MIKE_NOSTRADAMUS
Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Location: Northfork Recording Studios |
| Safety in the Studio |
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When it comes time to design your studio you may want to keep safety in mind.
Many things come to me here are a few to get the ball rolling.
When searching for ceiling light fixtures make sure you have solid lighting ,the less screws the better.
I went to the store when it came time to purchase the fixtures.My wife chose the units and I installed them.They looked good!!!But to my suprise 2 of them came down(the glass protector)onto the floor and broke into a million parts.Upon investigating I found with the vibration of live amps in the studio that all the fixtures came loose on the main shaft.I was lucky no-one was hurt.I had 10 of these fixtures.I was better off with a lightbulb and socket.
I know my wife chose them!!!!and I installed them ,let the humour begin.
#2 musician came in with amp and his plug was faulty.He complained he was getting electric shocks from the microphone.That one could of been really serious.Everyone should know that the ground(earth)looks for the least path of resistance.In this case it found it throught one of the studio mics.For an instant I thought I had Mick Jagger in my studio.his lips had swollen and was he ever moving to the music.
With the ground which he had removed found its path through the mic circuit and I had never seen an XLR cable go up in smoke before.The copper strands were black and the wire burnt.That ground is there for a reason.He said that someone told him his amp would perform better without it.
If anyone has any incidents in the studio or on stage lets hear them. |
Tue May 04, 2004 3:52 am |
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hobbesblb
Family Friend
Joined: 07 Mar 2003
Posts: 127
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| company policy |
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The company that I work for has a policy that I am not allowed to let a musician perform if his guitar amp has it's ground broken off. A few months back, someone was electrocuted, so now it is company policy. Now, I have to say, "sorry man, I can't let you play with this guitar amp, I can get fired and you could die." So, yeah, that is a major one, not to mention it could cause a serious hum in the gear.
I would say another important one for boom stands is to make sure you are using a counter balance, or that it is stable. A studio mic can weigh 5-8 lbs. That is a lot of weight, and mic stands can come over if you don't make sure that the stand is either sand bagged or has sufficent counterweights. |
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Tue May 04, 2004 8:25 am |
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MIKE_NOSTRADAMUS
Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Location: Northfork Recording Studios |
| safety in the studio |
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hobbesblb
Thanks for the reply and I could'nt agree more with your company's policy
and comment about hum in equipment.Here if an accident occurs in the studio the owner has to show due diligence that he has done everything in his power to prevent it from happening.In Canada ignorence of the rules is no excuse .That is why every appliance or equipment sold has a sticker attached to the plug that says"it is illegal to remove the 3 rd prong.
This site is another way we can educate more people all over about hazards of the trade.thanks again for your comments. |
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Tue May 04, 2004 11:14 am |
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MIKE_NOSTRADAMUS
Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Location: Northfork Recording Studios |
| Safety in the studio |
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Thanks Chrish!!
Today's tip!!
Studies have been done with using todays technology that we can still get injured by sitting at a workstation with a computer in front of us.
repetitive injuries are common in the workplace.
You may not feel the strain on your wrists when you are young but handling a mouse for hours day in day out will catch up later on in life.You may develop Carpo Tunneling(I hope thats the right term).You get this numbness in your hands and develop sore wrists.
Tip :invest in a gel filled mouse pad and if you can get a pad for your keyboard also.It gives you a nice place to rest your wrists and hands.
They do privide comfort and protection.The last thing you need is to have pain if you happen to be a guitar player.As I said you may not feel it when your young but you will when you get older.
At your workstation you should make yourself as comfortable as possible and take a break at least once an hour.I know if you're like me you may want to go until the job is complete.Not a good thing to do.Take that break and you will come back refreshed with a clear mind.It does'nt matter if this is your hobby or do it for a living this is your health,look after it. |
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Tue May 04, 2004 6:54 pm |
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yawnsome
Eager Beaver
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 10
Location: Northants, England |
Great topic. Thanks. The lights are something you'd never think about so thanks for letting us learn the easier way  |
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Mon May 10, 2004 11:25 pm |
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MIKE_NOSTRADAMUS
Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Location: Northfork Recording Studios |
| safety in the studio |
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thanks again for your replies!!
Today a note on fire x-tinguishers
In the final inspection of my studio I had to get an inspector from the fire dept come in and do his thing.
I was supprised to hear that I needed fire extinguishers mounted on brackets and marked with arrows so customers can clearly see them.It reminded me of a fire at a place of work when a fire broke out because of a faulty piece of equipment.I remember that while we went on a break that an amplifier had caught fire .Everyone panicked,some had been there for years and when fire was being shouted out they ran in circles looking for the fire extinguishers.meanwhile the fire got larger because of the sound dampening curtains were on fire.At time of crisis people forgot where they were.No-one had taken the time to show personel where they were.Needless to say two studios were lost.We were out of works for 2 months.
