Elevated Speakers requirement

[Zipper]

What is the reason for requiring speakers to be elevated off of the playa surface?

Certainly general PA mains need to be elevated to get the sound out. Subwoofers, though, work best on the ground or floor so the low frequency does not disperse as much.

My subs are designed to rest on a floor with the mains on pole on top of them.

Thanks!

[some seeing eye]

Could you provide the quote/source?

[Zipper]

This was from a "Do's and Don'ts" email from bmorg. Circusy graphics and fonts. 4th sentence in quote below.

Noise Control & Sound Policy

Sound travels easily on the playa and not everyone will want to sleep when you do. Bring ear plugs! Audio systems must be held to a maximum power amplification of 300 watts, generating 90 decibels at 20 feet. Speakers must be elevated off the playa surface and be backed by a truck, RV, or anything large and solid enough to prevent the sound from traveling backwards. If a problem with sound levels continues after sufficient requests and warnings, the source of power for such device or system will be disabled. Mutant Vehicles are subject to the Mutant Vehicle Sound Policy, and must cut their sound when approaching art installations and performances. The hum of generators becomes annoying over a long period of time. Please keep your neighbors in mind. We recommend generators that are sound insulated, and/or enclosed in a wooden box. DO NOT dig a trench to sound-insulate your generator. More information about generators on our website.

[Zipper]

It's in the Survival Guide
http://survival.burningman.org/rules-re ... and-donts/

[BBadger]

I think the intent is actually for the low frequency audio to disperse more quickly in order to limit its range.

[Token]

That is the requirement for locations that are not large scale sound. So if you camp anywhere not on 2 or 10 you get to raise your subs off the ground so it doesn't pound your whole neighborhood.

Raised speakers limit low frequency transmission through the ground.

[trilobyte]

What Token said. In large scale sound areas, big sound (including subs) are welcome at all levels (though even then, care must be taken when placing speakers in order to minimize the impact on neighbors). In the majority of the city, yeah there are sound limits and guidelines. Also, what Bbadger said. Part of the reason to require that speakers (including subs) are lifted off the ground is exactly what you've said - the low frequencies (which are omnidirectional) travel much more efficiently... impacting more neighbors.

If you're in a placed camp and doing big sound in an area that is not designated for such, you should have your camp leader/primary contact get in touch with placement asap. If you are not a part of a placed camp, then you should plan to try and camp between 2-3 or 9-10 on the dial.

[some seeing eye]

If you own your own system you are probably somewhat technical and curious.

Speakers have a sensitivity, in their spec sheets, how many Watts of drive produce how many dB at usually 1 meter. Today's speakers are efficient - 90 to 100 or more dB at 1 Watt at 1 meter. If you do the math 4 Watts will produce about 90dB or more at 20 feet, what the BMORG is encouraging as a maximum level in the camping neighborhoods. With simplifying assumptions, any 15 inch powered or unpowered sub driven by just about any amp, can drive your system to 90dB at 20 feet, on the ground or off the ground.

So your system is going to produce plenty of sound off the ground.

Say you use a subharmonic synthesizer and boost the f*ck out of the frequencies below the cabinet rolloff. Ground conduction is not going to improve the bass experience of those individuals who want to hump the sub. They are going to get a better bass experience direct through the air to their torso, not through their feet, which argues raising the subs about 3 feet off the ground. You could put it on a stack of futons for extra credit.

I always suggest camps, DJs and sound engineers purchase a Type 2 sound pressure level meter. Type 1 has better calibration, but is more expensive. Type 2 is calibrated and repeatable. Type 3 is much worse, but much cheaper, so it could be a good starter meter. With a meter you can start to calibrate your ears.

Why the Watt inflation on powered speakers? Digital amps are cheap and because marketing.

There are a few sound engineers - acousticians involved in Burning Man who have their own opinions. That's mine.

[Token]

Spot on SSE!

Few folks realize how little power is needed from an amp to make very loud.

[Zipper]

Well, I would not call a pair or 12" monitors big sound, but I'm sure I can configure something for them for our half hour party during one of the stops on the Naked Pub Crawl/Ride at our camp. Thanks for the illumination.

[some seeing eye]

You will be able to produce plenty of sound for that occasion. No one is ever going to be able to keep up with the trust funders or startup billionares with their Funktion-One or Meyer or whatever systems. The program material always outweighs the technology!

[Zipper]

I have been a Theme Camp burner since 2002 and have never been without amplified sound in the camp.

Never has there been a year without connecting to neighbors sensitivities to the sound that the camp will produce, informing them of when we would be producing amplified music and how to communicate with us if it became a problem for them.

Never in those years has there been a complaint except for when it wasn't loud enough so that they could enjoy it also.

I attribute this to mostly to hitting the right vibe in the music as opposed to rubbing the wrong way, in which case no amount of volume reduction except off, will satisfy.

Camping in a zone, in this case the Gayborhood, where there are already other camps with historic appreciation of what we are doing, as well as the fact that they are doing likewise should be, as in years past, acceptable.

[Token]

@Zipper

This is why it is super awesome to read the requirement, pack a couple milk crates just in case they are needed as speaker stands, then do your thing.

Beg for forgiveness is a good angle to take with sound, so long as you put in the fun effort of knowing your neighbors.

Make the Naked Pub Crawl event a block-party kind of thing and you are golden.

I already have ideas on how to advertise the block party with a bunch of naked folks with megaphones ...

[BoyScoutGirl]

I have been a Theme Camp burner since 2002 and have never been without amplified sound in the camp.

Never has there been a year without connecting to neighbors sensitivities to the sound that the camp will produce, informing them of when we would be producing amplified music and how to communicate with us if it became a problem for them.

Never in those years has there been a complaint except for when it wasn't loud enough so that they could enjoy it also.

I attribute this to mostly to hitting the right vibe in the music as opposed to rubbing the wrong way, in which case no amount of volume reduction except off, will satisfy.

Camping in a zone, in this case the Gayborhood, where there are already other camps with historic appreciation of what we are doing, as well as the fact that they are doing likewise should be, as in years past, acceptable.

Reading this made me very happy. I don't like loud sound and can be kind of a grump about it - and my definition of loud is weeeeell below Big Sound. Thanks for being a good neighbor! There is plenty of room for all tastes in BRC when people are considerate.

[some seeing eye]

Just like we have a potty project that goes throughout the city, we need more people like zipper with experience running their own systems who actively encourage good sound behavior throughout the city.