Johndeereluke
Newbie
Joined: 28 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
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| Ideal DB Leval? |
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What do you guys think is an appropriate DB level for a 1200 seat church auditorium for a Front of House level and what do you think is an appropriate monitor level? Its a battle we have been fighting over what is the best level to make the most people happy and not go deaf at the same time. Just wondering what the "pros" think. |
Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:04 pm |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 700
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| Even Coverage |
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Hi John, or is it luke?
I think you are asking the wrong question here.
really its not about a decibel SPL level. its about even coverage. having 80dB at the front row and 80dB in the back row will be a much better system than 120dB in the front and 80dB in the back if you see what i mean.
85dB is a good level to aim for when mixing as this is a comfortable level for long periods and is what most cinema auditoriums are calibrated to or example. Of course you want a PA that is capable of achieving much higher levels for headrooms and other genre's such as rock of course. A line array on the side of a festival stage will probably put out 150+ dB @ 1m without breaking a sweat but remember these are high up and along way from the crowd. You never want to exceed 110dB at any point in the space as this is where permanent damage can be caused to your ears in short periods of time.
If you are having trouble getting coverage in your auditorium look at raising the speakers up then angling slightly down as this will reduce the difference between volume at front and rear.
This will make an interesting discussion, do get back with your opinion
-Paul |
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Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:30 pm |
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Johndeereluke
Newbie
Joined: 28 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
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It's Luke and thanks for the help Paul. DB levels are one of our biggest battles when mixing because we are told to go live with a DB level of 90. The Band leader wants loud monitors and we are told to keep our Front of house mix at 90 DB so if the monitor level on stage is too loud we have trouble achieving a quality mix because we try to keep house levels under 90 and the monitors are over that. A year ago we were allowed a 95-96 FOH DB level and then the complaints start rolling in that it is too loud so we back it down to a FOH level of 90. and now we are having a battle over what is appropriate level for house and monitors. It isn't a real issue with coverage but more of an issue of levels. I'm hoping to get some people's opinions on what they think is an appropriate level for House and monitor mixes so that people are not going deaf but have to struggle to hear the mix as well and so we can have a quality mix as well. Me and another one of our sound guys are going to meet with our "bosses" so what you wrote will help our case tremendously I think. Thanks again Paul.
Also do you think that it is better to mix on floor level or in the back of the auditorium in the balcony section order to get a higher quality mix? Thanks again. |
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Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:12 pm |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 700
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| IEM's |
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95 is reasonable for a short band set, but if its a long service i think 90 is fair. have you considered giving the band leader IEM's? (in-ear monitors) this would help you tremendously and you could give him a better mix so keep him happy too.
as for the mix position, try to go where the majority of people are without getting in the way or taking up too many seats. also situate your mix position slightly off centre so you have a more balanced perspective, remember only 1% max of the audience will be sitting on the centre line |
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Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:17 pm |
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Johndeereluke
Newbie
Joined: 28 Apr 2008
Posts: 3
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Thanks a ton. We have tried in-ears for the Band leader and it did not last but were hoping to try this again with a better set up. |
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Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:28 pm |
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