Getting back to my studio I mounted 1 extinguisher in each studio and in the control room I have a halcion type. ABC types are good for all types of fires but leave a real mess behind with the powder they discharge.A halcion type in used in computer applications where it will suppress the fire without much damage after
If you can try to put out the fire yourself with common sense .Don't put your life in danger.When the fire dept.gets there if they are called will have no mercy on your equipment.For insurance purposes I had to get 2 smoke alarms which are tied in the burglar alarm system.They automatically ring the fire dept to come and help.
To finalize we all deal with electricity: some may range from 12v to 220v ac.
Water and electricity don't mix well.make sure your extinghisher is not the water type.You may get electricuted if used.
Check with your local fire codes for your area.
and show your customers where the fire extinghishers are at the same time you take them on a tour.It may be one room to six rooms but show them so they don't run around in circles if a fire was to break out in your studio.
Mike |
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Tue May 11, 2004 1:53 am |
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MIKE_NOSTRADAMUS
Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Location: Northfork Recording Studios |
| safety and health in the studio |
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Today's topic may be taboo to some.
There's a saying out there "Music southe's the soul" .In most cases listening to music does bring some comfort ,relaxation and enjoyment to ones mind.It may put you in a party mood.Unfortunately to some it brings the opposite.let me tell you why this could happen.
Throughtout the years I've read many books on the subject of recording and most of them are upbeat about all areas with something to do with music.Some do give you warnings about stress but don't go into much detail.
This could apply also from the person that does this as a hobby to the very dedicated sound engineer.Remember when the first time you fell in love with recording or even started that new job in the studio and you said to yourself man this is it life can't get any better.
Well for some people that was their goal and have reached what they set out to do.Nothing wrong with that but some people set goals for themselves which may be set to high.One should set their goals one step at a time and do a good job.what I'm trying to say is at first everything is new you are learning all kinds of new tricks from experienced people.You get to the point where you may overdo it by putting in long hours at work or bringing your work home.This is where stress is a sneaker.It may come and nipped you in the bud.If this becomes your profession(audio eng.),really any job many things could happen.After awhile of putting in 16 to 18 hr days you may become frustrated because you have turned something you enjoyed doing into something you must do.You may become irritated,tired,not thinking properly because not all is going well or according to plan.
In my previous notes I mentioned about taking breaks ,suffering from stress could result in not having your breaks,lunches,taking work home,working long hours.This could happen to the best of us.The signs are there but one may not recognize them.
1.irritable at times for no reason
2.don't sleep well
3.may start depending on alchohol or drugs to help relax
4.get frustrated easily because something isn't going the way it should
I could go on and on.
The best thing to do Is take that time for yourself and learn to relax or meditate(did you know that 75% of people in the civilized world don't know how to actually relax.)
Spend time with your friends (don't spend your time in front of the computer and tv.)
do things in moderation is the keyword.(alchohol,drugs ,cigarettes ect...if this is legal in your country)Personaly I don't do these even though they are legal where I'm from.I find I play music better and do a better job at recording.I know I've tried both ways and after playback the next day I can say which recording will sound better.
Getting back to stress It can affect anyone and lead to complications later in life.So enjoy,sit back enjoy your spare time because its to late to try and recover that time later in life.
The reason I brought this up is that the company I work for actually brought in councillors to give a course on stress and how to recognize when its happening.A lot of people miss time due to this happening which cost the company big bucks when someone is sick.I know some may say you should have insurance,well insurance only pays a percentage of you wages which in our case 50%.If you have a standard of living this can add to your problems.
On that note I'll say chill out and have a good day!!!
Mike |
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Tue May 11, 2004 8:34 pm |
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MIKE_NOSTRADAMUS
Joined: 08 Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Location: Northfork Recording Studios |
| Safety in the Studio - headphones |
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In todays society all around the world you may never expect this to happen.
In the past few weeks I came down with a terrible virus that infected one of my eardrums.
After going to the doctor's office he prescribed antibiotics for the sickness and awesome painkillers for the pain.
I thought I had lost hearing in my left ear so I made an appointment with an audiologist and told her about my circumstance before she began testing.
I noticed before she handed the headphones over to me she cleaned them with a disinfectant spray.So I asked the questions and she answered!
She was aware that I am an audio engineer because I get my hearing checked every year.
Notes:Never lend your personal headphones to anyone.You may pick up a virus very quickly.She told me the ears are just as vunerable as the nose mouth because they are all connected somewhat.Some people have been known to blow an eardrum just from sneazing.
The headphones your customers use should be wiped with alchohol (not beer or whiskey)at least a minute before they use them.If possible you can ask them to bring their own set if they prefer.
I won't go into details what an infection looks or feels like but its not pretty.
I just thought i'd pass this along.
By the way my hearing is back to normal again!!
like Chrish says "it's all in the ears" remember that!
Mike |
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Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:14 pm |
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