Noisy band. Should the caller worry?

Subject: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 May 06 - 07:02 AM

I call for barn dances, weddings etc and work with various bands. The band I work most with (18 times last year, more in previous years) has become noisier, with 2 guitars and drum kit.
We have a good time together and I think the dancers enjoy themselves but there are times when I can't hear myself think, never mind speak. The PA is usually balanced (now! after a certain amount of muttering) so that the dancers can hear me.
I came home tired on Saturday, and got out of the car. I could hear a quiet rustling/hissing sound. It wasn't rain, wind or amplifier hiss, though it sounded a bit like that. It came indoors with me, so must have been produced by my ears. I was back to normal after a night's sleep.

Should I worry?

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: greg stephens
Date: 16 May 06 - 07:17 AM

Tinnitus can be a tremendous problem with some people, and as far as I can judge it does seem to be associated with being subjected to noise (though I'm only being anecdotal on that). Also, you sound as if the noise is making the job a chore rather than a pleasure. Difficult, because they won't sack the drummer just because you ask them too, and you probably dont want to be that confrontational anyway.
   A lot will depend on who sets up the gigs. In general, do the band ask you to cal for their gigs, or do you ring up the band and ask them to play for yours? If the latter, it's easier, you just book another band that you enjoy more. If they hire you, it's trickier.
If you start turning them down, because the noise is becoming intolerable, you should definitely tell them why.The rest of the band may hate it too, actually, but never like to say!

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: GUEST,squeezeboxhp
Date: 16 May 06 - 07:54 AM

if the guitars are backline amplified you are getting all the sound going out front try a mixer and foldback monitors for the instruments then have a quiet word with drummer

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 16 May 06 - 08:14 AM

Should you worry? YES!! It's a wake-up call. You could end up having those sounds in your head permanently if you don't do something now to reduce the noise load on your ears. Tinnitus is a well-known by-product of loud amplified stage performances, and once it sets in (i.e. becomes nerve-degeneration) you will live with it for life. It's the sound-equivalent of what working in cigarette-smoky atmospheres does for your lungs.

The other musicians in the band run the same risks, whether they realise it or not, so get them to turn the volume down. A retired rock musician I know told me he used to use high-density foam ear-plugs during his gigs for this very reason, though all he had to do was play an instrument. Calling or singing is more tricky because of the necessary vocal feedback. Do some research on the net, and do something about this please!

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: GUEST,Sapper at work
Date: 16 May 06 - 08:24 AM

I agree with Bonnie. After several years firing NATO 7.62 down the range and even longer working with noisy machinery I knew I had lost some, mainly high frequency, hearing.
However, I was tipped over into permanent Tinnitus after a friend's 50th birthday bash. Entertainment was one girl vocalist with one guitarist and his backing tape. The noise was so excessive I asked the performer about her hearing. She openly admitted she had tinnitus herself!!

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 May 06 - 08:45 AM

I've had mild tinnitus for about 2 years now. As you say it's a quiet rustling/hissing sound but it's continual (24 hours/7 days) and fortunately it does not interfere with my quality of life.

I dunno why it started - loud noise is unlikely as I don't go to noisy places, not do I play my CDs loud. Another of Life's Little Mysteries.

Mo, you know what is setting you off, so please follow the advice given above & keep away from aggrevating noise cos you wouldn't want the really bad ringing that drives some folk crazy.

sandra

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: erinmaidin
Date: 16 May 06 - 08:50 AM

I've recently been diagnosed with Meniere's Syndrome. I've the hearing loss and really awful tinnitus. I've been reading up on the usefullness of Vit. A and ginseng. Anyone else find any relief. For the most part I have tried to get used to the noise but after a couple weeks of losing sleep and being awakened early because of it it become quite depressing and debilitating.

