Why are knobs called "pots" by some sound designers?

Pot is short for "potentiometer". It's the doodad behind the panel, connected to the knob, that divides the voltage ("potential") between two ends of an element. It does not mean knob, nor does it mean dial. Loosely also used to refer to a rheostat, which is an adjustable resistance rather than two resistances that are used to divide voltage.

"Pot" comes from "Potentiometer".

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentiometer

These are under the knobs and are the active part.

Shoplifting vs. a word for "someone who orders, eats and sneaks without paying the check"

A word for people who work under a manager

Antonym of "exodus"

Is there a word that describes a statement whose negative is senseless or would otherwise never be used?

What is the opposite of fad?

Are 'accuracy' and 'precision' interchangeable nouns?

Adjective that means "snake-like"

Is there a word/term for a question where the asker knows he'll criticise any answer?

Looking for a word to describe someone who is famous to a small group of people