|
Author: David Mellor Article source: http://www.kabish.com/. Used with author's permission.
"Turn it down!"
How often have you heard that command in your musical lifetime? It's a plain fact that old people just don't like loud music. They should all be taken to soundproofed old people's homes where they can live out the remainder of their lives complaining about each other, and let us get on with some fun.
OK, exaggerating a little. The real fact is that unless a live music venue is out in the desert somewhere, it is likely to annoy people if the music is too loud and goes on too long. That's one reason why entertainment venues in most jurisdictions have to be licensed. If a venue causes annoyance and raises complaints, then the licence gets withdrawn. Suddenly the proprietor doesn't have a business any more.
So the venue owner or manager needs a way to control the volume of sound produced by musical acts, including both bands and DJs. Standing by the mixing console or amplifier rack isn't seen as a good option, and telling the performers to turn it down only works for about five minutes before they turn it up again.
So the only solution is to apply the ultimate sanction - cut the power. That gets the job done.
The problem with this is that cutting the power causes an immense amount of ill feeling. Would you play in a venue where the manager had cut the power on you?
So an intermediary is needed; an automatic intermediary that will give the band a warning, then cut the power if that warning is ignored. The performers won't like it, but if they know that the system is installed and how it operates, then at least they know the rules they have to abide by.
One such system is the Castle Electronic Orange. The 'orange' is an orange globe that illuminates when the sound is too loud. This is pointed out to the performers before the gig by the venue manager. If it comes on during the performance, then that is a warning. If it stays on for more than a predetermined time interval, usually a few seconds, ...
It cuts power to the stage.
This might seem like a drastic action, and it is. But it certainly gets the job done. For the DJ it isn't too bad as he or she can set the level to the maximum that the Electronic Orange will let them get away with.
For a band it is more tricky. Chances are that the loudest parts of the performance are where the lead singer is singing together with backing vocals. When no-one is singing, the level will be much less.
So the light flickers on and off during the performance. The eyes of the band become fixated on the dreaded light. Every time it comes on, they back off from the microphones until it goes off again. If the sound mixer is on the ball, he will take care of this with the master output fader. But his attention is on the light and not on the band.
The result is an uncomfortable evening for the band, and a lackluster performance. Maybe the Electronic Orange gets the job done. But there is a cost for both band and audience, and for the venue owner because his customers are not as happy as they really should have been.
Probably this is something we will just have to put up with until quiet music comes back into fashion. David Mellor, Record-Producer.com
Name That Tune - Tips For When You Can’t Remember The Song Title Or Artist
If you have a tune stuck in your head but forgot both the song title and the artist this article describes a simple procedure for naming that tune when all you ...
Wording Up Your Website
Back to basics. Forget funky design, good copywriting is the key to a clear and intuitive website. Are you losing business because of your website? More and mo...
How 40,000 People Reversed Heart Disease
It is well known that about two-thirds of the U.S. population is either overweight or obese. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated that approximately 75% of Weste...
Food Addiction: Is It Real?
Is Sugar Addictive? I often get this question. Researchers now know quite a bit about how sugar responds in the body. Read the highlights here.
Muraqaba- The Sufi Meditation By Sufi-Master Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi
Muraqaba is the name of that contemplation through which man is able to gain the knowledge which is the primordial knowledge of his Ego, Self, or Soul. After ga...
Make BIG MONEY on eBay - Your Unlimited Cash Cow
Are you looking for the best, most exciting way to start a home-based business? eBay is the easiest way to start making money immediately from home! This is a r...
Gain Space with Bay Windows
Bay windows can add character and value to a home. The home do-it-yourselfer can do a bay window installation with the pre-assembled units that are available. A...
Driving Traffic to a Crafters Web Site
If you have just made you site and can't figure out how to get the traffic, read this article. It will give you an idea on how to draw traffic to your site for ...
Shorthanded Poker, an Untapped Gold Mine
An introduction to the vast opportunities in playing shorthanded online Texas Hold 'em.
Doomed Before You Dial?
Several weeks ago, I conducted a "Mastering the Cold Call" seminar for the Printing Industries of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. At the end of the semin...
Hedge Fund Advertising
Have you seen all those big full page ads for hedge funds in the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Investors Business Daily? You haven't. Maybe they are...
Rule of Thumb For Exporting Technology
Are we exporting our technology to our own demise?
Changing The World With Words: How To Write And Sell Articles On Social Change
IS WRITING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE FOR YOU?
Medical Insurance - Health Insurance Coverage & Plans Explained
When looking for health insurance, its important to understand the different types of health insurance plans available.
The Different Types of Treadmills
When we usually think of treadmills, we tend to think that there is only one type on the market. However, this is very far from the truth as there are a couple...
5 Secrets to Building a Successful Internet Business
Want to know why many internet businesses fail? Find out 5 secrets that will help you build a successful internet business.
Does Your Band Need a Manager?
New bands looking to book gigs and establish contacts often start looking for a manager to handle the business aspects of their music. This is especially the c...
How To Think Like A Master Trader
Do you think like a winner or a loser? Here are 6 key elements of a winning trading mindset:
Overwhelmed By Student Loan Debt? Consider a Consolidate Student Loan
A consolidate student loan is the perfect solution for people who need help managing their debt. If you have several different loan payments but want to make on...
Building a Successful Team
Once you've set a goal for yourself as a leader - whether it is to create your own enterprise, energize your organization, build a church, or excel in sports - ...
Security Necessities To Prevent Your Computer From Spyware
It's a good idea to invest in spyware removal programs.
Wake Up America Sex Toys are Sweeping the Nation
We will walk you through the process of choosing,buying,and having a blast with adult sex toys.
Should You Douche
Vaginas arouse numerous questions. One of the most pressing questions with profound implications for a woman's health is whether or not she should douche.
Marketing Added Value
Marketing "Added Value"
|
Print this page