Sound Limiter: Positioning, Acceptable Levels, and Effects on Live Events

What is a Sound Limiter?

A sound limiter is a device used to control and limit the volume of sound in a specific area to avoid excessive noise levels. It ensures compliance with noise regulations, protects hearing health, and prevents disturbances to surrounding areas.

Positioning of the Sound Limiter's Microphone

Proper positioning of the sound limiter’s microphone is critical to ensure accurate sound level readings and optimal functionality. Consider the following guidelines when placing the microphone:

• Front of House Positioning: Place the microphone at the front of the house, ideally at the mixing desk, to capture a balanced representation of the overall sound levels in the room.
• Equidistant from Speakers: The microphone should be equidistant from the main speakers to prevent any bias in sound level measurements.
• Avoid Obstructions: Keep the microphone clear of any obstructions like walls, barriers, or other objects that might affect sound waves.
• Avoid Localized Noise Sources: Place the microphone away from localized noise sources such as HVAC systems, which can skew the readings and cause premature triggering of the limiter.

Acceptable Sound Levels for Events

Sound levels at events should be maintained within acceptable limits to comply with local regulations and ensure a positive experience for attendees. Here are some general guidelines for sound levels at various events:

• Indoor Events: Typically, sound levels should not exceed 80-100 dB. Going beyond these levels can cause discomfort and hearing damage, as well as potential penalties for non-compliance.
• Outdoor Events: Acceptable levels are generally lower, between 70-85 dB, due to the risk of noise pollution and disturbances to neighboring areas.
• Events with Special Regulations: For events in residential areas or late-night shows, the permissible levels may be much lower (e.g., 60-75 dB). Always check local noise regulations.

Effects of Using Sound Limiters on Live Events with Bands

Using sound limiters at events with live bands can have both positive and negative effects. It’s important to understand these impacts to determine whether a sound limiter is appropriate for your event:

Positive Effects

• Compliance with Noise Regulations: Ensures the event adheres to local sound level restrictions, avoiding penalties and maintaining good relationships with local authorities and the community.
• Protection of Hearing Health: Keeps sound levels within a safe range to protect the hearing health of both performers and attendees.
• Improved Sound Management: Helps sound engineers manage sound levels more effectively, preventing excessive volume that can lead to poor sound quality.

Possible Negative Effects

• Reduced Dynamic Range: Cheap, poor quality limiters may restrict the dynamic range of the music, making it sound compressed and less lively.
• Interference with Live Performance: Sudden volume reductions which result when low quality noise limiters are used, can interfere with the performance, causing frustration for musicians and detracting from the audience's experience.
• Over-Triggered Limiters: Poorly calibrated limiters may activate frequently, causing interruptions and dissatisfaction among attendees.

It's recommended to install a high performance, noise limiter from Lime Technologies, such as the VCX Automatic Volume Limiter or NLX (v2.2) power cut limiter to avoid common issues and maintain sound quality / event integrity while balancing sound levels.

Best Sound Limiters for Events and Venues

Model	Type	Features	Price
Lime Technologies NLX (v2.2)	Power Cut	Automatic operation, Simple to install, Low cost	£598
Lime Technologies VCX	Automatic Volume Controller	Maintains audio quality, DIY installation, Adjustable thresholds	£614
Lime Technologies ILX	Level Indication Only	Very low cost, Plug in and go, Indicates when volume should be reduced	£318

Frequently Asked Questions