to a book, instead of a plastic CD case. The outside paper/card cover holds the CD inside in an attached plastic tray.

Digital Audio Tape (DAT)

This is a cassette-tape storage medium capable of storing digital audio information.

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

An electronic device or software program used for music production. Capable of recording, editing, and arranging multiple input audio tracks with the purpose of applying effects and audio processing, mixing, and producing, to create a combined audio output file.

Software DAWs commonly incorporate MIDI recording and sequencing.

Digital Distribution

Distribution of music online, i.e. music downloads.

Digital Phonorecord Delivery/DPD

Specifically, the “Digital Transmission” of a Phonorecord.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is a set of technologies and policies used to control access to digital content, protecting it from unauthorized copying, sharing, or use.

In the music industry, DRM is applied to digital audio files, such as MP3s, streaming music, and other media formats, to ensure that only authorized users or subscribers can access and play the content. DRM helps artists, record labels, and distributors safeguard their intellectual property and revenue by restricting actions like downloading, copying, or distributing music files without permission.

Common DRM methods include encryption, user authentication, and device-specific restrictions. For example, streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music use DRM to prevent users from downloading and keeping songs permanently or sharing files freely. Similarly, online music stores may limit the number of devices a purchased song can be played on or require verification before playing.

While DRM offers essential protections for creators, it can sometimes limit the flexibility that users have with purchased music, leading to ongoing debates over its fairness and effectiveness.

Digital Service Provider (DSP)

A platform that distributes and streams digital music, like Spotify or Apple Music.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

Using a computer, or another electronic platform, to perform signal processing tasks. Data processed is a string of numbers that are digital representations, or samples, of contiguous continually changing signals, such as analog audio.

Digital Signal Processor (DSP)

A microprocessor optimized for floating-point calculations, commonly used for audio and graphics manipulation and communications technology, to carry out Digital Signal Processing tasks.

Digital To Analog Converter (DAC)

This is an electronic device that is used to convert digital audio signals into analog audio signals, or more generally to convert digital signals into analog signals.

Digital Transmission

Currently, this includes downloads and “streaming”. Recording agreements use deliberately broad definitions, allowing for any advances in technology or otherwise non-envisioned methods of transmission, formats and networks (known and unknown) to still be covered by contracts without amendment.

Direct-to-fan

Direct sales to fans, cutting out any middlemen. Products include CDs or T-shirts and other merch sold at a gig, to mail order CDs sold by the band.

Direct Current (DC)

This is an electrical signal whose polarity is fixed and whose amplitude remains constant with respect to time.

Direct Injection (DI) Box

This is a box that allows the direct connection of an electrical Musical instrument to the input of a Mixing Desk, as opposed to amplifying the instrument and recording the output with a Microphone.

Direct Output

This is a post-fade output from a Mixing Desk input channel. Direct Outs are commonly used for sending the signal to individual tape tracks during recording.

Disco

Disco is a dance music genre that emerged in the 1970s, known for its steady four-on-the-floor beat, syncopated basslines, and lush arrangements of strings, horns, and synthesizers.

Originating in the United States, disco became a cultural phenomenon that went beyond music, influencing fashion, dance, and nightlife. The genre is characterized by upbeat tempos, catchy melodies, and grooves that invite people to dance. Disco tracks often feature extended instrumental sections to keep the dance floor energy high, with layered production techniques that give the music a full, immersive sound.

Pioneers of disco music include artists like Donna Summer, Bee Gees, Chic, and Gloria Gaynor. Songs like “Stayin’ Alive” and “I Will Survive” became disco anthems, celebrated for their infectious beats and themes of resilience, love, and liberation. Disco clubs, like Studio 54 in New York, became iconic for their extravagant parties and vibrant atmosphere, where the music’s upbeat vibe helped create a sense of unity and freedom.

Disco’s influence continues today, inspiring modern genres such as house and electronic dance music (EDM). Elements of disco, from its bass-driven grooves to its emphasis on rhythm and melody, can be heard in pop and dance music worldwide.

Discography

The list of recordings released by a particular band or artist. The Discography includes other relevant information:

• The title of the recording
• The artists involved in the recording
• The playing time
• The date of recording
• The place of recording
• The dates of release
• Chart positions
• The name of the Record Label it was released by
• Sales figures

Discounted Records

Physical Records are sold by a Distributor as part of a sales incentive program. Such Records are priced below the normal published wholesale price.

Dissonance

Dissonance in music refers to a combination of tones that creates a sense of tension, instability, or clash, as opposed to harmony.

