Live bands and sound limiters

What you need to do is find out from your venue what the sound limitation is I.e. what is the decible level, then give that information to your band and they should know if it's workable or not.

For example there's a venue near me that apparently has just introduced a new sound limitor of 87decible which is just ridiculous.

Good luck!

Thanks for that, have emailed the caretaker. Sounds obvious when you think about it lol

Limiter set at 96 decibels. Until OH gets in touch with the band, anyone any idea if this is loud enough? Thanks

I think 96 is fine, the music will seem loud.

I photographed a wedding recently where they had Sikh drummers on the dancefloor. The hotel went into a panic as noise hit 120 db and they had 15 complaints from hotel guests!

After a couple of requests it was reduced below 100 and honestly seemed just as loud!

Thanks Paula, sounds like it will be fine then ?, shouldn't be anything like the noise impact of drummers!

Our venue had an enforced sound limiter set at 85dec due to complaints from the local residents. We did have a problem when the band was playing and ut did keep tripping out, even with an electric drum kit instead of a normal one. The band had a chat with us before their second set, and said we're gonna have a real problem as we do alot more upbeat stuff in the second set, we have an idea but it will mean all your guests getting involved. They got every one to pull up a chair around the dance floor and did all the songs they would have done, but acoustic with just 2 guitars. It was amazing, and once me and my moh got up and started dancing after a few songs everyone else followed - it was just incredible! So yes, sound limiters are a problem, and I think anything less than 95 will cause issues for the band.

Wow, sounds like it turned into an amazing evening - luckily! Have left it with the fella to get in touch with them as they are his friends, so will see what they come back with. I have no idea how loud 96 decibels would be in terms of band volume ☹️

Hi Kizzi,

If they're doing just vocal with backing tracks it's easy to keep at 96db.

It does depend of many differing factors like frequency, distance and sensitivity of the sound limiter.

There is one venue that we now refuse to play at because of the sound limiter but generally the soundguys can work with it.

Hope that helps! Good luck.

Thanks for that ?

I've watched one of the trio sing at a wedding, but not seen the 3 of them, but things it's just them singing to backing tracks. Fingers crossed it will be ok, but depends what deal the OH can negotiate with them lol