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Title: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Mike Sveda on August 03, 2004, 09:20:53 AM

Curious as to what your SPL levels are for P&W.

Our stage level is at around 87db (ugh) and FOH level is around 92 db.

We will be working to lower stage level by caging the drum kit and some sort of IEM or personal monitor setup.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: bates15 on August 03, 2004, 05:44:36 PM

I wish..... I think with the band blasting away we go way over 100dB. I will have to check it out one day.

O well, I got my hands on the main Eq and reduced the level with about 6 or 7 dB and that made a big difference. We are still working on the band to get their levels down a bit!

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Phillip Graham on August 03, 2004, 07:01:10 PM

bates15 wrote on Tue, 03 August 2004 17:44

I wish..... I think with the band blasting away we go way over 100dB. I will have to check it out one day. O well, I got my hands on the main Eq and reduced the level with about 6 or 7 dB and that made a big difference. We are still working on the band to get their levels down a bit!

I'm not exactly sure what you are describing here, but it doesn't seem like a good idea.

I've mixed in churches at levels between 80dBA and 100dBA.  Anecdotally 95dBA seems about the loudest a balanced mix can be run and not get complaints from a multi-aged audience.  Anything above 90dBA, and I'll make sure the plugs are near the console in case I sense ear fatigue coming.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Tim Padrick on August 03, 2004, 08:34:37 PM

I'm not HOW, I'm mostly clubs.  I like to keep it around 90dBA max if I can, but that does not happen often.  Sometimes outdoors I can.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: John C. Austin on August 03, 2004, 11:33:15 PM

Fast Worship: 88-90DB avg.
Slow Worship: 83-87DB avg.
Choir Specials 85-88DB avg.(Congregation not singing)

All DBs are A weighted with Slow Response.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Rich Bruchal on August 04, 2004, 11:20:21 AM

For the louder stuff, we average around 90 dBA, no louder than 95.     If we get any louder than that, I'll hear about it.  

The softer stuff is probably in the 80's somewhere.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Tom Young on August 05, 2004, 09:25:01 PM

Discussing SPL numbers without reference to weighting is meaningless.  Measuring with an uncalibrated SPL meter is meaningless.

Therefore it is important when we discuss these things to state whether you have measured Flat or with A or C weighting curves.  Whether you own a Radio Shack SLM or a $5000+ B&K (or anything in between) you need to check its accuracy every now and then.  The Radio Shack is borderline accurate to begin with and it may have been miscalibrated or suffering from abuse.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Stuie on August 15, 2004, 08:59:20 PM

Hi All

We run abit hot somewhere 95dbA weighted (trying to get around 90db) on a basic dB counter. We do have issues with stage size and amount of team we have up there.

One issue we havent discussed is the amount of dB Variantion over the congregation. If you have 95 dB/A and you have totally different tone and volume.

So far we have a about 50ft throw and we are using jbl eon 15 so there is a massive difference in dB variation. Looking at a new building soon so we just have to put up with it for now.

Also where does the volume come from is from the drums only or just one particular instrument. Dont forget if you kill all the sound on stage musicians cant here themselves and produce great sound.

Cheers
Stuie

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Adam Kane on August 15, 2004, 10:54:59 PM

Our sanctuary seats about 1800 with a balcony.  The traditional service (piano and organ) runs about 83-85db.  The contemp services run around 90 (max 95).  The stage volume is rather low.  The drums are completely enclosed (drummer wears in-ear) and guitar/bass amps are only just loud enough for the musicians to hear themselvs.  Guitars, winds, and keys are about 15' from the drums.  Singers are across the stage from the band so they don't have to have their wedges cranking to hear what they need to hear.  If you've got the room to do it, SPACE SPACE SPACE!!!  That way, everyone's not having a volume war.

Hope this helps.  (all db ratings are w/ C-weighting)

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: chasetower on August 23, 2004, 09:26:49 PM

We run at about 110dbC-weighted. I've got a Klark DN6000, with an Earthworks RTA Mic, so i'm pretty sure that its accurate. We have contemporary worship. Our Sanctuary holds about 1200, we get about 900-1000 per service so its pretty full.

Anyways
Thats my thoughts

Chase

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Eric Chancey on August 25, 2004, 12:43:43 AM

chasetower wrote on Mon, 23 August 2004 20:26

We run at about 110dbC-weighted. I've got a Klark DN6000, with an Earthworks RTA Mic, so i'm pretty sure that its accurate. We have contemporary worship. Our Sanctuary holds about 1200, we get about 900-1000 per service so its pretty full. Anyways Thats my thoughts Chase

 Ouch! 110? Really? I guess you are C weighted though, but still......ouch.
 We currently have a 1000 seat room and I try to keep the level at 95db A weighted- slow response. On a C scale I think I'm around 98-100dB. I'm using a Galaxy Audio SPL meter (the blue one).
--Eric

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Mike Sveda on August 25, 2004, 04:29:59 PM

We want to keep it at 90db max A-weighted or the grayer hairs get upset....

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: Funhouse on August 27, 2004, 03:16:05 AM

My sanctuary seats about 450....if it gets any louder than 90dB A weighted, the sound booth bursts into flames...
Of course, since much of the gear was replaced in the last 2-3 years, we are capable of getting much louder than that. Oh well, at least the system isn't have to work too hard.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: WylieE on September 03, 2004, 10:26:08 PM

I'm one of our bassists and sound lead.  I've been trying to get our stage volume down for a long, long time.

Onstage, we usually run around 105-107db (all C weighted)
At the mix position, we're usually around 92bd spillage from the stage and 95-97db after I bring the mains on.

The mix is still a tad muddy in areas, but I'd rather sacrifice some clarity than sacrifice the congregations ears.

-Eric.

Title: Re: What's your SPL level?
Post by: jeremy on September 08, 2004, 05:02:19 PM

Youth ministry:
Preaching: 80-90db
P&W: 95-105db(house)
    100-105db(monitors)
Sanctuary:
Preaching: 85-100db(house)
          95-105db(wedges)
P&W: 95-105 - sometimes peak at 115db(house)
    100-115db (monitors)
 *mesaured organ wedge from 40 feet away at 118 one time...pretty loud and not needed, i think he's deaf