When notes that are close in pitch or not traditionally “in key” are played together, they produce dissonance, often resulting in a feeling of unease or unresolved emotion. This contrast with harmonious or consonant intervals, which sound stable and pleasing, gives dissonant sounds a unique expressive quality that can add depth and emotion to music.

Dissonance is a powerful tool for composers and songwriters, as it creates musical tension that often seeks resolution. For instance, a piece may build tension by layering dissonant chords, then resolve it with a consonant chord, creating a satisfying sense of release. This interplay between tension and release is a fundamental aspect of musical composition and emotional storytelling.

Dissonance is common across genres, from the complex harmonies of jazz and the bold chord progressions of rock to the suspenseful scores of film soundtracks. Musicians use it to evoke emotions like excitement, mystery, or unease, allowing them to explore a broader range of expressive possibilities in their compositions.

Distortion

Often an unwanted change in an audio signal that results in the presence of frequencies in the output signal that was not present in the original signal. There are several types of distortion, including:

• • Electronic Distortion
    • Amplitude Distortion
    • Harmonic Distortion
    • Frequency Response Distortion
    • Phase Distortion
    • Group Delay Distortion
  • Audio Distortion
    • Any kind of deformation of a waveform. This includes:
    • clipping
    • harmonic distortion
    • intermodulation distortion, a mixing issue caused by electronic components behaving in a non-linear way, and limitations of the power supplies. Such non-linear audio distortion includes:
      • crossover to intentional effect. This is especially true with electric guitars, deliberately distorting the sound of the guitar using a distortion pedal or an overdrive pedal, or when using distortion synthesis on a keyboard. It is a very popular effect in blues-rock, heavy rock, metal and punk genres.

    Other forms of audio distortion that may be referred to as types of distortion:

    • frequency response
    • compression
    • modulation
    • aliasing
    • quantization noise
    • wow
    • flutter
  • The human ear cannot detect phase distortion, apart from when it affects stereo imaging.
  • Outside of electronics, distortion can occur due to acoustic coupling with speaker enclosures or other connected structures, or acoustic coupling between any sound source and the environment around the sound source.

Distribution
Digital Distribution

Digital distribution means transferring electronic files. Normally this is the online version of traditional music or video distribution using downloads or streams instead of the physical product. See also, aggregator.

Physical Distribution

Shipping CDs, or other physical recordings, from record labels to retailers. In addition to transporting boxes of CDs, Distributors also promote their catalog to retailers.

Publishing

In the realm of royalty collection, “distribution” is the regular payments made to writers, artists and other society members. Distribution is commonly once every three or six months.

Distribution Agreement/Distribution Deal

A distribution agreement is normally an agreement with a Distributor. The artist (or Licensor) is responsible for all manufacturing and distribution costs. Sometimes the Distributor will cover the costs as a loan.

Distributors are entitled to a fee in return for distribution. This is normally between 15% and 20% of the wholesale receipts for the artist/licensor’s Records. The Licensor retains ownership of the Records.

If, in addition to distributing the product, the Distributor is expected to manufacture Physical Records, then the agreement is referred to as a “Pressing and Distribution Agreement” or a “P&D Agreement”. Distributors are often granted the right for distribution by Digital Transmission, but not always.

Distribution Agreements are usually limited by time and territory. For example, “within the United States and Canada for four to five years”.

Some recording agreements will sometimes be called a “distribution agreement.” With a proper recording agreement, artists aren’t usually responsible for any manufacturing or distribution costs. Similarly, Artists are not normally responsible for either the payment of Mechanical Royalties or union payments based on Record sales / Net Receipts. Such costs cannot be recouped from Artist Royalties.

Artists are paid a royalty based on the SRLP or PPD of their Records.

Example, imagine the wholesale price of an album is $10.00.

Distribution Agreement

15% distribution fee $1.50

The Licensor would be entitled to $8.50 per album sold minus distribution-related deductions:

• Manufacturing
• Distribution
• Retail / Co-op advertising
• Others
  Third-party costs:

   

  • Artist Royalties (if the artist is not the Licensor)
  • Producers Royalty
  • Mixer Royalty
  • Mechanical Royalties
  • Net Receipts (see Union Payments).
  • Independent Promotion
  • Marketing
  • Tour Support
  • Video costs
  • Net earnings by the Licensor could be 50% of the monies initially paid by the Distributor to the Licensor ($4.25 in above example).

