Rhythm and groove
Pocket describes how parts sit against the beat. Backbeat identifies the main snare or clap emphasis. Swing delays selected subdivisions. Syncopation accents unexpected positions. Dropout removes a part to create transition or impact.
- Backbeat
- Swing
- Syncopation
- Dropout
Vocal performance
Register locates the singing range. Weight describes perceived mass. Tonal core describes the stable center of the sound. Phrasing shapes thought length and timing. Articulation describes consonants and word edges.
- Register
- Weight
- Tonal core
- Phrasing
- Articulation
Arrangement and structure
Underlick is a recurring musical response tied to the theme. Call and response alternates lead and answer. Vamp repeats a harmonic or lyrical cell for development. Breakdown reduces density before a return.
- Underlick
- Call and response
- Vamp
- Breakdown
- Section lift
Production and mastering
Headroom is level space below clipping. True peak estimates inter-sample peaks. Dynamic range describes level variation. Ducking lowers one element when another needs space. Translation is consistency across listening systems.
- Headroom
- True peak
- Dynamic range
- Ducking
- Translation