Too Loud!

[jonnyc]

Hi,
I have recently joined a good group- but they are incredibly loud
I have had a few practices with them, and basically if I carry on I am sure I will go deaf
Does anyone have any recommendation for good ear plugs?
I can ask them to turn it down of course, but I would need them to go way lower than they are used to and I am actually convinced that they are already deaf themselves now. :roll:

Cheers

[Roger Aldridge]

Personally, I'd look for another band to play in!

[Jonno]

I Dont know if I would go as far as Roger suggested, because you said they are a good band and you enjoy playing with them, but ear plugs would be a good idea.

The problem with ear plugs is that they only block out the highs, so your tone will lack edge. The problem with that is you have to consciusly not try and get even more edgy, otherwise your tone will go way too edgy if you know what i mean.

The thing is that its the highs (at high volume) that make you go deaf. The bass notes dont make you go deaf, so you have to cut the highs down. Its catch 22, not alot you can do about it, without going too far and using in ear monitors or something but thats getting real expensive.

[larry]

A buddy of mine (guitarist) made his own in-ear monitors using regular ear-bud headphones installed in an ear protector he got at a local gun store. Hardware stores also sell hearing protectors that could be used the same way.

Not fashionable (possibly not stage-worthy), but for practice sessions, it works just fine! :roll:

Hope this helps...

[Bill Mecca]

musicians ear plugs from Etymotic are available at WW&BW for about $15.

I have a set and go back adn forth between using them. Last gig I tried and while it helped, I felt detached from the band.

Part of that problem has been solved as we have fired "Dr. Loud" on guitar. Jammed with his replacement in a small rehearsal studio Sunday and while it felt loud, no ringing in the ears.

Alternative are to get them to raise theguitar amps off the floor and aim at their ears (I don't know anyone who hears with their knees) and check out the "Advice from the Sound guy thread"

[pnuttbutta]

I've been playing in a "loud" band for about 10 years now. About 6 years into it, I got a set of molded ear plugs with removable decible filters (mine came w/ 20db filters). They worked great when in a loud environment when I wasn't playing (enduring horrible opening acts or on break while a DJ was blasting). But, I could never get used to playing with them - you'll be suprised how the horn resonates in your head. Although my sound really did not change while playing with the ear plugs, I perceived that it did, and it was really distracting. So, then, after 8 years, the band decided to join the 21st century and invest in an in-ear monitor system. I bought a set of molded in-ears from Westone (same co. that I got my original ear plugs from) for about $400. They are awesome. Everybody in the band is using them and our stage volume is as quiet as possible. My ears never ring after a gig anymore...I guess it depends on how serious the band is. If they are serious, then they'll take what you have to say into consideration. Definitely offer up an alternative (like in-ears) as opposed to just complaining about it being too loud! Hope this helps...www.westone.com/music.html

[sattva]

Playing with loud bands makes you "shout" on you horn. It is a little like being in a room full of people talking loudly - it's almost impossible to make yourself talk at a normal volume, your automatic instinct is to shout to make yourself heard. This means that your sound can be ruined by this bad habit - imagine a singer always singing fortissimo!

Band dynamics are usually controlled by the drummer. If he does not vary his dynamic it will not be noticed if you try to. Add Dr Loud on guitar and you really have a problem.

This situation is all too common. Musicians who play loud all the time are very selfish. Hence the popularity in recent years of high baffle, high volume mouthpieces.

[hotcold]

Hi,
I have recently joined a good group- but they are incredibly loud
I have had a few practices with them, and basically if I carry on I am sure I will go deaf
Does anyone have any recommendation for good ear plugs?
I can ask them to turn it down of course, but I would need them to go way lower than they are used to and I am actually convinced that they are already deaf themselves now. :roll:

Cheers Stop playing with the group. I had the same thing happen. After that I started having trouble with my hearing. It started in my right ear. The sound will go down feels like I have water in it. Anyone that has to play that loud has an ego problem or maybe they like the sound of ditortion.

[Kenfen]

I played in a big production band that was so loud, there's no way you'd play with them with earplugs. Then I moved to another band that was pretty loud sometimes, so I'd keep the plugs nearby in case they got to crankin.

both were money making gigs, so I had no choice but to wear the plugs and go on.

If I had a choice, I'd not play with them, or get them to turn down, at least for the stage volume. Let it blast out in the house, but the stage volume can be lowered....

[Lowell]

This is a major complaint with me. I question the sanity and maturity of any group that does not make a conscious effort to tailor their sound to the venue. Most musicians take responsibility for their own sound but seldom do they consider the group sound. For a small stage in a small room, there should be NO mikes on the drums. It is very frustrating to miss a good flute solo because a brain dead drummer is still bashing away at amplified heavy metal volume. If you can't amplify the drums everyone will have to maintain a reasonable volume. Larger venues and noisier crowds require more volume, but be reasonable. If you hire a sound man, make sure he is not deaf. Many of them have lost significant amounts of hearing after travelling with rock bands for years. There are 3 such sound men that I know of in Calgary. When these guys are working the sound is perfect if you are standing across the street. It saves money on admission but the waiters won't serve you. I wear foam ear plugs when I listen but they make it almost impossible to hear myself when I play. I have tried various types of plugs with little success. The best idea seems to be the personal in-ear monitors covered by hearing protective muffs.

[LBAjazz]

Refuse to play with jackasses. It really is that simple.

[jonnyc]

Some great tips here, thanks all
I bought a pair of plugs for musicians. They are surprisingly good at lowering the volume of the group to a managaeble level (excellent in fact)
but they do really affect the way you hear the sax.
For listening to a too loud band, id givethem 10/10 , but for playing in the band, they just dont work out

Cheers

[sattva]

I have never played with earplugs. It must be like having a bath with your boots on! jonnyC you have my sympathies.

[jd]

i wouldnt waste my time with them. if they play that loud they arent "good". its rediculous and very amatuerish to play so loud that the music becaomes blurry . ive done gigs with bands like that but refuse to go back for more punishment . its not fun is it?

[kevvieg]

I made the guitar player put his amp on a chair so it was closer to HIS ears. The volume got turned down.

[Bill Mecca]

I made the guitar player put his amp on a chair so it was closer to HIS ears. The volume got turned down.

they also make amp stands for just that purpose, angled up toward their ears. eyup had a good discussion in a thread called advice for the sound guy. Intersting reading, and some ideas I am still trying to get my band to adopt. The key one, and one of the toughest to get them to understand, setting the vocal levels first to suit the venue, and then adding everything else to support that. Fortunately we are going through a re-grouping at the moment, so with no gigs scheduled there is time to continue the brainwashing. :twisted:

[sattva]

I used to find that if you asked the guitarist to turn down he would, but so that you could barely hear him. When you pointed this out, he would turn back up to his usual volume! :roll:

[Harri Rautiainen]

If you haven't done so, please study:

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Spratt/LoudPlaying.html

[colibri]

Put some music in front of the guitar player and he'll quiet down all right.

[hornstar]

:lol:

[sattva]

Very good article, Harri. Also links to an interview with Andy Snitzer - he should know all about playing with loud bands, having toured with the Rolling Stones.