Sound Limiters

[CRAZY K]

Having had a bad experience last year with these I am considering putting a note on my website that I wont play venues with these installed.

It can ruin the whole evening for everyone as we know.

Anyone got this on their website and might there be legal problems for me if I publicly say I wont play venues with a sound limiter--in the age of freeloaders and compensation claims you never know?

I guess I could use the excuse that my equipment will be damaged and im not willing to risk that happening---

Whadda you think?

CRAZY K

[musicbox]

Yes it is up to you to play or not to play with these items.

So you can put on your web site that your company will not attend a venue with a sound limiter installed due to the fact this can cause damage to equipment and venuse that install these limiters will not cover the insurace on damage caused to our equimpment due to these devises.

The only problem is that if a venue installs a limiter once you have taken a booking not sure where you stand, as i understand it you should be able to pull out as you have stated the the above. but you need to check that.

Hope this helps

Pete

[funkymike]

Surley this depends on the sound limiter settings some places I have been in are a nightmare and other places if you work with it, its fine and that includes karaoke, so each gig is different.

Also what about using a power inverter (think that what its called) so if the power goes off your equipment doesnt, I aquired one and iam told its will cover decks, pc and amp for a good while, so either carry on or gives time to turn it all off correctly.........just a thought


Mike

[Paul James Promotions]

Also what about using a power inverter (think that what its called) so if the power goes off your equipment doesnt, I aquired one and iam told its will cover decks, pc and amp for a good while, so either carry on or gives time to turn it all off correctly.........just a thought

Mike

Good idea, although I imagine that the units that are powerful enough to run a standard rig for a decent amount of time would be pricey.

[leighinstoke]

I have it in the FAQ section of my website and it's also on the terms and conditions that get sent and accepted on booking me.

Overall they are a pain in the bum and, personally, feel they are just nanny state devices put in place to keep neighbours happy, often set too low and can be triggered by the crowd shouting.

Fortunately the gig I did last night for NYE has them in place but I'm one of the few who play there given permission to use 'non controlled' sockets. (Note to self - must remember to reset the one in the venue when I go to collect the remainder of my gear tomorrow as the 'trip' light was on when I left!!!)

The UPS idea sounds good - just need to add up all the watts and find a system - could be cheap if purchasing a used and battery-less one from ebay and put new batteries in. Mmmmmm.....one for the wish list.

Leigh....

[Vectis]

We have a few venues with limiters on the island... and a £40 investment in a second-hand 30-channel graphic equaliser was a godsend - work out which frequencies trigger the limiter and filter them down a bit - it's a lot more controllable than the standard treble/middle/bass on your mixer and in most venues you can hardly tell that an adjustment has been made. If it makes the sound quality noticably poo then get your hirer to make the call - full range at low volume or 'modified'.

Alternatively, I notice B+Q have some 2KW petrol generators in their sale at £140ish.... I'm very tempted! Keep the audio and 1 amp running at least!

[Ricesnaps]

Crazy,

You now my feeling on these things. If they are there then they are they for a reason and I play accordingly. There is so much unhappyness within our industry so it seem which confuses me. Venue last night had a limiter. Mic directly in front of me. So I left the subs in the van. No adjustment to EQ, volume level about where i would normally have it for this kind of night and didn't even see the yellow warning light come on once.

Why does everyone get so upset about them?

[CRAZY K]

Thanks for the ideas so far guys--one or two problems here though--

How do you know what level the limiter is set at? Might be very high or low--impossible to judge without a sound test beforehand--not practical for me

Usually its not the music its the audience that trigger it off---so music frequency changes dont make any difference

By passing the unit is often impossible--the people who run these places know all the tricks and keep checking

In any event they will know immediately if its "too loud" they dont need a limiter to tell them!

If you do by pass things then the neighbours phone up and complain anyway cos its loud and the venue go mad!!

We have to remember the neighbours and the venue staff are there all the time---they know whats going on!

Not being negative--just realistic from my experience.

