Wedding Bands: Decibel Danger

A wedding band will typically play at a volume of between 95 and 105 decibels, depending on the size of the band and the instruments being played.

Sound limiters, which are becoming increasingly common at wedding venues, are often set at a level between 90 and 100 decibels. This means that wedding bands often have to adapt to avoid triggering the sound limiter.

How to avoid triggering a sound limiter

To avoid triggering a sound limiter, it's important to understand what a sound limiter is and how it works. A sound limiter is an electrical device installed at live music venues to monitor and control the volume of musical equipment, PA systems, DJs, and even crowds. If the noise in the room exceeds a certain pre-set limit, usually between 90 and 100 dB, for more than 5 to 10 seconds, the sound limiter will restrict the volume by either forcing electrical equipment volumes down or by shutting off all power to the stage or venue for up to a minute.

• Choose a venue without a sound limiter: If possible, select a venue that does not have a sound limiter installed. This will give you more flexibility with volume levels and reduce the risk of triggering a sound limiter.
• Ask the venue about their sound limiter: If you have already chosen a venue with a sound limiter, make sure to ask them about the type of limiter they have, the decibel limit, and any tips or inside knowledge they can provide. This information will be crucial for your wedding band or live entertainment.
• Hire an experienced band: Professional bands will have experience playing at venues with sound limiters and will know how to accommodate them. They may have access to electric drum kits or be able to use softer drum sticks to reduce the volume of acoustic instruments.
• Lower the overall volume: Work with the venue and try to lower the overall volume of the band. This may involve turning down the PA system or using softer instruments.
• Be mindful of crowd noise: Remember that crowd noise is also taken into account by sound limiters. If guests are singing or shouting, it can easily trigger the sound limiter.
• Avoid covering the sensor: Some bands may try to cover the sensor with a pillow or cushion to avoid triggering the sound limiter. However, this is not recommended as the venue may not look kindly on this and it could damage your relationship with them.
• Choose an acoustic band: If possible, opt for an acoustic band or a roaming band that does not require a PA system or amplifiers. These bands are generally much quieter than amplified rock and pop bands.

The pros and cons of sound limiters

A sound limiter is a device that measures sound pressure levels, or 'volume', in decibels (dB). It helps venues monitor and manage noise levels, ensuring they remain within a specified range.

The Pros of Sound Limiters

Sound limiters are beneficial for several reasons:

• Noise Complaints: They help venues keep noise levels down, reducing the risk of noise complaints from neighbours.
• Employee Health: Limiters protect employees' hearing by maintaining safe noise levels. This is particularly important for venues to comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
• Historical Building Preservation: Excessively loud noise and vibrations can damage historical buildings. Limiters are often installed to protect these properties and meet insurance requirements.
• Equipment Protection: Limiters prevent excessive volume spikes that could damage speakers and other audio equipment.

The Cons of Sound Limiters

While sound limiters offer these advantages, they also come with certain drawbacks:

• Unnatural Sound: Overly aggressive limiting can make the audio sound unnatural, compressed, or lifeless.
• Artifacts: Poorly set limiters can introduce pumping or breathing artifacts, causing unnatural fluctuations in volume.
• Loss of Transients: Limiting can affect the attack and decay of audio signals, reducing the impact and clarity of transient sounds.
• Power Cuts: In venues with automatic volume controllers, incorrect settings can trigger unnecessary power cuts, potentially damaging connected equipment.
• Band Performance: Sound limiters can affect a band's energy and make it difficult to engage guests, especially for rock and indie groups.
• Client Experience: If set too low, sound limiters can be triggered by guests' loud cheers or applause, interrupting their enjoyment.

What to do if your wedding venue has a sound limiter

If your wedding venue has a sound limiter, there are a few things you can do to ensure the smooth running of your event.

Firstly, it's important to understand what a sound limiter is and how it works. A sound limiter is a device that measures the volume of a band, DJ, or other live music in a venue. It is usually set to switch off the electricity supply to the performance area if the band exceeds a certain decibel level for a continuous period, typically just a few seconds. This can cause an awkward silence on the dance floor, which is not ideal for a wedding celebration.

Sound limiters are becoming more common in wedding venues due to noise restrictions and the need to comply with local regulations. They are often installed to address noise complaints by neighbours, to protect employees' hearing health, and to maintain the structural integrity of old or historic buildings.

