General glossary A simple overview of terms used in the industry and what they mean. Check out the Theater Glossary for more AFL: After Fader Listen. Switch that enables the listener to hear a signal in a mixer that is after the fader in its relevant section Amplifier: Device for making a small signal into a much larger one Array: A collection or group of speakers arranged together Attenuate: To reduce the level of a signal Auxiliary: A system capable of providing separate mixes from the main mix. Consists of `sends' where a signal is split off from its normal path and `returns' where a signal can be returned into the mixer. Often shortened to `aux' Backstage: Anywhere behind (or to the side of) the stage that is not usually accessible by the general public Backline: The equipment used by the band or artists usu- ally consisting of amplifiers and instruments such as drums, keyboards, and so on Balanced: Audio connection that uses two wires for the signal plus an earth shield. Excellent at rejecting noise and retaining signal integrity over a distance Band pass: A filter that allows a defined range of frequen- cies to pass through. Frequencies outside the chosen range are attenuated Bandwidth: The range of frequencies covered by a processing device such as an equalizer Bar: Metal pole used for hanging lights on. Often a `6-bar' if it has 6 PAR cans on