[surferdude9375]

On thing I have been curious about around these parts with the pros. How loud are your church services' musical segments? (Multiple responses are warranted if you have multiple styles)

Responses as db(A) (optionally db(C)) measurements (objective) plus how loud it "sounds" or "feels" (subjective). I think that should give a good feel for the environment.

To begin:
In the mornings it is 85, peaking at 90 dB(A), only slightly more on the C-weight. Sounds vocal heavy and feels quiet.
Evening services it is 90, peaking at 95 dB(A), probably upwards of 100 dB(C). Sounds evenly mixed and feels loud and thick.

[Almost Enough]

Our mornings are the same as yours...except I think that saying it sounds "vocal heavy" is an understatement. Most Sundays, it sounds like the vocals are in the room leading, and the band is outside.

[Maestro_dmc]

We are hitting near 95dB-A average (from the mix position) peaking near 100 most of the time. (They like it cranked) I do try and run about 3-6 db lower for the first service on Sundays, because it's much emptier in the sanctuary.

It's been a while since I took the meter out into the congregation, but I know there are some hot spots out there.

The church where I mix has a great system with plenty of clean headroom, and great subs. It's easy to push it high and still be clean. A C-weighted measurement would be in the 100-110 range I'm sure.

So, here's a question for you sound guys: How much additional amplifier power does it take to raise your average level from 95dB to 98dB?

[ibanez_dude]

So I've never taken a meter out at church, I've been meaning too. Both saturday and Sunday services have the same feel, but Saturday is louder. Probably 85 and 90 dBa respectively. The system in general lacks presence, and doesn't sound great

Originally Posted by Maestro_dmc

So, here's a question for you sound guys: How much additional amplifier power does it take to raise your average level from 95dB to 98dB?

The guess off the top of my head is double the power. my EE degree tells me that -3dB is the half power point

[dogfood]

i think that when i was on sound, over 95db was too loud. but nothing under 90db.

[MJ_Avalanche]

The soundmen at our church were instructed at the first of the year that the peak on Sunday morning was supposed to be 85db, so I'd hazard a guess we've been running 80-85. Saturday night service runs 95-100, I think. Might be a little over 100.

Couldn't tell you which measurement is used, as I didn't even know there were two different kinds. All I know is that playing on Sunday morning is TERRIBLE because with the size of our auditorium 85db barely fills the space, much less allow for good dynamics to take place.

Sunday morning is usually pretty clear, but it's pretty quiet and lacks dynamics.
Saturday night is usually just loud mud and lacks dynamics.

[zedman]

I've never measured it--so I can't give a dB level--but I know it ain't too loud.

[Maestro_dmc]

Originally Posted by ibanez_dude

The guess off the top of my head is double the power. my EE degree tells me that -3dB is the half power point

Yep. Kind of crazy to think about it though, to me.

+10 dB takes ten times the power, but only sounds around twice as loud.

Sorry, been studying for an exam of late and learning some things that surprised me.

[ibanez_dude]

I'm thinking that since I'm taking over our media ministry, and we've never had a db meter or any measurement, I'm gonna buy one for consistency's sake, and keep a log every week for a little while. That way, "it's much louder today" can be translated to "it's been this loud every week for a month"

[Maestro_dmc]

Rereading this thread and thought I could add this article since it makes some valid points to consider about this very subject.

Consider that there are quite a few things that can affect the perception of loudness and make things seem louder than they actually are. Whether because of frequency content or room acoustic factors, or a crappy PA.

how_loud_is_too_loud

[Stratopastor]

Maestro, thanks for that link.

There's another whole possible discussion under this general heading concerning what the congregation want to hear OF THMSELVES.

For some time I thought our church (wide range of ages and music preferences) fell into 2 basic tribes - older (don't like it loud unless it's an organ) and younger (like it louder). But then I discovered that there are in fact 3 tribes because the younger crowd breaks down into age* 30-55 (like modern music but want to hear themselves sing), and under-30s* (like modern music but don't want to hear themselves sing). It was that last group who surprised me...

Anyone else found that, or are my people just weird? (or is it me?) I ask 'cos those last 2 tribes are going to disagree about volume levels, based on a criterion not mentioned so far in this discussion.



*approximate, obviously

[thesteve]

What you describe definitely exists. There's a growing rift between the "worship is private, I don't want to hear my voice" crowd and the "worship is corporate, let us all hear each other" crowd.

[bobthecockroach]

As a congregant, I find it way too loud at my church. Sitting in the back, it's OK. Anywhere closer, it sounds like a rock concert in volume.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

As a congregant, I find it way too loud at my church. Sitting in the back, it's OK. Anywhere closer, it sounds like a rock concert in volume.

And therein lies the split. Some people, for reasons I've never fully understood, want things to be as loud as a rock concert.

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by thesteve

And therein lies the split. Some people, for reasons I've never fully understood, want things to be as loud as a rock concert.

I mean... it does sound "better". You get a much fuller sound and a fuller range of sound at high volumes. But I just don't think it's necessary in church.