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When will they learn?

one word:
abstinence
don't like the loud rock show? don't go.
two more:
ear plugs
wear 'em, even if just standing next to a drum kit when playing,
without a pa.
problem solved.

Smart people won't pay to ruin their hearing so they are indeed taking your advice and not going to your shows.

Smart people have most the money in the world. I'll let you figure the rest out.
 
Actually, the band i'm touring and mixing for is doing quite well.
We just played coachella, and Jimmy Kimmel. And I am advised by my employers to mix loud.
And they are selling out shows everywhere.
sorry to disappoint you, but you are wrong.
I use hearing protection. I suggest it for not only shows,
but anything involving loud machinery. This includes most lawn mowers.
 
When did I ever say everyone held my opinion. The purpose of this thread was to see what others thought. At least I know smart musicians care about being able to play and hear music for as long as possible.
Problem is that even with earplugs some dummies play way toooo loud that you risk damage even with them in. And shame on those bands and night clubs that do this. It will suck for them later in life and I will laugh xD.

Forums are just that, opinions. Some of us are even full timers in the industry. Just take it or leave it.
No need to worry so much.
The volume issue isn't going to change just because you don't like it.
Feeling music at that level is just part of the experience.
Not ice pick in the ear type of sound, but having notes resonate in your body.
Imho.
take it or leave it.
 
This is why I usually don't go to concerts anymore. Too loud and really bad mixes. I keep wondering if the sound men are wearing ear protection and can't hear the mix right.

They make custom ear protection that lowers the db level without changing the sound much.
Most decent sound engineers will check with and without such plugs all throughout the show. Its about the long term, making sure that you can do 250 shows a year properly.
Also, when I go see shows I usually stand in front or behind the mix area for the best results. In large scale shows, up close can get brutal because things are getting pushed hard so that folks in the back can get the full mix. Modern systems, line arrays, and delay towers have helped immensely. Unfortunately, this, along with quality engineers
is something that most situations just can't afford anymore. So there are a lot of inexperienced folks at the helm, and things get out of control fast.
 
This is why I usually don't go to concerts anymore. Too loud and really bad mixes. I keep wondering if the sound men are wearing ear protection and can't hear the mix right.

This. The irresponsibility of those types really puts a dent into the live music business, most people don't desire ear-bleeding volume as someone said earlier. They quit going to see shows because they associate them with the headache they had the next day.

It's no different than a bad restaurant. People will try it once but will generally not return if they don't like the way they feel later.

If you look at the most successful touring bands over the last 30 years, the ones who people go out of their way to see live, they tend to play clearly articulated music that you can talk over.
 
I just wanted to add that the quality of systems these days is so much better than it used to be, that sound quality is better than it's ever been. Add to that legal db limits becoming commonplace, there is much more of a safety factor than there has ever been. It will only be regulated more in the future.
Much of europe is regulated, and the usa is following (mostly in the bigger cities at this time).
Still, a big part of the visceral experience of rock and roll in it's pure form is volume, there are plenty of other kinds of music to enjoy without the volume being an issue. Imagine Jimi Hendrix without the use feedback, heh.
See ya at the next sunn0))) or melt banana concert! or maybe not...
 
Still, a big part of the visceral experience of rock and roll in it's pure form is volume, there are plenty of other kinds of music to enjoy without the volume being an issue. Imagine Jimi Hendrix without the use feedback, heh.
See ya at the next sunn0))) or melt banana concert! or maybe not...

You'd be surprised how many people over 17 are seriously turned off by that and limit their exposure to live music because of it. You don't notice them though because they aren't paying to see you play... :cool:
 
I guess nobody who plays bass also cuts their own grass.

I have an electric lawnmower. It's barely loud enough to drown out my tinnitis.

As far as I'm concerned, other people's ears are not my ears, and if you don't mind tinnitis you're welcome to do whatever you want to them. But I also think a lot of bands are using excessive volume to cover up how much they suck.
 
