Difference between revisions of "Glossary"

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This is a list of concise definitions for terms popular in videogames and music, with an example of a song or game that utilizes the term. Click on the word for a link to the Wikipedia article.
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This is a list of concise definitions for terms popular in video games and music, with an example of a song or game that utilizes the term. Click on the word for a link to the Wikipedia article.
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 +
<p style="text-align:center;">[[Glossary#A|A]] - [[Glossary#B|B]] - [[Glossary#C|C]] - [[Glossary#D|D]] - [[Glossary#E|E]] - [[Glossary#F|F]] - [[Glossary#G|G]] - [[Glossary#H|H]] - [[Glossary#I|I]] - [[Glossary#J|J]] - [[Glossary#K|K]] - [[Glossary#L|L]] - [[Glossary#M|M]] - [[Glossary#N|N]] - [[Glossary#O|O]] - [[Glossary#P|P]] - [[Glossary#Q|Q]] - [[Glossary#R|R]] - [[Glossary#S|S]] - [[Glossary#T|T]] - [[Glossary#U|U]] - [[Glossary#V|V]] - [[Glossary#W|W]] - [[Glossary#X|X]] - [[Glossary#Y|Y]] - [[Glossary#Z|Z]]</p>
  
 
==A==
 
==A==
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_%28voice_type%29 Bass]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_%28voice_type%29 Bass]===
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Bass refers to the lowest range of a particular group. When referring to vocalists, bass is below baritone as the lowest male vocal range (extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C). When referring to instruments, it is the lowest rage for that instrument, like a bass clarinet or bass saxophone. There are also instruments simply called a bass, like the traditional double bass or a bass guitar.
  
 
==C==
 
==C==
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cakewalk Cakewalk]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cakewalk Cakewalk]===
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantata Cantata]===
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A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment. Cantatas often span multiple movements and while they originally featured mostly solo singers, it is now common for them to include a choir.
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_period_%28music%29 Classical]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_period_%28music%29 Classical]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concerto Concerto]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concerto Concerto]===
 +
A performance smaller than a [[Glossary#Symphony|symphony]], usually consisting of three [[Glossary#Movement|movements]], one of which is a solo, played by an orchestra or smaller ensemble.
  
 
==D==
 
==D==
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel Decibel]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel Decibel]===
 +
A decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement that changes depending on the context, but when talking about acoustics, it usually refers to the pressure level of a sound wave which humans perceive as volume. Decibels are measure logarithmically, so for each 1 increase in decibels, the value increases 10 times as much in volume which fits with human perception of sound (two speakers playing a sound will not sound twice as loud as one speaker. It actually takes ten speakers to sound twice as loud as one speaker).
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_signal_processor Digital Signal Processor]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_signal_processor Digital Signal Processor]===
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==F==
 
==F==
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finale_%28music%29 Finale]===
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A finale is the last portion of a long musical composition which ties the work together. It is usually played in a lively manner like allegro or vivace.
 +
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffles_and_flourishes Flourishes]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffles_and_flourishes Flourishes]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_%28filmmaking%29 Foley]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_%28filmmaking%29 Foley]===
 
Foley is the process of creating sound effects for film and games. While this process is usually a post-production event in film and cut-scenes within games, sound effects are usually actively worked on throughout the development of the more interactive parts of a game.
 
Foley is the process of creating sound effects for film and games. While this process is usually a post-production event in film and cut-scenes within games, sound effects are usually actively worked on throughout the development of the more interactive parts of a game.
 +
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==G==
  
 
==H==
 
==H==
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmony Harmony]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmony Harmony]===
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==I==
  
 
==J==
 
==J==
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz Jazz]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz Jazz]===
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===Jingle===
 +
Very short (usually lasting for no longer than just 10 seconds without loop), yet melodical and often atmosferic musical sequence. Due to the limitations of hardware and the lack of needed programmers' and composers' skills in videogame industry, jingles were the most common form of music in 1970s, were used very often in 1980s and 1990s, usually marking the start of a new level, another variant of players success or lose. In the modern days, long background music is more common, however, jingles still are still presented in games to be utilized for the same purposes as it was before.
  
