Klarinet Archive - Posting 000147.txt from 2007/07

From: Oliver Seely <oseely@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Re: loud bands
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:53:24 -0400

I haven't yet been able to identify why certain messages are not
being received by KLARINET. Here's the part of my last message which
was truncated. The first part actually did get through. Sorry for
the inconvenience I'm causing.

I was obliged to stay on stage to announce various evening events, so
I couldn't easily escape during dance numbers when the volume was
cranked up. Since that time I frequently borrow a decibel meter from
our Physics Department for activities on and off campus which I
suspect will have amplified sound levels which are too high. My
normal routine is to stand 10 feet in front of the speakers. Simply
standing there and looking at the meter sends a strongly intimidating
message to the disk jockey. The decibel level of normal conversation
is around 65 decibels and 90 decibels is said to be that of
industrial shop tools and truck traffic. I generally choose the
lower level to admonish the disk jockey that people ought to be able
to socialize easily over the volume of the music. Amplified sound
today practically always exceeds 65 decibels and the meter offers a
fair warning to disk jockeys who have adopted a rather cavalier
attitude about the importance of their role at the event. When an
amplified sound event is announced on our campus I always show up
with the meter and tell the disk jockey that I'm going to shut him
down if he doesn't lower the volume. We used to have events with
such high volumes that there was interference with teaching our classes.

Oliver

------------------------------------------------------------------