I dont actually have a problem any more--I just wont play these places--but wonder about the legal side of putting it on the website--

thanks

CRAZY K

[funkymike]

As I understand NYE is the only night they dont have to be used



cool

[Thames Valley Discos]

Good idea, although I imagine that the units that are powerful enough to run a standard rig for a decent amount of time would be pricey.

You can get a double conversion ups for £350. I use one on the amp,pc and mixer. With power cut off it will run for 40 mins. Saves blowing the pc or sound gear up.

[CRAZY K]

Crazy,

You now my feeling on these things. If they are there then they are they for a reason and I play accordingly. There is so much unhappyness within our industry so it seem which confuses me. Venue last night had a limiter. Mic directly in front of me. So I left the subs in the van. No adjustment to EQ, volume level about where i would normally have it for this kind of night and didn't even see the yellow warning light come on once.

Why does everyone get so upset about them?

Well the last gig I did the limiter was set so low that as soon as anyone clapped or shouted all the power went off.

That happened at least 20 times.:bang:

My venue was a bit extreme as in an area right next to houses--but it totally ruined the evening for everyone as everytime the audience made a noise---bang---the power was off.

I understand the alternatives---I think its easier not to bother at all now :D

CRAZY K

[Creature]

I have only played in one venue that has sound limiters installed and only knew that because the landlord said that he had one installed as i was setting up.

I advised him that if it cut th epower to my rig and damage was done he would be liable for costs of repair and hire of equipment whilst mine was being repaired. He laughed at me.

So I got laptop out and the portable cannon printer and printe dhim a letter as well as the people who booked me about the position. As the landlord refused to turn the limiter off (even after i suggested that if i was too loud if he lets me know will turn it down) that I was unable to saftely to cover the event.

When I prited it out and handed it to him - he just said thats rubbish - so I got onto the phone phoned the customer and advised them of teh situation !!!! - I passed the phone to the landlord who after a short while grudgingly turned the limiter off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I still dont know what was said).

But I informed the landlord that I would not accept any more bookings from him and if asked I would give an honest apraisal of his venue.

The stupid thing about it all was he was in the country and the nearest neighbour was 5 miles away !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the gig was to finnish at 11.30 as well.

It is now one of the first questions I ask quickly followed by is the room on the ground floor :)

I personally refuse to play at venues were these limiters are fitted - but then again its a rare occassion that I would get asked to do a booking at a venue were there gonna be installed.

Th ebig problem with power packs are that untill the power goes of you dont know if they are gonna work - Usually the battery is knackered at the time when you need it most. Also they are bloody heavy

[jamesh]

I picked up a couple of UPS's from CPC when they had a sale on them - only small things but were only around £20.... For gigs with sound limiters i have the active tops plugged into one and the mixer and computer into the other one...

Main reason being that if it does trip i don't want to screw any of my kit up... Also i like to get the crowd involved where i can but with allot of the limiters if you are playing music its fine (as long as not pushed a great deal) but as soon as you get the crowd interacting and shouting it trips...

Now it doesn't matter too much as - i still play under their limit but dont worry about the crowd noise as the ups will let me carry on for a short time... which within that time the crowd have usually stoped singing/shouting by then and the power is restored before any issues....

i can tell when it's tripped as some of the kit (like the lamp) isn't on the UPS so they turn off... It's then i keep an eye on the limiter - if it doesn't reset within 10 - 15 seconds or so it's a case of running to the manager to get them to reset it...

I also have a bit in my terms and conditions on the booking form that should a sound limiter be installed in a venue it is used at the risk of the client and any damage caused resulting from the sound limiter tripping is payable by the client. I also mention that if it does cut out during the evening or it is set too low stopping the music being loud enough it is not my fault and no refund, discout or compensation will be made in anyway.

If the client then wants to take it up with the venue and come to an agreement with them over the sound limiter before the event it it's down to them...

