Music at gigs too loud?

[Izzy]

I was at a Megadeth show yesterday, they're truly awesome, but the volume was unreal - the first 3-4 songs in their set it was virtual impossible to make out individual sounds. While they eventually sorted it out, to an extent, it made me think of various other acts i've seen of late.

Frequently i find it so loud that unless i already know the song well i either would not recognise it at all or they could play anything and i'd be none the wiser.

The damage to one's hearing is an issue to - i gotta hope i will be able to hear again sometime by the end of next week

I personally think the volume could come down significantly without effecting the show - we'd be actually able to make out vocals for one.

What do u lot think? Volume's perfect? Or should it be quieter or maybe....louder?

[jarmo]

I remember the first concert I ever went to was like that. Luckily I did have a pair of ear plugs with me so I could enjoy the rest of the show. It was GN'R by the way.

After that I made sure I always had ear plugs in my pocket, but at some shows they blocked out too much.


One thing I noticed was that when I saw VR in Stockholm, it was really easy to hear the music they played before the band came on (AC/DC, Alice In Chains etc) but when I saw them in London, the volume of the same music wasn't as loud. So unless you knew all the songs they played, you'd have a hard time figuring them out.

I don't know if it means the laws are different between Sweden and the UK.





/jarmo

[Slashly]

In, my case it?s depending on the day.For example, sometimes, when I play with my band (as we have a really loud drummer with usually crank the amp to 10)I dont have a problem.But  other times I?m just playing in my house with the amp rather low and it feels like too much.
Same thing with concerts.I remember my first concert. I had a blast, and it was loud, but it didnt hurt me.Then I went to an Eric Clapton show, and it was perfect too.But hten I went to see and Argentinian band, and it fell like hell.So I guess it depends in I dont know what.
I?d could add that after a couple of years of band playing and concerts, I?ve lost a bit of my hearing.Nothing really bad, but a little.







Baby Slash//

[BP]

One thing I noticed was that when I saw VR in Stockholm, it was really easy to hear the music they played before the band came on (AC/DC, Alice In Chains etc)

  AIC openned for VR??   
Yea it took me second

[AdZ]

Sometimes, it depends on the venue among most things.

Opening bands are usually the worst, do they think if they play louder than the main act that they'll get their point across better?

[BP]

ha well...  openning bands usually have harsher, cheaper equipment. house sound man. blown out speakers, shaddy wiring, homemade guitars, & a circus act going on in the corner. Those monkey's are so cute

B n P

[Gunner80]

I always wear Ear Plugs, don't care to get Tinidus.

[echrisl]

Ear Plugs are the key!  I forgot to get any when I saw Megadeth in November ... big mistake!  I couldn't hear out of my left ear at all for 24 hours, and the ringing didn't go away for a week.  Partly the band's fault, however, they used a LOT of amps for the size of the venue.   

[Slashly]

Ear Plugs are the key!? I forgot to get any when I saw Megadeth in November ... big mistake!? I couldn't hear out of my left ear at all for 24 hours, and the ringing didn't go away for a week.? Partly the band's fault, however, they used a LOT of amps for the size of the venue.? ?

You know,  the number of amps doesnt really matter.It?s just the volume.Did you know TONS of metal-rock bands put a lot of amps on stage but rearely use more than two.For example, Slash on Gn?R, he says he used one Marshall for the clean sound and another for the distortioned sound.But on the Illusions tours he would have like 4 amps and there werent  more than 2 sounds.Another band that does that is Iron Maiden.When they came here to Uruguay, my  guitar teacher went to see them  and he has this picture the band on stage.There are  thausands and thausands of amps.Walls and walls of Marshals and stuff.Seeing that from a band in wich each guitarist  uses only one amp.....





Baby Slash//

[BP]

Ear Plugs are the key!? I forgot to get any when I saw Megadeth in November ... big mistake!? I couldn't hear out of my left ear at all for 24 hours, and the ringing didn't go away for a week.? Partly the band's fault, however, they used a LOT of amps for the size of the venue.? ?