 
==K==
 
==K==
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leitmotif Leitmotif]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leitmotif Leitmotif]===
A song, fanfare, or jingle associated with a particular person, though also a place or idea. An example of it used for a person is [[Locke's Theme]] which plays in [[Final Fantasy III (SNES)]] whenever focus is on the character Locke. An example of when it used for a place can be heard in [[Kakariko Village]] from [[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)]]. An example used for an idea is the [[Fellowship Theme]] from [[Ultima VII: The Black Gate (DOS)]] which plays whenever you speak to key members of cult, when you enter Fellowship buildings, and when major events relating to the cult occur.
+
A song, fanfare, or jingle associated with a particular person, though also a place or idea. An example of it used for a person is [[Locke's Theme]] which plays in [[Final Fantasy III (SNES)]] whenever focus is on the character Locke. An example of when it used for a place can be heard in [[Kakariko Village]] from [[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)]]. An example used for an idea is the [[Fellowship Theme]] from [[Ultima VII: The Black Gate (DOS)]] which plays whenever you speak to key members of the cult, when you enter Fellowship buildings, and when major events relating to the cult occur.
  
 
==M==
 
==M==
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_%28music%29 Movement]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_%28music%29 Movement]===
 +
A section of music from a larger composition (like a [[Glossary#Symphony|symphony]] or [[Glossary#Concerto|concerto]]) that can stand on its own. For an example of movements, listen to [[Dancing Mad]] from [[Final Fantasy III (SNES)]].
 +
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==N==
 +
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise Noise]===
 +
Noise is a term used to identify interference or static in a signal. In signal processing, noise is generally unwanted, however, engineers have made use of noise in music, and many early programmable sound generators used short bursts of noise to simulate percussion. There are many different types of noise, the most popular is [[Glossary#White Noise|white noise]].
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==O==
 +
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera Opera]===
  
 
==P==
 
==P==
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_%28music%29 Pitch]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_%28music%29 Pitch]===
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 +
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polka Polka]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portamento Portamento]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portamento Portamento]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_wave Pulse Wave]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_wave Pulse Wave]===
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[[Image:Wave - Pulse.svg|thumb|A pulse wave.]]
 +
A pulse wave is a simple waveform very similar in shape to a [[Glossary#Square Wave|square wave]], but with a non-symmetrical waveform. Most early video game audio chips generated multiple pulse waves for their lead voices. The wave can be modified to alter the pitch, volume, and timbre. Pulse waves have a classic "beep" sound.
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==Q==
  
 
==R==
 
==R==
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==S==
 
==S==
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawtooth_wave Sawtooth Wave]===
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[[Image:Wave - Sawtooth.svg|thumb|A sawtoth wave.]]
 +
Sawtooth waves are waveforms with a shape similar to the teeth on a saw. Compared to a [[Glossary#Square Wave|square wave]], they produce a rougher "behp" sound. Though sawtooth waves are easily generated, they were far less common on early audio chips making them rare to early video game music. This was probably due to their rough sound making them less conducive to melodic music.
 +
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_%28music%29 Scale]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_%28music%29 Scale]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_wave Sine Wave]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_wave Sine Wave]===
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[[Image:Wave - Sine.svg|thumb|A sine wave.]]
 +
Sine waves are waveforms with a regular curve. When left unmodified, a sine wave produces a very artificial-sounding "boop" tone. They are fairly easily generated, though not as easy as a [[Glossary#Triangle Wave|triangle wave]] which was more prominent in the 8-bit era. Sine waves didn't become popular in video game music until the early 1990s when chips were made which could easily modify them using [[Glossary#FM Synthesis|FM synthesis]].
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonata Sonata]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soprano Soprano]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soprano Soprano]===
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_wave Square Wave]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_wave Square Wave]===
 +
[[Image:Wave - Square.svg|thumb|A square wave.]]
 +
Square waves are waveforms shaped like squares. They produce a very artificial-sounding "beep" tone, but are easily generated. By definition, a square wave must have symmetrical times between maximum and minimum values. If the values are not symmetrical, the wave is a [[Glossary#Pulse Wave|pulse wave]] and yields a slightly different tone. Most early 8-bit video games used pulse waves rather than square waves.
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staccato Staccato]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staccato Staccato]===
 +
Staccato is when a note is played very shortly. For example, a staccato eighth note would be played like a sixteenth note. To signify staccato, a short dot is placed over or under the note.
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustain Sustain]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustain Sustain]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony Symphony]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony Symphony]===
 +
Symphonies are complete musical performances (usually by an orchestra) of several [[Glossary#Movement|movements]] played in succession. Vocal segments are uncommon in symphonies, but not unheard of.
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncopation Syncopation]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncopation Syncopation]===
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre Timbre]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre Timbre]===
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_signature Time Signature]===
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_wave Triangle Wave]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_wave Triangle Wave]===
 +
[[Image:Wave - Triangle.svg|thumb|A triangle wave.]]
 +
Triangle waves are shaped like triangles and produce a deep tone similar to that of a [[Glossary#Sine Wave|sine wave]]. They were often used instead of sine waves in early synthesizers because they are much easier to produce, but the advent of low cost synthesizers capable of complex sine wave production through [[Glossary#FM Synthesis|FM synthesis]] in the 1990s made them obsolete. An example of triangle waves can be heard in the bass line of most Nintendo Entertainment System games like [[Title BGM - Metroid (NES)|Title BGM]] from [[Metroid (NES)]].
  