It's easy enough to test they work before the gig too... just turn them on them pull the plug sockets out of the wall - the UPS should then kick in.... if it doesn't then the battery is screw'd

[leighinstoke]

....It's then i keep an eye on the limiter....

But having to do this all the time spoils the majority of gigs done in places with them - hence a lot of us prefering not to do them where these items of disdain are installed. You can't watch your gear, your dancers or anything due to having to watch a set of coloured lights all evening.

Not my idea of fun. :(

Leigh....

[Ricesnaps]

I advised him that if it cut th epower to my rig and damage was done he would be liable for costs of repair and hire of equipment whilst mine was being repaired. He laughed at me.


When I prited it out and handed it to him - he just said thats rubbish - so I got onto the phone phoned the customer and advised them of teh situation !!!! - I passed the phone to the landlord who after a short while grudgingly turned the limiter off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I still dont know what was said).
Sorry to be blunt creature, but I am absolutely gob smacked you would even consider doing what you have let alone actually doing it! If I had been the landlord I would have asked you to pack up and go home and refused to allow you back in again.

I apreciate that some of you (Crazy maybe more than others) get a little frustrated at the prospect of being limitted by these things. I can even understand that it could be frustrating or damaging to equipment, but please will everyone realise that they are there for a reason. Generally that is because a member of the local EHO has been out, assessed the amount of noise and made it part of the conditions of the venue. Where that isn't the case and the venue have decided to have one installed, that is there business and there absolute right to do so in whatever way they see fit.

Surely we are all professionals? If you are that agrieved by the thought of having your professional ability ruined by turning the volume down, then (as it seems Crazy has decided), simply make it clear to your clients that you will not take bookings at venues where there are limitations on the volume level. At the end of the day it is your clients choice where they have there events and there choice how these work. If I happened to be booked for say an 18th, playing pumping funky house all night at a venue in the middle of a residential area that has a sound limitter fitted, I just comply with the venues rules and turn it down - after all, the venue is the clients choice, not mine.

I would suggest that taking equipment which allows you to continue playing should a sound limiter kick in is not only unprofessional, but completely out of order

[CRAZY K]

Rice said--I would suggest that taking equipment which allows you to continue playing should a sound limiter kick in is not only unprofessional, but completely out of order
__________________

I agree and say that if you do this you are going to get found out anyway because it will be so loud!

Im with Ceature on this ( btw decks are going well Steve) try and avoid the limiters. I do have a special problem:D as a large part of my show involves me encouraging people to clap stamp and shout as loudly as possible.

Clearly this is not compatible with working in a venue with limiters :bang:

Just to say that whilst Rice is 100 per cent correct in his summary of WHY they are fitted---I always feel that in certain venues very close to houses
( especially the last one I encountered) the owners of the venue are shortchanging all of us and taking money under false pretences by allowing these venues to have any music at all--they should really stop it all together if they were honest.

They know modern events tend to be noisier than say 25 years ago.

OK some limiters are reasonable---its just knowing which ones in advance:eek:

But hey--theres a lot of money involved here---venues arent going to stop their functions.

I think I wont put a note on my website, just raise the subject when quoting for functions.

Thanks for all the input--heres the FINAL IRONY.

The Village Hall where I live is smack bang in the middle of houses, literally yards away. Can you believe it-- No limiter.

Its been there about 100yrs. I had a party there with a live band making a lot of noise.

What did a neighbour in a nearby house say during the event?

Thats my favourite music---cant it be louder:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

CRAZY K

[wensleydale]

When you have sound limiters can you not just run a lead to another socket?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

When you have sound limiters can you not just run a lead to another socket?

Generally the venue wouldn't let you.

[Ricesnaps]

Im with Ceature on this ( btw decks are going well Steve) try and avoid the limiters. I do have a special problem:D as a large part of my show involves me encouraging people to clap stamp and shout as loudly as possible.

