Venues with Sound limiters

[desperatedan 0]

Here's another one for you from this weekend

 

Urmston Masonic Hall, Manchester.

 

Limiter is set a not to bad a level, managed to get through a whole wedding reception without it tripping, (proably good as when i mentioned it to the barstaff at venue they had no idea how to re-set it). Typical 3 colour light display which is on the pillar right near the bar if you set up to the left hand side as you enter room your are in a good positon to see display and far enough away from the mic thats registering the sound.

 

Only onced got the limiter to move from a green light to orange light but this was near the end of the night.

 

Aside from the Limiter nice venue easy access and friendly staff so wouldnt say no to work there again but would make sure clients where aware of the limiter.

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

[brianmole 0]

Hi all, here's one from my good friend David which I got by email. He is discussing what was once a lovely venue: Gate Street Barn, near Alfold between Guildford and Horsham.

QUOTE

Gatestreet Barn now has a sound limiter apparently set to 92db, when the crowd clapped and cheered the bride and groom onto the dance floor for the first dance it cut the power! I then set it off another 3 times in 10 minutes, luckily as it is new they have not blanked off the normal power sockets - yet, so you can bypass it. Which was just as well as the wedding list had about 20 house/trance tracks on it!

[Eskie 0]

QUOTE (Eskie @ Aug 22 2006, 02:32 PM)

Syon House, Syon Park, brentford. I last did this venue a few years ago and don't remember them having a limiter then. I'm doing it on saturday so will find out what level it's set at. Have just bought a new UPS for protection!

Did Syon Park on saturday. The limiter wasn't actually connected to the power. The guy who is in charge of the place (Steve) monitored the situation and asked me to try not to let it go into the constant red level on the limiter as they'd received complaints from neighbours/council previously. This is a much more civilised way of doing things I think http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

As mentioned above I purchased a new UPS last week to safeguard against power/limiter issues, but on this occasion all was fine as I had no problems whatsoever with the limiter.

The Bose L1 system certainly seems to be a big help in venues with limiters as this is the 2nd venue that has told me they were extremely happy with the volume levels as they usually receive complaints, yet on saturday the dance floor was packed all night so the volume was certainly loud enough on the dancefloor.

[vibemobilediscos 0]

whyvern club in Taunton , somerset.

 

set fairly high! althought dose not like people singing alog to who is alice.

[shakermaker 0]

Regarding the Gate Street Barn....I was there last week, well actually it was August 19th and there were no limits present. I was even told to turn it down at one point....and that was the mic!!

 

There are limiters in a number of places in Basingstoke, some of which I can't remember right now but one is definitely Popley Fields Community Centre.

[tonyj 0]

Wigan Cricket Club , Pavillion Suite......... the mic is opposite were the dj sets up will a big indicator light behind it.

 

 

when i asked the bar manager how low it was set, the answer "its not on but i can put it on if you want" http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif ...so best to ask.

[ian . 0]

Holditch Miners Welfare Club, Chesterton, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffs

 

As you're standing on the stage looking at the dancefloor, do not plug any equipment into sockets on your right hand side. The limiter is set low, and these sockets cut out.

Plug all equipment in on the left (as you're looking at the dancefloor).

[Paul Smith 0]

I was in my local disco shop last week and they told me that they are very busy installing sound limiters - the reason being that the council have told all entertainment venues that their licence will only be approved for renewal if they have one fitted.

 

So in relation to this topic - All

[prezzy#1 0]

I was in my local disco shop last week and they told me that they are very busy installing sound limiters - the reason being that the council have told all entertainment venues that their licence will only be approved for renewal if they have one fitted.

 

So in relation to this topic - All

 

Does anyone know what the recommended db limit is for say a village hall before the limiter lights come on? I was doing a 40th last week & "Mr Shoutybloke" was a good 20 feet away from the mic & his voice alone was lighting it up. It totally ruined the night for me & gave me a crick in the neck for constantly looking up at the flaming thing. :lil devil:

[The Ogrady Roadshow 0]

Grappenhall community center has one but its not that bad

 

Lymm rugby club also has one this is terrible same old singing clapping breathing..... ect...ect ...

 

[Partyprint 0]

Hollies Hall, Knowsley

Nice spacious stage with only 1 electrical socket!!! yes 1 and it was linked to the limiter, wasn't pleased running all my kit through 1 plug.

[digitaldistortion 0]

Aberford Community Centre/Hall - Borehamwood.

 

Although if you set up just in front of the sensor with speakers projecting away...it doesn't register as well as it should!!!!!

