[Live House Terminology] What do “onstage sound (monitors)” and “front-of-house sound” mean?

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[Live House Terminology] What do “onstage sound (monitors)” and “front-of-house sound” mean?

• Festival-loving girlImae Mizuki
  I got totally hooked on BUMP OF CHICKEN after my best friend introduced them to me in junior high, and that’s when I woke up to music. In high school, a senior led me into the world of melodic hardcore, and I fell for it completely. Heavily influenced by the boyfriend I was dating back then, I’ve been a huge fan of 10-FEET from then until now. After graduating from my days as a hairstylist—spent staring down wigs every day—I now work staff for studios, live houses, and wedding sound, spending my days hunting for new bands. Despite being out at festivals and shows all year round, I’m still a hopeless kid who can’t even do a two-step.

What do “inside” and “outside” even mean in the first place?

I mentioned onstage and offstage sound, but in the first place, “on” and “off” refer to whether something is inside or outside the stage.

In other words,"Inside the stage" refers to onstage, and "outside the stage" refers to the audience seating.refers to

stage monitor mix

The onstage monitor sound can only be heard by the performers.

In other words,Sound coming from the performer's speakersIt is.

What you hear varies depending on the instrument section or the individual, but basically you hear the sounds you need for performing—such as your own voice or instrument, as well as the instruments of other sections.

If you look at the performers’ feet, you’ll often see speakers placed there, called things like “monitors,” “floor wedges,” or “foldback.”Upper stage (kamite) / Lower stage (shimote)Some have speakers facing each performer, or even—in-ear monitorThey sometimes wear so-called in-ear monitors that fit directly into the ears.

Without this so-called middle sound, the performer would no longer be able to play well.

sound outside the stage

The sound outside the stage refers to the sound that the audience hears.

In other words,Sound coming from the speakers facing the audienceIt is.

The sound performed by the performer is handled by the sound engineer (PA(someone) adjusts it to make it easier to hear, and only then does the sound finally come out of the speakers.

The reason even loud sounds can feel pleasant is because there’s this kind of flow.

What kind of sound is ringing on the stage?

Earlier, I briefly explained about the onstage sound, but in fact, the mid-level sound you hear on stage isn’t just from the monitors.

You hear a mix of sounds: the audio coming from the amps connected to the guitars and bass, the front-of-house sound from the speakers facing the audience, the raw sound of the instruments, and the monitor sound of the other performers.

Reference:Are most people getting it wrong!? What to watch out for when dialing in a guitar amp tone

It means I can hear a wider variety of sounds than the customers can.

Balancing and carefully crafting these sounds is a major factor that leads to putting on a great live performance.

The Importance of Rehearsal

Do you know what the purpose of a live performance rehearsal is in the first place?

A rehearsal is not just practice before the actual performance.

The purpose of the rehearsal is sound adjustment.It is.

And as for why this sound adjustment is important, imagine, for example, that you go to karaoke.

Suppose the microphone couldn’t be heard at all and the backing track volume was blaringly loud.

Don't you think it's quite hard to sing?

I think it’s easier to sing when I can hear my own voice after all.

thisThe sounds I want to be able to hearWe make adjustments for that during rehearsal.

Furthermore, by adjusting the ambient sound that customers hear, you can create a space that feels comfortable without causing ear fatigue.

Therefore, during rehearsal, make sure to clearly communicate your requests to the sound engineer (PA) for the actual performance.

Reference:Full of mistakes!? 6 proper rehearsal tips before a live show

Lastly

There are many things you can’t understand unless you’re in a band or work as staff there.

Saying you don't know is never something to be ashamed of.

I hope you study well and make use of it in your musical life.

I’d be happy if this has been of even a little help to those of you who read this far.