Clearly this is not compatible with working in a venue with limiters :bang:

Just to say that whilst Rice is 100 per cent correct in his summary of WHY they are fitted---I always feel that in certain venues very close to houses
( especially the last one I encountered) the owners of the venue are shortchanging all of us and taking money under false pretences by allowing these venues to have any music at all--they should really stop it all together if they were honest.

They know modern events tend to be noisier than say 25 years ago.


Crazy, I'm not disagreeing with your sentiments, but I'm not certain I got my point across.

While it may well be that a venue is conning people by taking bookings for events which may have the ability to make a lot of noise and when the volume is much lower than the client may have apreciated it is completely the venue that the issue is with. I can't see how at any stage of this it is any of our business or responsibility to argue against a working practice laid down by the venue. Regardless of the actual volume you can achieve, the responsibility of us as DJ's (and barn dance callers) is to comply with the requirements of the venue we are working in. After all, if we turned up with three bare wires to poke into a plug socket cos we had run out of three pin plugs the venue would be very unlikely to let us work. If we refuse to comply with a sound limiter as fitted, surely the venue have every right to refuse us to work.

This issue is quite clearly one between venue and client. Whether we feel agrieved, upset or angry that we have to turn the volume down shouldn't even come into consideration and if the venue are promoting and selling the venue under false pretences then that is a matter maybe for trading standards, not us.

As for noisy feet stomping barn dances, I would imagine you are quite right in your comments Crazy and maybe it is worth highlighting the potential restrictions at venues to your clients and make sure they apreciate the reduction in enjoyment a venue with a sound limiter may provide. Do sound limiters just make it a quiter more reserved barn dance, or does it make it imposible?

The difference for us disco's is really that 90% of the time a sound limiter will just make us quieter, nothing more!

[Creature]

Sorry to be blunt creature, but I am absolutely gob smacked you would even consider doing what you have let alone actually doing it! If I had been the landlord I would have asked you to pack up and go home and refused to allow you back in again.

why ???? what i didnt say was I was asked by the bookie to play as loud as possible !!!!! and was in my contract - was was the point of me taking 9kw of power if my little 250 watt a side setup would set off the sound limiter !!!!!!!!!!!

also my bookie said she made it clear to the land lord that the music was going to be very load and paid a lot of money and chose the location for it to happen.


btw decks are going well Steve cheers for letting me know :):)

[wensleydale]

Generally the venue wouldn't let you.

BUt then you run a lead into sound limiter socket which you don't use for anything and then use another lead for power.

[leighinstoke]

BUt then you run a lead into sound limiter socket which you don't use for anything and then use another lead for power.

Sounds a superb idea in principle - but you'll normally find most sockets near the area you have to setup in are linked to the Sound Limiter to stop you plugging into any other power source. :(

Anything else defeats the idea of installing a sound limiter!

Leigh.....

[Ricesnaps]

why ???? what i didnt say was I was asked by the bookie to play as loud as possible !!!!! and was in my contract - was was the point of me taking 9kw of power if my little 250 watt a side setup would set off the sound limiter !!!!!!!!!!!

also my bookie said she made it clear to the land lord that the music was going to be very load and paid a lot of money and chose the location for it to happen.


Yes but that's between the client and the manager of the venue, not you. I stand by what I said completely. If there is a problem with sound levels and limiters and the client isn't happy, simply refer to the landlord and allow them to sort it out. I would hold with my comments that refusing to use the right sockets or demanding that the limiter is switched of is highly unprofessional (irritating and anoying maybe, but not your call)

[ian8limelight]

One of the venues where I regularly work has a sound limiter, and has had for the last 8 years. Once you get used to working successfully with it, it is no problems.

The venue had to have it installed due to the EHO from the local council. The main thing is that it needs to be installed AND callibrated correctly.

If a venue has a sound limiter, it is normally there for a reason BUT it is the venues responsibility to ensure that it is installed & used correctly otherwise one/more of their licences may be in jepordy.

[soundtracker]

I've worked with noise limiters for years- never set one off - perhaps its because I play to the dancefloor, not try to deafen everyone in the building!