You know, the number of amps doesnt really matter.It?s just the volume.Did you know TONS of metal-rock bands put a lot of amps on stage but rearely use more than two.For example, Slash on Gn?R, he says he used one Marshall for the clean sound and another for the distortioned sound.But on the Illusions tours he would have like 4 amps and there werent more than 2 sounds.Another band that does that is Iron Maiden.When they came here to Uruguay, my guitar teacher went to see them and he has this picture the band on stage.There are thausands and thausands of amps.Walls and walls of Marshals and stuff.Seeing that from a band in wich each guitarist uses only one amp.....





Baby Slash//

Slash still does this with his stacks (not that there is anything wrong with that). He really is only using half at a time if that for VR.
This is per my convo with Slash & Adam Day at the Philly show. We talked about the NY show vs PA show setup wise.? you know because we are tight like that hahahhahahahahahahha? ?yea right. These are just the questions I ask.

The only exception to somebody using a lot of amps is David Gilmour..... I believe he uses 6 with Floyd! Dude is a nut.

-BP

[jarmo]

I remember reading somewhere that some metal bands used "amps" that basically were just the casing. Meaning, they were empty inside....

Because you had to have walls of Marshalls on stage with you..... 




/jarmo

[Cornell]

Ya know what they say.... If it's too loud, then you're too damn old! 

[journey]

I think enclosed venues are the loudest, because the sound is trapped. I prefer outdoor shows.

I don't understand why people are allowed to drink beer at concerts. I was walking up to my balcony seat at an Aerosmith concert, and this drunk guy bumped into me and I fell on top of some people and nearly rolled down the steps. ? It wasn't funny at the time.

[Izzy]

I remember reading somewhere that some metal bands used "amps" that basically were just the casing. Meaning, they were empty inside....

Because you had to have walls of Marshalls on stage with you.....?




/jarmo

Lol - Megadeth must have had 20 Amps on stage, the, the drum kit was perched on top of them......

[Slashly]

I was goin on my picture of bands folder and guess what I found??

Slash has 6 amps!!and on the other side I guess there are about 8-10!!

10 amps for one guitar??mmmm......

I dont think I have to write anything here.

Dont get me wrong, I?m not saying this is bad, just funny.






Baby Slash//

[Stokesy]

My ears used to ring after concerts but they usually don't now which seems to suggest that the damage has already been done.

I used to use cotton wool instead of earplugs but when I saw Rammstein I pushed it down too far and I had to get the first aider to pull it out with some tweezers

[Izzy]

My ears used to ring after concerts but they usually don't now which seems to suggest that the damage has already been done.

I think i'm in the same situation

I assume virtually all the musicians at these gigs must wear ear plugs - cos standing infront of stacks of Marshall amps 3-4 times a week - surely there is little chance of ur hearing seeing out that same week?

[Slashly]

My ears used to ring after concerts but they usually don't now which seems to suggest that the damage has already been done.

I think i'm in the same situation

I assume virtually all the musicians at these gigs must wear ear plugs - cos standing infront of stacks of Marshall amps 3-4 times a week - surely there is little chance of ur hearing seeing out that same week?

Yeah they all do.And most of the exepcions are half deaf.I recall reading an interview with The Who?s  singer saying he was really sad  cause he never used ear plugs (and back in the 60s they were the loudest band) and now he couldnt hear very well.Well, now I?m in a doubt if  it was the Singer or Pete Townshend (the guitarist) but anyway....You get the point




Baby Slash//

[Cornell]

When I was younger, I used to go to 2 or 3 concerts a week.  I was almost always in the front row and leaning against the speakers.  Everyone told me that I would be deaf when I got older.  I had a hearing test last year and I can hear great.  Maybe I'm the exception...

[Izzy]

When I was younger, I used to go to 2 or 3 concerts a week.? I was almost always in the front row and leaning against the speakers.? Everyone told me that I would be deaf when I got older.? I had a hearing test last year and I can hear great.? Maybe I'm the exception...

Damn, it takes a good few days for my hearing to get back close to normal (i doubt it ever fully heals), u must have remarkable ears, if i was to try that it wouldn't end happily....

I got another gig upcommoning - i will go armed with ear plugs this time.