slaveout

Slaveout, sometimes written as "slave out" or "slave-out" in manuals, is a term used in technical fields to designate an output channel associated with a slave device in a master–slave configuration. There is no universal definition, so the exact meaning depends on the equipment and protocol.

In audio and music hardware, many devices use master/slave arrangements for timing, control signals, or data. A port labeled "slave out" may export a signal from the chain to additional devices, or, less commonly, serve as a distribution point for the signal that the slave receives from the master. The signal type can be a clock, gate, trigger, control voltage, or data stream, and the connector may be MIDI, DIN, 3.5 mm, USB, or another standard. The label is therefore descriptive of its role in the device’s signal topology rather than prescribing a single universal function.

In practice, the meaning of "slave out" is context-dependent; some manufacturers use it to indicate a port that outputs signals derived from what the device receives from the master, while others reserve the label for pass-through or daisy-chaining to further slaves. Users should consult the specific device documentation to determine the exact role of the port, the electrical characteristics, grounding requirements, and how it interacts with other devices in the chain.

See also: master out, master/slave configuration, daisy chain, clock distribution.