Terminology help please

[Drecun]

Hello,
I'm writing an essay and english is not my native language. I'm trying to get a good definition of audio channel and audio track. I need only 1-2 lines of definiton for each term. Thanks a lot for any help

[howie15]

Well, in certain ways, they could mean the same thing. However, if you were looking for ways they are used separately, I would define the differences as such:

Audio Channel: Refers to a channel on a hardware mixer or outboard gear.

Audio Track: Refers to a track on tape or in a computer workstation.

Example: I have a 16 "channel" mixer that goes 16 "audio tracks" on Pro Tools.

Now, I'm sure there are many different ways to look at it, but that is what comes to mind.

Howie J

[kope]

I think that you need simple explanation. To get final sound for listening people use different number of sources. At home is popular “stereo” (two channels) or “Surround” 5.1 or 7.1 (6 or 8 channels). Is system with 6 (8) independent sources of sound (voices). Each of them can be separately regulated. In studio is same situation but opposite way. To get record of an band sound engineers use special recorders capable to take multiple records in the same time. Each of those records we call “channel” or “track”. Classical setup is (but is not rule) Bass goes on one channel, Rhythm guitar on another, Vocals on third one and so on. Every of them can be played and recorded separately but when you play them together you will get filing like band plays together.