Pro Audio Terms..

[OzDrum]

It's scary that a sales rep for Neumann in Australia didn't know what SDC stood for when ordering a KM184 SDC.

I would have thought SDC and LDC were common terms in the Pro Audio world when referring to microphones - maybe I'm wrong and the world as I know it is about to cease to exist?

Have a GREAT weekend!
Geoff

[gigpiglet]

they are VERY standard. and very much current.
anyone in sales should know.

i often refer my juniors/ new staff to this link:

http://www.rane.com/digi-dic.html

and say they should have an understanding of most.. if you know it all, then i think that would be a very professional and thorough understanding of the pro audio world (and some good music theory etc thrown in for good measure)
a bit outdated.. but still very relevant

[OzDrum]

I thought it very weird that the guy has been with them for years selling Neumann and Sennheiser!

[Kurt]

I guess if you said "I'll have a KM184 SDC" the SDC is an extra bit that might have thrown him? A bit like saying "I'll buy a Commodore sedan car with four wheels" It seems a bit superfluous. I've never heard anyone actually say it, but seen it on line lots of times.

Neither SDC nor LDC are referenced in that link btw Gareth.

[Alastair Reynolds]

SDC or LDC is more of a descriptive of a style of microphone, like ribbon, dynamic, condensor.
In identifying the mic you wish to purchase by a specific model number you have already defined the type and "family" of microphone, so as Kurt says, SDC is superfluous.All KM184 are SDC.
ahh, semantics.

[Drumstruck]

When did these terms become common? I remember in the 60s / 70s / 80s the simpler descriptors of ribbon, condensonr, dynamic etc were the norm......

[Djembe]

I think also that a lot of these acronyms/abbreviations come from online forums such as this one, and while they may be commonly used there, we have to remember not everyone frequents these nefarious locations.

[Milo]

While overhearing an exchange at work between a rep and potential customer over the sale of an amplifier, the customer asked if the amp could be used in New Zealand.
'Afraid not,' said the rep: "See, it says here '240 volts AC': Australian Current"

Milo

[Drumstruck]

Some years ago I was at very tense big-wig techos meeting where a very knowledgable chap on the "opposite side" asked me a complex question using a multitude of acronyms and jargon.... I answered - "there wasn't one word of English in that question".... everybody laughed and the tension of the meeting dissolved

[Chris H]

While overhearing an exchange at work between a rep and potential customer over the sale of an amplifier, the customer asked if the amp could be used in New Zealand.
'Afraid not,' said the rep: "See, it says here '240 volts AC': Australian Current"

Milo

.....it would follow that DC means Dickhead Current!

[gigpiglet]

nice call kurt - i hadnt even looked if it was in that list!
still... it is a good place for reference

ive certainly got used to people using SDC (more so than LDC) as a standard thing
it would be a normal phone conversation or email for someone to ask me "what SDC's do you have?" or if i was speccing something and told for instance that they dont have KM184 i would answer "thats fine, any SDC will do"

i see also see it on rider from artists (of all nationalities) all the time. while kick and snare for instance will have specific mics requested, often things like gloc or ambience mics will just say SDC (ie - whatever small diaphram condenser you have in your mic locker)

[rick]

I have never said ldc or sdc
Its a relatively new interweb thing

But i would know what your talking about

But then again if you said hey rick
How much is a 54
I would also know what your talking about

I wouldnt describe it as a vintage sdc

I would ask nickel or gold ?
Then we would be having a conversation

[Ausrock]

While this thread has focused on mic descriptions, the title leaves it open to other "areas"...........at the time this thread started I saw someone on an Aust., non-audio forum state......."I'm a qualified audio engineer"........I was so tempted to ask for clarification but unusually for me, I decided against it ...........but it leaves the question, in Pro Audio Terms, what would really qualify a person as an audio engingeer?

[Kurt]

To me, an engineer has a degree or equivalent experience. I am a soundguy.

[Drumstruck]

Let me be the second to quantify your rhetorical question.........

There are plenty who hold a tertiary qualification (e.g. Audio) but don't know the difference between a fader and a volume knob (incl me )........

There are some with great skill and no qualification.........

I'd always choose the latter fwiw.

[Paul Maybury]

I propose a new term instead of Audio Engineer. How about "Audio Monger"? or "Soundwright"?

[Kurt]

One day I shall get a t-shirt printed

"Lord of the knobs"

[Drumstruck]

To me, an engineer has a degree or equivalent experience. I am a soundguy.

Hey man, you're not a sound - guy.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGbcnZ-3CJQ

[jkhuri44]

if you are capable of actually engineering something electronic, or are highly versed in physics and acoustics/can build advanced speaker designs and test them in a scientific method....youre an engineer, if you record stuff well...pls dont call yourself that imo.... u can argue that crafting a record is "engineering a record"...
but that's a vain re-interpretation in my opinion.

[Futureman]

I know how to weld , work a mill and lathe, but I'm not a mechanical engineer. (No degree)
I can also wire up mains and do electrical repairs, but I'm not an electrical engineer. (No degree)
So why should someone who can use a console and a mic but not have a degree call themselves an audio engineer?

[Paul Maybury]

How about "Muso Wrangler" then?

[gigpiglet]

well... i have a degree in engineering (double majors) but have never worked in the field
ive always been a "sound guy" or "production manager" or "studio designer" or "label owner" etc etc

so im an engineer, but not an audio engineer..
ha!

[Chris H]

.........i can engineer a conversation