Klarinet Archive - Posting 000353.txt from 1999/12

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] RE: Flat Attenuation/Musician's Plugs
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 02:10:20 -0500

> Yes, and isn't that stupid? I can't see any reason why volume levels have
> to be so high at public events. Do they assume that everyone is deaf?

You'd be surprised... As an engineer, I try to keep volume levels under
control. However, I have done so many concerts where audience and artists
alike keep on pushing to have it louder and louder.... It is really
ridiculous. Hence, Tuesday, I have an appointment to get a pair of the
Etymotic plugs. Hey they may cost $180 for both sets of inserts, but I
figure it is a small price to pay to keep my hearing.

> I have become convinced that most so-called sound technicians are
> themselves deaf due to long periods of being subjected to the output of
> their own equipment.

I recently worked a gig where I had to keep the head engineer from turning
every high-frequency eq knob up. You should realize the significance of
this: High frequency hearing is the first to go. The hearing test
frequencies that will show it the most are 3kHz, 4kHz, and 6 kHz.
Ironically, 8 kHz is not as badly affected. Yes, sound engineers
(especially rock engineers) typically have really bad hearing because of
years of exposure to high SPLs.

> This is one of my pet peeves. I'm ready to consign all sound technicians
> and their equipment to the lower regions!
>

Please don't send me there... I'm not as bad as most :-)

--Ben (our resident clarinet playing recording geek)

Benjamin Maas
Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
benmaas@-----.com
http://www.fifthcircle.com

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