 

tongue out icon

[bedfordft 0]

hi all

 

just to say that i have only worked one event with a limiter and it all went well, i found that if your speakers are up on stands then you dont need to pump up the volume, its only with the large bins sat on the floor that i have found might give problems

 

keep up the good work

 

keith

[jayboy 0]

i was recentley playing a gig were thay had the limiters inplace so we tride to overcome it by placing extra speakers round the room but still the limiters were cliping it is hard to overcome this problem. ive found that in some cases if u talke to the staff on the night thay may switch it off as thay have done so in the past but in most cases we will have to cope i think.

 

but more and more pubs and clubs are haveing thes limiters fited to control the noise so we have to go along with it but i feel its just mater of time untill the client complains about it pubs and clubs and thay will lose trade if pepole carnt hear the dj or band ect thay have hired just give it time

jayboy

 

ps sorry about the spelling its bin a long day in the shop :dan+ju: lol

[phil w 0]

Yes, iv also encountered the problems at Bartrams (formerly Floyds) at CAFC. I played there after a game one Saturday, yes i am a season ticket holder :wall:

I did a surprise party there, the sound limiter cut out my surprise entrance horns and also cut out the music during the evening. The bouncers were rude and aggressive, the dancefloor was carpeted because they wont let you set up on the dancefloor because of plug sockets. Definately a venue to avoid along with the sterling centre at Rochester (see post under venues)

[spinner 0]

South Farm, Shingay-cum-Wendy. This is a dedicated wedding venue I was at last Saturday.

 

Although it's relatively isolated the sound can, apparently, carry, particularly if doors and windows are open and there have been complaints.

 

No problem on the night though.

 

A handheld limiter is in use here and the very reasonable owner asked me to turn it down slightly after 10:30.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Holland Hall, Upholland.

[skydj 0]

Here's another little gem to add to the list

 

Just done an Surprise 25th Anniversary for an Indian Couple

 

RODING VALLEY HALL, STATION WAY< BUCKHURST HILL< ESSEX, IG9

 

Nice small-ish hall

 

Useful Info

 

Was allowed in from 4:30pm (Started playing @ 6:30pm)

 

Music had to be off by 11:00pm, that was fine I told the Caretaker, he then added I had to be out by 11:30pm, I said it would be tight, but even if I got my equipment out of the hall and in to the car park I could sort it from there...... Oh No he say's, that 11:30 out of the car park as I lock the main gates then!!!!!

 

I was warned about the limiter, but was told by the Caretaker it was generious

 

NOW THE BIG DOWNSIDE

 

Limiter was attached to the fire exit side doors and also all the plug sockets in the hall (including the Kitchen)

 

I cranked up the Volume and before I got to a level where 10 people were talking it cut out....

 

What a let down, the only good thing was, if someone open the doors (which went off about 10 times), everone in the hall would carry on singing the song that was playing

 

But personally I only cut it off myself twice.....

 

NEEDLESS TO SAY........ Won't be playing there again

[D.X 0]

Hasbury Conservative Club

Blackberry Lane

Halesowen

B63 4NZ

 

In between the venue being booked and us turning up they installed a sound limiter without telling anyone. The room was booked on the basis it didn't have a limiter. The man 2 doors away complains on a weekly basis and knows how to cause trouble so the council insisted on a limiter.

 

The electricians were there when we set up and said it was set at 100db. As expected, we tripped it just doing a sound check. We turned it right down and increased the volume until it was flashing orange but it was so quiet that I could hear my mate singing over the sound coming out the speakers and I was a good 10 metres away.

 

We argued the toss for a while and the owner agreed to bypass it for the night so long as we didn't go mad. By 10pm a few people across the road had complained and we had to turn it down. I came on at 10:30pm and by then it was so quiet that people were moaning but it was still flashing red.

 

Sticking to the limiter here would absolutely kill the event. The owners are more than a little worried about it.

Edited October 25, 2007 by D.X

[tonyj 0]

Worsley Court House, Manchester.

 

you have to run thru there system, it tripped at the start of the first dance due to the clapping and cheering... Rest of the night was like trying to get people dancing to a radio in the background.

 

funny thing the duty manager said to me before i started, "dont worry functions have a habit of finishing early here!!" I wonder why!!

[Dream Catchers 0]

Worsley Court House, Manchester.

 

you have to run thru there system, it tripped at the start of the first dance due to the clapping and cheering... Rest of the night was like trying to get people dancing to a radio in the background.

 

funny thing the duty manager said to me before i started, "dont worry functions have a habit of finishing early here!!" I wonder why!!

You must have finished early to get home for 11 :fright:

I bet you won't accept another one there.

