The Pad reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Pad

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Pad (in electronic music) is a sound (timbre), which can be used to produce soft, imperceptible harmonic background. The most common (almost standard) types of pads are: choir pad, strings, warm pad etc.


Pad is also short for "maxi-pad," or sanitary napkin (US) or "towel" (UK).