How much power do I need to play music

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sensi63
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How much power do I need to play music

Post by sensi63 » Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:20 pm

american music mostly, in keeping with the theme. Is there a site that has info on that? Is is possible without a generator running all the time? how loud can you go on 12v or any battery...is it a question of watts or what? I am clueless, but I would like to share some amazing music
Thanks

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trilobyte
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Post by trilobyte » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:20 pm

It depends pretty completely on how powerful your sound system is, and what you're plugging into it.

A friend of mine's camp used a small stereo in their dome, and got by using two car batteries through the course of the week (one battery made it about 3-4 days, I'm not sure if the other battery made it through the rest of the week).

If you're looking to provide sound for anything more than a chillout space, though, you're probably going to need a generator. It all comes back to what you're going to be plugging in, so start taking a look at your equipment.

Trilo

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MikeVDS
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Post by MikeVDS » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:22 pm

Yep. Find out what equipment you want, then you can determine power needs. If you don't want a genny, look for the biggest one you're willing to supply with batteries for the week.
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phil
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Post by phil » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:33 pm

See if these two threads offer help:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=21018
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=23434

Search (link near top of page) for
music power batteries generator
and see what turns up.

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gyre
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Post by gyre » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:35 pm

Get an efficient system.
The lower the bass output, the more power needed, but you can get very efficient speakers.
I have speakers I can run off the earplug jack.
Look for sensitivity ratings at one watt.
Some very low power speakers are very efficient, but won't take much power.
I would consider 92 db/watt a minimum.
100 db/watt is good.

Then size the amp for the power needed.

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trilobyte
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Post by trilobyte » Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:56 am

Ha... you and your "energy efficiency" lol.... it's no secret that the big Thursday dust storm was right on the heels of the big Wednesday night/Thursday morning throwdown I had at the temple. Watts, I tell you! Watts!!!!

Sorry, for a brief moment there I was having dust storm flashbacks...

Trilo

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Ugly Dougly
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:55 am

Get a bugle.

Courtesy Flush
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Post by Courtesy Flush » Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:36 am

Ugly Dougly wrote:Get a bugle.
I have a conch shell made into a horn!!! 8)

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Captain Goddammit
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Re: How much power do I need to play music

Post by Captain Goddammit » Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:31 pm

sensi63 wrote:american music mostly, in keeping with the theme. Is there a site that has info on that? Is is possible without a generator running all the time? how loud can you go on 12v or any battery...is it a question of watts or what? I am clueless, but I would like to share some amazing music
Thanks
It's virtually impossible to answer this question. There are too many unanswered variables. It's like asking how much it costs to do a Burning Man theme camp; it all depends!
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."

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Burp!
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Post by Burp! » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:26 pm

I always error on the side of too loud, so get as much system as you can and then turn it down. People near by will help you figure this out. Best plan is to crank it up, then walk away from your camp. One of the music ferries will come and then adjust to a "Burning Man Appropriate Level".

T.

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gyre
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Post by gyre » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:01 pm

That's what the hammer is for.

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