P

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

Pads – a form of synth instrument

Pan
– to move the sound around the stereo field, ‘panning’ it left or right

Pan Control
– gives you the ability to move the sound around the stereo field, left to right

Parameter
– a user-adjustable quantity that governs some aspect of a device’s performance

Patch Browser
– lets you look through all available patches

Patches
– the sounds that can be generated by a MIDI device; also variously known as programmes, timbres, or voices

Pattern Window
– contains pitch-based data that is assigned to a sound device

Pen Tool
– lets the user position anchor points to adjust parameters within that track

Pencil Tool
– used to draw in pattern-change data, add notes, automation, etc.

Percussion
– drum parts, used to keep the tempo – includes snare, hi-hat, tom, etc.

Percussion Track
– a track dedicated to percussion instruments such as shaker, hi-hat, cowbell, etc.

Phono Lead
– stereo cable that connects your turntables to the mixer; red is right channel, white is left

Phrase
– a section of music that is relatively self-contained and coherent over a medium timescale; phrases are sometimes four and most often eight bars (measures) long

Pitch 
– how high or low a note is, determined by the frequency of the soundwave. The higher the frequency of a note, the higher its pitch.

Pitch Control
– an up-and-down slider that lets you increase and decrease the pitch of the record; usually works in increments of + or – 8%

Pitch Effect
– adjusts the clip pitch by shifting it up or down the octave range

Platter
– the part of a turntable on which a record rests when being played. It is commonly made of aluminium, but some inexpensive models use a high-impact plastic. Often, DJs will rest a slipmat on the platter.

Play Icon
– a.k.a. the play button; starts the track, and is usually depicted by a triangle

Plugin
– software module that ‘plugs into’ an application in order to give it a specific additional functionality

Plugin Window
– a window showing available plugins that are assignable to that channel

Pointer Tool
– used to alter and move MIDI notes, envelope points, events, parts, etc.

Preset
– a collection of system settings stored in a memory that is virtually instantly recallable, typically at the touch of a button

Preview
– lets you listen to a track/sample/loop, etc. before adding it to your project

Preview Sample
– lets you listen to a sample before bringing it into your project

Processor
– a.k.a. CPU or microprocessor, this is the brain of your computer. It reads instructions from your software and tells your computer what to do.

Project Folder
– stores your save file, edited audio and all info used in your track/set

Pulse Wave
– a kind of waveform similar to a square wave, but without the symmetrical shape associated with a perfect square wave