Gig Report. My ears are destroyed.

[Paul New]

I know for sure that some clubs who have their own sound play too loud intentionally, to create more turnover. Hard Rock Cafe is one. They don't want people holding down a table for hours, they want turnover!

So, it's not guess work: Too much volume drives people away.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi TreySonagras

At the end of the night the drummer/band leader commented, “I don’t understand why we cannot keep a crowd”. ‍

Things are hard to hear behind a drum set!

Maybe get a bigger amp?

Without kidding: Drummers sit behind the band and usually have no idea how loud the stage volume is.

You should have a serious conversation with him!


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[Alexis Duntov]

I play in a cover band that has always had issues with volume. Last night was the worst ever. The restaurant/bar we were in has a loud ambient environment anyway (just regular crowd noise is over 90db) and the band decided to have volume “arms race”. Several times I suggested we pull back our volume but it didn’t work. Even with hearing protection I was hurting.
At the end of the night the drummer/band leader commented, “I don’t understand why we cannot keep a crowd”. ‍

And don’t let anyone tell you “live music is loud, that’s just the way it is”. I’ve left bands because certain individuals who use sticks could not control their volume. The band I’ve been in for the last 3 plus years is amazing that way. No ringing ears after rehearsals or gigs. People that listen to each other.

 

[REV]

The band leader in a band that I used to play in had a rule; "If I talk to you on stage and you can't hear me, you're too loud". Since leaving this band, I've gone to see them at several venues and they always sound great and everyone in the place can talk to each other without yelling. I try to introduce this rule in any band I play with. It doesn't always work (some people just want to play loud) but whenever it does, the results are outstanding.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

After the first set is done I ALWAYS go to the bar and ask about the volume. You have to remember, It's not about the band. You're there first most to help sell beer. Get over yourself.

That's right! Part of my band's commercial appeal is that when we play, we rock, but you can order a drink without shouting.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

I play in a cover band that has always had issues with volume. Last night was the worst ever. The restaurant/bar we were in has a loud ambient environment anyway (just regular crowd noise is over 90db) and the band decided to have volume “arms race”. Several times I suggested we pull back our volume but it didn’t work. Even with hearing protection I was hurting.
At the end of the night the drummer/band leader commented, “I don’t understand why we cannot keep a crowd”. ‍

He should have said “I don’t understand why I cannot hear anything?”

 

[Pilgrim]

I play in a cover band that has always had issues with volume. Last night was the worst ever. The restaurant/bar we were in has a loud ambient environment anyway (just regular crowd noise is over 90db) and the band decided to have volume “arms race”. Several times I suggested we pull back our volume but it didn’t work. Even with hearing protection I was hurting.
At the end of the night the drummer/band leader commented, “I don’t understand why we cannot keep a crowd”. ‍

Two thoughts:

1) Hearing protection is important to your current and future hearing. The sticky thread about that provides lots of evidence.

2) There is no reason to keep playing with a band that won't turn down.

 

[JazznFunk]

I will say this - if the band chases the crowd roar volume trying to be heard, using your backline to do it, all it will do is keep going up collectively... I've experienced that on gigs in ALL genres. As others above have mentioned, it's absolutely CRUCIAL that you stay in touch with venue management and the sound engineer (if there is one) and show that you care about the volume level... and always start out quieter than you think you need to be. It's better to be asked - as long as it's reasonable - to turn UP a little bit, vs turning down, and you will never lose a gig for being too quiet! Again - I speak from experience. If this is indeed a 'restaurant' as much as it's a bar, then being too loud is a death sentence for future rebookings.

It's always worth considering what everyone's collective hearing damage is in the band as well - if people think they are at a reasonable volume but 'reasonable' to them is twice as loud as it needs to be, then the problem will never be solved. I've quit bands before because the 'default volume' of the collective was simply louder than I ever wanted to play at - or listen to as a casual listener. I've worn earplugs since I started playing over 25 years ago... foam ones early on, and then I switched to the Hearos Hi-Fi Professionals with the built-in filters. Honestly, if you are using those plugs and it's still uncomfortably loud, the band is probably destroying the room and everyone in it. Take care of your hearing AND your audience's as much as possible.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Tell them the next time they refuse to turn down, you will stop playing until they come down. At that volume you aren't needed anyway.

