| MABs |
Abbreviation: Moving Air Baffles Slang: The people in the audience >> submitted by Andrew Murdock |
| MacGyver |
Verb: To improvise in a difficult situation or to fabricate something out of unlikely components |
| mains (1) |
Slang: for the main sound system |
| mains (2) |
Common term for AC power. (i.e. “The mains went out and the whole gig went dark.”) >> submitted by Gary |
| Mag-light |
Brand Name: Aluminum flashlight favored by roadies. Sometimes used alternately a an impromptu weapon (originally designed for police use) >> submitted by Dave B See also “Kel-Lite” |
| Magic Touch |
When you touch a knob/fader/pot without moving it when the artist asks for “Just a touch” >> submitted by smokeybehr@mediaone.net |
| Magic Wave |
Moving the hands over the console (usually the monitor console) to make the artist think that you’re actually doing something instead of messing with your perfect settings (related to “Magic Touch”) >> submitted by smokeybehr@mediaone.net |
| male end |
A cable connector characterised by some shafts >> submitted by Tarrant Falcke |
| Marley Cover |
AKA Marley Floor: A dance floor attached to a wooden stage. Marley is an English company, still in business, that still makes a variety of roofing, flooring and wall treatment products. Back in the 60′s, they invented the reversible, portable vinyl flooring called “Stageflor”. Everyone called it Marley. It was six feet wide and was black one side, gray the other side. Stagestep was one of two American companies to import it. They stopped production in 1979. Now produced in the US under the Company name “Stageflor” and they renamed the product “Bravo”.>> submitted by CalArts |
| Marshall |
Brand name: guitar amplifier |
| Memphis Road Case |
A milk crate ( see also – Mexican Road Case) >> submitted by Keenan Neighbors |
| Merch guy |
The person who sets up the Merchandise for the show Carlos Gutierrez |
| Mexican Road Case |
Slang: Cardboard box cabinet is shipped in with holes cut out for handle access ( see also – VIP Mexican Road Case) >> submitted by James Dunne |
| Mexican Speed Wrench |
Slang: A really big hammer Jason Hopkins, RFL |
| mic check |
Verification that every mic is wired correctly and functioning (Test 1,2 3,Check 1,2,3, it can get boring) |
| mirror ball |
Rotating ball covered with small mirrors. Popular during the disco era |
| mix |
Delicate balance of sound controlled by the front sound man. Within the limits of the acoustics of the venue, a sound man can make or break a successful show by his ability to mix well |
| monitors |
Separate sound system maintained to allow the performer(s) to hear themselves on stage. A special sound roadie typically mixes the sound on the stage |
| motor |
Motorized chain hoist used to fly all manner of equipment – truss, speakers, lighting, tour managers etc >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| moving air baffles |
Slang: The people in the audience >> submitted by Andrew Murdock |
| moving light |
A high output light fixture that when it is working during a show it makes the audience go “oooh”; and when it is not working during a show, makes lighting techs go $#@^%$@^@$%^@$%^!!! >> submitted by David G. Comeau |
| M.R.O.W. |
Abreviation: Must Ride On Wheels |
| muff (1) |
Cover for mic, cuts wind-noise and pop >> submitted by Phil Easton |
| muff (2) |
Sometimes traded for Backstage pass (see Groupie) >> submitted by Phil Easton |
| “Mult” |
Slang: Multicore >> submitted by Eric Weston |
| “Multi” |
Slang: Multicore >> submitted by Rod Anderson |
| Multicore |
A cable with multiple wires used to connect the stage to the mixing boards (both sound and light) See also “Snake” and “Multi” >> submitted by Rod Anderson |
| Muso’s |
Slang: Musicians..usually heard in the company of the crew as..get the f**kin muso’s on the bus. >> submitted by Trent Baldwin |
| “Nail Bender” |
Slang: Carpenter >> submitted by Christine W |
| “Nicer” |
Slang: Someone that makes things “nicer” for the band. They usually work in the production office/dressing room hanging up signs around the venue, etc. >> submitted by RezPhreak |
| NFG (1) |
Abbreviation: No F***ing Good >> submitted by Brent |
| NFG (2) |
Abbreviation: Non-Functional Gear – I work with Christian artists and some people say “Hey I know what that means” So this is a second G rated definition, just in case someone tries to give you a hard time about it or in my case work in front of church people. >> submitted by Andrew Evanch |
| “Noise boys” |
Slang: same as audio crew >> submitted by T Green |
| O.E. |
Abbreviation:Operator error. “What was the problem?” “It was O.E..” >> submitted by Ken Horgan |
| oh sh*t light |
Typically a full white stage flood; the light used so often it may as well stay on >> submitted by Tarrant Falcke |
| “oil spotted” |
The act of self retirement from a tour by missing the bus call and not being a good enough roadie for the PM to come find you. Can be un-retired if you make it to load in at the next location on your own without any assistance >> submitted by David G. Comeau |
| “on top” |
Part of the mix that is slightly louder or “in front” of the other channels. Typically the vocal or the featured instrument |
| one night stand |
Single show usually picked up between tours. Several could be stringed together in a mini tour of unrelated bands |
| One Off |
