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Volume
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Author:  homeplateBG [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Volume
May be a stupid question, but what is the normal level of the volume of your shows? I like it loud, to the point that it's hard to hold a normal conversation. As long as it sounds good, I think loud music keeps people engaged.
Author:  Nlouch [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Towards the beginning of the night - it's just loud enough so that you don't hear other conversations but can hear your own. Then about 8:30 the music pumps up so that you have to be specifically listening to the person to hear them. Karaoke will start around 9 - and it then gets loud so that you have to get close to hear someone talk.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
I like to keep the "overall" volume at my shows at a comfortable level.

I would think most kj's are using a basic set up ( 2 speakers and maybe a sub) set up by the stage area. The volume would be loudest by the STAGE and decreases as you move towards the far side of the venue. The owner has said he likes the VOLUME LOUD but not overbearing. I gauge it by watching the peoples reactions to the songs. If at the far end they are singing and tapping ...I know its good
Likewise if I see the people close CRINGING ....it maybe too loud. But I do many WALK arounds thru out the night and adjust as required.

There is NOTHING worse than a EXTREMELY LOUD system with a HORRIBLE SINGER. :shock: :shock:
Author:  Bill H. [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
At the singers' requests I used to run it up so loud that it was practically impossible to carry on a conversation without stepping outside. Over the last six months or so I have brought it down to more sane levels. Not because of complaints from the room, but because those of us who worked in there were all doing deaf.

Outside my home room I'm much more sensible about it.

What's that line from "Honky Tonk Badonkeydonk?" Oh yeah...

TURN IT UP SOME!!!

That's what every singer would tell me when it's their turn. And I used to do it.
Author:  mr.fahrenheit [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Yes LOUD is the way forward

But with reservations. A lot depends on the quality of the sound system. Mine is, I like to think, of good quality - Bi amped with 15" bass bins, correctly eq'd etc so I can crank it up and the louder it gets the better it seems to sound. However if the system is a bit on the cheapo side then cranking it up will just hurt peoples ears and they'll probably move on.

Also depends on the age of the audience. The young ones love it loud but the older ones don't. You'll never please them all.

I personally think you should try to replicate singing with a live backing band behind you (and I don't mean Metallica or Status Quo !) but you know, you should be able to hear everything - feel the bass. The singers certainly want it that way.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
jamkaraoke @ Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:17 pm wrote:
I like to keep the "overall" volume at my shows at a comfortable level.

I would think most kj's are using a basic set up ( 2 speakers and maybe a sub) set up by the stage area. The volume would be loudest by the STAGE and decreases as you move towards the far side of the venue. The owner has said he likes the VOLUME LOUD but not overbearing. I gauge it by watching the peoples reactions to the songs. If at the far end they are singing and tapping ...I know its good
Likewise if I see the people close CRINGING ....it maybe too loud. But I do many WALK arounds thru out the night and adjust as required.

There is NOTHING worse than a EXTREMELY LOUD system with a HORRIBLE SINGER. :shock: :shock:

Good overall description -- this is what I strive for as well.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
I've found out that when a singer tells me to TURN IT UP , the mean they want the overall MIX changed to have more music than voice 8)
Author:  Babs [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Good question :D

This is always a challenge for me. When the crowd is on the low side the owner likes the volume low. I try to keep it at a level you can still hear the person next to you without screaming a conversation. Of course if you are close to the speakers it will be louder, so I walk to the middle of the room to get a feel for volume.

A good way to judge volume when it's busy and I'm on the stage is to set it right above the noise of the crowd. If the hum of voices in the crowd is louder than the singer it is hard for the singer to hear themselves and is very distracting.

I usually start out the night very tuned into the volume level. I want it at a level people can still carry on conversations. As the bar fills with people I can turn it up because there are more bodies and crowd noise in the room to eat up the sound. As the night goes on people are drinking and partying and want it louder, so the volume goes up.

I'd say I start out at a low level and slowly increase it depending on the amount of customers and the mood.
Author:  Lonman [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Define loud!
I have been to shows that are just ear splitting piercing loud, but this is due to low power amps that get turned up to compensate for the crowd in the room & go past their rated power level.
I run my shows loud enough so I can't hear any conversation at the booth, but not so loud you can't talk to someone at your table.
Author:  Babs [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
One of the biggest complaints about when the bar has bands is they are to loud for such a small venue. People can't talk to each other without screaming. I think sound level depends a lot on your type of crowd and venue. If you have a large venue people can escape to an area of the bar that they can talk. If you have an older crowd of mainly couples they like to visit more and have a more laid back atmosphere. The younger crowd usually like it loud and wild.

So I play it by ear. :D
Author:  diafel [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
What Babs said.
LOL
Author:  Jian [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
I like to drive fast, but how fast is fast? What is fast to me may be slow to others. Here I am talking about speed. There is a legal limit to how fast one drive.

The Op ask about how loud the mix is in a typical karaoke bar. Loudness is a measure of sound pressure level (spl). Have a look at your speaker spec and see what it say, There is no way you can go louder than the speaker spec.

And one more thing we need to note is that like speed, loudness too have legal limit.