[jamesh]

I would suggest that taking equipment which allows you to continue playing should a sound limiter kick in is not only unprofessional, but completely out of order

Well untill they change sound limiters to attach to the signal between the mixer and amp to cut the sound singnal (or something simular) rather than cutting the whole power to the rig i will continue to use my UPS's.....

I'd rather be called unprofessional and out of order than risk it damaging any of my kit!

But just for the record speaking as an "unprofessional" the only time i've had a sound limiter trip on me once or twice has been due to crowd noises and them having a good time rather than the actual music being too loud!

[A1DL]

Sounds a superb idea in principle - but you'll normally find most sockets near the area you have to setup in are linked to the Sound Limiter to stop you plugging into any other power source. :(

Anything else defeats the idea of installing a sound limiter!

Leigh.....

normally only 13s are linked to limiting devices, I've never come across a 32 or 63 linked to one.

admittedly some small venues only have 13s, but if you hunt around you can often find a ceeform where you wouldn't expect one.

[A1DL]

Alternatively, I notice B+Q have some 2KW petrol generators in their sale at £140ish.... I'm very tempted! Keep the audio and 1 amp running at least!

don't be tempted, a cheap petrol genny won't have AVR and the voltage will be up & down like a whore's drawers:eek:

a small diesel genny will be smoother than petrol, but you need AVR to be safe.

you can get away with bigger diesel gennies without AVR, I set up a largish outdoor PA a couple of months back, off quite an old diesel 20kva set, no AVR, (although we'd specified it in the contract) so was a little concerned, but kept an eye on the distro and fluctuation was only +/- 2v

[CRAZY K]

When you have sound limiters can you not just run a lead to another socket?

I can tell-- you havent tried that!

The venue will know anyway cos it gets very loud and then the neighbours phone up and complain---back to square one!!!!

If you set up a jenny I think the venue snoopers might just notice it or hear it! Or smell it!!!!


CRAZY K

[Ricesnaps]

I can tell-- you havent tried that!

The venue will know anyway cos it gets very loud and then the neighbours phone up and complain---back to square one!!!!


You see that just takes us straight back to my original comments. The whole point of a venue (generally) having one of these limiters is because of the noise polution it presents to local residents. Where they are in place, unfortunately, as profesional entertainers we MUST respect the venues rules and comply.

Crazy, I completely understand your frustration and as I said previously, it may be completely relevent for you to include reference to this in your sales pitch - after all, if you are being booked on recomendation, surely the client would rather find an alternative venue than not have you?

I think the thing that is frustrating me in this thread is the number of people who seem to quite openly feel it is acceptable either to complain to venue managers to the point of insisting that they switch off these units, or are quite prepared to bypass them and completely ignore the reason they are there in the first place.

[Dragonfly]

to my mind it isnt upto us to complain about such things put in your t and cs that you are governed by the rules and regulations of a venue that you play at then if someone books a 25k rig for somewhere with a limiter just speak to your client explain the situation and its upto them to have it out with the venue ive only had it once where it was a suprise wasnt told when i went for a meeting with client and wedding coordinator and have to hold my hands up for once forgot to ask about a limiter.....

on the night arrived early and set up as usual and tested the level was ridiculous to be honest i have my tv louder than i was allowed my disco that night when i got back i explained the issue to the best man who informed the b and g who were thankfully totally understanding as they werent told either and were already seething due to

1 toilet in the building working for their 100 guests

and ........

arriving at the venue after their ceremony to find their meal (chicken) strategically placed on radiators around the venue trying to thaw.

if we ask the question to a venue and there is a limiter all we can do is advise the client in advance and let them take it up with the venue .

i have to agree with the comment tho i play to the dancefloor not the entire building if the room is filled with 1000000000 db ....

people cant sit and chat
the bar staff cant hear orders
kids are upset as their hearing is more sensitive

when i first started one of the first pieces of advice i got was a disco doesnt have to be ear bleedingly loud just clear , balanced and the music good and right for the occasion.

i say again next time you are eating your sunday roast turn up the tv/stereo full blast and see how uncomfortable you feel.