Slang: Same as “One night stand”, a lot of times working for local production company >> submitted by T Green |
| O.N.S. |
Abbreviation: one night stand |
| opening act |
First band to perform in a show. There could be many opening acts but only one headliner |
| Orange |
Brand name: Guitar amplifier |
| O.S.H.A |
Occupational Safety & Health Administration: A series of US Government safety rules, most of which are broken at most gigs >> submitted by Tarrant Falcke |
| overhead(s) |
Microphone(s) positioned high over drum kit to capture the sound of a cymbal or cymbals |
| PA |
Public address, slang for main sound system |
| P.D. |
Short for “Per Diem” or “Power Distro” >> submitted by Gary |
| P.F.M. |
Abbreviation: Pure Freakin’ Magic… A good answer to give to somebody when you are asked how something works and don’t have the time to explain it. >> submitted by Jason Hopkins RFL |
| P.S.D. |
Short for Professional Sh*t Deflector / Slang for Monitor Engineer >> submitted by Steve Wilkins |
| pad |
Device used to reduce the level of a signal. Pad switches are often found on console channel strips and DI boxes. Very useful if you have to deal with a particularly “hot” signal >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| par cans |
same as par lamps (stands for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector) >> submitted by Art St James |
| par lamps |
Common lighting instrument, essentially a car headlight in a black tin can. Much cheaper and sturdier than traditional stage lighting |
| parametric |
Type of equalizer |
| Pass Line |
A line of roadies between 2 points in which gear is passed along from one to the next one in line >> submitted by RezPhreak |
| penis mic |
Slang: Shure SM57 microphone >> submitted by Kelsey “Chainsaw” Hudson |
| Percussive Maintenance |
Having to hit something a few times to get it to work properly >> subnitted by Dave Defilippis |
| per diem |
(Latin: Per Day) Allowance paid every day (on the road) to the to band and road crew. Not taxable (up to certain limits) since it is supposed to pay for food expense. In reality most days there is more food provided free than you can possible eat |
| Persuader |
Hammer, usually a sledgehammer >> submitted by Uncle Fester |
| PFP |
(Performance Failure Phenomenon) The act of gear F**King up on the show but working fine on the bench. Goes along with Operator Error; The act of an engineer who sucks and can’t figure it out and blames the gear and/or sound company when in actuality it is their own inability’s that cause the problem in the first place >> submitted by Keith Jex |
| Phantom power |
Microphones that have built-in active electronics usually require an external power source, called phantom power, which is supplied by the console and fed to the mic via the mic cable. Most decent active DIs may be phantom powered as well. Standard voltage of 48V DC is universally used >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| Phase (1) |
Slang: Phase linear amplifiers, originally made by Bob Carver. >> submitted by Russ Jones |
| phase (2) |
Hefty AC supplies are usually multi-phase. i.e. The fat black power cable coming from the generator has 3 “hot” wires, each of which is called a Phase. “We lost a phase and half the lighting went down.” >> submitted by Tony Grimwood |
| phase (3) |
What all of our mothers think this career is… “just a phase” >> submitted by Mike “The Tooth” O’Connell |
| PHB |
Short for Pointy-Haired Boss, of Dilbert. A PHB is a manager who orders everybody around with no actual clue of what’s going on, and does no work at all. Thinks he/she knows all but doesn’t. >> submitted by Jason Hopkins, RFL |
| Philishave |
Slang: Name for the electric razor shaped mid speakers on split pa systems like martin audio. >> submitted by Eugenio |
| pickle |
Slang: Name for the controller for the motors that lift the rigging for the lights and speakers >> submitted by Stretch RFL |
| pig |
Slang: term for a large, heavy roadcase such as one containing cables or mic stands >> submitted by Tony |
| Pig’s |
Pig¥s ear (Beer) >> submitted by John Norris |
| Pignose |
Brand name: Little baby guitar amplifier about the size of a large clock radio, used to tune guitars backstage. Can run off batteries |
| pink noise |
Pink noise is a random noise source characterized by a flat amplitude response per octave band of frequency i.e., it has equal energy, or constant power, per octave. Since pink noise has equal energy per octave band, it is the sound source of choice for many acoustical measurements >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
| pit |
Slang: orchestra pit. Usually a good place to stash empty road cases, or form a buffer between the audience and the band |
| plugs |
Slang: for ear plugs, not commonly used except by truck drivers. Sound men can’t use them and light guys tend not to |
| PM |
Percussive maintenance (Occasionally gear can be cured temporarily by smacking or kicking the piece of a equipment). >> submitted by BJ |
| pop filter |
foam bulb around the business end of the vocal mics. supposed to prevent wind noise and “pops”. >> submitted by Russ Jones |
| poser |
One who stands among men at work, without really working. Merely “posing” as a worker (common at most college gigs) (>> submitted by “Tooth”) a.k.a “gonk” |
| pot |
Wrong!, not the drug, it’s an abbreviation for a potentiometer: the technical name for a volume control |
| power distro |
