Stage Volume

[themickster]

Thank you for the suggestion. Sadly, that possibility was ruled out by a doctor pretty quickly. I officially have tinnitus, just hoping it doesn't develop into the "howling" variety. It should come as no surprise that most of my hearing loss is centered around lower frequencies, but cymbals took their toll as well. I stood to the right side of the drum kit, close to the ride cymbal, so my left ear is worse off than the right. It doesn't bother me much aside from when the environment is quiet. The biggest issue is communication, which takes a heavy toll mentally. In group conversations I have trouble hearing multiple people talking at the same time. You end up just sitting there smiling while everyone else talks. Eventually, this leads to depression because of a sense of isolation. William Shatner has spoken publicly about having suicidal thoughts due to hearing damage he suffered on the set of Star Trek. So, the hearing loss ends up being worse than just not hearing sounds or whatever. Go buy some good ear plugs, TB!

Soul Asylum's Runaway Train was about his hearing loss and slide into depression. I wear earplugs often.

 

[5StringBlues]

A hob would work

Had to look that one up!

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Took some readings at tonight's gig and our band is averaging almost 120 decibels and peaking at 130 dB! Time to get some higher dB filters for my custom made earplugs, lol.

JEEZ. OH. FLIP.

 

[tothemax]

I get it... and it is crazy... Good follow up... In our practice room the competition is with a Hammond Leslie 3500, with the volume pedal maxed it is painful. After 30 years working in marine engine rooms, and around heavy equipment as well as playing in bands, and with hearing intact. Now at 70 having to worry about hearing damage from a keyboard. Our keyboard player just got hearing aids, so it's hit or miss on what he's hearing and the volume he hears. I've mentioned the volume a number of times at practice and do wear hearing protection, mainly on the side where the drummer and Leslie live. I love playing, but not ready to give up my hearing. There is probably an Android phone app to measure decibels. One solution might be to decide on a max volume setting on the amp for the practice room (sorry to hijack your post)...

Not sure how old the OP is, but in my age group there are lot of folks with hearing loss... so protect it or lose it...

 

[Neil Folkard]

Wax buildup can make the ears ring. I had an ear syringed and lost all the ringing in it. Syringing might help you.

Same for me. And I tend to get wax build-up in both ears, usually taking about 4-5 months to become noticeable. If I don't get them vacuumed out, the ringing will only get louder and louder.

 

[themickster]

Had to look that one up!

Burner to you?

 

[themickster]

Even with the right earplugs, a few hours 130dB will harm the hearing.

 

[5StringBlues]

Burner to you?

Stovetop I'd say.


'Murica and all........

 

[themickster]

How long will it be, before bands get sued over hearing loss. I guess the complaint would need to prove that the accused band did it. I'd rather not be the test case.

 

[themickster]

Stovetop I'd say.


'Murica and all........

The Irish George Bernard Shaw said something about the English and Americans being divided by a common language.

 

[micguy]

120 dB will drive audiences out of a venue - very quickly.

 

[Turnaround]

Drummers! One I worked with said there are no volume controls on drums, so we had to come up to his level. I told him in that case he needed to get some electronic drums. Shortly thereafter he quit the band - saved me from firing him.

 

[Manticore]

And guitar tone only works when you push the amp to the edge

I played with such a guitarist. I bought him a 15-watt Marshall and put a mic in front of it. He pushed the power tube for tone without seriously dangerous volume on stage.

 

[PolkaHero]

Strictly from a performance/entertainment perspective, do you think that kind of volume is enjoyable and satisfying for your audience?

Im asking honestly as there are plenty of venues and genres of music where that can be expected.

But obviously if people walk in a room, cover their ears in pain and walk out, its time to reconsider your approach.

It's not that loud out front. Another fellow musician came to one of our concerts and said our sound was actually "mellow" out front.

 

[PolkaHero]

I didn't know Polka got that loud.

This is a tribute band. In my polka band we probably average around 100 dB onstage.

 

[PolkaHero]

Where were the readings taken? With sound pressure levels, distance from the sound source matters a lot.

If the meter was placed somewhere that a band or audience member couldn't realistically place their ears it is not a completely relevant reading.

On my iPad that I use for music charts.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I refuse to play with any band that is too loud. I've walked out of auditions and rehearsals over this. I've been playing in bands for over 40 years - still have all my hearing.

I also keep a set of Etimotic plugs with me any time I go to someplace where there is live music.

 

[J Wilson]

WHAT?

WHAT?

WHAT?

 

[BeeBatty]

Where were the readings taken? With sound pressure levels, distance from the sound source matters a lot.

If the meter was placed somewhere that a band or audience member couldn't realistically place their ears it is not a completely relevant reading.

This this this

Where was this reading taken? From the speaker itself? Front of stage? Back of room?

 

[JazznFunk]

This this this

Where was this reading taken? From the speaker itself? Front of stage? Back of room?

Umm... it's still 120db regardless. Even if it's just on stage, that's beyond a damaging level over time for the people on stage, or close to the stage. There's no excuse for that collective volume level.