Either they will turn down or fire you. Either way, you come out ahead.

 

[boombloom]

My ears will ring for the rest of my life. Every Damned Second. Two different frequencies. They are loud in fact that I bet you can hear them right now. When I walk into a room I expect people to look around for the source of that awful noise, but of course they never do. I had some moments of glory on stage but they weren't worth it. Decide your priorities for yourself. Talk to the band members. Curious about where and how you rehearse. It might provide a good opportunity to learn some better habits.

 

[2112]

Had that problem with a drummer once. He was a great drummer, I mean seriously the man was a clock. But he only had two volume levels: (1) not playing and (2) THIS WILL BE THE LAST THING YOU EVER HEAR! We asked him to take it down a couple notches several times, but he wouldn't listen. The final straw came when we asked him to ease up while we were auditioning lead singers so we could actually hear them sing. He didn't. So, then we were auditioning drummers. End result was that we found a much better drummer.

 

[db59]

Hello.....hello........................HELLO!!!!!

 

[bassliner50]

Be controlled or loose bookings,

 

[Ryno1330]

Exactly why everyone's going to ampless stages, and I don't blame them.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I play in a cover band that has always had issues with volume. Last night was the worst ever. The restaurant/bar we were in has a loud ambient environment anyway (just regular crowd noise is over 90db) and the band decided to have volume “arms race”. Several times I suggested we pull back our volume but it didn’t work. Even with hearing protection I was hurting.
At the end of the night the drummer/band leader commented, “I don’t understand why we cannot keep a crowd”. ‍

You guys should make banners. Big ones. Hang them behind the drummer. Like sound curtains. Help trap the reflections.

 

[arginator]

Yep, been there. Being too loud really limited the venues that would hire us. We played a lot of places- once. Most said we were great but too loud.

I wish I could say we found a solution, but we really didn’t. Even when we deliberately turned down, two competing guitars and an ambitious drummer was just too much.

 

[NZBassman]

some people think that because they play in a 'ROCK' band that they have to be loud.... this couldn't be further from the truth.
at next band rehearsal / gig tell them straight up that as a band you DON'T need to be loud
doesn't matter what genre of music you are playing

in my last band drummer was also sound man and we'd do a sound check and everything would sound great... then after first song he would adjust his Kick drum up a little or adjust the bass frequency on the EQ up a bit (mixing desk was next to his hi-hat stand).... then wonder why there would be some ringing coming out the FOH and he'd start adjusting everything EXCEPT his kick drum volume or the bass frequency eq that he'd just turned up.....
One gig we did he adjusted the bass eq frequency and every time I played a low G or F# it would hum or ring through the FOH.... singer turned to me and asked me to turn my bass amp down, but I pointed to drummer and said he's mucked up EQ.
Singer asked drummer what he'd done to the EQ and he said 'oh nothing'
next song same hum / ringing was happening and I just looked at the drummer and yelled at the top of my voice "TURN THE #@$%& BASS EQ DOWN NOW"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he looked at me shocked, but he did turn the bass EQ down and the problem was gone....

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Things could have been a lot worse, but you'd have to get me very drunk to tell you how much worse they could have been.

But hey, at least it was only your ears.

 

[Space Pickle]

My ears will ring for the rest of my life. Every Damned Second. Two different frequencies. They are loud in fact that I bet you can hear them right now. When I walk into a room I expect people to look around for the source of that awful noise, but of course they never do. I had some moments of glory on stage but they weren't worth it. Decide your priorities for yourself. Talk to the band members. Curious about where and how you rehearse. It might provide a good opportunity to learn some better habits.

I'm only 37 and I have tinnitus. I read somewhere that the little ear hairs in some animals (like chickens) are able to regenerate after being damaged by loud noise. I hope that in 20 or so years medical science will be able to provide me with a chicken transplant.

 

[yodedude2]

You guys should make banners. Big ones. Hang them behind the drummer. Like sound curtains. Help trap the reflections.

hang them in front of the drummer you mean