Recording Agreement

Artist Royalty – 16% of the PPD.

i.e. Artist Royalty of $1.60 per album (i.e., 16% of $10.00)

Recoupment of costs to the Record Label incurred on behalf of the artist, including:

• Recording
• Mastering
• Artist Development
• Photography
• Artwork
• All Or Part Of Tour Support
• Independent Promotion
• Independent Marketing
• Video Costs

Distributor

Distributors are both Branch Distributors run by EMI, Sony Music, Universal, or Warner Bros. and Independent Distributors. See Distribution (Physical) and Distribution (Digital).

DIY

Within the context of the business of music, Do It Yourself refers to creating, distributing and selling your own recordings, and sometimes publishing your own music too, without involving a 3rd party as a record label or music publisher.

DMCA

DMCA is an abbreviation for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Public performance rights in digital audio transmissions were first granted by the US Congress in 1995. Before that sound recordings had no public performance rights.

The DMCA amended these public performance rights in 1998, to cover compulsory licensing for digital audio transmissions using non-interactive websites. For example Internet Radio and Music Streaming services. (See both Mechanical Royalties and SoundExchange.)

Door Split

A live performance payment agreement between a band and gig promoter agrees to split the advance ticket sales and paid admissions on the night taking account of any deductions, such as any event costs, such as advertising, staffing, and venue hire.

Double Commission

Relates to a contract clause that stops the collection of more than one commission for the same income.

An example would be where an artist has multiple contracts with an agent. A Double Commission clause would stop the agent from collecting a commission relating to every agreement they had with the artist, for individual payment.

Double Tracking

Double tracking is a recording technique where the same vocal or instrumental part is recorded twice and layered to create a fuller, richer sound.

In double tracking, a musician performs the same part multiple times, aiming to match the timing and phrasing as closely as possible. When these takes are layered together, the subtle differences in timing and pitch create a natural “chorusing” effect, making the part sound larger and more textured. This technique is popular in both vocal and guitar recordings, as it adds depth without the need for additional effects.

Double tracking is often used in rock, pop, and hip-hop vocals to give the voice more presence, while in guitar recordings, it can add width and power, particularly in genres like metal and alternative rock. In some cases, double tracking may be automated using digital tools, but manually performed double tracks generally retain a more organic feel.

Legendary producers and artists, such as The Beatles and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, used double tracking to create iconic vocal sounds that feel both intimate and expansive, demonstrating the technique’s power to enhance a recording’s emotional impact.

Downbeat

In music, the downbeat is the first beat of a measure, often emphasized or accented to signal the beginning of a rhythmic cycle.

The downbeat is a foundational element in rhythm, marking the starting point of each measure in a piece of music. Musicians and composers rely on the downbeat to keep time and structure, as it anchors the rhythm and helps maintain a steady flow. Typically, the downbeat is more pronounced than the other beats in a measure, creating a sense of momentum that guides the listener and performers alike.

In many genres, especially in dance and pop music, the downbeat is strongly accented, making it easy for listeners to feel the pulse of the song. In jazz, the concept of the downbeat plays a significant role in groove, with musicians often adding syncopation around it to create a “swing” feel. For orchestral and classical music, conductors emphasize the downbeat to cue musicians, ensuring the entire ensemble stays in sync.

Understanding the downbeat is essential for musicians across all levels and styles, as it serves as a key reference point for timing and rhythm within a song.

Downloads

A download is the Digital Transmission of a recording where a permanent copy of the recording is created, where the copy can be played by the listener at a later time.

Tethered Download

A Tethered Download is a download that can only be played on a limited number of playback devices.

Limited Download

A Limited Download is a download that becomes inaccessible by the listener after either a specified period of time or a specified number of plays.

Downsampling

Downsampling is the process of reducing the sample rate of a digital audio file, resulting in a smaller file size and lower audio quality.

In digital audio, sound is captured as a series of samples, which are snapshots of the audio wave taken at very high speeds (often 44.1 kHz or higher). When downsampling, fewer samples are kept, meaning that some detail is lost, often resulting in a less accurate reproduction of the original sound. This can make the audio sound slightly more compressed or less crisp, particularly in the high-frequency range.

Downsampling is commonly used when audio files need to be compressed for storage, online streaming, or faster loading times on websites and apps. For instance, many streaming platforms use downsampling to save bandwidth and ensure that users can stream smoothly without interruptions, especially on slower internet connections.

While downsampling can help make files more manageable and accessible, producers and audio engineers need to carefully balance sound quality with file size. Overly aggressive downsampling may lead to noticeable audio artifacts, affecting the listening experience, particularly for genres and tracks with complex arrangements or intricate high-frequency details.

Draw

The audience numbers an act can get to attend a performance.

