Musicians and Sound Limiters: what to do if your venue has a sound limiter.
Sound limiters are often deemed the nemesis of musicians and a party spoiler for clients. They are a monumental “shush” that sweeps over your event and dampens the party. But, with the right approach, we can ensure that you can party risk-free. In our guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of sound limiters, why venues have them, and how to make your event a resounding success.
“What even is a sound limiter?”
Sound limiters, as the name suggests, are devices installed in venues to monitor and measure noise levels.
These devices contain a built-in microphone that detects the “noisiness” of a room and takes action when the volume surpasses the pre-set limit. Then, when the limit is exceeded, it’s like a sudden blackout - lights dim, the music stops dead, and your guests are left utterly bewildered.
The electrical output to the music is cut off entirely and must be re-set by the venue staff. Re-establishing the sound can take up to an hour, which can be quite the mood dampener…
It’s scary! Not the power cut, of course, but the idea that your event can come to such an abrupt halt!
Does this mean you should avoid all venues with sound limiters? No, not at all! You just have to make sure that your musicians know how to work with one.
And it’s our job to make sure they do!
The ever-watchful sound limiter
”If they’re an inconvenience, then why do venues even have them?”
Venues have a responsibility to respect their surrounding areas, and have to maintain a balance between hosting live music events and ensuring the peace of their neighbours. Hotels, for instance, must accommodate guests staying in the rooms above the event space while a band plays downstairs. Historic venues may even use sound limiters to protect their structures from potential damage caused by excessive noise and vibrations.
Essentially, whilst sound limiters certainly seem inconvenient, they serve a crucial purpose!
“Why can’t the band just turn the volume down?”
Unfortunately, not all musical instruments can be turned down - namely, the drums. When sound-checking, all other instruments are adjusted to match the volume of the drums. Naturally, this only caps the sound to a certain extent, and it still may be relatively loud.
“So, what can the band do then?”
There are a number of things that bands can do to reduce the noise that they are creating, all of which are options when booking with JukeJam. These steps might not entirely fix the volume of the bands, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction!
Using in-ear monitors. This reduces the need for floor monitors in front of the stage and reduces the overall sound in the room.
Conducting efficient sound checks. This allows our musicians to understand the noise limits set by the device, meaning they know exactly how loud they can play live.
Using quieter equipment. Using equipment like hot rods, electronic drum kits and smaller amps helps to minimise the noise levels considerably. As sound levels are often set to the volume of the drums, using rods means this upper level is reduced hugely.
Consistent monitoring. Most limiters are fitted with a traffic-light system, so that the musicians can monitor the level of noise they are making. Therefore, each band will have an allocated musician to monitor when the limiter is tipping into amber.
“How do I know which band to book?”
When it comes to booking your band then, the sound limiter might influence a few of the decisions you make. With a sound limiter in the mix, it might not be the best idea to hire a large band with numerous instruments. The horns of a ten-piece band can push the sound limit to its extremes.
At JukeJam, our Original bands can be offered in smaller forms. So, if you like the sound of a ten-piece band, but are worried about the sound limiter, we can offer the six-piece as an alternative.
The same music, the same vibe, but a lower risk of your night coming to a standstill.
For even smaller limits, it might be that an acoustic duo best suits the job!
You’re Ready to Go.
Now, you’re all set to deal with sound limiters!
At JukeJam our team can assist you in making the right choice for your event, ensuring that it runs smoothly and remains within the sound limits. So, if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
If you need help on how to book a band, make sure to check out our most recent blog post for our 5 top-tips on how to book a band.
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Contact us for help booking your dream band at hello@jukejam.co.uk
