SoundSystemGlossary
Discover the roots, techniques, slangs, and concepts that define reggae dub culture. Learn about everything from preamp features to heavy bass acoustics.
PULL UP
Also known as a reload or rewind. The selector lifts the needle or stops the platter to spin the tune back to the beginning after a massive crowd response, building energy.
RELOAD
Replaying a tune from the very beginning. Similar to a pull-up, it is triggered when a dubplate or anthem gets an ecstatic reaction from the massive.
WHEEL / WHEEL UP
Spinning the vinyl disc backward on the turntable platter manually to immediately stop the tune and prepare for a reload/pull-up.
FORWARD
A shout, cheer, or gesture of approval from the audience when a selector plays an excellent tune, requesting a reload or acknowledging a great selection.
KILLA / SOUND KILLA
An exceptionally heavy dubplate or tune containing custom lyrics designed to verbally 'kill' or defeat opposing sound systems in a sound clash competition.
DUBPLATE
A unique, custom-cut vinyl or acetate disc. Originally used for testing mixes, in sound system culture it refers to exclusive versions containing custom-voiced lyrics by original artists.
SOUND SYSTEM
A massive, custom-built mobile speaker rig, and the collective of selectors, operators, and MCs who run it to play heavy reggae and dub music.
SELECTA / SELECTOR
The crew member responsible for choosing and playing the records during a session, curating the musical vibe and flow of the dance.
LAST TUNE
The final track of the night. Often a legendary anthem, deep roots meditation, or exclusive dubplate saved to leave a lasting spiritual impression.
MURDER
Exclamation used when a selector drops a tune so devastatingly heavy that it completely destroys the dance or defeats the opponent sound system.
RUN IT
Command given to the operator to play the track, start the riddim, or let the bass roll on the sound system.
FULL PRESSURE
Running the sound system stacks at maximum volume and optimal sub-bass power, physically shaking the venue with acoustic pressure.
HEAVYWEIGHT
Reggae, dub, or steppas tracks with thick, dominant sub-basslines and massive drum patterns designed to be played on heavyweight sound systems.
BASSLINE PRESSURE
The physical sensation of deep low-end frequencies vibrating through the listener's body, especially felt in the chest and legs.
CHESTPLATE
Sub-bass frequencies (usually between 40Hz and 80Hz) that physically strike and resonate inside the listener's chest cavity during a session.
TOPPA TOPPA
Patois term meaning the very best, the top rank, or the ultimate selector/sound system in the scene.
30HZ WARFARE
Bass frequencies operating at the threshold of human hearing (around 30Hz), which are felt as physical vibrations rather than heard as tones. It represents the ultimate low-end power of a scoop stack.
BOX / SCOOPS / STACK
The physical speaker cabinets of a sound system — from folded-horn 'scoop' bass bins to the full 'stack' or 'wall' built for a session.
STRING UP
The act of physically assembling and wiring the entire sound system stack at the venue before a session begins.
SPECIAL
Another name for a dubplate — an exclusive, custom-voiced version of a track cut specifically for one sound system.
VERSION
The instrumental or dub mix of a track, stripped of vocals to highlight the riddim, used by selectors to build tension or let an MC toast over it.
RIDDIM
The instrumental backing track — drum and bass pattern — over which multiple artists record different vocal lines, a core building block of Jamaican music.
VIP / REFIX
An alternate mix of an existing track — a 'VIP' (Very Important Person/Plate) or 'refix' reworks the arrangement, drums, or bassline while keeping the original recognizable.
PRE / FORTHCOMING
An unreleased track played ahead of its official release — a preview exclusive to the sound system playing it that night.
ANTHEM / BOMB / HEATER
A tune so consistently powerful on the sound system that it becomes a guaranteed crowd-mover, played session after session.
SELECTION
The overall sequence and choice of tunes a selector builds across a session — the art and signature style of the selector at work.
MASH UP THE PLACE
To completely dominate a session or venue with an overwhelming musical performance — leaving the dance in celebratory chaos.
VIBES
The overall atmosphere and emotional energy of a session — the shared feeling between the sound, the selector, and the crowd.
MEDITATION
A slow, deep, spiritually reflective section of a session — often roots reggae or dubwise tracks played to bring contemplative, conscious energy to the dance.
STEPPA
A reggae/dub subgenre built on a driving, four-on-the-floor style drum pattern, designed to keep a crowd marching and dancing continuously.
SKANK
The characteristic offbeat guitar or keyboard chop of reggae music, and also the dance style moved to it.
MASSIVE
The crowd itself — the collective audience gathered at a sound system session, addressed directly by the MC.
BIG UP
To publicly acknowledge, praise, or give respect to someone — an artist, a crew, a crowd, or a place — usually shouted over the mic.
RESPECT
A foundational value of sound system culture — acknowledging the skill, history, and contribution of fellow selectors, artists, and crews.
TUNE FI TUNE / TUNE AFTER TUNE / TUNE INNA TUNE
A sound clash format where two or more sounds alternate playing tunes back-to-back, each trying to outdo the last selection played.
COUNTERACTION
A direct musical or lyrical response used in a sound clash to answer and neutralize a rival sound system's attack.
JUGGLING
Playing multiple different vocal cuts over the same riddim back-to-back, showcasing the variety of artists who voiced that one instrumental.
RUN THE RIDDIM
To let an instrumental play out fully, giving the crowd and the MC room to build energy over the riddim before the next move.
VERSION EXCURSION
An extended, exploratory dub mix that stretches a track's instrumental far beyond its original length, wandering through echo, reverb, and drop-outs.
DRUM & BASS CUT
A stripped-back dub mix reduced to just the drum and bassline, with all other instrumentation and vocals dropped out.
FRESH PLATE
A brand-new dubplate, just cut and never played out before — carrying maximum surprise value the first time it's dropped in a session.
EXCLUSIVE
A track, version, or dubplate that belongs to only one sound system or selector, never played anywhere else.
NO PLAY ANOTHER SOUND HAVE THIS
A boast shouted when a track is so exclusive that literally no other sound system in the world owns a copy of it.
COST A BAG
Patois expression meaning something was very expensive — commonly used about the cost of cutting a custom dubplate with a top artist.
CUSTOM DUB
A dub mix or dubplate specifically tailored and re-voiced for one sound system, crew, or event — built to order rather than for general release.
CULTURE BOX
A term of respect for a sound system, crew, or artist deeply rooted in the authentic values and history of reggae and dub culture.
FULL STACK
The complete assembly of a sound system's speaker cabinets — bass bins, mid-range, and tweeters — deployed together at full scale.
HAND BUILT
Describes speaker cabinets, preamps, or other sound system hardware constructed by hand rather than mass-produced commercially.