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THIS IS GENUINE!! The government want to stop us from hurting our ears now!! From the new tax year anyone applying or re-applying for an entertainment license must have a noise control device fitted to the venue.
This will be the final nail in the coffin for pretty much ALL entertainment in the UK as the level at which these devices cut the power off is ridiculously low. I have played in venues with these stupid sound limiters and, as Chinnery's say, an average un-amplified snare drum exceeds the cut-off. They can also be triggered by crowd noises which, even at much larger venues, often peak at a higher decibel levels than the band itself. When they cut in, the entire power system shuts down and the band has to wait 60 seconds until power is restored.
This legislation is basically stopping ALL bands from being able to play live, and ruining ALL forms of live music including clubs and discos. It's not a case of turning the music down a bit. It is simply not possible for any band to play against these sound limiters. And despite what Aunty Maude might say, discos played at low volume are simply DULL! Venues are suffering enough as it is without being forced to go to the expense of fitting one of these damned things. Whenever we play gigs at venues that have sound limiters we always disable them, otherwise it simply wouldn't be possible to play. But this law would enforce their use. It WILL kill the live music scene if they push it through.
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