I like music that is just above normal conversation level
Author:  JerryJames [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Loud is good if it comes from the bottom up. I like mr.fahrenheit description "you should try to replicate singing with a live backing band" But I don't get as loud as the bands that play here.

I have a dancing crowd. I mix so to feel the music without blasting my ears. But I do start at a lower level and increase volume as needed.
Author:  PirateMike [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
My levels are definitely on the loud end of the scale. Somewhere somebody mentioned simulating a live band experience, and that is definitely what I strive for. Of course, that's just what works at my show, and every show is different. Because of this, I don't get a lot of ballads being sung, it's mainly Rock and Hip-Hop. I just added a killer 18" sub, and the sound is very crisp and detailed. Now if it gets to the point where loud isn't cutting it, I will have to adjust. But for right now, it works for the crowd that we get.

I think Lon said it best about the ear-bleeding sound of some systems. If the right components aren't in place, and the EQ isn't adjusted correcly, all you have is a LOUD noise. I was at a venue that had that tinny, high-end spectrum way out of wack. It was like being in the middle of a steam factory that was relieving itself. It felt like I had things crawling around in my ears. Perhaps my brain was trying to escape to ordeal.

Jam had a great suggestion....watch your audience reactions.
Author:  karyoker [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Our volume varies from easy dinner background to full depending upon the situation. Good sound distribution with multiple speakers such as a jukebox system does not take the watts or volume.

Let me repeat that A well distributed sound system does not take high watts or blaring volume.


It depends upon the venue acoustics and size or chatter of crowd. Even in small venues if they have the cabinets above the bar it acts as a baffle and the folks on the other side do not have full volume and can talk and hear.

A heavy carpet will kill bass along with heavy crowds. A low hard ceiling will direct the sound all the way to the other side at a high volume. Each venue takes a different volume and it has to be adjusted according to the crowd.

The last hour or two is usually when the crowd is loud and it takes a higher volume. Sound quality at this point is not as critical and you will have reverbs all over the place. All they want is constant fast paced noise.
Author:  darway [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
I've been tempted, to go up to a KJ and ask them to turn it down. Never have, though - because I figure the KJ will assume "he can't speak for everyone". I've settled for always carrying earplugs with me. Everyone else can go deaf, but I'll protect myself!

Seriously, I do think KJ's tend not to realize when it's too much. Pay attention to when people are reluctant to sit up front, or put fingers in their ears walking by the speakers.
Author:  PirateMike [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
karyoker @ Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:58 pm wrote:
Our volume varies from easy dinner background to full depending upon the situation. Good sound distribution with multiple speakers such as a jukebox system does not take the watts or volume.

Let me repeat that A well distributed sound system does not take high watts or blaring volume.


It depends upon the venue acoustics and size or chatter of crowd. Even in small venues if they have the cabinets above the bar it acts as a baffle and the folks on the other side do not have full volume and can talk and hear.

A heavy carpet will kill bass along with heavy crowds. A low hard ceiling will direct the sound all the way to the other side at a high volume. Each venue takes a different volume and it has to be adjusted according to the crowd.

The last hour or two is usually when the crowd is loud and it takes a higher volume. Sound quality at this point is not as critical and you will have reverbs all over the place. All they want is constant fast paced noise.


You bring up some excellent points here. I've always considered multiple-distrubuted speakers setups, but never had the time or money to impliment it. It's definitely a good way to save the eardrums.
Author:  Dr Fred [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
I target about regular peaks in the 90-92 decibel range in the front of the audience area, with ocasional peaks up to 95db. On the early part of a show i start a few db.

A real screamer can make the setup hit 100db or even a bit more but they are just trying to be anoying and usually I can turn them down when I see it coming.

A cheap db meter is only about $25 and I like it because it is very hard to maintain a relative perception of loud.

I keep my db meter near my dj station especially with a long show your perception of sound volume and real sound volume can be "off".

Of course sound quality is a lot more than just volume but it is a component....

As for loud I find my coments are usually equally balanced between "louder" and "turn it down" so it is probably about right for my venues.
Author:  SwingcatKurt [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
Play it as loud as you can until the bartender tells you to turn it down some. Then keep it there.
Author:  Micky [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volume
PirateMike @ Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:13 pm wrote:
karyoker @ Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:58 pm wrote:
Our volume varies from easy dinner background to full depending upon the situation. Good sound distribution with multiple speakers such as a jukebox system does not take the watts or volume.

Let me repeat that A well distributed sound system does not take high watts or blaring volume.


It depends upon the venue acoustics and size or chatter of crowd. Even in small venues if they have the cabinets above the bar it acts as a baffle and the folks on the other side do not have full volume and can talk and hear.

A heavy carpet will kill bass along with heavy crowds. A low hard ceiling will direct the sound all the way to the other side at a high volume. Each venue takes a different volume and it has to be adjusted according to the crowd.

The last hour or two is usually when the crowd is loud and it takes a higher volume. Sound quality at this point is not as critical and you will have reverbs all over the place. All they want is constant fast paced noise.


You bring up some excellent points here. I've always considered multiple-distrubuted speakers setups, but never had the time or money to impliment it. It's definitely a good way to save the eardrums.


I'd say, a good sound system that is well calibrate will also save the eardrums at high volume :wink:
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