Noise Pollution??

[h34ton]

Our esteemed government is currently proposing legislation which will mean that ALL LIVE MUSIC VENUES will be fitted with noise limiting devices as a condition of their licence and the automatic "cut off point" being discussed in November 2008 was 70 decibels!!! (about the volume of a domestic hair dryer I'm told!! LOL) I really believe this could well result in the death of live music in the UK and I urge you to sign the petition @ the link below before the expiry date at the end of January 2009:

petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoNoiseControl/

[John Bell]

People just talking in a busy pub are much louder than 70 decibels, so I can't believe that this could be the limit.

I think that we DO need noise level limiting in venues, especially those that are not purely used for live music, like pubs and clubs, but ONLY if set at a usable level.

Places like Wembley Arena and the O2 are attended by people who want loud music, so the limit should be set higher.
If some do have a problem with the volume, they can use ear filters. These should be made available at the merchandise stalls, subsidized by the venue.

Hearing loss or damage caused by regular listening of high level music for sustained periods is permanent and distressing.

If the levels can be kept where the music is loud enough to blow away the stresses of modern life, but still not loud enough to cause damage, it will save a lot of grief later in life.

I have learned to listen to my music in my rehearsal studio at such levels. If I push my 1.3K system slightly higher, my ears adjust to the increase and I get no more benefit, just damage and any higher is just painful.
The intro to my Doobey Brothers DVD, at this high a level, feels and sounds like standing behind a real Harley Davidson.
I played it one summer with the doors open and my neighbour thought someone was stealing his bike.

My normal level is still loud enough to feel like you are in the audience, when I play live music DVDs. I few beers and I'm there.
John.

[John Bell]

As the current version of noise limiting units, cuts the power off after an ignored warning and can cause damage to equipment and ruin an event, I think another method should be used.

How about a tachograph version, that records the average levels for an event and has to be submitted to an authority for reading. Any infringement could then result in a fine and the event would not be interrupted.

Any thoughts? John.

[ian hasell]

This is roughly what happens in Switzerland, noise limits are 93db but if ear plugs are given out then higher levels are permitted. The noise level has to be recorded and retained for at least 6 months. The authorities can request the figures at any time and can also carry out spot checks, if there is a breach then there are severe penalties.


Ian

[soundmanjim]

i know! we were in a venue in Switzerland and NOTHING AT ALL can be louder than 105db - that includes parties, mechanical noise, anything. lol

[John Bell]

Both of my bands performed at a charity concert in a parish hall in North Devon last week-end.

We were not aware of any noise limiting devises, until the stage power went off, during a fairly tame back-line sound check, without the FOH PA being on.

There was a very small 3 light meter mounted on the venue ceiling, being fed from a normal hand held mike, found resting on a shelf near the entrance, a long way from the stage.

The problem was temporarily solved. John.

[ian hasell]

I hope by accidentally unplugging the mic or slight slip with some cutters.



Ian

[John Bell]

The mic lead "fell off" as I inspected it. (poor quality screw-type connector). I didn't have time to "repair it" until after the gig.