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuplet Tuplet]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuplet Tuplet]===
 +
A tuplet is an irregular division of notes that don't keep with a song's timing. For example, requiring that five notes are played in a measure set to 4/4 time. A specific form of tuplet that is common enough to have its own name is a triplet, where three notes are played in the duration of two quarter notes.
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==U==
  
 
==V==
 
==V==
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===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise White Noise]===
 
===[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise White Noise]===
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==X==
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==Y==
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==Z==
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[[Category: Guides]]
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__NOTOC__

Revision as of 12:26, 17 December 2019

This is a list of concise definitions for terms popular in video games and music, with an example of a song or game that utilizes the term. Click on the word for a link to the Wikipedia article.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

A

Aria

An aria is usually a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without orchestral accompaniment, normally part of a larger work. They are usually found in operas. An example can be heard in Aria di Mezzo Carattere when Celes sings in the opera house scene in Final Fantasy III (SNES).

B

Baroque

Bass

Bass refers to the lowest range of a particular group. When referring to vocalists, bass is below baritone as the lowest male vocal range (extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C). When referring to instruments, it is the lowest rage for that instrument, like a bass clarinet or bass saxophone. There are also instruments simply called a bass, like the traditional double bass or a bass guitar.

C

Cakewalk

Cantata

A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment. Cantatas often span multiple movements and while they originally featured mostly solo singers, it is now common for them to include a choir.

Classical

Concerto

A performance smaller than a symphony, usually consisting of three movements, one of which is a solo, played by an orchestra or smaller ensemble.

D

Decibel

A decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement that changes depending on the context, but when talking about acoustics, it usually refers to the pressure level of a sound wave which humans perceive as volume. Decibels are measure logarithmically, so for each 1 increase in decibels, the value increases 10 times as much in volume which fits with human perception of sound (two speakers playing a sound will not sound twice as loud as one speaker. It actually takes ten speakers to sound twice as loud as one speaker).

Digital Signal Processor

E

Envelope

F

Finale

A finale is the last portion of a long musical composition which ties the work together. It is usually played in a lively manner like allegro or vivace.

Flourishes

Foley

Foley is the process of creating sound effects for film and games. While this process is usually a post-production event in film and cut-scenes within games, sound effects are usually actively worked on throughout the development of the more interactive parts of a game.

G

H

Harmony

I

J

Jazz

Jingle

Very short (usually lasting for no longer than just 10 seconds without loop), yet melodical and often atmosferic musical sequence. Due to the limitations of hardware and the lack of needed programmers' and composers' skills in videogame industry, jingles were the most common form of music in 1970s, were used very often in 1980s and 1990s, usually marking the start of a new level, another variant of players success or lose. In the modern days, long background music is more common, however, jingles still are still presented in games to be utilized for the same purposes as it was before.

K

Key

L

Legato

Leitmotif

A song, fanfare, or jingle associated with a particular person, though also a place or idea. An example of it used for a person is Locke's Theme which plays in Final Fantasy III (SNES) whenever focus is on the character Locke. An example of when it used for a place can be heard in Kakariko Village from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES). An example used for an idea is the Fellowship Theme from Ultima VII: The Black Gate (DOS) which plays whenever you speak to key members of the cult, when you enter Fellowship buildings, and when major events relating to the cult occur.

