Live Music Volume

PaulBrewer

I see the question of Volume at gigs is in the news in the UK.

http://www.audioprointernational.com/news/979/Noise-Limiter-petition-reaches-70000

DamagedTrax

seen this elsewhere. absolute joke.

they'd be better served forcing venues into getting quality sound systems rather placing a limiter on everything. djs and musicians will still push the volume and then all we'll have left are fuked ears from horrible limiting.

PMI

Already have that lovely whistle in my ears for life

PaulBrewer

I've a Decibel meter App on my iphone that goes up to 106 db . It's regularly flat out in the average pub or club.

Soundman

In the Button Factory, we are limited by the Government to 112dB C weighted which translates at approx 105dB A weighted (though obviously will depend on sub levels).

This is still pretty loud, though the amount of punters that reckon it is too low is ridiculous, mainly during clubs and metal gigs is when we get these people coming up.

Edit: Meant to say that the limit is using a dB meter, though I do tend to use the Massey L2007 Stereo Mastering Limiter plug-in to control things too.

Sidenote:
Paul was that a no regarding the PM I sent you?

DamagedTrax

In the Button Factory, we are limited by the Government to 112dB C weighted which translates at approx 105dB A weighted (though obviously will depend on sub levels).

This is still pretty loud, though the amount of punters that reckon it is too low is ridiculous, mainly during clubs and metal gigs is when we get these people coming up.

i find the sound in the button factory pretty impressive (especially in comparison to the old tbmc). i was there for "complete stone roses" a while back and everything was good. levels were more than enough for a gig.. although i couldnt see techno working too well, the chris leibing gig last year was lacking a lot of punch.

Neurojazz

Sort of related, in Portsmouth Uni they had to turn their PA down because the subs would cause liquefaction - other reasons to keep it down - not sure if Ireland would ever get a problem like that as it's mostly clay.

dav nagle

I can only imagine that live work can be very damaging to ones ears.

Savman

dav nagle wrote: »

I can only imagine that live work can be very damaging to ones ears.

What?

dav nagle

Savman wrote: »

What?

What what?

dav nagle

PMI wrote: »

Already have that lovely whistle in my ears for life

How did you get this whistle PMI?

Savman

Is somebody talking? Can you speak in caps please.

fitz

I was at a gig recently in Whelans.
It's the first gig I've been to in a while where I haven't worn my custom mold ear plugs (I lost one of the filters a while ago, have to get replacements).
My ears were ringing the next morning, which was a horrible feeling. I'm quite careful about my ears when going to gigs/playing, so I found it extremely noticeable and uncomfortable.

Limiters aren't an ideal answer. I think a better way of dealing with this issue would be to install metering systems in venues which will store a record of the levels in the venue. Have these meters read on a monthly or quarterly basis. Any recorded metering above a certain threshold would result in heavy fines for the venue. That'd sort it.

jtsuited

having worked in a venue with a horrible limiter on it, I can tell you they are an absolute nightmare. terrible terrible terrible.

Savman

dB limiters are a draconian countermeasure, poorly thought out and badly implemented IMHO. Often, a single unmic'd snare hit will send them into the red :rolleyes:

They seem to give more problems than solutions.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

frank cass on sundrive / harolds x croass roads usually has replacements if they are the ER models .

bout 50 euro a pair though i think .

fitz

DaDumTish wrote: »

frank cass on sundrive / harolds x croass roads usually has replacements if they are the ER models .

bout 50 euro a pair though i think .

Yeah, I got my ER's from Frank.
There's another place on Capel Street too, which I'll probably be going to.
They're giving me a deal on some other stuff.