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Practice/rehearsal rant

#21
It seems like a common source of volume wars is guitarists standing in front of amps which are on the floor immediately behind them, so everyone in the room can hear them except themselves. Do your guitarists have their amps on stands pointed at their ears? Even if they're losing their hearing that should motivate them to turn down a good bit.
 
#23
dvs20 said:
2 different bands, both avg over 100db during practice (just using my iPhone with a db meter app) 1 peaked at 111 the other at 108. Anyone else agree that’s too loud? FWIW I’m cramming Hearo rock and roll series plugs in (27db reduction) because that volume is stupid, and HI-Fi plugs probably won’t cut enough
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Ask guitar player to turn his cab backwards. He can get a good sound out of his overly large amp and you'll not all lose your hearing.
 
#24
dvs20 said:
2 different bands, both avg over 100db during practice (just using my iPhone with a db meter app) 1 peaked at 111 the other at 108. Anyone else agree that’s too loud? FWIW I’m cramming Hearo rock and roll series plugs in (27db reduction) because that volume is stupid, and HI-Fi plugs probably won’t cut enough
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I have pissed off a lot of musicians by telling then they play too loud …

So Rock on brother … and protect your ears
 
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#25
1) Teach your guitarist(s) how to use compression to get that sustain (“My Sound!!!”) they’re so depending on without having to dime their amps.

If they insist compression will “ruin my tone” then tell them to go drop $1300 on one of these instead:

042E607C-DBAF-401F-8C29-BC854993ADDD.png


2) If the drummer is too loud and can’t contol their dynamics…uh, fire the drummer?
 
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#27
Garagiste said:
If you ears are ringing after rehearsal or gigs, it’s too loud and/or you are not wearing appropriate protection. Ringing ears = damaged ears. Maybe they heal, but unlike a physical wound, you don’t have visible proof that the damage isn’t permanent. Unless you get periodic hearing tests to confirm there is no loss, other than what may occur naturally due to age. Left my last electric band because of volume issues
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I played for a couple of decades in a prog/heavy rock trio and always wore plugs (the correct way). Usually didn’t think it was too crazy loud, but toward the end of that time, one day I was laying down and noticed I could hear my watch ticking in my left ear in a quiet room. I moved it closer to my right ear and then noticed I had to put it much closer before I heard it. I had always played to the left of the drummer so my right ear had taken a lot more of the cymbals and therefore I’ve lost some high end in that ear. Luckily I noticed this before it started to get much worse and left the band anyway soon after. Just wanted to share this as a cautionary tale.
 
#28
That is much too loud. I have 2 good friends who are great musicians and can no longer play due to severe tinnitus and hearing loss. One of them wears hearing aids which cost over $3,000 and are not covered by insurance.

I've said this many times. A great band playing at an excessively loud volume level will drive people out of a venue faster than an average band playing at an acceptable volume.

There is no need to be that loud. TURN DOWN!
 

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