M

Mambo

Mambo is a musical form that developed originally in Cuba, with further significant developments by Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians in Mexico and the USA. A dance style, also referred to as mambo developed along with it. An example can be heard in the Final Fantasy V (SPC) song, Mambo de Chocobo.

Melody

Meter

Movement

A section of music from a larger composition (like a symphony or concerto) that can stand on its own. For an example of movements, listen to Dancing Mad from Final Fantasy III (SNES).

N

Noise

Noise is a term used to identify interference or static in a signal. In signal processing, noise is generally unwanted, however, engineers have made use of noise in music, and many early programmable sound generators used short bursts of noise to simulate percussion. There are many different types of noise, the most popular is white noise.

O

Opera

P

Pitch

Polka

Portamento

Pulse Wave

A pulse wave.

A pulse wave is a simple waveform very similar in shape to a square wave, but with a non-symmetrical waveform. Most early video game audio chips generated multiple pulse waves for their lead voices. The wave can be modified to alter the pitch, volume, and timbre. Pulse waves have a classic "beep" sound.

Q

R

Ragtime

A musical genre with a ragged (syncopated) rhythm. It gained prominence in the African-American culture before seeing mainstream popularity between 1895 and 1918. Many examples can be found in soundtrack of The Yukon Trail (W16), like The Mississippi Rag.

Renaissance

Romance

Rondo

Ruffles

S

Sawtooth Wave

A sawtoth wave.

Sawtooth waves are waveforms with a shape similar to the teeth on a saw. Compared to a square wave, they produce a rougher "behp" sound. Though sawtooth waves are easily generated, they were far less common on early audio chips making them rare to early video game music. This was probably due to their rough sound making them less conducive to melodic music.

Scale

Sine Wave

A sine wave.

Sine waves are waveforms with a regular curve. When left unmodified, a sine wave produces a very artificial-sounding "boop" tone. They are fairly easily generated, though not as easy as a triangle wave which was more prominent in the 8-bit era. Sine waves didn't become popular in video game music until the early 1990s when chips were made which could easily modify them using FM synthesis.

Sonata

Soprano

Sound Card

A sound card is a circuit board that can be inserted into a computer to provide additional audio capabilities through the use of on-board synthesizers, digital signal processors, and digital-to-analog converts. Sound cards were especially popular in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, but at the end of the decade, they started to be built-in to the mother boards, and sales dropped dramatically. While they can still be purchased to provide high-end audio like Dolby 7.1 surround sound, most general consumers don't bother with them.

Square Wave

A square wave.

Square waves are waveforms shaped like squares. They produce a very artificial-sounding "beep" tone, but are easily generated. By definition, a square wave must have symmetrical times between maximum and minimum values. If the values are not symmetrical, the wave is a pulse wave and yields a slightly different tone. Most early 8-bit video games used pulse waves rather than square waves.

Staccato

Staccato is when a note is played very shortly. For example, a staccato eighth note would be played like a sixteenth note. To signify staccato, a short dot is placed over or under the note.

Sustain

Symphony

Symphonies are complete musical performances (usually by an orchestra) of several movements played in succession. Vocal segments are uncommon in symphonies, but not unheard of.

Syncopation

Synthesizer

A synthesizer is an electronic device that converts an electronic signal into audio in an attempt to synthesize a musical instrument. While the term is often used for an entire instrument like a keyboard, the actual device that performs the synthesizing is usually an integrated circuit microchip.

T

Tempo

Timbre

Time Signature

Triangle Wave

A triangle wave.

Triangle waves are shaped like triangles and produce a deep tone similar to that of a sine wave. They were often used instead of sine waves in early synthesizers because they are much easier to produce, but the advent of low cost synthesizers capable of complex sine wave production through FM synthesis in the 1990s made them obsolete. An example of triangle waves can be heard in the bass line of most Nintendo Entertainment System games like Title BGM from Metroid (NES).

Tuplet

A tuplet is an irregular division of notes that don't keep with a song's timing. For example, requiring that five notes are played in a measure set to 4/4 time. A specific form of tuplet that is common enough to have its own name is a triplet, where three notes are played in the duration of two quarter notes.

U

V

Vibrato

W

Waltz

A genre of music and associated ballroom dance usually performed in triple time. Example songs include Waltz of the Demons from Doom (DOS) and Wedding Waltz ~ Duel from Final Fantasy III (SNES).

White Noise

X

Y

Z