Noise Limiters at Weddings: What You Need to Know
Introduction
Noise limiters are a device that measures the volume of sound coming from a source and, once the volume exceeds a certain level, it cuts off the electricity supply to that source. They are becoming increasingly common at wedding venues, which can be a cause of concern for couples and performers. In this blog post, we'll discuss what noise limiters are, why they're used at weddings, and how we work with them to ensure a successful event.
Questions
What Are Noise Limiters?
Noise limiters are devices that control the volume of sound that is being produced in a venue. They are designed to measure the volume of sound and, once it exceeds a certain threshold, they will trigger a cut-off switch, which cuts off the electricity supply to the offending sound source - in our case, our PA System, Amps & Lighting. This is done to prevent excessive noise levels that could be a nuisance to surrounding neighbours or guests.
Why Are Noise Limiters Used at Weddings?
Wedding venues are often located in residential areas, and excessive noise levels can be a cause of complaint from local residents. Noise limiters are used to prevent excessive noise levels and maintain good relations with the local community and limit noise pollution. Some venues may have a legal obligation to use noise limiters during events.
How To Work With Noise Limiters?
When hiring one of our lineups for your wedding, it's important to inform us ahead of time that your venue has a noise limiter in place. This way, we can prepare accordingly and adjust our performance to ensure they do not trigger the noise limiter. It's helpful for us to know the maximum volume level (this is in Decibels) that is allowed before the noise limiter kicks in so we know what we're working with.
How Worried Should I Be?
We're very experienced in working with Noise Limiters and it's an ever increasing occurence. Every noise limiter is different and can be sensitive to different frequencies and instruments, so we'll pay attention to the sound levels of each individual instrument and make sure the sum of the parts doesn’t exceed the critical limit.
Conclusion
While the use of noise limiters at weddings may seem like a hindrance, they are becoming more common at venues that are in residential areas. It's important to discuss with your venue and us ahead of time to ensure everyone is aware of the noise limiter and dealing with it accordingly. With a bit of planning and preparation, we can work with the noise limiter and make sure your wedding celebration is a success.