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Noise control devices will destroy live music

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!  Noise limiters and live music 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.

Noise limiters are a menace to live music...

I must reiterate - this is not a noise abatement law to protect residential areas (which is already covered by law) but it is YET ANOTHER NANNY STATE RULING!  The government is trying to stop us from ruining our hearing.  If I want to listen to loud music and risk my hearing, then that's my choice.  It does not affect anyone else!

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE:  http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoNoiseControl/

URGENT! The deadline to register your vote is THIS FRIDAY (23rd). PLEASE sign this and pass it on to anyone who cares about music.

As so eloquently put by The Hamsters, "Noise limiters are a menace to live music, and we expect this is the bright idea of some unelected suit in Brussels that's never been to a live gig in their life."

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of course there is jboy, it is called a taser, you aim it at the ear of the musician for optimum results

-10

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Tinitus - 13-Jan-11 19:27 

I used to have a market stall, the girls in nearby stalls used to play loud music god knows what genre. I would play an old 78rpm of Gigl with a bamboo needle, I admit it took awhile but one day I was asked to turn it down. The moral is there is a cure for the problem but you must be patiant & look for it

-3

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Boblet - 13-Jan-11 19:20 

At last, the Govt is going to do something intelligent, car hifi systems should also be sold with a maximum power output of a few watts, possibly the people using many of them have already had their hearing destroyed in the local pub, hence the need to think the whole street wants to listen to their choice of music.
If you want to damage your ears that is fine, but don't then expect the NHS to pay for your treatment or hearing aids.

-4

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artuk - 14-Jun-10 02:35 

I was a gigging rock guitarist who set up the PA at pubs.
We could not avoid tipping the NL even when closely monitering the 'traffic light' warning visual. It had to be by-passed for the benefit of all rather than disappoint everyone!
I had my own vested interest in not being overly loud and complying with everyone's preferences. The devices were not responsive to the correct frequences if the point was to limit sound pollution for neighbours. Bass traels but it was the guitar & vocals that cauesd the cut off. I see the government denial of this law being introduced and their usual mantra about being sympathetic. Too late, the UK gigging scene (especially London) has already withered & died thanks to their and council's revenue seeking meddling. I am pleasedto be out of it as you need a van and to arrive at the gig by 7pm. Owning a van, & trying to get anywhere at that time in London - don't start me on those issues.
I

+1

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axzed - 12-May-10 12:53 

I would like to know if there is something elotronic I can aim at a car and disable their boom boom boom music

-9

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jboy - 29-Apr-10 03:09 

I will run de eeelectronic bypass of da system, these moosic compression and wolyoom control devices will be TERMINATED and da loud moosic will be back..

+2

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Ineed your clothes, your boots - 1-Mar-10 02:08 

The level that the threatened control devices were going to impose would have been alot lower than "comfortable". They would have made it almost impossible for bands to play live in pubs. It had nothing to do with mp3 players!

Anyway, what is the point of going to a pub with a live band if you want to hold a conversation? If you want to talk go to a pub without a band playing!!

+5

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grumpyoldwoman - 21-Aug-09 16:53 

They're acting on behalf of idiots who don't care about their hearing.... the sorts that seem to think if they're happy to trash what they have left of their ears....anyone else around them will do too...!

Actually, the music scene will NOT suffer from being turned down..... EVERYTHING IS SHOUTING THESE DAYS.....COMPRESSED MUSIC SQUEEZED OUT OF MP3 PLAYERS INTO THE EARS OF KIDS WITHOUT A CLUE WHAT THEY'RE DOING>...

sorry about that....

but it's true...


Few people are aware how much joy there is in letting your ears adjust to a comfortable level while being able to actually speak to someone too....

I'm a music degree student, I listen to music ALL the time...

I'd like to keep it that way thanks...

so next time you and your band are playing in some pub and you get cut off for being too loud....

I'll be the one smirking in the corner without the hearing aid mate ;-)


Regards....

0

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All Ears...no Fears! - 21-Aug-09 13:54 

too many religious bashing cult people about, thats why a large record shop in a city got closed down, they went in, walked through the heavy metal section, round past the p*rno DVD's, past the hoodie and skateboard section and through a section of goth clothing, picked up a T shirt and said that it offended them, the trading standards and council and police did an enforcement order on the record shop with a multi million turnover and had it closed and emptied of all stock which was forfeit with a for sale sign and the windows frosted up in under a week, 6 years later it is still lying empty and bill posted up to the second floor....

