PA Levels - outdoor gig

[audiothings]

I've started to do a fair bit of live sound mixing... this time its a 10000 strong audience... a sort of pop band (ac/elec gtr, dr, pno, bs, prcs... no electronic instruments...) fed by an E/V line array in a fairly large open air venue.

Normally I don't interfere with setup, but this time, I wanted to at least work with some sort of standard level, like we do in the studio (78 dB SPL for TV/Music and 85 dB SPL for film).

So what would be the standard level for a gig like this? If I feed pink noise into a channel and adjust its gain so that the master level is at its nominal 0 dB point (leaving me with enough headroom) what sort of dB SPL am I looking to see in my meter? (and presumably its 'C Weighted'?)

Thanks.

[JonesH]

I'd just aim for what sounds pleasant. Most countries have some regulations on how loud you're allowed to go, though. In Sweden it's 100 dB(A) mean and 110 dB(A) peak if it's an adult audience. 95 and 105 dB(A) respectively for young audiences.

[hbphotoav]

Lots of layers to answer that question...

"Appropriate" level is defined by the audience (hip-hop for teens is definitely different than the orchestra-in-the-park); by the PA rig (there will be a max SPL before distortion rears its ugly head); and the local ordinance (OSHA in USA, noise ordinances by political subdivision... neighborhood, city, county, state). Be good to know if there are mandates.

Then there's distribution. 100dB at FOH 150 feet out from the front of the stage may well mean 120dB+ to the expensive seats, depending on the setup and the abilities of the systems tech; on-axis may be 6-9dB hotter than off-axis, depending on the array's design.

And then there's the client. He/she/it (if it's an organization) will undoubtedly not care about much but how it sounds from his/her/its seat. If the group's producer is standing next to you at the console... well, there's your sign...

I don't think there can be a single-point pink-noise spec that can begin to meet all those expectations... and, of course, pink noise is not music. That all said, most riders I've seen call for a system that will do minimum 105-110dB at FOH without distortion. That's loud, for my ears, and not usually at all pleasant. But it may be what the client wants, if the law allows. And it becomes a headroom allowance if things "feel" good at 95-100dB.

But, then, I've not ever produced the audio for 10,000 people... and I'm sure those who have done so will have better answers...

[Darm]

I'd just turn on some of the pre-recorded shows of the same band, and walk around the place with someone changing the levels to the point where I would like it)

[jabney]

Ears and eyes.

Assuming no noise ordinances, and if you are producing the event, hiring each musician, etc. (in other words complete control), then I'd listen to the noise of the crowd to set the minimum level. For maximum level, I'd watch the crowd and if they start edging back from the front of the arena, then you probably want to start (gradually) turning down.

best,

john

[jude]

i usually ask for a rig capable of producing 110dBa at FOH without distortion. never run the rig that loud but this way you have the headroom in the amps and speakers.

please note, i usually mix rock shows or raves where the music is expected to be LOUD!