Members Bruce Swedien Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 HEARING LOSS??? - Not Me!!! For all of my career I have been VERY careful about not listening too loud for extended periods. I am appalled at how many young people in this industry monitor at excessively high speaker levels. I use my Auratones about 50% of the day in the studio. I think that helps too... Here are the standard monitoring settings that I use for all my sessions. To set these values I normally use my Simpson [Type 2] SPL Meter. Or a Radio-Shack Sound Level Meter Catalogue #33-2050.... A-Mid-field monitoring - > Westlake Audio Lc3W-12s.... (Placed on top of meter over-bridge of mixing desk.) 1- To adjust the Westlake speakers for an SPL level of approximately 93 SPL -(Sound Pressure Level). a-Set SPL meter. 1-'A' scale(OSHA). 2-speed-'slow'(OSHA). 3-range-90. b-Play wide-range complex program material. 1-Set playback for +3 buss peaks on VU scale. 2-Observe SPL results. (+3 buss peaks = 93 SPL peaks) c-Make mark on monitor level control..... Note: This will result in a good loud level for mixing Popular music. It can be used for a total listening time of 4 hours of mixing per day. When I mix at this level for 2 and 1/2 hours and then take a 30 minute break, I don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Excellent !!! Muchas gracias Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members axe2 2001 Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Good advice that I should listen to!! I'm starting to realize mixing and monitoring is as hard on my ears as playing with my band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boosh Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Thanks ! I already knew the "be careful with your ears part." The rest is great info! Greetz Booshy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members temnov Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Thanks, Bruce, thank you very much!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the stranger Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Huh? Seriously, great info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Super 8 Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Man, I blew my ears out yesterday. The drummer before me likes her monitor level loud....I mean really really loud. I could not believe it. I'm on the kit behind a plexiglass shield. We got into rehearsing the first tune, and the monitor was distorting so badly. By the middle of the tune I could feel my hi-end leaving and everything starting to sound low and muffled. We got through the tune and I said; "this is ridiculous! Turn this thing way down!" Then I went and got some earplugs, but my hearing didn't recover from that blast for at least another 8 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members seclusion Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the stranger Posted May 20, 2007 Members Share Posted May 20, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flatfinger Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 I was reading a notorious post somewere on the net about recording rock guitar and the author recommended sticking your ear right into a 4x12 to find the best speaker to mic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also as in the post above , drums and cymbals are the worst because of the spl and fast transients!!! You ears have built in limiting and can cut the response to somthing like 30 db less if they have the time to adjust ( slower attacks) The worst part about damaging your hearing is that you are still susceptble to further loud caused damage ... you don't build up any imunity or toughen up like a callous ; you just can't hear soft sound any more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anderton Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hey Bruce, that's too good not to spread around a bit. Mind if I run what you wrote in EQ's "punch-in" section? With attribution, of course:) Hell, I'll even throw in a plug for your book! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members audioicon Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hey Bruce, that's too good not to spread around a bit. Mind if I run what you wrote in EQ's "punch-in" section? With attribution, of course:) Hell, I'll even throw in a plug for your book! Great idea Craig, I was just thinking through sips of my coffee, that I wish Bruce had the opportunity to make a TV ad telling young people about hearing loss and to turn the volume down!Do some musicians understand that the Human Ear is the most important "gear" they'll ever have. Audioicon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boosh Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 Great idea Craig, I was just thinking through sips of my coffee, that I wish Bruce had the opportunity to make a TV ad telling young people about hearing loss and to turn the volume down! Do some musicians understand that the Human Ear is the most important "gear" they'll ever have. Audioicon Hey ,that would be a great idea! I know how important it is to protect your ears...recently started a thgread about it myself as a reminder. About the most important gear,....hmmm I have more important gear attached to my body I'm very pleased with , not only my ears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bruce Swedien Posted May 21, 2007 Author Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hey Bruce, that's too good not to spread around a bit. Mind if I run what you wrote in EQ's "punch-in" section? With attribution, of course:) Hell, I'll even throw in a plug for your book! Craig..... Please do.... It's a highly overlooked subject... Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anderton Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 In that case, next time I track you down at a trade show and have my video camera, I'll ask you to say a few words for a "public service ad" we can post here on HC. Deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cry Logic Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 The internet is a truly wondrous thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anderton Posted May 21, 2007 Members Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hey Bruce, here's the edited version. I was going to send this in an email, but I thought that a) some of the SSSers might find the difference between an edited and unedited manuscript interesting, and b) if I misinterpreted anything you said, then someone else might have as well. Once you sign off on this, I'll consider it good to go...thanks!!!-------------------------------------HOW TO SAVE YOUR HEARING By Bruce Swedien Throughout my career, I have been very careful about not listening too loud for extended periods. I am appalled at how many people in this industry monitor at excessively high speaker levels. (I use my smaller Auratone speakers about 50% of the day in the studio . . . I think that helps too.)Here are the standard monitoring settings that I use for all my sessions, with specifics for two types of situations. To set these values I normally use a Simpson [Type 2] SPL Meter, but you can also use a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter, catalog #33-2050. MID-FIELD MONITORING (WITH WESTLAKE AUDIO LC3W-12S) For this, I placed the speakers on top of the meter over-bridge of the mixing console. To adjust the Westlake speakers for an SPL level of approximately 93 SPL (Sound Pressure Level): 1. Set SPL meter to 'A' scale (OSHA), speed = slow (OSHA), and range = 90.2. Play wide-range complex program material.3. Set playback for +3 bus peaks on VU scale.4. Observe SPL results (+3 buss peaks = 93 SPL peaks).5. Mark your monitor level control for this setting. This results in a good, loud level for mixing popular music that can be used for a total listening time of 4 hours of mixing per day. When I mix at this level for 2-1/2 hours and then take a 30 minute break, I don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Sayers Posted May 22, 2007 Members Share Posted May 22, 2007 I haven't developed any hearing loss yet I spent hours in studios with loud bands and loud monitors. I think that in an engineer's position you can anticipate the level so if you turn it up you know in advance it's going to be loud and your ears immediately compensate. The damage comes when 1) you don't anticipate it, like when you bend down infront of an amp to align the mike and a stupid guitarist hits a power chord or 2) via distortion, typically from crappy PA systems over eq'd and with screaming tweeters. I love the sound of good monitors loud, I don't believe it's harmful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Anderton Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 A lot of it depends on duration. You can listen to loud music for short periods of time or soft music for long periods of time, but if only from a biological standpoint, ears are not made for continuous, loud sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Great post Bruce. A Radio Shack SPL meter should be one of the first gear type purchases every aspiring engineer, producer and even musician should make IMO. Don't overlook other potential damaging sound sources. Everyday sounds from things like motorcycle engines, lawnmowers, shooting sports, heck, even hammering nails can exceed safe SPL levels and cause hearing damage with enough exposure to them. When it doubt, use the meter and check it out - and if you can't check with a meter, play it safe and wear hearing protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bruce Swedien Posted May 23, 2007 Author Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 In that case, next time I track you down at a trade show and have my video camera, I'll ask you to say a few words for a "public service ad" we can post here on HC. Deal? Craig....... Absolutely! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bruce Swedien Posted May 23, 2007 Author Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 SPL Meter, but you can also use a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter, catalog #33-2050. MID-FIELD MONITORING (WITH WESTLAKE AUDIO LC3W-12S) For this, I placed the speakers on top of the meter over-bridge of the mixing console. To adjust the Westlake speakers for an SPL level of approximately 93 SPL (Sound Pressure Level): 1. Set SPL meter to 'A' scale (OSHA), speed = slow (OSHA), and range = 90.2. Play wide-range complex program material.3. Set playback for +3 bus peaks on VU scale.4. Observe SPL results (+3 buss peaks = 93 SPL peaks).5. Mark your monitor level control for this setting. This results in a good, loud level for mixing popular music that can be used for a total listening time of 4 hours of mixing per day. When I mix at this level for 2-1/2 hours and then take a 30 minute break, I don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dahkter Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Hi Bruce,Thanks for stopping by and posting this helpful advice, much appreciated!Hope all is well with you and the family.Take care,Dahkter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Xance Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Thanks Bruce! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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