Staying Safe While Getting Loud: SPL, Sound Exposure, and Loudness Perception in Concert Sound

[@johnpassey3176]

Thinking of going back to university to research event noise, really good reminder and not loads of maths. Thank you

[@azizberk]

Such a helpful video, very insightful. Definitely put my foh mixing habits in pespective since i started paying attention to calibrated Leqa10 levels during shows 👍 thanks a lot 🍻

[@jamesba-xd7xf]

THANKS for this video!. great info.

[@jamesba-xd7xf]

I just read your artical where it said to use A weighting slow response but "special consideration should be used IF the C weighting slow response is 20DB or more than the A weighting. most of the music I play at home has a 20DB difference between A and C weighting. what C weighting slow response would you reccommend the limits be set at?? THANKS!!

[@RationalAcoustics]

Hi James - while we can't recommend any specific limits, the C-A exceeding 20 dB is a helpful indicator that the exposure risk may not be completely characterized by the traditional A-weighted exposure metrics. What we could recommend is keeping an eye on your NIOSH exposure dose, and if that is getting up to or exceeding a 100% dose per day, you should consider a reduction in level or listening time. In addition, may jurisdictions prohibit instantaneous (Peak C) levels exceeding 140, dude to a potential broadband exposure hazard, although it is unlikely that a typical home listening system could produce such levels. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at support at rationalacoustics dot com.

[@jamesba-xd7xf]

@@RationalAcoustics THANKS for the info!. I have a stereo system with four 15" woofers per side and it does 99DB at 1 watt at the listening position 10 feet away. its rated for 1200 watts per side and it has done 115-121 DBC slow with peaks to 130DBC. this was in testing only wearing earplugs! LOL!, my usual listening is 80-85 DBA slow and 95-104 DBC slow. Im currently using the WHO's 75DBA for 8 hours to protect all hearing from loss which gives me 84DBA for 1 hour and 87DBA for 30 minutes. I never listen or test my system without earplugs above 105DBC or 95DBA slow. Im 61 and have been into building my own speakers for 37 years. whats about an average DBC slow and DBA slow measurments at FOH for most rock/pop concerts? I have only been to one concert in my life in the 80's ( an ACDC concert) and Im guessing the bass there was hitting 120-130DBC peak/fast and the A weighted seemed 20 DB lower or more. Ive seen a front row SLM at a moterhead concert where it was 116-122 DBC fast. they are considered the loudest band. THANKS!.

[@mexloko10]

Quick question. How you manage the crowd noise level over the band/PA level?

[@RationalAcoustics]

That is a great question and there's not a simple answer. By using octave-banded measurements, we can at least help accurately characterize it and be able to tell the difference in the logfiles later. managing it is not such an easy task and is largely up to the mix engineer to decide what to do.