I use a lot of midi backing files . There can be a lot of variance in sound level from file to file…I am using some decent software toadjust the consistency of the sound from file to file.That is what i am looking for, pretty consistant volume loudness wise. The software works well, but again that’s only to my ear. I was reading about decibel meters. I am new to that aspect. The question is, would it be worthwhile to get one, so I can adjust all the files to be say within a few decibels of each other?..It sounds like a good idea on the surface?
Went and bought a sound level meter from radio Shack for 50.00…Works great!..Doing exactly what i had hoped…can also use it at gigs to check sound levels from different areas…
Hi Danboy,
Thanks for the update. Glad that is working for you.
What level (dB) do you find works well for you?
Can you describe where you are taking your measurements?
Joel will probably come along and ask what weighting you are using A or C.
Happy New Year.
quote:Joel will probably come along and ask what weighting you are using A or C.
OK,
I normally use the "A" Weighting curve, as most OSHA and various articles give that as a reference point.
This post area, Going Deaf has several good comments and I linked a few reference areas on DB Readings.
Ok…First thing that I am thinking is that everything is “relative”…My goal is to measure from a consistant distance and level as far as measuring the midi files.
1. I originally set up the meter about 5 ft from the compact. I set the trim on the compact at 9 and also the master level on the keyboard at 9.
The meter was set at 70 db, which would give me readings 10db each way (60-80db) So far I’ve done about 25 files out of about 200. Most were very consistant. I was getting a range of about 64-70 db on average…A few ‘spikes’ here and there, but only for a second or two…Guess that’s normal. The few that were out of kilter, mostly too low, I fixed by trail and error with software, until they too reached the same overall level.
2. The SNAG. It seems my dog is NOT a fan of the Bose1…I am thinking that is a good thing. I can play the stereo loud, also my old PA, it didn’t seem to bother her…But the BOSE, well, even when it’s LOW, she runs and hides in the bathroom!..My thought s are maybe because the sound “permeates” the air??..Dogs have such accute hearing…I found this interesting
So, I decided to set up JUST the keyboard without the compact, and placed the meter about 3 ft from the keyboard, with the Master level set again at 9o’clock…Settings on the meter were left the same ((70db) Now i figured i needed to start over for consistency, and the levles at that were maybe 1-2 decibels lower all around due to the different benchmark I’m using…But the results were consistant. So I’m going to do it this way all the time now… The dog is also very happy with this arrangement.
Note: 've been using “C” weight"…The instructions on the meter said to use it for music???
DS
I know this is going to sound funny coming from an acoustical engineer, but your ears are a much better guide to “equal loudness” than an SPL meter. There are so many variables that go into our perception of loudness – so many that an accurate algorithm using all the signal processing you could ever wish for, is inadequate to predict the human response. Said another way, there’s no foolproof algorithm for converting a musical signal into a prediction of loudness, only crude approximations. The A-Weighted SPL meter is one of those crude approximations.
If that’s okay, then you might also look at the SPL meter APP for the iPhone. I’ve heard from a few Bose engineers that it’s quite good.
Ken
quote:Said another way, there's no foolproof algorithm for converting a musical signal into a prediction of loudness, only crude approximations.
I agree with that, but a baseline is needed in some cases to show others that we try to comply with sound level standards. When a complaint is registered, be it a call to the police or such, they are much easier to communicate with, if you have measurements to state your effort at compliance.
Without that, it is only peoples opinions or perceptions about what is too loud. As a frame of reference, it is very useful for monitoring overall performance levels. You cannot resolve an issue, without a frame of reference. I will surely agree there are many potential flaws with using an SPL meter, but it sure carries more weight then human judgment from several sets of ears, giving an opinion or perception of what is loud to them.
Yes,certain songs I can hear that even though the decibels are on par with each other, my ears tell me one presents louder than the other, in which case I guess i’ll go with my own ears…Thanks…
For equal loudness a decibel meter is a good tool.
Keep in mind however for a performance that lasts an hour or more, with varying songs, a difference in loudness is another performance tool.
If everything is constantly the exact same percieved level regarless of the musical context the overall performance may come off as somewhat bland.
To give the audience listening cues you may want to play ballads a bit lower and rockers a bit louder.
quote:If everything is constantly the exact same percieved level regarless of the musical context the overall performance may come off as somewhat bland.
That is a very good point Ric. While I use a SPL as a reference point, it is just that. I vary levels, with the mood and the genre of music.
The good point, is you can usually tell when its getting a little too strong and a quick glance at the meter helps get your mind and ears, back down a bit.