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 16 May 06 - 09:11 AM

booked in for my annual hearing test tomorrow..

problems with tinnitus and high frequency loss since my early 20's..


i could have hospitalized the negligent young idiot responsible for over-powered
on-stage monitor volume levels at our bands recent large venue gig*..
..luckily for him i hadn't been drinking cider
or i might have just climbed down from the stage and dragged him by his neck over the mixer desk
and.. etc etc etc



BTW.. for some years now these have been the most recomended high quality
musicians earplugs



http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/musicians-protection.htm

http://www.symbiosis-music.com/hearing.html

http://www.i-dj.co.uk/reviews/reviewspage.php?ID=149&page=2

budget price version:

http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/musicians-reviews.htm#er20


I was going to buy a pair but 6 or 7 years ago
London kings cross ear hospital offered to make me a pair of free made to measure moulded earplugs..

they are not attenuated for flat frequency response like the Elacins
but are ok for when i have to stand to close to the drummers cymbals..

Trouble is i dont gig so frequently enough these days and so dont always remember to pack ear plugs..

* a lesson to be learnt there..!!!!!

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: MaineDog
Date: 16 May 06 - 09:11 AM

Worrying is not enough. You must do something about it!! Go to Radio Shack ( or othere electronics store ) and get a cheap sound level meter to help you keep the level down to 80-85 db, or else you will subject your listeners to progressive hearing loss, as well as a poor dancing experience.

Excessive sound levels at contra dances (and other events) has been a major problem lately. Besides potentially injuring the participants, it also tends to drive out the older and more experienced dancers.

It's really gross to make your dancers have to wear earplugs just to survive in the hall, besides, most of us would like to be able to talk to our dance partners.

Of course, the caller needs to be heard above the band, another reason to keep the band at a reasonable level. You can also adjust the tonal balance of the caller if you have a suitable sound system. (Female callers are great because their voices can cut thru all the noise better than a low male voice).

Few things are more frustrating than driving a long way to a dance only to find that the management has decided that louder is better!

MD

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 May 06 - 09:18 AM

The Sunday supplement to my newspaper (Parade Magazine) had an article about hearing loss recently. It quoted an official of the Environmental Protection Agency who said that anytime noise causes discomfort, there is potential for hearing damage.

The potential is certainly there for you, but it's also there for the people dancing.

Here's a tip I got from Miss Manners: The magic word is "can't." As in:

I can't risk hearing damage from this particular set-up.
I can't do the calling in a relaxed and friendly way when I'm tense from the sound level.
We can't lose danceers because the decibels are too high.

"Can't" works better than "I don't want" or "I don't think."

As one who has suffered hearing damage (firecrackers thrown into a camp fire) let me assure you that you don't want the misery of hearing damage. There's more to it than tinnitus.

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 16 May 06 - 10:08 AM

I have played with a few ceilidh bands over recent years, and it seems an unpoken rule that the caller is in charge of the noise. Full fat drum kits seem more appropriate to hairy youths with blood dribbling out of their ears eulogising about highways to hell.

You might try turning the speakers around and seeing if they can hear themselves think. At least the feedback squeal might make the point instantly.

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 May 06 - 10:47 AM

"it seems an unpoken rule that the caller is in charge of the noise"
You're joking of course!

Thanks everyone. I think I'll have to be more definite.

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Kaleea
Date: 16 May 06 - 02:39 PM

I've been in a few Ceili bands for dances, and usually, the person who handles the band arrangements will check with the caller to find out if they have a wireless mic (many do these days) or if they need one. Then, a sound check is done before hand, during the instruction part, and again after the dance begins. There is often another Musician or a person otherwise knowledgeable of sound in attendance who can be enlisted to assist in ensuring that the caller can be heard & understood over the music.

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 May 06 - 11:18 AM

Hit 'em with facts.

http://www.decibel-meter.com/

Subject: RE: Noisy band. Should the caller worry?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 17 May 06 - 02:31 PM

I would think that you need to talk to the drummer. Everyone else tends to match the noise made by the drummer. Even not miked up, drum kits are LOUD and the other players end up turning their amps up to 11.