If I ever do get anything ready to print in book(let) form, this is probably what the glossary in the back will look like. I will be adding to this as I create new posts.
Balance – Found only on stereo channels, where two inputs are paired together with a left and right input. The balance turns down the volume of one input as you turn the knob towards the other.
EQ – (wikipedia)
Fader – The primary control for output volume. Usually this is a slider that moves up and down and is closest to you when you operating the mixing console.
FOH – Front of House. Generally refers to the main speakers that exist for the audience to hear, or the audience area. You can have FOH speakers, FOH mixing console, etc.
Gain (Trim) – Input level on the mixing console or amplifier. Sometimes it is the only form of volume control (on most amplifiers and on some smaller mixers that do not have a separate output control). More info >>
Mixing Console – (wikipedia) The big thing with all the knobs (or pots as some people like to call them). It is a central control station for most audio engineering and controls all audio sources in (microphones, instruments, mp3 players, etc) and out (amplifiers, headphones, etc).
Monitors – Speakers or in-ear headphones that musicians and singers use to hear what’s on stage. In small scale environments the monitor mix is controlled by Auxiliary outputs on the FOH (or only) console. In larger environments, a separate monitor mixing console is used with a dedicated engineer to mix the different monitor feeds.
Pad – Works with the gain control. When turned on, the input level gets dropped by 20 db or more (depending on the model of the mixing console). Generally speaking, you want this on for all electronic inputs (MP3 Players, CD Players, etc).
Pan – This knob is found on most channels right above the main volume fader and allows you to direct that channel towards the left or right output. If the channel is assigned to a specific subgroup such as 1-2 or 3-4, then pan is used to force that channel to only one of the two groups. For example, if a channel is marked to only go to the 3-4 group, you can force that channel to only group 3 by turning the pan all the way to the left.
PFL (Solo) – Pre Fade Listen, allows you to listen to that channel through the headphones, even if that channel is turned all the way down or muted.
Pre [fade] – A pre fade output keeps the same volume level regardless of where the main volume fader is set to. This is mostly used for monitor mixes so the band members aren’t affected by adjustments made in the house.
Post [fade] – A post fade output is an output whose volume is in direct relationship to the main volume fader. If the main fader is all the way down, this output will also be silent.
Solo – See PFL
Trim – See Gain
