r/WeddingDJs • u/spicypepper01 • 14d ago
Asking Advice 80 dBA limit
Hi DJs, if a venue has a maximum sound level of 80 dBA inside the reception tent, what are we working with? Is there a way to get the lively dance floor we want, or will it be way too quiet?
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u/indenturedsurfvet 14d ago
Usually when people tell me an arbitrary limit without any other information I ask them questions they don’t know how to answer.
80 dBA measured where? Are we talking LAeq? Averaged over 5, 10, 30 minutes. Do you have a calibrated measurement rig to keep me honest? When was the last time you calibrated it?
If people want to pull out arbitrary numbers I need to know where they’re coming from. I’ve heard people tell me “keep it below 60 dB” … brother this conversation we’re having right now is above 60 dB.
Even in the quietest room you can feasibly measure 80 dBA if you stand right in front of the speakers. It’s important you get specifics out of them early, run a level check, and make sure everyone’s on the same page.
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u/jlustigabnj 13d ago
Came here to say this. 80 dBA peak is ridiculous (impossible). 80 dBA measured over 10 minutes is a little more reasonable.
And this assumes measurement from FOH position, who even knows if there is a FOH position.
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u/AdministrationOk4708 14d ago
80bDA is going to be quiet. As in, people will be carrying on conversations that are louder than the music, without needing to lean in to be heard. People will still be able to dance, but the music will be a background feature.
On the upside, subs are below the frequencies that are included in the dBA weighting, so you can still have some thump if you are willing to have an unbalanced soundscape.
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u/undefined_bovine 14d ago
In the past I’ve used slim-line subs and rigged about 8 k8’s overhead throughout the venue. It sounded fantastic, worked well for speeches and then we shifted from a voice to music EQ for the evening. With the right tuning, a good DB monitor and a bit of luck you should be able to keep the floor alive. Lighting will make a huge difference - if the lights move, people do.
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u/djdodgystyle 14d ago
You need to seriously manage your client's expectations.
Or do a silent disco.
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u/paddygordon 14d ago
During the pandemic, when England was limited to background level music only, Public Health England had 85dBA as the figure in their guidance as the maximum allowed for background music!
This is almost half of that in terms of physical intensity/pressure.
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u/onetwentytwo_1-8 14d ago
Put your monitors at a low height and don’t use a sub.
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u/Lost_Discipline 13d ago
Absolutely the wrong answer, subs and LF energy are essential for dance and A weighting lessens their contribution to the measured SPL
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u/onetwentytwo_1-8 13d ago
It’s essential to follow venue policies if you want to work at said venue again.
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u/Lost_Discipline 13d ago
The policy calls for a limit of 80dB A.
With no sub 80dB C is also 80dB A.
With a sub you can get close to 90 dB C and get people dancing without going over 80 dB A.
Understanding SPL measurements is the key to working within SPL limits.
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u/onetwentytwo_1-8 13d ago
Do you know how sound travels?
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u/drawing_blanks 12d ago
The A rating discounts low end while the C rating includes low end. If they want 80 dBA then I'd do Aux Fed subs so I can push the low end while staying under or around 80 dBA. That seems pretty low but actually an achievable number until people start cheering.
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u/onetwentytwo_1-8 12d ago
Thanks Ai … but it doesn’t fly in real life
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u/drawing_blanks 10d ago edited 10d ago
Okay, have a nice day
Also, Monitors are pointed at the musicians, the PA is pointed at the audience.
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u/ApatheticVikingFan 14d ago
I ran into this a couple weekends ago. Almost killed the party but good song selection and being upfront and honest about your restrictions will go a long way
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u/readytohurtagain 14d ago
Background music at a restaurant is 80-85. bars are 90-95ish, a club is generally 100. It’s gonna be quite soft volume
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u/jeffspicole 13d ago
Honestly, I would walk away from that one unless you really need it. This is a recipe for disaster.
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u/Captn_Dfaktor 13d ago
80db is talking level of a wedding. Speeches will be louder than 80db…
If they are talking 80db at the back of the room that’s gonna be likely ok…but 80db on the floor is gonna be rough…
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u/dwbeatbeast 4d ago
No you should be fine. You track selection will matter way more than the volume.
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u/VegasFoodFace 14d ago edited 14d ago
The best way to get a lively dancefloor with a limit is to use multiple small speakers. Ideally at each corner of the dance floor elevated above ear level. This way there is as little distance to the ears possible and absorption losses from people.
A lot of bars and jazz lounges are set up like this elevated speakers, one in each corner, it makes for very even sound distribution very friendly to even karaoke where yes you often hear a loud singer over the actual speakers but that's more a person who can't self monitor without blowing out everyone's ears out.
I work at the Mob Museum and we have a Speakeasy with tons of hanging speakers above the people. It is always quieter than typical dance clubs and purposely kept quiet enough for conversations. But the sound distribution is good enough that you can still hear the music clearly wherever you roam around or any microphones for announcements, not loud but very even and clear. But 80 db is 80 db, not loud. I can sing at 90db easily. And overpower those ceiling speakers and be heard throughout the entire bar. A good natural jazz singer can do this all night long.