[leighinstoke]

Also - despite my hatred of such devices, I'm considering adding my own limiter (not overly expensive!) to my system for such occasions - just make up a CD with 1k tone and set your own limiter and levels in conjunction with the lights on the venue's display and you're sorted - any tripping of the device then isn't your fault!

Leigh.....

[CRAZY K]

Also - despite my hatred of such devices, I'm considering adding my own limiter (not overly expensive!) to my system for such occasions - just make up a CD with 1k tone and set your own limiter and levels in conjunction with the lights on the venue's display and you're sorted - any tripping of the device then isn't your fault!

Leigh.....

And then the audience start clapping and the music goes off!!!

You cant win with this:eek:

I agree with Rice--its there for a reason--I take one off gigs--- rarely going back to the same premises so I have no way of knowing if its a good or bad limiter I might be working with--thats why im trying to avoid venues totally that have them.

As I said--its not my sound equipment---its the audience--none of which helps with the overall problem of a disjointed evening ruining someones special day.

Ah well--problem solved thanks guys--I now will make all quotes subject to
exclusion of sound limiters--

CRAZY K

[sleah]

Just to add.... I'm not getting into the argument....oh go on then...., but I feel we should be careful on one point.
Damage to gear.
I'd advise being careful bringing that into any argument, I could say you have crap gear if it can't cope with being switched on and off within a 30sec (eg) cycle.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A POWER CUT???!!!!!!! You can't sue the 'leccy board for damages!
HOWEVER! No-one should expect their gear to cope with repeated cut offs, especially discharge lamps.
If a limiter trips more than twice, switch off gear such as discharge lamps and stop using them and turn the sound down so it can't trip it, and if background noise trips it, pack up and go home.
At least I bet that's what your insurers would say!
I rekon you'd have no chance of a claim for damage if you just let the gear be switched on and off all night, so why take the chance?
Tell the client that you can't control the situation and you're insurers will only pay for damage if you have taken reasonable steps to prevent it, which may well include packing up and going home.

I'm trying to play devils advocate here, we don't want anyone to be made a fool of by some smart-alec client/venue or be shafted by their insurance company, who will always try to avoid paying out.

I hate the things and have had to deal with them in the past (pre-discharge lamps thankfully).
Explaining that pwer cycling will shorten the life of a discharge lamp and my insureres won't cover such things will be far more effective than "it's your fault if my gear is damaged" - but we all knew that anyway ;-)
HOWEVER! (again) if a limiter is setup incorrectly, such as power is restored too quickly and/or cuts off again too quickly, then I think you have a real case against the venue - you need reasonable time to switch off amps and turn down volumes while power is off, and of course to react to the red light before it goes off.

Comments about having to use limiters and not bypassing are of course correct - someones PEL may depend on it and why should a DJ jepordise that?
It is well worth negotiating unswitched power for lights and PC's though, just plug the power amps through the limiter, this still complies with any regulation regarding the limiter and most amps should cope with power cycling so long as you kill the volume before they power up again.

That's my 2p (more like 200p) worth.

Simon

[CRAZY K]

Just to add.... I'm not getting into the argument....oh go on then...., but I feel we should be careful on one point.
Damage to gear.
I'd advise being careful bringing that into any argument, I could say you have crap gear if it can't cope with being switched on and off within a 30sec (eg) cycle.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A POWER CUT???!!!!!!! You can't sue the 'leccy board for damages!
HOWEVER! No-one should expect their gear to cope with repeated cut offs, especially discharge lamps.
If a limiter trips more than twice, switch off gear such as discharge lamps and stop using them and turn the sound down so it can't trip it, and if background noise trips it, pack up and go home.
At least I bet that's what your insurers would say!
I rekon you'd have no chance of a claim for damage if you just let the gear be switched on and off all night, so why take the chance?
Tell the client that you can't control the situation and you're insurers will only pay for damage if you have taken reasonable steps to prevent it, which may well include packing up and going home.