DRM

See Digital Rights Management (DRM).

Drop

In music, especially in electronic and dance genres, a drop is a moment where the energy of a track dramatically shifts, often by introducing a heavy beat, bassline, or new melodic theme.

The drop typically follows a build-up—a section of rising tension created through elements like increasing tempo, volume, or complexity. When the drop hits, it releases this tension with a powerful, often bass-heavy rhythm that drives the track forward. This shift can transform the energy of the song, creating a moment of high intensity that listeners anticipate and react to on the dance floor.

Drops are particularly prominent in genres like EDM, dubstep, and trap, where they serve as a defining feature. A classic EDM drop might follow a “breakdown” section, where the track strips back to minimal sounds, letting the drop have maximum impact when it arrives. In hip-hop and pop, drops are used more subtly, adding depth or emphasis in the beat to enhance the song’s groove or emotional intensity.

The art of crafting a great drop lies in balancing anticipation and release, making it a key technique for producers aiming to create memorable, high-energy tracks.

Drop-In

Drop-in is a recording technique where a specific part of a track is re-recorded or overdubbed, usually to fix a mistake or improve a section without redoing the entire take.

In a drop-in, the recording engineer cues up the playback at the precise moment the new recording should start, allowing the musician to seamlessly blend the new part with the existing track. This technique can save time and preserve the quality of a great take, as it enables selective edits rather than requiring a complete re-record.

Drop-ins are commonly used for vocals and instrumental parts, especially when only a few notes or phrases need adjustment. In digital recording, the process is relatively straightforward and can be highly accurate, thanks to the precise editing tools in DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). However, in analog recording, drop-ins require careful timing from both the musician and engineer, as it involves physically engaging the recording on tape.

Whether to correct small errors or add new layers to a performance, drop-ins are a valuable tool for achieving a polished, professional recording without sacrificing the spontaneity of an otherwise strong take.

Drum Head

The material used to cover the shell of a drum. If struck with a stick or mallet this material will create a tone. Can be made from a number of natural or synthetic fibrous materials.

Drum Key

A drum key is a tool used for drum tuning. The key is commonly a “T” shape and fits over the top of a lug that runs through the top or bottom rim of a drum shell. By tightening the lug on a drum head the pitch can be raised or lowered.

Drum Stick

Object used to strike a drum. Usually made of wood or synthetic material. Most will have a wooden or nylon tip.

DSP

(1) See Digital Signal Processing

(2) See Digital Signal Processor

(3) See Digital Service Provider

Dub Plate

An acetate disc often cut from a tape master, is intended to be metal-plated and used in the manufacture of vinyl records. Dub plates can be played on a record player as a demo but this is not what they are intended for if only because they are not very durable. They are very easily damaged and they won’t last very long.

Dubbing

The process of adding or replacing audio in film or video production.

Dubbing License

A master copy License for a recording or phonographic purpose, rather than a mechanical copy license as used in music publishing.

Dummy Head Recording

Dummy head recording is a 3D audio recording technique that uses a mannequin head with microphones placed in the ear positions to simulate human hearing.

This technique, also known as binaural recording, captures sound as it would be heard by human ears, producing an immersive, three-dimensional listening experience. By positioning microphones inside the ears of a life-sized dummy head, the recording captures subtle differences in timing, frequency, and volume that occur naturally when sounds reach each ear from different directions. This effect, known as spatialization, helps listeners perceive sound as coming from specific locations around them, making it feel as though they are in the room with the performers.

When played back through headphones, dummy head recordings create a realistic, surround-sound effect, allowing listeners to experience the spatial characteristics of the recording environment. This technique is often used in experimental music, ASMR recordings, sound design for virtual reality, and audio productions where a highly immersive effect is desired.

While dummy head recording can create a uniquely lifelike audio experience, it is most effective with headphones, as traditional speakers may not fully replicate the spatial effect. This recording style offers a powerful way to engage listeners, making them feel as though they are inside the soundscape.

Duplication

Standard CDs are replicated/pressed. Some CD manufacturers duplicate discs by burning audio data to CD-Rs. These copies are cheaper than replicated CDs, and much less reliable.

Dynamic Microphone

This kind of Microphone converts acoustic energy to electrical energy by using a moving coil and a permanent magnet. This kind of microphone does not require any external power to be applied.

Dynamic Range

The volume range between the loudest and softest:

• Notes of a performance
• Sounds on a recording
• That a sound system can reproduce

Dynamics

The dynamics of a piece of music is the variation in the loudness of notes and phrases.