Audio System Terminology

This reference guide clarifies pro-audio system terminology that is often mistranslated or unfamiliar to the general public.

FOH Front of House: Refers to the audience area in front of the stage. Main speakers and the main mix engineer are referred to as the FOH system and FOH Engineer, respectively.

IEM In-Ear Monitor: A monitoring method where performers listen directly through earphones or headphones.

Stage Wedge Stage Monitors: Speakers placed on stage for performance monitoring (occasionally mounted on walls or ceilings).

Feedback An audio issue caused when sound from a speaker is continuously re- captured by a microphone.

Line Array A speaker system design where multiple speaker units are arranged

vertically to project sound in a linear pattern.

Point Source Conventional box-shaped speakers that radiate sound outward from a

single point.

Vox Abbreviation for Vocal, commonly written as Lead Vox, Back Vox, etc.

FX Abbreviation for Effects, referring to reverb, delay, echo, and various

sound processing effects.

dBFS Decibels relative to Full Scale: A unit used exclusively in digital audio measurement, where levels are represented as values at or below ‭0 dBFS

dB SPL (A/C/Z)

Sound Pressure Level: A unit measuring the physical sound intensity

projected into a space by speakers. Each weighting curve reflects a

different measurement standard:

• A-Weighting: Matches the human ear's natural frequency sensitivity.

• C-Weighting: More sensitive to low frequencies, making it ideal for industrial noise measurement.

• Z-Weighting: A completely flat frequency response curve, primarily used for precise audio equipment calibration.