I'm trying to play devils advocate here, we don't want anyone to be made a fool of by some smart-alec client/venue or be shafted by their insurance company, who will always try to avoid paying out.

I hate the things and have had to deal with them in the past (pre-discharge lamps thankfully).
Explaining that pwer cycling will shorten the life of a discharge lamp and my insureres won't cover such things will be far more effective than "it's your fault if my gear is damaged" - but we all knew that anyway ;-)
HOWEVER! (again) if a limiter is setup incorrectly, such as power is restored too quickly and/or cuts off again too quickly, then I think you have a real case against the venue - you need reasonable time to switch off amps and turn down volumes while power is off, and of course to react to the red light before it goes off.

Comments about having to use limiters and not bypassing are of course correct - someones PEL may depend on it and why should a DJ jepordise that?
It is well worth negotiating unswitched power for lights and PC's though, just plug the power amps through the limiter, this still complies with any regulation regarding the limiter and most amps should cope with power cycling so long as you kill the volume before they power up again.

That's my 2p (more like 200p) worth.

Simon

Thats a good point Simon about not having lighting on the same circuit.

I wonder if the venue would agree to it though despite the fact that its only a SOUND LIMITER---not a LIGHT LIMITER:eek:

CRAZY K

[Corabar Steve]

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A POWER CUT???!!!!!!! You can't sue the 'leccy board for damages!

It's more the surge when it powers up again that I would worry about.

I had a couple of red line near misses on Saturday, all due to audience noise (singing along etc) the limiter mic was right above the centre of the dance floor, the level was set ridiculously low & the nearest neighbour to the room I was in was a railway track!

[sleah]

It's more the surge when it powers up again that I would worry about.

I had a couple of red line near misses on Saturday, all due to audience noise (singing along etc) the limiter mic was right above the centre of the dance floor, the level was set ridiculously low & the nearest neighbour to the room I was in was a railway track!

Quite, hence my point about them giving you time to shut off amps before they come back on. For DDJ's a lappy (with resonable battery) or use of UPS is a must, you don't have to wait until you've evolved into a dalek while the PC reboots and becomes stable enough to use again.

As for audience noise, how about taking an sub machine gun or other automatic weapon, then if they get too noisey and won't shut up, shoot the buggers, pack up and go home, with the satisfaction that it's not only you that's had a really crappy night.

Note to kids and other impressionable persons: Please don't read the paragraph above, and if you do, I didn't write it.
Note to everyone else: I didn't write the above. It must have been a ghost writer in my PC.
:party2: :beer3: :please: :sorry: :what: :doh:

EDIT: I should add that the weapons (someone) mentions above are of course imaginary toys that could never be mistaken for real ones in a zillion years.

[jamesh]

weapons.... lol :)

Downside is the noise of a sub machine gun or other automatic weapon would probably set off the sound limiter anyway so back to square 1!!! with everone in a pool of blood but the sound limiter still tripped....

[Corabar Entertainment]

.... and all the neighbours complaining about the noise ;) :D

[jamesh]

and smell if the bodies aren't found for a period of time

[CRAZY K]

I had a couple of red line near misses on Saturday, all due to audience noise (singing along etc)

Thats what you get for doing a good job Steve!

Penalised:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

and smell if the bodies aren't found for a period of time

... and if the lights WERE on a seperate circuit, them corpses would be cookin' a treat!

[sleah]

weapons.... lol :)

Downside is the noise of a sub machine gun or other automatic weapon would probably set off the sound limiter anyway so back to square 1!!! with everone in a pool of blood but the sound limiter still tripped....

Ahhh but I meant as a last resort, if the thing is going to trip anyway, what the heck!

[Corabar Steve]

... and if the lights WERE on a seperate circuit, them corpses would be cookin' a treat!
Especially if you're using iColor 4s :)