Sound levels

[Sav]

We like I would guess most of you out there are plagued by people saying that some of the Rock and Roll shows are too loud (my normal response though not to the public is well don't come and see a r&r show then, stick with Mantovani). Does anyone know of any legal sound level that should be adhered too.

We have bought a db meter but without having some idea it is just a load of numbers.

Once we have a level we intend make it part of the contract so we can ask FOH engineers justifiably to turn it down.

Thanks

[Big Dave]

There are 2 things to consider. First is the volume in the venue and the second is the volume outside the venue. There are various HSE regulations that have to be applied in order to protect anyone working within the venue.

 

For a band, I normally aim for between 85 - 100 dbA at FOH but that depends on the act, crowd and venue.

[Big Dave]

This will give you more info but also have a chat with your local licencing officer.

 

HTH

[owen_mcauley]

Depends on the show's length what levels you want to aim for

(too high for too long and they won't think it's very loud at the end of the gig and your in house PA engineer may never forgive you when his limiter blows up!!!)

but as said the biggest consideration is the staff working at the venue, there are legal implications with that, consider also the positioning of the PA system and the levels attained at the closest point persons are permitted to the PA, sometimes this can be obscene.

 

Just a few thoughts

 

Owen

 

(105 dB makes for happy engineering) ;)