-7

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nothappywith_twisted corrupt s - 29-Jul-09 22:33 

You should look after your hearing I went to see bands play before not because I wanted to but because I just happened to be with friends that wanted to. Always I found them way too loud and when I went out to use the toilets my ears would be ringing! Now my hearing is not what it once was.

If you want to listen to loud music and risk your hearing then you are quite right it is your choice but you are wrong when you say it affects no one else. Of course it does.

What about your family and/or friends or simply a stranger that is trying to say something to you when your hearing has been killed by so called music of your choice is it fair on them that they have to shout and repeat themselves all the time so you hear them properly?

Who is going to pay for the hearing aid when you have gone deaf, will it be the NHS? If so then that is more people affected.

But as you say it is your choice.

+5

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listen not just hear - 13-Mar-09 22:31 

All you need is a little maturity - experience - a sense of musicallity over volume - and the wonderful Bose L1 PA system. Check it out.......the most flexible almost H-Fi quality band PA rig you will ever need (no more huge PA cabs, monitors or bass bins etc...). The most decibel meter friendly system on the market.... unless you're into 'mega death inner ear bleeding liquidise your Granny' noise that is....

+1

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Beenaroundawhile... - 22-Feb-09 19:21 

And the governments response:

We are pleased to tell you that there is no truth in claims that the Government is planning to introduce a requirement for entertainment venues to fit noise control devices.

Each Local Authority Licensing Authority considers every live music application on its merits, and decisions are made entirely by them. However, the Licensing Act 2003 does not allow mandatory conditions for live music to be imposed across the board. It would not be possible to impose such a condition without a change in the law and such a change is not, and never has been, on the Government’s agenda.

There is also no legal requirement under health and safety legislation for entertainment venues to have noise control devices fitted, nor is there any proposal.

The Government is acutely aware of the contribution that music makes to our culture and we remain committed to a vibrant and flourishing creative sector, of which live music plays an essential part.

-11

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Victory - 19-Feb-09 13:05 

The problem exists because stupid people play their music too loudly, or stupid venue managers allow it. Moderation is needed, that's all. But because people today need arrows in the road to show them where to turn left or right, we now need to be told to turn the music down to a sensible level.

I blame stupid people.

+3

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Stupid Person - 16-Feb-09 01:22 

Sure that whistling sound is you're hearing aid the grumpy old git? I've had the ringing in my ears after a loud gig too but it usually goes after two or three days to a week.

0

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No to noise control - 12-Feb-09 13:43 

I was recently in a pub, for an evening meal when a band set up. I fervently wish now I had not stayed to listen, as I now suffer from permanent tinnitus, a maddening 'ringing' in the ears, as a result of only about 45 minutes exposure to their ultra load music. I can honestly say that they have ruined my life!
I've always been a keen on live music, and have often attended pubs and other venues where it is played, with no ill effects. I loath the gradual erosion of our freedom in the name of Health and Safety, not to mention the constant surveillance we endure. However, at the risk of being 'Devils's Advocate' I would not wish the curse of tinnitus on anybody, so sorry guys, I disagree with your petition, if the new legislation only saves one unwary person, it's worth it.

-5

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Grumpy Old Git - 12-Feb-09 13:04 

I feel a national uprising against The Nanny State is somewhere over the horizon.......how much longer are we going to have every aspect of our lives interfered with by these politically correct-health and safety obsessed idiots? The Government just want us to sit at home, watching rubbish on the TV, getting fat, getting thicker and being even more and more pliable in their hands.
I happen to be a musician, and play live gigs in a band. I have a way of dealing with these sound limiters, it's called a hammer!

-4

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Foxxy Love and Toot - 4-Feb-09 18:28 

Why can't we just LIVE in this country.... why do they have to control every single aspect of our existence? WHY? because they are scared of US yep! you and me, we are the scary ones who need controlling like a vicious dog castrated and submissive.... MUSIC is the easiest way to change a nation.... ask an old Soviet why he couldn't play Rock n Roll....

If I become deaf at least I won't be able to hear NANNY!

-8

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We are the ones who have ALL t - 1-Feb-09 00:22 

Won't be deaf, just a little hard of hearing - easy solution, just turn it up a bit louder ;-)

+6

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Electrica - 28-Jan-09 13:27 

Sticks and stones :)

As long as you don't mind being deaf in your old age I am sure that all will be well in your world.

-7

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Acoustica - 28-Jan-09 11:48 

No thanks, don't particularly want to sound like a Simon and Garfunkel tribute band or worse still, six string bob who plays in the red lion on a Sunday night, boring the locals rigid with his list of unimaginative songs.

0

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Electrica - 26-Jan-09 17:29 

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