Topic: typical max concert volume?

[jerryfreak]

lets say like fob at a larger show (sci/phish) with a vdosc setup

115 dB?

[willndmb]

louder
my wifes dance school has the stereo at 80-90db

[illconditioned]

It's also frequency-dependent.  I had to learn that the hard way.  Music normally follows a pink noise curve, to some extent.  But live shows like to push the subs loud, so the level of the bass could be much higher.

If you have an SPL meter, and you are worried about clipping your mics, set it on C-weighted.  If you are worried about going deaf, set it on A-weighted (which mostly ignores bass, as do your ears).

Thanks for the tips.

In clubs I've measured 90dBA (very quiet show), 100dBA (typical rock show), 110dBA (too loud rock show).  These were all in small clubs.  Not sure what the big venues do.  Oh yeah, I wear -15 or -25 Ety plugs.  Some soundguys have told me that clubs are sometimes limited to 105dBA.  At least that is what the *ask* the soundguys to do.  But most of the soundguys don't use meters.  They are probably all half deaf  .

  Richard

[jerryfreak]

115 db is 3 times louder than 85 dB, btw.

louder
my wifes dance school has the stereo at 80-90db

[rokpunk]

typical tour rider requires 120db at 100' a weighted. at mix position that's more like 112-115db.

[jerryfreak]

perfect.

if i understand, the vdosc array is rather uniform in sound, so 120 dB FOB then?

typical tour rider requires 120db at 100' a weighted. at mix position that's more like 112-115db.

[rokpunk]

perfect.

if i understand, the vdosc array is rather uniform in sound, so 120 dB FOB then?

typical tour rider requires 120db at 100' a weighted. at mix position that's more like 112-115db.

i guess it depends on who's playing   
120db is pretty loud. most engineers who want to continue to be engineers mix closer to 110db in arenas.

[MattD]

115 db is 3 times louder than 85 dB, btw.

Nope. A 30 dB difference is a 10^3 = 1000-fold difference in intensity.

Proof:
dB = 10 log(P1/P0)
115-85 = 10 log(P1/P0)
30 = 10 log(P1/P0)
3 = log(P1/P0)
10^3 = P1/P0
1000 = P1/P0

[Gutbucket]

WAY, WAY TOO FUGGIN' LOUD!!

[datbrad]

I always understood 120db to be the point where hearing damage occurs, and therefore 110db is usually the max many large corporate type venues will allow. Often, it's even less since venues like sheds are finding residential development encroaching nearby, and zoning amendments are made to limit db output.

[bdasilva]

"I always understood 120db to be the point where hearing damage occurs"

Please everybody... learn and live hearing protection.   I'm 51 and have "severe" hearing loss.. ok ok Vietnam, loud rock shows, loud car audio, bad genetics  but no matter how you get there.. hearing loss sucks.

In the 2 hours of a concert.. some hearing damage occurs at anything more than 91...  I have foamies..   25db custom molded "musician" earplugs... As well as the industrial strength aids I wear the rest of my life. If your ears ring after a concert... YOU have (to some degree) damaged your ears and worsened your hearing.   Whats in your ears? 
Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines

Accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time for continuous time weighted average noise, according to NIOSH and CDC, 2002. For every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half.

Continuous dB
   

Permissible Exposure Time

85 db        8 hours
88 dB        4 hours
91 db        2 hours
94 db        1 hour
97 db        30 minutes
100 db      15 minutes
103 db      7.5 minutes
106 dB      3.75 min (< 4min)
109 dB      1.875 min (< 2min)
112 dB      .9375 min (~1 min)
115 dB      .46875 min (~30 sec)

[jerryfreak]

major +T bdsilva.

this is why i ALWAYS wear earplugs at shows, even if its not too loud.

many times your ears already have suffered the cumulative effects of road noise, listening to your car stereo, spousal ear beating, etc, before you even get there.

[illconditioned]

Yep, fellow hearing sufferer here.  I'm a 43yo male, suffering from hearing loss for the last couple of years.  I didn't notice it until I got tinnitus (sp?).  I now wear (open type) hearing aids to fight this, but I also notice, surprise surprise, that I hear music better with the hearing aids in.  Typical listening level is 75-80dBA.  For shows I always wear earplugs.  Have been for the last few years.  Should have learned this earlier.

  Richard

[taperwheeler]

....spousal ear beating....

Amen brutha...the most detrimental inaural onslaught of all!

But on a serious note, what types of plugs or filters do you guys use or recommend?  This is something that I've been thinking about lately as I've noticed (moreso those around me have pointed out) that my hearing is not quite what it use to be.

[JackoRoses]

How do you guys handle the bass when wearing ear plugs?
When I wear ear plugs it feels like the bass wants to explode from my chest or something like that.
Not sure how to explain it really.
The only way I can attempt to explain it is when I put on earplugs it feels like I'm capping pressure and I can feel that pressure more so than when not wearing earplugs and it's kind of a uncomfortable feeling.
So I don't wear plugs although I know I should be and I still carry them with me.
It's even worst when it's a very bass heavy show too.