Music Glossary: live

A session built with Scenes for each song/section, including clicks, cues, and automation. Designed for reliable, repeatable playback. more

Floor or rack units (e.g., Helix, Kemper) replacing amps on stage. Provide consistent tones, silent stages, and MIDI patch recall. more

Feeding subwoofers from an auxiliary send to send only sources that benefit from low-frequency energy. more

Contract for live shows: fee/door split, hospitality, tech rider, cancellation terms. more

Routing related channels to groups for processing and to VCAs/DCAs for level control without changing balance. more

When to use click; drummer-only vs full-band feeds; transitions count-offs. more

Click/cue only to performers’ IEMs; never to FOH. Typically via a dedicated output pair from the playback interface. more

Saved states for mixes, mutes, and FX by song/section, recalled safely during the show with scoped parameters. more

Control groups to adjust multiple channels' levels together without altering individual faders. more

Secondary speaker arrays delayed to the mains so wavefronts arrive together for distant audience areas. more

Networked audio I/O at the stage that feeds the console. Reduces analog run length, simplifies patching, and increases channel count. more

An additional performance at the end of a concert prompted by audience applause; often one or two preplanned songs. more

Hardware (e.g., auto-switch DI/switcher) that flips from Rig A to Rig B if audio drops. Essential for mission-critical playback. more

The Front-of-House mixer who balances the audience mix, manages system EQ, effects, and show dynamics in the venue. more

The usable level before feedback occurs; improved by mic choice/placement, patterns, EQ notches, and stage layout. more

Live performance engagement. Can also colloquially mean any paying music job—sometimes alongside a non-music day job. more

Filtering low rumble from channels that do not need it (vocals, guitars) to increase clarity and headroom. more

Personal monitoring using wired or wireless packs. Reduces stage volume, improves clarity; requires careful gain staging and RF planning. more

The total round-trip delay from player to ears. Keep under 10–12 ms for tight feel; watch converters, plugins, wireless hops, and DSP. more

Major concert promoter and venue operator; involved in tour production, ticketing partnerships, and festivals. more

Record live band for natural push/pull; tempo map for edits/overdubs. more

Protocol to trigger cues in lighting, video, and effects from the music rig. Often paired with Program/Control Changes for instrument patches. more

Builds performers’ monitor/IEM mixes, manages talkback and cues, and keeps stage feedback under control. more

Input pad prevents clipping; polarity invert (Ø) corrects reversed wiring; phase alignment avoids cancellations with multi-mics. more

Use +48V only where needed; mute before enabling; beware ribbon mics and bad cables. more

Runs the show computers, timecode, and patching. Coordinates with MD and FOH, manages set changes, and handles emergencies. more

Dual laptops/interfaces feeding a switcher for instant failover. Health checks and auto-switch minimize show-stopping glitches. more