| Microsoft DirectX 8.1 (Visual Basic) |
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A series of adjustments applied by a synthesizer to the pitch, volume, and other parameters of an instrument sound to make it more realistic.
A MIDI controller that enables instruments to be chosen from different groups, or banks, each identified by a 2-byte code.
A scheme of chord progressions, arranged in a flowchart along a time line.
In DirectMusic, a continuous series of events with a start and end value, such as volume fade.
A COM object that processes multimedia data streams from buffers allocated by the client.
See definition for: Downloadable Sounds (DLS)
See definition for: DirectX media object (DMO)
A standard for synthesizing wave sounds from digital samples stored in software. The DLS level 1 and level 2 standards are published by the MIDI Manufacturers Association.
A value given to music during style playback, determining which patterns can be selected at any given time. The author assigns a range of groove levels to each pattern.
A delay in response. For example, in DirectSound, it is the interval between the time at which a sound buffer plays and the time that the speakers actually reproduce the sound. In DirectPlay, it is the time that it takes for a packet to reach a specified destination.
In DirectSound, a buffer that receives data from other DirectSound buffers rather than directly from the synthesizer.
See also: sink-in buffer
In DirectMusic, a type of pattern played explicitly by an application to mark an event.
In DirectMusic, a note in a pattern within a style whose pitch is defined only when it is transposed to the current chord according to the current play mode and subchord level.
Nonregistered parameters can be used for different functions by different manufacturers and are accessed through MIDI controllers. For more information, see the MIDI specification.
See definition for: nonregistered parameter number (NRPN)
The relative volume, measured in hundredths of decibels, between the left and right audio channels.
In DirectMusic, a musical figure, one or more measures long, consisting of a basic sequence of music values for each instrument part.
See definition for: performance channel (PChannel)
See definition for: pulse code modulation (PCM)
In DirectMusic, an object that manages the flow of data from the source to the synthesizer, and controls global values, such as timing, tempo, and master volume.
In DirectMusic, a set of parameters used to play one or more parts in a segment. Each performance channel has its own instrument, pan, volume, and transposition settings, and belongs to a single audiopath.
A buffer in which all data is mixed for the final time and then passed to the rendering device.
An uncompressed wave data format in which each value represents the amplitude of the signal at the time of sampling.
An identification number for a registered parameter that has been assigned a function by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and can be accessed through controllers.
The attenuation of sound over distance.
See definition for: registered parameter number (RPN)
In DirectMusic, a file containing variables and routines that can be accessed from within an application.
An object created each time a segment is played. It is used to get information about the state of playback and the audiopath for that instance of the segment being played.
A sound effect for a buffer that is applied by sending the sound data to a second buffer.
In DirectX, an object that manages the distribution of data from the synthesizer through buses to DirectSound buffers.
A DirectSound buffer that receives data directly from the synthesizer rather than from other DirectSound buffers.
See also: mix-in buffer
A secondary sound buffer that contains an entire sound; typically it is filled with data only once.
A secondary sound buffer that contains only part of a sound. Its data must be refreshed as it is playing.
In DirectMusic, a collection of musical patterns and other data that can be used to create a dynamic score. A style defines a basic melody and rhythm with variations, motifs, and embellishments, contains a time signature and a tempo, and can contain one or more bands.
In DirectMusic, a segment that can be used in combination with a chordmap to compose a new segment at run time. A template must contain a signpost track.
In DirectMusic, a component of a segment that contains timed data of a particular kind.
In music, the speed at which a MIDI key is pressed, roughly equivalent to the dynamic level at which the note is played in some instrumental timbres.