A lot of times in our industry we can get so absorbed with technology and new products that unless you follow this stuff full time you can fall behind on the tech talk. Technicians often spend hours upon hours working all day for a single event. This breeds the ideal environment for slang to develop. Often techies will shorten descriptions of equipment, or use slang, and it can be tough to fully understand the conversation.

There are so many model numbers and slang terms for so many types of equipment I couldn’t possibly list them all, but here are a list of few generic terms used by many technicians and crew in the live production industry.

Backline – Refers to the artists/bands amplifiers, drums, instruments. Typically set up across the rear of the stage.

Barndoors – Metal doors hinged on the front of some lighting instruments to block off light that would otherwise hit off stage.

Briefcase Engineer – FOH engineer who does not touch the gear on load in, i.e. moves nothing heavier than a briefcase.

Changeover – Time period where removal of an opening act and set up of the next act or the headliner is done.

Cheeseburger – Slang for a cheesbourgh clamp.

DB – Refers to decibel- a measurement of sound levels. Technically, the decibel is used to describe the *ratio* of two power levels, a known “reference” power and the power level being compared to it.

DB Meter – Electronic device for measuring sound levels.

Dimmer Beach – Area where Dimmer racks are located, usually as far off stage as possible, as to prevent a visual obstruction.

Downstage – Portion of the stage closest to the audience. Comes from old stages that were “raked” or inclined, and were actually lower at the audience edge.

FOH – Front of House – referring to the technical control area set up in the venue. Usually placed in the centre of the room and 2 thirds of the way back.

Front Fill - Small speaker cabinets placed on the downstage of a stage to cover the front rows.

Gaff – Refers to Gaffer’s tape. Verb: To gaff or to gaff something. Use of Gaffer’s tape to attach, fix, secure, repair, waterproof, seal, rig, stabilize, stick, mummify, or generally make semi-permanent.

GOBO - Goes Before Optics. A template for a lighting fixture.

Headliner – Main performer of the show, usually controls the sound, lights, and staging decisions.

HECFI – Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. The City of Hamilton’s entertainment organization for Hamilton Place, Copps Coliseum, The Studio, and the Hamilton Convention Centre.

IATSE – International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. A Labour Union representing technicians, artisans, and craftpersons in the entertainment industry.

Idiot Check – (aka Dummy Check) After everything has been loaded out, you go back ONE MORE TIME to make sure NOTHING is left behind.

IEMs – (aka “ears”) Refers to In Ear Monitors. IEMs are basically in-ear headphones used for monitoring. Musicians sometimes will use IEMs instead of, or in addition to wedge monitors.

Kick – Slang for bass drum.

Kit – Slang for drum set.

Lav – Refers to a clip-on lavaliere microphone, also could refer to a lapel microphone.

LD – Lighting Designer – usually referring to the technician who is operating the lighting.

Load In – Unloading and set up of all equipment prior to sound check.

Load Out – Packing up and loading in trucks all equipment after the conclusion of the show.

Locals – Crew hired in each town to help unload trucks and set up gear.

Loom – A bundle of cables that are usually taped together to speed up set up time when setting up the same production daily.

RF – Refers to Radio Frequancy. Usually used in reference to wireless microphones or IEMs.

Scrim – Thin fabric backdrop, used in conjunction with front or backlighting effects.

Soca – Brand Name: multipin connector, Referring to Socapex, however commonly referred to as multi cable.

Speakon – Speaker cable with lockable connectors used for secure speaker/monitor chaining.

Stage Left – Side of the stage to your left if you are standing on the stage looking out to the audience.

Stage Right – Side of the stage to your right if you are standing on the stage looking out to the audience.

Sparky – Refers the electrician on site.

TRIM – Refers to the height of either the venue, or the height of the trusses, etc.

Upstage – Portion of the stage farthest from the audience. Comes from old stages that were “raked” or inclined, and were actually lower at the audience edge.

Vidiots – Refers to any technicians specializing or operating video.

Wedge – Referring to the monitors used on stage. Always sometimes referred to ‘foldback’.

Most technicians don’t have much going for them in life, so they get off on talking tech lingo that they know you are not going to understand. It gives techies a false sense of superiority. Just kidding!! Techies make the world go round! But, hopefully now you will be able to keep up with the conversation when talking to your production partners, but if there is something you don’t understand; don’t be afraid to ask for clarification!

2011 is looking to be another exciting year at Soundbox. We’ve expanded our offices and warehouse to double in size and renovations should be completed shortly. With this expansion, our service department will have lots more room and is always ready if you have equipment that needs service and repair. We’ll also be opening our above the counter rental area for the small pick up and return rentals.

Looking back at 2010, we had lots of fun! It was also a good year for Soundbox on taking on new challenges and meeting our goals. 2010 gave us our first cross-Canada tour, supplying sound, lighting, & video for Michael W. Smith’s tour. We also had the privilege of working on great events including Pitch & Praise festival, Promise Keepers, and Hockeyville.  Kevin Fix also came on board at Soundbox as our lead audio technician. Its been awesome to work with Kevin over the past year and learn from his experience and knowledge.

This year we are really going to try update our blog more often, send out a monthly newsletter, upload more pictures and video to our facebook page, twitter, youtube, and flicker accounts, in order to keep you informed of what’s going on at Soundbox! Please feel free to sign up for our newsletter, ‘like’ us on Facebook, tweet us, and all that other  good online fun! We would love to hear from you as well, please let us know how you’re doing! Happy new year everyone!