 

Jim

Edited October 28, 2007 by JimBoylan

[tonyj 0]

You must have finished early to get home for 11 :fright:

I bet you won't accept another one there.

 

Jim

 

lol it was months ago forgot to post about it lol, well needed night off last night.

[Gary 0]

... the owner agreed to bypass it for the night so long as we didn't go mad. By 10pm a few people across the road had complained and we had to turn it down. I came on at 10:30pm and by then it was so quiet that people were moaning but it was still flashing red.

 

Sticking to the limiter here would absolutely kill the event. The owners are more than a little worried about it.

 

Sadly, by allowing the limiter to be bypassed, the venue owner is making things worse - or better if he's the sort of venue owner/manager who likes going home early. Maybe its his house 2 doors down which is doing all the complaining...get him home early...:ads:

 

By allowing/condoning bypassing of the limiter, the venue is perpetuating a circle of events, which, quite possibly, it's already "gone 'round" a few times.

 

In this example, let's assume that Step 1 took place a year ago...

 

1) Venue has music based entertainment

 

2) Neighbours moan about the noise

 

3) Noise limiter fitted - and neighbours are informed that a noise limiter set to xx dB has been fitted

 

4) Neighbours can't hear functions where the noise limiter is in use

 

5) Neighbours CAN hear functions where the noise limiter is bypassed - and think "hmm its still too loud, even with a noise limiter in, the noise limiter needs to be turned down a bit."

 

6) Noise limiter is turned down a bit

 

Go to step 4 (round and round...)

 

 

Obviously, there should be a Part 4a in the list above.... guests at parties where the noise limiter is abided are put-off dancing because they can hear their shoes shuffling around on the dancefloor, over the level of the music - and what little atmosphere there is, is killed off whenever the audience sing along to the chorus's that you've dipped the fader on, and the audiences voices trip the limiter.

 

I sympathise with you entirely, for even though none of my 4 regular venues have noise limiters, some of the place which I used to perform in, did have various limiters fitted.

 

I always made a point of introducing the entire audience to the noise limiter right from the (quiet) word "go!" (after dicussing it with the hirer first). I'd tell the audience that whilst my equipment could go higher than they'd experience that night (ooh err missus), point out the "traffic light" display high on the wall and explain that the venue cuts all the power off if the red light stays lit for more than x seconds.

 

This brief introduction usually served to raise the levels of understanding amongst the audience and in-turn made my life easier - reducing the calls of "turn it up mate", "you wanna buy some real gear, my car radio's louder than this", "you're gear is well dodgy, it keeps switching off" etc etc...

 

I've heard of one solution to the above numbered death-spiral of bypassing the limiter. It still involves bypassing the limiter BUT in a way that shows, without doubt that you're way above the usual "dave-signed-on-the-dotted-line-and-plays-it-as-loud-as-he-wants-hit-n-run-roadshow"

 

The basic idea is simple: get a compressor limiter of your own and show the venue manager - convince him that you'll stick to a set level as per your compressor/limiter, instead of using their power-cutting limiter.

 

A DJ that I know did this and managed to become the venues only approved disco for all events. It took him a while, and involved him writing to the venues "management team" (it was only a community centre,but a fairly large modern one), with a letter of intent and glossy manufacturer shots of the compressor/limiter itself - most look a darn sight more professional and "this century" than most venue noise limiters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Revelationroadshow 0]

I do think the whole sound limiter argument by us DJ's is a rather pointless one. I have never understood why DJ's argue the toss about these things and more to the point why any of us woul actively refuse to either play at these venues or indeed attmpt to bypass them.

 

They are all fitted for a reason and it's not our place or indeed our right to do anything other than comply with the venues requirements. The problem is quite simply that of the client who has booked both us and the venue. A sound limiter, regardless of it's setting is simply there to protect against someones concieved impression of noise disterbance. If that means the music is so low you can't here it, surely that's something for the client to decide and put up with, not us?

[Dream Catchers 0]

I do think the whole sound limiter argument by us DJ's is a rather pointless one. I have never understood why DJ's argue the toss about these things and more to the point why any of us woul actively refuse to either play at these venues or indeed attmpt to bypass them.

 

They are all fitted for a reason and it's not our place or indeed our right to do anything other than comply with the venues requirements. The problem is quite simply that of the client who has booked both us and the venue. A sound limiter, regardless of it's setting is simply there to protect against someones concieved impression of noise disterbance. If that means the music is so low you can't here it, surely that's something for the client to decide and put up with, not us?

Also next year when the noise legislation comes into force for the entertainment industry I expect limiters will be the norm rather than exception.

 

Jim