Jezz Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 This week I have been installing a sound and light system in a new nightclub where I will be resident Dj on Saturday starting this week. Bundled in with the new 8000 watt sound system was a little black box with some led's on it. Turns out its a system for monitoring volume levels on the dance floor, only snag is, if it goes over a certain decibel level pre-set by the local environmental health officer, it cuts the power to the Dj booth. Anyways, they came out today to set it and seal it so nobody can tamper with it, and the max volume on the dance floor now resembles a sunday morning fart. Ok, so fair enough, its for the protection of the punters ears, but what I was told next really p*ssed me off. I, as the Dj, Must wear ear defenders at all times whilst at work, failure to do so will result in a fine for myself and the venue. Random checks will be carried out. Excuse me??!! I'm a f*cking DJ and as far as I know, they're my ears! How am I supposed to monitor/mix properly with 95% ear plugs in?! Stupid C*nts. Hate this pit of a country. Rant over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRX Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Man, that's just crazy!! How can you do your job properly with things shoved in your ears? unbelievable! Some times this country really p!sses me off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Thats the stupidist thing I've heard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoff Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I kind of see the point but its up to the punters. If its too loud go home and dont go back. If they dont like the DJ get him sacked:d But seriously with regards to the ear defenders, that is preventing you from doing your job to a certain extent and as you said they're your ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 lol - That's like restricting the water from a fireman's hose just in case they get a bit wet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I'd say I totally agree, however I'm currently wearing my glasses that only let in 5% light in order to protect my eyes so can't really make out the gist of your rant. Besides, don't you DJ types all pre-mix a tape and sod off to the bar anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 It's mad. Your headphones cut db anyway. If the volumes too loud for you all the punters have to have defs too. WTF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRX Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I remember back in the early 90's when I used to play clubs, every now and then the local council would pay us a visit with sound meters, shut us down in the end as the sound vibrations almost killed the floor and we would have all ended up in Miss Selfridges. If you or a punter want to subject your ears to a good bashing surely that's your choice and not the decision of some council tw&t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 It's mad. Your headphones cut db anyway. If the volumes too loud for you all the punters have to have defs too. WTF. Exactly! I wear my cans for probably 90% of the time i'm on, and they cut out most external noise other than my monitors on a dull volume and my headphone volume is also quite minimal. 13 years i've been a club Dj, and i've just had a very intense hearing test for something unrelated, and it was 100%! I didnt pay £200 for my headphones for nothing, I purposely bought them for the padded closed cup design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muffleman Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I remember playing live in a hall that had a similar setup, our lead vocalist could trigger the cutoff on his own Man he was loud Nothing more annoying that a dancefloor full of happy punters when you're rocking out and then......the sound of silence, and hundreds of pairs of eyes looking at you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Thats the most rediculous thing I've heard in years. Who the hell goes to a club that doesn't make your ears ring for days afterwards if you get too close to the speakers? Gaz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Exactly! I wear my cans for probably 90% of the time i'm on, and they cut out most external noise other than my monitors on a dull volume and my headphone volume is also quite minimal. 13 years i've been a club Dj, and i've just had a very intense hearing test for something unrelated, and it was 100%! I didnt pay £200 for my headphones for nothing, I purposely bought them for the padded closed cup design. Maybe you should unplug them quickly when a council twonk comes to visit, and make out they are the defenders All sounds completely crazy to me. Maybe everyone in the club should be given cotton wool to stick in their ears too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanchan Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Is there no way for you to get your headphones tested by the council to show that they probably defend more sound than ear defenders? All seems a bit far fetched! Was the council twonk a 60 year old by any chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Exactly! I wear my cans for probably 90% of the time i'm on, and they cut out most external noise other than my monitors on a dull volume and my headphone volume is also quite minimal. 13 years i've been a club Dj, and i've just had a very intense hearing test for something unrelated, and it was 100%! I didnt pay £200 for my headphones for nothing, I purposely bought them for the padded closed cup design. Typical case of the uninformed making the rules. Point out that heavy industrial noise areas need products that allow communications functions for safety reasons. This'll be ships engine rooms, tank cabins etc. and that the studies carried out by manufacturers and government departments run into the tens of millions and ask 'em to refute the results. As you say, you didn't pay 200 quid for rubbish that's gonna cause you irreparable damage. Tell 'em to get the studies from your equipment manufacturers. Dicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I think you should put the decks into the toilets and mix from there. Problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBDJ Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Stupid "Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005" that came into force in April 2008 unfortunately Jezz... Me and earplugs definately don't get on Something that puzzles me slightly though... Hearing Protection 7. —(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation 6, an employer who carries out work which is likely to expose any employees to noise at or above a lower exposure action value shall make personal hearing protectors available upon request to any employee who is so exposed. (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation 6, if an employer is unable by other means to reduce the levels of noise to which an employee is likely to be exposed to below an upper exposure action value, he shall provide personal hearing protectors to any employee who is so exposed. (3) If in any area of the workplace under the control of the employer an employee is likely to be exposed to noise at or above an upper exposure action value for any reason the employer shall ensure that— (a) the area is designated a Hearing Protection Zone; (b) the area is demarcated and identified by means of the sign specified for the purpose of indicating that ear protection must be worn in paragraph 3.3 of Part II of Schedule 1 to the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996[4]; and © access to the area is restricted where this is practicable and the risk from exposure justifies it, and shall ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that no employee enters that area unless that employee is wearing personal hearing protectors. (4) Any personal hearing protectors made available or provided under paragraphs (1) or (2) of this regulation shall be selected by the employer— (a) so as to eliminate the risk to hearing or to reduce the risk to as low a level as is reasonably practicable; and (b) after consultation with the employees concerned or their representatives Point 3 (b) is a bit puzzling - I've not noticed anywhere putting signs up around DJ booths etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Stupid "Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005" that came into force in April 2008 unfortunately Jezz... Me and earplugs definately don't get on Something that puzzles me slightly though... Point 3 (b) is a bit puzzling - I've not noticed anywhere putting signs up around DJ booths etc? Good point. Surely that would mean signs warning punters of excesive noise levels in all night clubs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBDJ Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Well not necessarily for the public, since I can only see references to employees in the hearing protection section. But in one place I work the bar staff have all been issued earplugs too - so surely the whole place must be designated and so signed accordingly? No signs = not a designated area, and if it's not a correctly signed designated area surely you can't be fined?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kranz Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I work with 157dB equipment and I'm advised to 'double plug' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Sarah hates this when she sings at gigs that have sound meters, she has a very powerful voice and sets the meters off mid range. She only does a few clubs that have meters because they know her and switch it off, as she brings in the crowds. Also it can blow her equipment (happened to to her first mixer/amp) Other than that she will not book in a club that has a meter unless they switch it off. Best of it is, the clubs that she sings in are working mens clubs that have been there for decades and because new houses are built nearby they get them fitted. There is one that she goes to that always switches it off as the council force fitted even though everyone that stays close tot he club are members and are sitting in the club listening to the acts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I don't really know anything about it but the only DJ's I've ever seen have been wearing ear protection and it sounds ok to me Seriously though, you'll only say the "they are my ears I can do what I like" sentence until you get an ear problem like I have (from listening to loud music most likely) then you will seriously regret doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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