NBC: volume

[Karen Hanson]

Unfortunately, because I've already suffered hearing loss and have a
constant ringing in my (good) ear, I have been forced to start wearing
earplugs in the clubs, or at least one, in the ear that still can hear. It's
sad because I'm convinced I miss some frequencies because of them. The music
is less rich and lacks nuances. And, depending on the singer, I miss some
lyrics.

This problem isn't confined to blues clubs, however. It's the same
regardless of the type of music, as far as I can tell.


Karen


Today's Chicago Blues
http://todayschicagoblues.blogspot.com

On 10/14/07, Walter Potter <maxdog-blues-l@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> The subject of volume comes up quite often at our local club and I just
> have to wonder why some musicians, guitarists in particular, like to play so
> loud? A couple of years back a well-known blues guitar player came through
> our local club and was so loud that many of the patrons of the club
> complained to him. His response was something like "That's the way its going
> to be, take it or leave it." It got quite hostile and I doubt he will be
> welcomed back to the club. No matter what anyone thought of his talent, the
> pain he brought with his volume and his attitude about it turned off many
> potential fans.
>
> The club owner will often get the bands to turn down a bit but they often
> slowly but surely crank it back up during a set. We are not talking about
> getting them to play at supper club levels, just below 110 decibels. I have
> had a sound meter for a couple of decades now and since I've been recording
> some shows lately, I've been using it to get an idea of what  sound levels
> are affecting the recording levels. This weekend the word got back to the
> guitarist that he had been measured at over 110 decibels and the response
> was to hate the meter. Heck, the bass player was wearing earplugs and was
> visibly whinceing at times.
>
> I understand that amps have a sort of sweet spot that adds to the tone and
> turning it down too low can make for crappy sound. I've seen some players
> carry a couple of different amps just to fit the venues. You don't want a
> wall of Marshall's in a tiny venue or a Pro Junior in an arena (unless you
> mic it). But it would seem to me that if a significant portion of the
> audience is complaining, that the musician would turn it down a bit. The
> idea of "blowing them away" should be figurative, not literal. I want to
> remember the show because it was good, not because my ears are ringing.
> --
> Walter
>
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