soundboard

[sound-bawrd]

noun

1. an electronic device used for monitoring, blending, fading, substitution, etc., of sounds from various sources; mixer.

2. 1. a thin, resonant piece of wood forming part of a musical instrument, placed to enhance the power and quality of the instrument's sound.

   2. a structure over or behind and above an area where someone or something makes sound, intended to direct the sound usually away from the person or thing.

   3. a board used in floors, partitions, etc., for quieting sound.

3. a person or group that responds to and helps evaluate proposed ideas, methods, etc., for their effectiveness or value.

4. a person or group that comes up with and spreads ideas, opinions, etc.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to propose ideas, methods, etc., to a person or group to help evaluate the effectiveness or value of those ideas, methods, etc..

   It's good to have someone to soundboard off of when you're first starting a business.

   If we don't soundboard our ideas, we may miss important details.

Word History and Origins

Origin of soundboard¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; sound ¹ + board

Example Sentences

“If you have to repair the soundboard, it becomes a different piano,” she says.

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Understandably, there have been skeptics believing that dogs who use soundboards don’t understand the words they’re using, but instead are responding to cues from their owners.

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Whatever it is studio technicians do seated at those knobby soundboards, Payne achieves with acting and characterization.

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Ben Teitelbaum, a senior editorial producer at Calm who collaborates with Shetty on his content for the app, offers a suggestion from the soundboard.

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Clarke: I was a college freshman when I auditioned for a production of “Company” — I didn’t get cast, but I ended up assisting on the soundboard, so I watched the show over and over again.

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