Slang: electrical box where the stage AC power distributes from >> submitted by Gary |
| Prevost |
Brand Name: (pronounced “Pre-Voh”) “the Cadillac of tour busses.” >> submitted by Gary |
| prod tabs |
Cigarettes paid for by Production >> submitted by John Norris |
| Production Manager |
Person in charge of everything (sound, lights, staging, trucking, effects) except the band and the money, usually a working roadie |
| Production meeting |
Usually held just outside the venue building prior to the show, usually downwind. (>> submitted by Andy Pedersen) Also held after a show, before returning to bunk in bus or room in hotel. Usually involves back lounge (bus) or bar (hotel). Dress code = whatever you were wearing at the show. (>> submitted by Margaret Miles) See Also Safety Meeting |
| Promoter |
Person or company that is bank rolling the show. They stand to make or lose the most money depending on show attendance and ancillary sales |
| Prop |
Anything that gets in your way during a scene change (See also Actor) >> submitted by Uncle Fester |
| “Punters” |
Slang: The members of the audience. Other similar terms include Vermin, Cattle, Civilians, MABS, Ramp Rats, Posers, and Ligers |
| Puntersville |
The place were the audience congregates (>> submitted by Day Bolger) |
| pyro |
Short for Pyrotechnics, AKA Indoor fireworks and explosives. See also gerb |
| pyrotechnics |
Indoor fireworks and explosives used as stage effects. See also gerb |
| rack (1) |
A self contained roadcase with components for sound effects, lighting dimmers, or amplifiers inside. Usually pre-wired. |
| rack (2) |
Slang for your bunk on the tour bus. (i.e. “I’m going to hit the rack…G’night.”) >> submitted by Gary |
| rack (3) |
toms mounted on the kit as opposed to those resting on the ground (‘floor tom) referred to numerically, ie ‘rack 1′, ‘rack 2′ (>> submitted by Craig) |
| rack (4) |
See Also “breast augmentation” (>> submitted by P. Andersen) |
| raked stage |
Old stage built on an tilt towards the audience. Very rare, but a roadie nightmare if you run into one |
| “Ramp Rat” |
A “boiler” who hangs about the load-in wanting to trade a “lammie” for a “milky drink” >> submitted by Richard Luckett |
| RCA |
abbreviation of Radio Corporation of America – kind of audio connectors found on domestic CD and video players (>> submitted by tonyg RFL) |
| RCH |
A small unit of measurement. “Tweak that PAR an RCH to the left. (Red c*** hair) (>> submitted by Michael Putorti) |
| real estate |
Usually used to conserve stage space (Strike the support act’s kit to save real estate) >> submitted by Joseph Corzine |
| real job |
Something that people in the biz do not and will not ever know anything about…. >> submitted by Joseph Corzine |
| REAL music |
What the crew invariably asks for when the A1 is conducting a sound check…some REAL music >> submitted by Bink Knowles |
| “Redneck Laser” |
Slang: A mirror ball (>> submitted by Darrell Brock) |
| “resume on a rope” |
stack of laminates worn on lanyard from previous tours mostly worn by posers >> submitted by JOEROADIE R.F.L. |
| RFL |
“Roadie For Life” Professional designation ONLY available from Roadie.net (e.g. Karl Kuenning RFL) coined and copywitten in 1998 |
| R.T.L. |
Random Tie Line; cut pieces of black tie line that you find on the deck |
| rider (1) |
The document details the performer’s requirements regarding food, drink, etc. Also known as “the wish list” >> submitted by Taz |
| rider (2) |
Slang: Any case without casters, therefore riding on a case that does >> submitted by Stacey “LilBit” Holmes |
| road |
Anywhere (except your hometown) where a show can be promoted |
| road case (1) |
Protective case for virtually every piece of equipment carried on a traveling concert tour. It is typically made of plywood covered in a skin of colored plastic called Kydex. They usually have heavy casters for easy movement, and metal corners and edges along with foam lined interiors for added protection (see Anvil) |
| road case (2) |
A bed for a hard working tech >> submitted by Olivier Richer |
| Road Manager |
Responsible for managing the artists while on the road, while attempting to keep them out of “trouble”. Generally handles all the money as well. The man to see to get a supply of backstage passes. (>> submitted by Simon) |
| Road Meat |
Slang: See Groupie >> submitted by Troy Pierroz |
| Roadie |
Technician that travels with a musician or musical group typically providing sound reinforcement, lighting design, instrument support, staging, special effects, wardrobe, security, production management or all of the above for the artist(s) |
| Roadie billfold |
Large leather billfold with chain attached to belt (to prevent pick-pockets I guess) Same as a biker billfold or trucker billfold |
| Roadie poo |
The sh*t that ticks on your shoes at the end of the gig, old gaff, old electrical tape, etc. (>> submitted by Andrew Mizzi) |
| RTA |
Abbreviation for “Real Time Analyzer”. This device is used to graphically display audio frequency spectra and is commonly used as an aid in the fine-tuning of PA systems. A “pink noise” source is connected to the PA and a mic connected to the RTA picks up the sound which the RTA then displays as a frequency/level graph. Very handy tool for accurately identifying problem frequencies, but it’s no substitute for an experienced pair of ears >> submitted by Tony G RFL |