You'd be surprised how many people over 17 are seriously turned off by that and limit their exposure to live music because of it. You don't notice them though because they aren't paying to see you play... :cool:

Actually, in my own band, I play electronic music for kids at all ages shows.
And you want to talk about volume and bass? those kids are all about it.
You have failed again.:p
 
I feel the OP's pain, but...

If it's too loud, wear ear plugs or stand further back. If the bands are playing so loud that their music is unenjoyable, they're just screwing themselves and one day they'll grow up and learn. Not much you can do about that.

On the flipside of that, not "giving an F" is part of the lifestyle of certain styles of Rock, as is having a physical component to the volume level, and if those bands happen to fit this category, and their fan base fits this category, then hopefully the room will be packed. If they care about their artform enough that they won't sacrifice volume because they feel it is integral to the art, they should be cool enough to give out earplugs at the door. If not, again, sometimes you have to let people fail.

I guess you could trick everybody into backlining on a certain set of amps that doesn't get so loud. Try to sell them on the "it'll be less work and you'll have more time to talk to chicks" thing :)
 
I mentioned to him "hey dude this is Alot of stuff....kinda overkill lol"

Are you in a position of power or decision making at this thing? Are you paying the sound guy? If not, you don't really have a leg to stand on. If so, don't pussy foot it. Be firm and tell him "we're not going all out like this, everybody is backlining with reasonable size amps and cabs, and the PA is only for vocals or absolute necessary things like keyboards. You're in charge of the mix, but I'm in charge of the master volume. We're not blowing people out or getting the cops called". Cary an SPL meter and set firm limits.
 
Playing alot of bass will give you tendonitis and all manner of RSIs as you hit your 70s, as will any repetitive movement. I'm afraid if you are a music lover, you will start losing your ears before non-music lovers, just through the slow attrition of Ipods, and drum kits that are just *that* bit too quiet for plugs.

Of course, I'm not saying just accept your fate and never wear plugs, no-one wants to be deaf by thirty. By all means try to be sensible and not do anything really reckless with your ears, but on the other hand, don't lock yourself in a preservation cell. Turn up, have a bit of fun! :bassist:
 
Actually, in my own band, I play electronic music for kids at all ages shows.
And you want to talk about volume and bass? those kids are all about it.
You have failed again.:p

So you are starting the kids on the road to deafness early? how kind of you.

Sure volume is good sometimes but I even rave with my plugs. I can still feel the bass without doing major harm to my ears

Are you in a position of power or decision making at this thing? Are you paying the sound guy? If not, you don't really have a leg to stand on. If so, don't pussy foot it. Be firm and tell him "we're not going all out like this, everybody is backlining with reasonable size amps and cabs, and the PA is only for vocals or absolute necessary things like keyboards. You're in charge of the mix, but I'm in charge of the master volume. We're not blowing people out or getting the cops called". Cary an SPL meter and set firm limits.

It was on the property I live at and I was on the planning committee...so yes I shouldnt pussy foot it, but many dudes in the music scene, whether they are musicians or sound men, are flipping stupid when it comes to quality live sound and physical protection. Hell when the DJ was playing at the end of the night several kids were complaining to me to get him to turn down some. And he barely did when asked. Whatevs. They dont realize that the only reason it doesnt sound very loud to them is that theyve already lost hearing, and in turn they subject others to their nonsense.
 
KayXero said:
So you are starting the kids on the road to deafness early? how kind of you.

Sure volume is good sometimes but I even rave with my plugs. I can still feel the bass without doing major harm to my ears

It was on the property I live at and I was on the planning committee...so yes I shouldnt pussy foot it, but many dudes in the music scene, whether they are musicians or sound men, are flipping stupid when it comes to quality live sound and physical protection. Hell when the DJ was playing at the end of the night several kids were complaining to me to get him to turn down some. And he barely did when asked. Whatevs. They dont realize that the only reason it doesnt sound very loud to them is that theyve already lost hearing, and in turn they subject others to their nonsense.

I'm an advocate of hearing protection.
Try reading the thread.
Another fail.
 
Unless you distribute them to those kids, then you really arent an advocate. Plus, even with protection loud noise too loud WILL do damage. Also, Half the things youve send in this thread contradict half of the other things youve said.

So you fail again brah