To avoid issues with sound limiters on your wedding day, here are some steps you can take:

• Ask the venue about the sound limiter: Find out if your venue has a sound limiter and at what decibel level it is set. This information is crucial for your band or DJ to plan their performance and equipment accordingly.
• Request to turn off the sound limiter: If you have exclusive use of the venue, you can request to turn off the sound limiter for your event. Get this confirmation in writing to avoid any last-minute surprises.
• Hire a smaller or acoustic band: Acoustic bands or smaller ensembles tend to be better suited for venues with sound limiters as they produce less sound.
• Choose a band with experience in venues with sound limiters: Professional bands with experience in venues with sound limiters will know how to accommodate the restrictions. They may use softer drumsticks, electric drum kits, or in-ear monitors to reduce the overall volume.
• Communicate with the band: Let the band know about the sound limiter as soon as possible. This will allow them to make the necessary adjustments and bring the appropriate equipment.
• Consider the room acoustics: The acoustics of the room can impact the perceived loudness of the band. Stone walls and large glass sections can reflect sound and make the band sound louder. On the other hand, rooms with thick carpets and curtains can absorb sound and make the band sound quieter.

Remember, it is essential to be flexible and work together with the venue and the band to find a solution that ensures your wedding celebration is both enjoyable and compliant with any noise restrictions.

How to beat a sound limiter

A sound limiter is an electrical device that restricts the volume of music at a venue to a pre-set decibel level. This is usually done to comply with noise regulations and to protect the structural integrity of the venue.

Sound limiters are unpopular with musicians and DJs as they can stifle their performances and are often set at a level that is too low for a wedding or event.

• Use an acoustic band or roaming band that doesn't need to plug into a PA system.
• Use an electric drum kit or soft drumsticks to lower the volume of the drums, as the sound of acoustic drums cannot be regulated electronically.
• Ask the venue staff to position the sound limiter's microphone as far away as possible from the band or turn the microphone off.
• Cover the sensor with a pillow or cushion (although this is risky and not recommended, as the venue may not look kindly on this).
• Use a zone array sound system, where speakers are installed in the ceiling and sound is directed onto the dance floor, rather than out towards guests. However, many bands refuse to perform with these systems as the quality is often poor.
• Choose a venue without a sound limiter or with a limit set to 95 decibels or higher, which is considered "live music-friendly".

How sound limiters work

Sound limiters are electrical devices that monitor and control the volume of musical equipment, PA systems, and even crowds. If the volume exceeds a certain pre-set decibel limit, usually for no more than 10 seconds, sound limiters will restrict the volume by either forcing electrical equipment volumes down or by shutting off all power to the stage or venue for up to a minute.

Sound limiters are often set at a level between 80 and 100 dB. To provide some context, 90 dB is roughly the loudness of a motorcycle 8 metres away, and 100 dB is equivalent to a power lawnmower, motorcycle, farm tractor, or bin lorry at close range. Most wedding bands will be in the range of 95-105 dB, depending on the size of the band and the instruments being played.

Sound limiters are becoming increasingly common at venues, particularly wedding venues, for three main reasons:

• To comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by preventing excessive noise that could be deemed a statutory nuisance.
• To comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, which are designed to protect workers' hearing from excessive noise at their place of work.
• To protect the structural integrity of old and historically important venues from damage caused by excessively loud music, particularly from powerful bass note vibrations.

Sound limiters use a microphone to measure the sound pressure level of environmental noise. If the noise level exceeds a certain pre-set level for a certain period of time, the limiter cuts the electricity supply to the musical equipment. A visual indicator on the limiter commonly works on a "traffic light" system, with green indicating no problem, amber indicating that sound levels are approaching the threshold, and red indicating that the threshold has been breached. If the light stays red for more than a few seconds, the limiter will cut the power.

Sound limiters can cause several issues for live bands, including:

• They are often set too low, with anything below 95 dB being too low for any party band to perform properly.
• There is no guarantee that the limiter has been correctly installed or is being operated by a qualified person, which can lead to inaccurate measurements.
• The audience may assume that the band has messed up when the power is cut, creating confusion.
• They can damage band equipment, as sudden power outages can damage fuses and valves in equipment, and speakers can pop and blow due to signal spikes.
• They can affect the band's performance, as band members may find it difficult to perform while constantly monitoring the traffic lights and trying to prevent the red light from coming on.
• They can affect the overall atmosphere of the event, "dulling" the mood that the band and organisers are trying to create.

To minimise these issues, bands can employ various tactics to reduce their peak volume impact, such as using electric drum kits, special drumsticks, or acoustic instruments. Additionally, venues can position the sound limiter's microphone as far away as possible from the band's performance area.

Frequently asked questions