Hunt the sound limiter

[CRAZY K]

I havent come across these much in my job--but last night:eek:

Nice modern Pavilion built right at the end of a brand new upmarket Housing Development in Bedford.

I was going well until the second Dance when I noticed the JTS mike cut out
suddenly and the Mini Disc music stopped--put it down to a momentary lapse on my part knocking the Mini Disc player accidentally--when your every word is being closely followed by 60 people you have these optimistic thoughts :confused:

It happened a minute later and then the penny dropped when the mike went again music cut out and I was nowhere near the Mini Disc:eek: :eek: :eek:

It had to be a Sound Limiter that the client, the bar staff and the caretaker very cleverly didnt tell me about and I certainly didnt see coming.

Where was it?????????????

There were no notices in the area used by Bands/Discos and I didnt spot anything when setting up.

I toned down a bit and carried on to the next natural break.

Then it was hunt the sound limiter, I asked the bar staff who didnt seem to know much--thats why they are bar staff I suppose--suddenly I spotted it near the bar--a small round light on the wall---70 feet away from my music with a wire going up to the ceiling where there was a small mike.

No led colours or progressive warning--just a light which came on-I assume about 5 seconds to cut your noise level--I asked the chief bar guy for specific information--he rang the caretaker---who was unavailable--:bang:

I had to tell all the people having a great time not to clap and shout too much and all the kids who just love screaming when they are having a good time to---stop having a good time:bang: :bang: :bang:

Understanding the problem I carried on without further interruption although it cramped my microphone technique--having to cut short certain instructions:bang:

As usual the music level could be really much louder than I was using but the mike immediately caused a problem--great if your a DJ who says very little--

Useless if your a singer or a Caller like me.

Sound Limiters I hate them--I didnt suspect anything when taking the booking as its a Sports Pavilion which are usually by their nature in their own grounds away from houses.

I wont be playing there again--its on my blacklist.

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

The first time I ever met one was years ago, in a social club in a village. My gear kept cutting out, and I suspected a fault until I saw the lights on the Xmas tree in the corner went out at the same time!;) ;)
I told the customer, who didn't believe me when I told him that somewhere there was a traffic light machine, cutting out power.He obviously believed it was iffy gear on my part. Half an hour later, he said sheepishly " That machine you described? It's in the kitchen! "

[Ajaysdisco]

Join the club, thankfully the ones I have encountered have been easily seen.
I recommend you get a UPS, did a gig a few weeks back with a limiter.
I had to put the sound AND the lights though the limiter!
The music had to be almost background music level, thankfully the UPS kept things going during the high peaks in some songs.

Please be aware a UPS won’t last for ever but it helps the odd dip in power, it will also need to be reasonably big depending on your amp.

[rob1963]

Hi Crazy,

Sorry to hear about this...it's an absolute nightmare.

Now you know why I decided not to work in venues with limiters in future (apart from the few I know which are set at a sensible level).

I turned down a booking earlier this year for this very reason.

I must admit, your limiter sounds like a bit of an unusual one. Every one I've come across has had the traffic light system, with several green lights, a few amber & about 3 red ones, so at least you have a reasonable idea of when it's about to cut off.

[CRAZY K]

Hi Crazy,

Sorry to hear about this...it's an absolute nightmare.

Now you know why I decided not to work in venues with limiters in future (apart from the few I know which are set at a sensible level).

I turned down a booking earlier this year for this very reason.

I must admit, your limiter sounds like a bit of an unusual one. Every one I've come across has had the traffic light system, with several green lights, a few amber & about 3 red ones, so at least you have a reasonable idea of when it's about to cut off.

That was my point to the bar staff--needless to say they didnt know nuffink about it--and the hall manager had buggered off home and was unobtainable.

To be fair music wise the level was reasonablY high--its the mike that causes the problem.

Probably the shape of the ceiling ( V shaped and very high ) didnt help much.

Whats more amazing is the Hall is almost new so you would expect a proper system clearly marked etc.

I suppose the fact that the Hall which is a Sports Pavilion had no signs whatsover at the entrance to the grounds or on the front of the building should have been a warning.

I only knew it was the right place because of earlier road signs and some goalposts in the field next to the Hall.:eek:

And then there was the woman who said turn the lights down--so I said what for--- its not a Disco--:confused:

Oh people are self conscious was the answer--

You mean you are I said--:D :D :D

Bizarre--but still a good evening.

CRAZY K